Monday 27 May 2013

1 million visitors expected for Malacca River Fest

MALACCA: A million visitors from all over the country and abroad are expected to enjoy the thrills and join the fun-filled Malacca River Festival that starts here on June 1.

The month-long festival, introduced in 2007, has proven to be one of Malacca’s main annual events with the number of visitors growing each year, said Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron.

“We have all the reasons to expect a huge turnout, further boosted by the rebranding of the event, known previously as Pesta Sungai Melaka,” he said after opening the International Scout Jamboree in Tehel near here yesterday.

“The festival is a crowd-puller as, beside the aesthetics of the rehabilitated Malacca River, there will be various activities organised by both government agencies and the private sector throughout the festival,” he said.

Idris added that this year’s festival would also showcase a river procession of decorated boats and fireworks.


Source: The Star

Nude photo: Woman claims extorted by friend

Another reason to be extra careful.

Bhandara rape case
                      (illustrative image)


Sandakan: A 29-year-old woman lodged a police report on Friday claiming she was extorted RM3,000 by another woman who threatened to disseminate her naked photos taken some three years ago.

The victim was said to have been brought to a hotel in town where she became unconscious after a drinking session, only to find herself naked when she awoke the next day.

The victim was then approached by a female friend who demanded money from her and threatened to make her naked photos public if she failed to do so, prompting the victim to lodge a police report.

District Police Chief ACP Rowell Marong said the case is being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code. - Daily Express

Anwar broke agreement to accept election results?

Former Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla has accused Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of reneging on a secret deal to respect the outcome of Malaysia's 13th General Election which he brokered between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and the opposition leader.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Saturday that Jusuf had revealed that a written agreement was made between Najib and Anwar in April, refraining from personal attacks during the campaign and to accept the outcome of the May 5 polls, which was first proposed by Anwar.

According to Jusuf, Anwar approached him on the agreement two months ago, asking the latter to reach out to his opponent and secure his commitment for a peaceful election outcome.

However, WSJ said Anwar had claimed that Jusuf was the one who reached out to him to offer his assistance in ensuring an orderly outcome to the elections.

It reported that Anwar acknowledged he had made the agreement with Najib, with Jusuf as mediator, but he claimed that the Barisan Nasional (BN) had revoked it by the way it ran its campaign.

Jusuf also said that he had contacted Anwar, a day after the May 5 polls, to ask the opposition leader to accept the result.

"We had a commitment," Jusuf was quoted as saying. 

"On Monday, I asked Anwar to accept it and look at reality."

But they said, 'No, no, no, no."

The general election saw Najib-led Barisan Nasional returned to power by winning 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats, which saw the dissatisfied Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat staging rallies across the country since May 8.

Without criticising any party, Jusuf said he felt that both sides met their commitment to refrain from personal attacks during the campaign.

Jusuf had brokered peace agreements in various conflicts across the troubled Indonesian archipelago during his time as vice-president from 2004 to 2009, and had roles in peace negotiations in Thailand and Sri Lanka.

- Bernama via Daily Express, May 26, 2013