No slip-ups

AFC UNDER-22: Players to make amends

Fandi Othman leads Malaysia’s fragile back-line.

MALAYSIA will be hoping to bounce back from Saturday's 3-2 defeat to South Korea in their opening Group G AFC Under-22 Qualifiers when they face the Philippines in what should be a straight forward win in Yangon today.

The team cannot afford another slip-up today as it will put a huge dent in their bid to qualify for the tournament proper next year.

Malaysia's fragile makeshift back-line, led by Fandi Othman, had a poor opening game and coach Ong Kim Swee is likely to start centre-back Fadhli Shas, who returns after serving a one-match suspension, to add stability.

Kim Swee could also opt to drop Portugal-bound Nazmi Faiz Mansor, who had a poor game on Saturday, and start Gary Steven Robbat, who shone as a substitute against the Koreans.

Malaysia cannot afford to take risks against the Philippines, who lost 5-1 to Myanmar in their opening match, as their rivals are also desperate for a win.

"We would have earned at least a point against Korea if our back-line were composed. We lost because of our own mistakes," said Kim Swee when contacted in Yangon yesterday.

"I am disappointed as we lost to an average Korean side. It is a result which I cannot accept especially after my players showed so much commitment."

"We cannot afford to make silly mistakes. It is best that we work on our weaknesses to get better."

On today's match against the Philippines, Kim Swee said his players are eager to make a huge impression.

"It is better that we shift our focus to the Philippines match as we need this win to re-ignite our ambition to qualify for the tournament proper.

"The Philippines are probably the weakest team in this competition but we must not take them lightly as a lot is at stake in this match," he said.

Malaysia need a win today to avoid complications in the tournament which has turned unpredictable after minnows Taiwan edged Vietnam 2-1.

"It is always unpredictable in age-group tournaments and we must not take any match for granted," Kim Swee added.

Korea will play Taiwan in their second match today while Myanmar will face Vietnam.

EURO 2012: France's latest bad boy

FOUL MOUTH: Nasri is newest member of Les Bleus making headlines for the wrong reasons


Samir Nasri earned the wrath of several of his teammates during the Euro campaign after having crossed swords with them.

PARIS: SAMIR Nasri's scene stealing departure from Euro 2012 added to the rich history of French footballers not doing things by halves when they want to express their disaffection with their lot.

From Nicolas Anelka in the 2010 World Cup -- one could say the whole squad -- to the volatile Eric Cantona in 1988 to Jean-Francois Larios prior to the 1982 World Cup the French have led the way in creating headlines for the front pages as well as back pages.

Nasri turns 25 today and may not have too many birthday cards or presents from his fellow French squad members after crossing swords with some of them during their ultimately stormy Euro 2012 campaign.

However, it is his foul-mouthed rant in the mixed zone after the 2-0 defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals that could push Laurent Blanc to send him into the international wilderness once more.

Ironically it was Blanc who recalled him after the 2010 World Cup having been left out of that squad by Raymond Domenech because he was deemed a disruptive influence.

"I did talk to Nasri about his comportment with the press but evidently the message didn't get through," said a visibly angry Blanc on Sunday the day after Nasri's outburst.

"It is not very good for Nasri's image and neither is it for the team's."

Nasri at least returned with the rest of the squad which was not the case for Anelka, whose expulsion after a slightly shorter foul mouthed outburst at hapless coach Raymond Domenech at half-time of the 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the group stage of the catastrophic World Cup finals campaign.

"Go **** yourself you dirty son of a whore!" screamed the striker, who had already acquired the nickname 'The Incredible Sulk' for his gloomy demeanour on and off the pitch.

But for the altercation appearing on the front page of L'Equipe -- leaked by a mole -- it is questionable given Domenech's lack of authority that Anelka would have been sent home but there was no choice with it being made public.

Most squads would have accepted this as a normal disciplinary measure against a player who had overstepped the mark but not this revolutionary group of players who then stayed on their team bus -- and refused to train.

"Going on strike was the decision of a group that felt isolated, that felt no one had protected it and that wanted to get a message across," said Hugo Lloris at the time and who was to be completely forgiven as Blanc named him captain.

"We went way too far. It was a clumsy decision, a big mistake. It was totally stupid."

While theirs was a collective decision Cantona's was typical of his unique theatrical temperament reacting to what he took as a personal slight.

The mercurial forward, then aged 22, took such offence at being dropped from the France squad by Henri Michel -- who had handed him his first cap -- that he called him a "bag of s***" -- a one-year ban ensued unsurprisingly.

Whilst Cantona's choice of words were not exactly going to win him any friends or influence within the federation they may have struck a chord with some other players, but Larios' offence would have not found much sympathy.

Both he and Michel Platini were key members of the France squad set to participate at the 1982 World Cup finals.

However, Larios, a star of the St Etienne side that dominated French football in the 1970s and early 1980s, had to be peremptorily sent home when allegations surfaced that he was having an affair with Platini's wife.

With Platini's star in the ascendant both on the pitch and in the dressing room Larios never represented his country again.

Sadly for France, Nasri has not followed Lloris' recent advice on how to turn the page post-2010.

"We need to get back to basics, respect for the jersey, for ourselves, our teammates and the institution that is the France team." AFP

SHOOTING: Relief for Nur Suryani

DONE DEAL: Pregnant shooter's husband leaves for London on July 25



Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi (left) shares a light moment with Malaysian Olympic contingent chef de mission Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid at the National Sports Complex yesterday. Pic by Goh Thean Howe

OLYMPIC-bound pregnant shooter Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi can rest assured that her wish to see her husband Mazhasli Mhotar accompany her to the London Games will be realised.

Nur Suryani, when met after chef de mission Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid visited her at the National Sports Complex yesterday, said the National Sports Council (NSC) had already booked tickets for the duo, giving her a big pre-Games boost.

"From what I understand, the NSC has already booked tickets for both of us, with me leaving on July 22 and my husband on the 25th," said Nur Suryani, who is seven-month pregnant.

"We will both be returning on July 31. I am very happy that he will be with me (in London)."

The 29-year-old added that her preparation for the Games was going well and she would be focusing on her mental preparation in the final weeks leading up to her event on July 28.

"For me, the physical aspect of training for the Games has been done and my focus is now on preparing myself mentally for the competition.

"There are a lot of external factors that can disrupt a shooter, such as the press there or even adapting to the Games village and I do not want to be caught off-guard."

Nur Suryani, however, downplayed her chances of winning a medal in London.

"Things are a little different for me now because of the pregnancy and even things like getting into a comfortable position takes a little more time than before.

"I do not want to burden myself by setting targets and will instead just focus on giving my best and hoping that things go well for me on the day."

Nur Suryani, who disclosed that she will be giving birth to a girl, will undergo two medical check-ups with specialists this week to ensure her involvement in the London Games will not be detrimental to her unborn child.

She will also go through a final routine check on Monday.

Saiful Apek freed of drug abuse charge

PETALING JAYA: Popular comedian Saiful Apek, who was charged with drug abuse two years ago, was freed without his defence being called by the magistrate's court yesterday.


Mohd Saifulazam Mohamed Yusoff, better known as Saiful Apek, giving thanks after being freed of a drug charge yesterday. Pic by Syarafiq Abd Samad

In an immediate reaction, the celebrity, whose real name is Mohd Saifulazam Mohamed Yusoff, said he had faith in the judiciary and thanked his fans for their support.

Saiful, 43, was charged in November last year, with three of his friends, for committing the offence at the Subang Jaya district police headquarters narcotics division a year earlier.

His friends, Shah Zainatull Ehsan Al-Muazam Shah Yahya, 29, Shaiful Baharom, 25, and Noremy Mohamad, 29 were also freed yesterday.

In his ruling, magistrate Ahmad Solihin Abd Wahid found there were contradictions in material evidence.

One of the issues was the contradiction on the discrepancies on the dates in the labelling on the urine sample containing the urine samples of Saiful Apek and Noremy.

The sample was also kept for a long time before it was sent to the Chemistry Department.

A total of eight witnesses testified for the prosecution.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Ishrakh Saad said he would appeal against the decision.

Lawyers Mohd Fadhly Hashim and Zamri Idrus appeared for the four accused.

Saiful Apek, Shah Zainatull Ehsan, Shaiful and Noremy were charged under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries a maximum imprisonment for two years or RM5,000 fine upon conviction.

New guidelines to ensure more roads are built Read more: New guidelines to ensure more roads are built

MAKING BEST USE OF FUNDS: Roads used by fewer than 250 vehicles per day must not be over-designed


Works Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor (centre) viewing the project specifications for the upgrade of two roads in Pensiangan, Sabah, yesterday. With him are state Public Works Department director Datuk John Anthony (second from right) and Sook assemblyman Datuk Ellron Angin (second from left). Pic by Malai Rosmah Tuah

KENINGAU: THE Works Ministry is using a set of new road design guidelines, with focus on roads with low traffic, that provides more options  to optimise government allocations.

Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor said this would ensure roads that were used by fewer than 250 vehicles per day, were not "over-designed".

Speaking to reporters after visiting two road upgrading projects in Pensiangan, he said road designs had been too rigid with only one or two standard options in the past.

"Last year, I had asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to conduct a study and they came out with new guidelines in May.

"Before a road is constructed, we should identify the target users, the type of vehicles and how long the road can last so that it will not be 'over-designed'. If it is, it will require more funds.

"With these guidelines, we will have more options, such as the type of material used, whether it is cement or rocks.

"What is important is the road is durable and safe."

Shaziman also said the government was aware there were still many rural areas in need of road access.

Therefore, it was important to optimise the allocations involved.

He said the ministry had started implementing the guidelines and they would be extended to other ministries like the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and state PWDs.

RM4.2m park for Fraser's Hill

RAUB: Fancy being surrounded by colourful flowers while having a cup of tea in a colonial-styled house?


Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen at the project site in Fraser’s Hill where various types of flowers will be planted. Pic by Ainal Marhaton Abd Ghani

This will soon be a reality when the RM4.2 million Fraser's Hill Parks and Garden project is completed in May next year.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said various types of flowers would be planted on the 0.8ha park, especially those usually found in temperate countries.

She said at the English-styled resort, visitors would also enjoy different types of tea, including those from Cameron Highlands.

"The park will serve as the latest tourist attraction at Fraser's Hill, which is famous for company retreats and weekend gatherings," said Dr Ng, who launched the project on Sunday.

Azizah Mohd, 50, who had been living in Fraser's Hill for more than 35 years, said well-planned development in the area, like the park being planned, would help boost tourism and woo visitors who wished to escape the city life.

Fire razes shophouses

INFERNO: 80 families left homeless

Villagers watch helplessly as the midnight blaze engulfs their houses in Sebuyau, Kota Semarahan, yesterday. Pic by Syed Anwar Edrus

SEBUYAU (Kota Samarahan): SOME 80 families here were left homeless when their houses  was razed   at midnight yesterday.

No casualties were reported in the 10-minute incident.

The families were staying on the top floor of the pre-war wooden shophouses.

They were awakened from their sleep by patrons of a nearby coffee shop.

The victims said the fire spread so fast that they had no time to salvage anything. Some of the victims are now putting up in homes of relatives' or friends, while others have taken shelter at SJKC Chung Hua.

Two rows of the 29 shophouses, the Sebuyau District Council's wet market and a few stalls at the market were also destroyed in the fire.

Eye-witnesses claimed the fire appeared to have started from a snooker hall in the centre of one of the blocks.

Simunjan fire chief, Sekan Gundah said his department received a call at 12.01am.

One fire engine with 12 firemen were dispatched to the scene.

Sekan said while little could be done to save the two blocks, the firemen, with assistance of the town's 15 volunteers, members of the civil defence and Rela, succeeded in stopping the fire from spreading to the two adjoining blocks and the food market.

The fire was eventually brought under control at 1.47am.

The Fire and Rescue Department is investigating the cause of the fire.

PM chairs 115th Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers meeting Read more: PM chairs 115th Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers meeting

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today chaired the 115th Meeting of Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers at the Perdana Putra Building, here.

The meeting, which began at 10 am, was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, newly appointed Chief Secretary to the Government 

Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa and several cabinet ministers. 

 

The meeting was held to coordinate administration among the states besides discussing matters arising. Bernama

EURO 2012: Loew has no room for sentiment Read more: EURO 2012: Loew has no room for sentiment

GDANSK (POLAND): With the Bundesliga producing a conveyor belt of fresh talent and national coach Joachim Loew eager to promote youth, reputations no longer appear to count for much in the Germany team.

Loew sprung a considerable surprise for Friday's Euro 2012 quarter-final when he changed three of his six-strong attack in the 4-2 demolition of Greece.

Despite having won all three Group B games, the mantra "never change a winning team" was ignored in the last eight game as striker Mario Gomez, plus forwards Lukas Podolski and Thomas Mueller were all axed.

Miroslav Klose celebrated his 120th cap with his 64th international goal as he took Gomez's place.

"Our bench is very, very strong which makes us stand out," said the 34-year-old Lazio star. "Anyone can come in and play, which is great for us."

Well, not so great for those who found themselves surplus to requirements.

Arsenal-bound Lukas Podolski, a permanent fixture since Euro 2004, was dropped for Bayer Leverkusen's Andre Schuerrle, who has been his understudy for the last 12 months.

Likewise Mueller, voted best young player at the 2010 World Cup where he finished as top scorer, was overlooked as Borussia Moenchengladbach's Reus announced himself with silky passes, darting runs and Germany's fourth goal.

"After three wins at Euro 2012, I wasn't dissatisfied with my team in the slightest, but I had been planning on making the changes to the lineup for a while," explained Loew after routing the Greeks.

"I thought we had to be unpredictable against Greece, because I felt they would be ready for us.

"It is good to be cheeky like that from time to time."

Correct, but had the gamble not paid off, Loew would have taken considerable flak from a German press desperate for a first major title in 16 years.

Underlying the abandonment of his usual conservative selection policy was Loew's preference for dynamic youth over experienced maturity and his changes serve to highlight the strength in depth the Germans enjoy.

"I have often said I like youth, quality and dynamism, I value that over experience," said Loew.

Now following a below-par performance against Greece, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger could be forgiven a nervous glance over his shoulder for Thursday's semi-final with Toni Kroos itching to start.

Loew's selection against Greece can be regarded as a wake-up call to a squad who can consider themselves only as good as their last performance.

As the trio who were promoted against the Greeks proved, no German is now irreplaceable.

"We know from now on games of this magnitude are decided by small details, and we can't allow a single mistake."

Loew's words serve as a warning to any Germany star not currently shining. AFP

No slip-ups

AFC UNDER-22: Players to make amends

Fandi Othman leads Malaysia’s fragile back-line.

 MALAYSIA will be hoping to bounce back from Saturday's 3-2 defeat to South Korea in their opening Group G AFC Under-22 Qualifiers when they face the Philippines in what should be a straight forward win in Yangon today.

The team cannot afford another slip-up today as it will put a huge dent in their bid to qualify for the tournament proper next year.

Malaysia's fragile makeshift back-line, led by Fandi Othman, had a poor opening game and coach Ong Kim Swee is likely to start centre-back Fadhli Shas, who returns after serving a one-match suspension, to add stability.

Kim Swee could also opt to drop Portugal-bound Nazmi Faiz Mansor, who had a poor game on Saturday, and start Gary Steven Robbat, who shone as a substitute against the Koreans.

Malaysia cannot afford to take risks against the Philippines, who lost 5-1 to Myanmar in their opening match, as their rivals are also desperate for a win.

"We would have earned at least a point against Korea if our back-line were composed. We lost because of our own mistakes," said Kim Swee when contacted in Yangon yesterday.

"I am disappointed as we lost to an average Korean side. It is a result which I cannot accept especially after my players showed so much commitment."

"We cannot afford to make silly mistakes. It is best that we work on our weaknesses to get better."

On today's match against the Philippines, Kim Swee said his players are eager to make a huge impression.

"It is better that we shift our focus to the Philippines match as we need this win to re-ignite our ambition to qualify for the tournament proper.

"The Philippines are probably the weakest team in this competition but we must not take them lightly as a lot is at stake in this match," he said.

Malaysia need a win today to avoid complications in the tournament which has turned unpredictable after minnows Taiwan edged Vietnam 2-1.

"It is always unpredictable in age-group tournaments and we must not take any match for granted," Kim Swee added.

Korea will play Taiwan in their second match today while Myanmar will face Vietnam.

RUGBY: Malaysia retain Asian Under-20 crown

MALAYSIA'S Under-20 side proved they are no-flash-in-the-pan by successfully defending their Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) Asian Under-20 Sevens title in Johor Baru yesterday.




Malaysia’s Under-20 players celebrate their victory over Hong Kong in the final yesterday.

The hosts edged Hong Kong 26-22 in a repeat of last year's final, thanks to tries from Zulkifli Azmi, Ameer Nasrun, Anwarul Hafiz and Faris Salim with Nazreen Fitri Nasruddin converting three kicks.  All the tries were scored in the first half.

 National Under-20 coach Saizul Hafifi Mohd Noor said he was elated with his charges' successful title defence and consistent performances throughout the tournament.

   "I am really proud of the boys. To defend a title is not easy and they showed great willpower and discipline to win it again," said Saizul Hafifi.

   "Our game plan against Hong Kong was to run hard and use our pace as much as possible as they have very large players.

   "The boys showed great consistency throughout (the tournament) and even today (yesterday) they held firm as Hong Kong came at us hard towards the end of the match."

    Malaysia had earlier shown great character in their semi-final against Taiwan when they came back from being 14-0 down at half-time to emerge 17-14 winners and book their place in the final.

The team had also created history during the group stages earlier yesterday when they notched Malaysia's first ever win, either at junior or senior level in both sevens and 15s, A over Japan when they edged the much-favoured traditional Asian powerhouse 17-14 in their final group match.

    The national team earlier notched wins over  China (19-12), Philippines (31-5) and Singapore (33-17) in the group stage.

    Malaysia had beaten Hong Kong 34-14 -in last year's  final  after drubbing Kazakhstan 40-0 in the semi-finals.

Early birthday cheer for Shaharudin

KUALA LUMPUR: Shaharudin Hashim's birthday came early this year as he celebrated winning the Malaysian men's category at the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur marathon yesterday.
 
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin presenting the champion’s prize to Shaharudin Hashim (second from left), winner of the Malaysian men’s category at the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur marathon yesterday. Bernama pic

The national marathon runner, who turns 37 today, has now won the event three years in a row, making it his seventh win since 2004.

Shaharudin finished the 42.197km race after 2 hours 42 minutes and 28 seconds, nearly seven minutes ahead of second place winner Fabian Osmond Daimon.

"Even though it wasn't my best time, I'm still happy that I managed to win, especially since it came just before my birthday," Shaharudin said.

The Perak-born police corporal is currently guided by French trainer Jean-Pierre Lautredoux and has a personal best time of 2 hours 33 minutes and 21 seconds, recorded at the Seoul marathon five years ago. He has won the KL Marathon in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010 and last year.

Shahabudin's prize which includes a cheque for US$2,500 (RM7,984) was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who also gave out the awards for the Malaysian men's and Open veterans' categories.

The Malaysian women's category was won by Sarawakian Ling Mee Eng, 44.

Muhyiddin said the marathon was the best opportunity for the city's denizens, especially the young, to show what it means to live in a peaceful and multicultural country.

"It is a really significant event -- it shows that Malaysia is a very open country which welcomes visitors from all over the world," he said before flagging off the 5km Fun Run at the National Monument.

A total of 28,000 participants took part in the city-wide marathon, including 1,000 international participants from countries such as Kenya, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, France and Singapore.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the marathon was a good way of promoting the city as a venue for international tournaments.

Two men with fake guns held in army camp Read more: Two men with fake guns held in army camp

MALACCA: Two men, posing as army officers and driving a Mercedes-Benz S200 filled with fake weaponry, gained entry into the Terendak Camp in Sungai Udang, here, on Saturday.


The imitation firearms seized in Malacca yesterday. Grade A imitation firearms are replicas of famous modern guns, each incorporating a firing mechanism which simulates the workings of the original. It is made of high-grade casting alloy, with genuine hardwood used where applicable. The finishes replicate the as-made finish of the original gun and, in some cases, the patina develops with time and use. These replica firearms are usually used as stage props and by movie studios. They are non-fireable and cannot be altered. Pic by Arifin Salleh

Carrying fake military passes and in uniform, the local men, in their late 30s, were allowed inside the camp, which housed the 10th Parachute Brigade. But they only got as far as the firing range 600m from the entrance before they were caught.

Their car boot was filled with replicas of pistols, rifles, machine guns, smoke bombs, military communications gear and other equipment.

The men are military enthusiasts who like to dress up as officers. One of them is a businessman running a four-digit outlet while the other works in a timber  company.

Tenth Parachute Brigade intelligence officer Major Abd Razak Sipit said the men came to the camp at 2.30pm and claimed to be officers based in Sabah. He said they were asked to report to the guardhouse, where they were asked for their identification cards and the purpose of their visit.

"They then made their way to the firing range. However, we sent two army personnel to follow them when checks showed they were not in the army.

"When the men realised they were being tailed, they jumped into their car and drove towards the entrance, but our guards had closed the gate, and the two men were detained."

Besides the fake weaponry, the investigators also found security passes from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Prime Minister's Department in the car.

"The replica firearms are used as stage props and were made according to the original specifications. The men claimed the equipment was from Taiwan and was bought for more than RM20,000."

Razak said the two men were handed over to the Masjid Tanah police station before they were transferred to the Alor Gajah district police headquarters. Deputy district police chief Deputy Superintendent Abd Rahman Jid said the men were being investigated for impersonating civil servants.

Better taxi service

IN TWO YEARS: New system will do away with giving licences to companies, says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: A SYSTEM to provide better job satisfaction for taxi drivers and a more efficient service for passengers is being devised, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday.

He expressed his displeasure at the practice of handing a large number of permits to companies, likening the leasing system to a “modern form of slavery”.

“I don’t like it when I hear about companies getting lots of taxi licences. We will end the era of giving licences to companies under the new system, where we will give licences to individual taxi drivers.”

He said this at the Teksi Rakyat 1Malaysia (TR1Ma) gathering at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here.

He added that the new system would be rolled out in two years.

He asked taxi drivers to give the government some time to study the new system and promised that the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) would engage taxi drivers’ associations for their feedback.

There were 42,947 taxi permits held by taxi corporations, while 32,663 more were issued to individuals, said SPAD.

Najib announced vouchers for new tyres and a personal accident insurance scheme as part of the new touch points for taxi drivers.

Cabbies will receive vouchers for two pairs of tyres worth RM520, which are redeemable at more than 300 Goodyear and Continental service centres.

The vouchers are for two years. After that, they will be reviewed when the new model is ready.

The 1Malaysia Development Board has pumped in RM35 million per year into this initiative, which will benefit close to 67,000 taxi drivers.

As for the personal accident insurance scheme, taxi drivers will receive benefits in cases of death due to accident (RM10,000), permanent disability due to accident (RM10,000), medical treatment costs due to accident (RM500), funeral expenses for death due to accident (RM1,500) and funeral  expenses for normal death (RM1,000).

The Information, Communications and Culture Ministry has prepared a fund of more than RM1 million for the scheme.

Other initiatives announced in the past included rebates of RM3,000 for taxis aged between 7 and 10 years and RM1,000 for taxis aged over 10 years.

The government, through Bank Simpanan Nasional’s loan scheme, also provides a two per cent interest rate for new local taxi ownership.

Najib urged taxi drivers to have passenger-friendly values, which would   create a good image of the country and its people to foreign tourists.

“Based on a study of our dealings with tourists, we discovered that their perception of the country is affected by the first few people they meet upon reaching here.

“Immigration officers are the first people they meet, followed by taxi drivers. If they are greeted by a friendly driver, they are likelier to think that Malaysians are that way.”

Later, Najib presented awards to 40 taxi drivers who displayed good values to encourage taxi drivers  to increase the quality of their service.

Zaharuddin Ramali was recognised by Najib for  returning the wallet of a foreign tourist who had left it in his taxi.

Najib said the tourist had high praise for Zaharuddin, who had refused to accept a reward for his deed.

The day-long  event was  organised by SPAD, the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry, the Information Department and 1MDB.

Present were Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.

In a recent report by the New Straits Times, Malaysia Taxi Owners and Drivers Association secretary Hiew Pow Man said  there were around 50,000 taxis and 75,000 drivers in the Klang Valley, including the ones at the Sepang Low-Cost Carrier Terminal.

Now, taxi drivers can either lease taxis from companies, drive their own taxis or rent from individual owners.

“There are more than 30 companies leasing taxis in the Klang Valley.   The cost of renting taxis from companies is RM40 to RM80, depending on the car used. A Proton Exora can go up to RM80.

For taxi drivers who participate in the coupon system, 10 to 15 per cent of their earnings will be given as commission to the company.

Taxi drivers’ earnings are not fixed and, some say, depend on their luck.

If they go to the airport or if  tourists  book them for city tours, they can earn up to RM200 a day. There are times when they go back home with only RM20.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak being greeted by taxi drivers at the Teksi Rakyat 1Malaysia gathering at National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. Pic by Abdullah Yusof

R&D: Spotlight on local inventions

The World Innovation Forum Kuala Lumpur 2012 is an eagerly awaited climax to a list of activities that MOSTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation) and Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM) have carried out throughout the year. Jointly organised by both bodies, WIF-KL is set to clear a place for Malaysia on the global innovation stage. The forum will be held from 5 to 7 Nov at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

WIF-KL is an evolution of the past KL Innovation Forum series that was held in 2010 and again last year. The idea was to bring together relevant groups of people to discuss cutting-edge innovations in technology, where the results can act as commendations for the government in terms of policy and implementation related to innovation.

Among the activities that WIF-KL will act as a culmination of is the Jejak Inovasi series of innovation-driven trips to rural areas that aim to promote awareness and shine a spotlight on our own backyard inventors, and the KidsInvent programmes that encourage children at a primary-school level to understand mathematics and science through interactive challenges.

Overall, WIF-KL will present four core and nine satellite events, including the Bio Malaysia Conference 2012, Nano Malaysia Conference 2012, the Asia Grassroots Innovation Design Competitions and Forum, and the International Symposium on Fostering Innovation in Developing Countries.

Celebrating Expertise: MOSTI and YIM are working diligently to make this event not just a success, but impactful on the geography of innovation in Malaysia.

“The theme that we are looking at this year is inclusive innovation,” says Muhammad Aziph Mustapha, Acting CEO/COO of YIM. “We are used to hearing about innovators based in laboratories, but we also want the grassroots innovators, the youth and the general public to get involved.”

The organisers have taken several steps to make this idea come to life. On the first two days of the exhibition, there will be three dialogue sessions and a think tank session, all peopled by distinguished experts and experienced practitioners in fields as varied as communications and market research.

“We are excited about the roundtable think tank session,” Aziph reveals. The session will be held on 5 Nov, facilitated by Dr Manoj Menon, Partner and Managing Director at Frost & Sullivan. There will be 10 separate tables consisting of 10 experts each set in the same area with their own audience.

The concept for this form of discussions was put forth in consultation with Frost & Sullivan, as it would increase interactivity and create an environment of receptivity and active connectedness. “It might get a bit noisy,” Aziph admits.”But this is a concept that can really engage people, both the participants and the audience. At the end of the day, we want these people to sign off on a charter on innovation that will be developed after the discussions have been completed.”

Throughout the two days there is an impressive line-up of distinguished thought leaders to lead the dialogues; among them Sir James Dyson, Founder of Dyson Inc. US; David Frigstad, Chairman of Frost & Sullivan US; Wing K. Lee, CEO of YTL Communications Malaysia; Thomas Heatherwick, Founder of Heatherwick Studio UK, and Professor R.A. Mashelkar, President of Global Research Alliance, India.

Strategic Events: Malaysia’s premier biotechnology event, Bio Malaysia Conference and Exhibition 2012, will be an important component of WIF-KL. Organised by Biotech Corp and involving more than 350 leading corporations, research institutions, universities, government agencies and prominent individual researchers, BioMalaysia serves as a place where investors and developers are introduced to potentially beneficial partnerships and new technologies.

The Nano Malaysia Summit 2012, under the aegis of MOSTI, will be running at the same time. With much the same programme as BioMalaysia, Nano Malaysia aims to bring together local companies, big corporations and investors in the nanotechnology industry, as well as promote awareness of nanotechnology and its usefulness to the general public.

WIF-KL does not stop there though – on the second day, there will be a super plenary session involving the participants of the Nano Malaysia Summit and the BioMalaysia Conference as well as professionals from various fields attending WIF-KL to discuss the impact and potential of the science industries when it comes to innovation and commercialisation.

Local Focus: While WIF-KL intends to play a significant role on the global innovation stage, it is also adamant in promoting awareness of the local invention scene. On the final day of the forum, a market open day will be held to display the inventions that were discovered on the various Jejak Inovasi Programmes carried out throughout the year. Five innovations with the greatest potential and applicability from each Jejak Inovasi Programmes will be displayed, and the inventors will be given the opportunity to pitch their creations to a room full of potential investors, developers and purchasers.

“People in the outskirts, the rural areas that we go to – they don’t really care about commercialisation,” Aziph says, citing a villager who created a saxophone out of bamboo to fulfil his passion to play one, and an old plastic gasing maker who looked to the surprising material to create a safer and more stable gasing for children to play with. “We feel that their creations are of value, because no one else has done it before. It’s unique and innovative, and they each have the potential to put Malaysia on the map.”

The gala dinner held on the 6 Nov will also be a stage to hand out major innovation-related awards like Anugerah Inovasi Negara, C1PTA 1 Malaysia Awards, National Young Scientist Awards, National Technologist Awards, and the 5th Biotechnology Innovation Awards.

Engaging the Youth: The National Young Scientist Award will not be the only time that the youth will be involved in WIF-KL. Together with their strategic partners from MyHarapan youth trust foundation, the forum will be hosting a youth-specific dialogue session on the second day to discuss issues that affect innovation amongst the youths and ways that young people can play a role in nation building efforts.

For youngsters, the KidsInvent finale would be a great draw. “It is difficult to attract the younger crowd to these sorts of forums,” acknowledges Aziph. “But we’ve been working on it throughout the year with our regional KidsInvent workshops that involve school-going children between the ages of five and 12. Not only have we spread awareness, but we’re making sure that the kids are involved in the finale at WIF-KL.

“We’ll be flying down three of the best students from each workshop that we’ve carried out, together with their parents and their teachers, so that they will be able to take part in the finale in KL no matter where they’re from.”

A Platform for the Future: The forum will act as a platform for much anticipated business opportunities, as it makes potential investors aware of a much wider source of innovation than before. Aziph is counting on the forum to at least open the market to grassroots research as a source of innovation.

“What we hope to achieve at the end of WIF-KL is to create the awareness that Malaysians are creative and innovative,” says Aziph. “We want to allow a mindset change to take seed that innovation isn’t just about developing patents, but about simple ingenuity as well.

“We hope that WIF-KL will act as a spearhead to grow our country through innovation.”

Six missing divers rescued

21-HOUR ORDEAL: Tugboat finds them floating in open sea off Pulau Tioman


The group of young divers who were rescued by a tugboat yesterday after they were found floating about 20 nautical miles north of Tulai island near Pulau Tioman. The six (from left), Lim Kong Hooi, Maggie Lim, Leong Li Kar, Zu Zhiming, Hu Jia Jie and Wang Jia Xing were brought to the Salang police station on Pulau Tioman. Picture courtesy of PDRM

ROMPIN:  Six certified divers, including two women reported missing on Saturday after a diving trip off Chebeh Island near Pulau Tioman here were found safe yesterday after floating in open sea for about 21 hours.

A passing tugboat -- Kencana Makmur rescued them about 9am yesterday after discovering them floating 3km from Chebeh Island near Tioman island here.

They were female divers Maggie Lim, 27, and Leong Li Kar, 26, as well as male divers Lim Kong Hooi, 27, and Wang Jia Xing, 26, from Malaysia. The others were Singapore national Hu Jia Jie, 25, and Chinese national Zu Zhiming, 32.

They were on a diving trip organised by a Singapore tour agency.

MMEA district enforcement chief Maritime Captain Abdul Aziz Idrus said the divers, who were in good health, were then taken to the Tioman Island police station to have their statements recorded.

Aziz said after rescuing the six, the divers' boat skipper Iwani Yusof, 50, was informed of their rescue, who in turn informed the MMEA base in Mersing, Johor.

The MMEA dispatched a patrol vessel to ferry the divers about 1pm and transfer them to the Tekek Jetty in Pulau Tioman.

In the 12.30pm incident on Saturday, the six were part of a 19-member diving trip. They were divided into three groups for their diving session at Chebeh Island.

The six were nowhere to be found, when the other divers surfaced about 45 minutes later.

This prompted Iwani to radio a distress call to other nearby boats at about 2pm before a search and rescue operation was mounted.

Iwani, who led the team, left the Kampung Salang jetty about 9am on Saturday. They dived for a 40-minute session at Pulau Soyak before heading to the Chebeh Island diving spot.

"Once there, the other two groups, consisting of six divers per group decided to explore the 12m depth, while the third group, comprising seven divers, chose the 30m depth."

He said two groups emerged some 30 minutes later before a dive-master -- Lim Kee Pah, attached to the third group, surfaced alone without the six divers.

After spending several hours searching the area, Iwani returned to Kampung Salang about 7pm before lodging a police report.

Kee Pah, in his police report, said he and the other six divers were in the water for about 15 minutes, when he was separated from the rest, believed to be due to strong currents.

Rompin District deputy police chief, Assistant Superintendent Zainul Muhajidin said all the divers were safe and that they only suffered minor injuries.

Pulau Tioman Marine Parks Department director Mohamed Ridzuan Mohamed Alias said the incident on Saturday was the first reported in the marine park over the past two years.

At press time, MMEA was still arranging for the divers to be ferried back to the mainland at Tanjung Gemok, near Kuala Rompin.

Special Envoy to the United States Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis, who is the Rompin member of parliament, an ardent diver himself, said he was pleased to learn the missing divers had been found safe. Additional reporting by Fahirul N. Ramli

EURO 2012: Opening goal is deja vu for Lahm Read more: EURO 2012: Opening goal is deja vu for Lahm

GDANSK: For Germany skipper Philipp Lahm, his sublime goal against Greece that got his country off the mark in their 4-2 Euro 2012 quarter-final victory over Greece had a vintage flavour.

Germany’s Philipp Lahm (second from right) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Greece in their Euro 2012 quarter-final on Friday. AP pic

Lahm's sizzling 39th-minute strike to Greek goalkeeper Michalis Sifakis's left was a near carbon-copy of his opener against Costa Rica in the first game of the 2006 World Cup on home soil.

Lahm and his side took longer to get into their stride in the Gdansk Arena than against Costa Rica, however, given that the pocket rocket's goal six years ago came in the sixth minute.

Euro 2012 has underscored the 28-year-old Bayern Munich player's reputation as one of the world's leading full-backs.

He has shone on the left, where Germany coach Joachim Loew opted to play him, as opposed to his traditional Bayern right-side slot.

Thursday's quarter-final marked Lahm's 90th cap for his country and his fifth goal -- the last was in 2010 against Bosnia Herzegovina in a pre-World Cup friendly.

"We made life unnecessarily hard for ourselves," admitted Lahm after the final whistle.

"We created lots of chances and took the lead, but then gave it away again.

"We can be happy that we created more goals and are now in the semi-finals.

"We started really, really well, so we can be happy."

Lahm has worn the captain's armband since taking over from Michael Ballack when the latter was sidelined by injury ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Loew recognised his value to Die Mannschaft as a leader, but also a scorer when it counts.

"Philipp Lahm is the man for the main goals at major tournaments," said the Germany coach. AFP

EURO 2012: Football, Kiev and the shadow of 'The Death Match' Read more: EURO 2012: Football, Kiev and the shadow of 'The Death Match'

KIEV: The Ukrainian capital Kiev hosts the final of Euro 2012, cementing an association with football that goes well beyond its famous teams Dynamo and Lokomotiv to one of the most talked-about matches in history.

A statue showing Ukrainian player striking down a Nazi eagle inside Start Stadium. AFP pic

The Start stadium is a crumbling arena not far from the city centre. The letters START are mounted on a stone colonnade but the letter "R" looks ready to fall at any minute onto the abandoned wooden terraces overrun with rubbish and weeds.

The dilapidated venue is a far cry from the overhauled Olympic Stadium, where the two best teams in European football will run out on July 1 in front of a capacity 60,000 crowd.

But 70 years ago the Start stadium hosted a match forever etched in the memory of Ukrainians, when a team made up of former Dynamo and Lokomotiv players freed from a prison camp played a FlakElf XI of soldiers and pilots of the Nazi German occupiers.

On Aug 9, 1942, several thousand people were in the then Zenit stadium to watch FC Start win 5-3 in a game later dubbed "The Death Match".

The story began several months before when former Dynamo goalkeeper Nikolai Trusevich found work after his release from a prison camp in a Kiev bakery, with the city occupied by German troops after they pushed back the Soviet Union's Red Army a year earlier.

Trusevich's boss, Josef Kordi, was a Dynamo fan and persuaded him to put together a team with some of his former teammates, who found themselves on the streets, to play in a league organised by their hated occupiers.

With seven former Dynamo players and three from Lokomotiv, Start were very strong. The team, who played in red, won six times before playing FlakElf for the first time on Aug 6.

Start's winning run did not go down well with the German authorities, who thought it would be a source of inspiration for the local population and hit the morale of its own troops.

Nevertheless, Start ran out emphatic 5-1 winners and a rematch was organised for just three days later.

The stands at Zenit stadium were full on Aug 9 with German police and soldiers among the crowds. The match itself was hard-fought and marked by dubious refereeing by an SS officer.

Despite that, Start went into half-time 3-1 up. The players are then said to have received a visit from two German officials asking them them to throw the match. The team won the game 5-3.

History and legend diverge from reality after the final whistle.

In the 1960s, Soviet propaganda seized on the Start story and made two films based on it, suggesting that the 11 players were arrested after the match and immediately executed while still wearing their football jerseys.

In reality, that didn't happen. Start even played another match after "The Death Match" -- and won again.

But several players on the team were later arrested on suspicion of being members of the Soviet secret political police, the NKVD. One of them, Nikolai Korotkikh, was tortured and died.

Other players were sent to the Syrets labour camp in the Kiev suburbs.

Ivan Kuzmenko, Alexei Klimenko and Nikolai Trusevich were executed but a German court ruled in 2005 that it was impossible to prove that their deaths were linked to "The Death Match".

The same inquiry was not able either to establish beyond doubt whether German officials visited the Start dressing room at half-time and a photo even exists of the two teams at the end of the match, smiling.

Following the fall of the Soviet Union, one member of Start who survived the war, Makar Goncharenko, spoke out about how his former teammates met their deaths.

"They didn't all die because they were good footballers or Dynamo players. They died like a lot of other Soviets because two totalitarian regimes went to war.

"They were victims of a wide-scale massacre. The death of these players isn't very different from those of a lot of other people," he said.

In Kiev, two monuments pay tribute to the FC Start players.

One is in front of the Dynamo stadium. The other, showing a player with a ball at his feet and striking down a Nazi eagle with Swastika eyes, is inside the walls of Start stadium. AFP

Staying on top of crime

IT used to be unsafe to carry oversized, designer handbags, wear flashy gold jewellery and walk to the shops late at night.

Today, it seems that it's just as dangerous to carry a paper bag, put on costume jewellery, or sometimes, even just drive to work.

Although people may be more careful with their belongings, thieves and crooks are more valiant and ruthless these days. Hence, women must be mindful of the factors that put them in danger before stepping out of the house.

Venovox security and investigation chief operating officer Rebecca C. said there were several factors contributing to the rise in crimes against women in the country, one of which was the lax attitude of security companies.

"Women are the easiest target for quick cash or valuables by means of snatching or extortion.

"Also, women are more independent now and they're part of a wider social circle. This means, many working women are out shopping more and having frequent late night outings -- spending a great amount of time behind the wheel, making them ideal targets.

"The security industry, too, is to blame as it's marred by foreigners, guards with criminal records and those above the age of 55. It doesn't help that buildings also have poor lighting and camera surveillance systems that don't work.

"Nevertheless, this should not serve as an excuse for the authorities to take the matter lightly."

She said it was imperative for women to take extra precaution.

"Many times, women forget where they've parked their cars, especially in shopping malls or office buildings. As a result, they wander around, exposing themselves to unnecessary danger. Instead, women should walk straight to their vehicle using the shortest route possible as soon as they exit the mall.

"Also, they must keep their remote and key in hand, and lock the car the moment they step into the vehicle. They shouldn't depend on the car's in-built auto lock system, which only takes effect when the brake pedal is engaged or when the car moves past 20kph.

"Many women are also easily distracted by their smartphones -- checking emails, updating social networking sites, replying SMSes and even playing games.

"You may not be a target the first time, but if you visit the same place many times, such as your bank, favourite shopping mall, restaurant or fitness centre, your attackers will start noticing a pattern. They'll realise that your attention is on your gadgets and not your surroundings.

"Women also tend to ignore their surroundings while driving; they feel safe in a box with four wheels on the road. Usually, they don't even notice if someone is trailing them in a car or motorcycle for 10 minutes.

"Most women won't even turn to see the drivers in the cars on their left or right, while waiting at traffic lights. They're worried that the other person may get the impression that they're checking them out. It is possible to look curiously without smiling and sending the wrong message.

"Although it's impossible to predict misfortune, it's best to be prepared," Rebecca said.

"You can deter an attacker by being aware of your surroundings at all times. You're unlikely to be attacked if you're walking with your head held high and eyes alert.

"Although self-defence and martial arts classes will unlikely be of any help if one is caught by surprise, it can serve as a tool to strengthen the body, keep the mind alert and build stamina."

Possessing gadgets like stun guns could cause more harm than good, she added.

"Besides the fact that most of these gadgets are illegal, it can also be used against you by the attacker. It's better to have something practical like a big, yellow whistle attached to your designer handbag, even if it means you're not as fashionable as the next girl.

"It serves as a deterrent and will be easily reachable in an emergency. If all else fails, shout for attention and create a scene. That usually throws an attacker off his game."

Martial arts practitioner and fitness centre manager Phoebe Lim tells how to fight back

Question: How effective is martial arts in fending off would-be attackers?
Answer: Martial arts practitioners have a better sense of awareness of their surroundings. They’re usually alert and suspicious. These traits will definitely influence their actions and reaction time when caught in unfavourable situations.

Practising martial arts helps women think ahead by assessing the situation and planning their next best move instead of faltering in their steps.

However, if a weapon is involved, little can be said about fighting back as most criminals now do not hesitate to hurt their victims first before robbing them.

Question: Should the study of martial arts be made compulsory for schoolchildren?
Answer: Yes, definitely. I think it’s good to start them young as martial arts is not something you can pick out of the shelf in a supermarket.

Practice needs time and character builds confidence. Most criminals prey on the weak and vulnerable. Looking tougher forces a criminal to think twice about approaching a potential victim.

Question:  When attacked or approached by an assailant, what’s the best thing for a woman to do?
Answer: The best approach would be to delay the demands of the assailant and at the same time look for a way out.

If it’s just one assailant, the best advice I learned from my master was to fight back by hurting the assailant where it hurts most.  That will buy you some time to run to safety.

If they’re demanding any of your belongings, just let them have it. But if what they want is your physical body, by all means please fight back.

It’s been reported that rapists tend to lose interest if a victim is hard to control.

Question:  What are some of the most effective moves in fending off attackers?
Answer: The golden rule is to kick them where it hurts most,  such as the groin, rib cage, throat, nose and jaw. If a woman manages to grab hold of an assailant’s finger, swing it wildly and strongly. A broken finger will slow him down.

Another strategy is to attract attention by shouting at the top of your lungs and straight into your attacker’s face.

Psychologically, shouting empowers you, telling your attacker that you will not give in to his demands easily.

Also, don’t allow your attacker to force you into a car, alley or house — diminishing all chances of you getting immediate help.

Practise good balancing skills to avoid being knocked down easily, and keep a self-defence weapon with you at all times, be it a pepper spray or panic alarm device.

Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings, do tell a close friend or family member of your whereabouts and never take shortcuts.