Global 2013 smartphone sales to hit 1 billion: survey

Smartphones in Seongnam, South Korea on June 11, 2013. Global smartphone sales are expected to top one billion in 2013, driven by low-cost handsets and gains in emerging markets, a research firm said Wednesday. –AFP


Global smartphone sales are expected to top one billion in 2013, driven by low-cost handsets and gains in emerging markets, a research firm said Wednesday.

International Data Corp said it sees the smartphone market growing 40 percent this year, and will likely grow to 1.7 billion annually by 2017.

Overall mobile phone sales will grow 7.4 percent, rebounding from a nearly flat year in 2012, IDC said. Total mobile handset sales are expected to be some 1.8 billion, with more than half of that in the smartphone segment.

Smartphone growth is the result of a variety of factors, including steep device subsidies from carriers, especially in mature economic markets, as well as a growing array of sub-$200 smartphones.

“Two years ago, the worldwide smartphone market flirted with shipping half a billion units for the first time — to double that in just two years highlights the ubiquity that smartphones have achieved,” said Ramon Llamas, IDC’s mobile research manager.

“The smartphone has gone from being a cutting-edge communications tool to becoming an essential component in the everyday lives of billions of consumers.”

By 2017, smartphones are expected to take over nearly all sales in the most developed economies, according to IDC’s Kevin Restivo.

“Aggressive carrier subsidies of handsets, falling prices, higher consumer awareness, and a vast array of devices will mean almost all phones shipped to the developed world will be ‘smart,’” he said.

“However, smartphone shipment volume will be dominated by emerging markets, such as China, even though the percentage of smartphones to feature phones won’t be as high.”

Llamas said the Google Android system will remain the top platform, followed by Apple’s iOS.

“What remains to be seen is how Windows Phone and BlackBerry’s respective futures will play out pending their recent announcements,” said Llamas. “Windows Phone has inched ahead of BlackBerry during the first half of 2013, and we believe that will extend into the future. However, overall shipments will continue to trail those of Android and iOS.”

The IDC forecast indicates Windows Phone market share will increase to 10.2 percent by 2017 from 3.9 percent this year, while Android’s share will slip to 68 percent from this year’s 75 percent. Apple meanwhile is expected to see modest gains to 17.9 percent from 16.9 percent, IDC said.

A Kantar Worldpanel ComTech report released Wednesday indicated that Android still dominated the US market despite its share slipping more than seven percent to 51.1 percent in the second quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, Apple’s iOS grew nearly eight percent to claim 43.4 percent of the US market, according to Kantar.

“However, with Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia, we may see a larger proportion of consumers choosing a Windows device over iOS or Android, replicating the strength seen in Europe and Mexico,” Kantar said in its report. –AFP

Taman tema air Legoland Malaysia dibuka 21 Oktober ini

Taman tema bertaraf antarabangsa,  Legoland Malaysia, akan mula membuka taman tema airnya kepada orang ramai bermula 21 Okt ini.

Pengurus Besarnya Siegfried Boerst berkata taman tema itu akan menawarkan lebih 20 permainan air yang unik selain 70 model yang dibina menggunakan blok lego, sesuai menjadi destinasi pilihan keluarga yang inginkan pengalaman lebih mencabar.

"Salah satu tarikan ialah di Joker Soeker, di mana kanak-kanak boleh merasai permainan interaktif dengan menembak meriam antara satu sama lain serta boleh merasai pengalaman disiram dengan 350 gelen air.

"Selain itu kanak-kanak juga berpeluang membina sendiri rakit mereka menggunakan blok lego lembut yang disediakan," katanya kepada media di sini hari ini.

Selain daripada permainan, katanya pengunjung boleh menikmati pelbagai jenis makanan dan minuman di Beach N' Brick Grill dan Brick Bay CafT.

Terdapat juga kabana peribadi yang boleh disewa pengunjung yang mahukan masa lebih santai bersama keluarga.

Sementara itu, Legoland Malaysia akan menyambut ulangtahun pertama pembukaannya pada 15 Sept ini dan pelbagai acara menarik telah diatur untuk pengunjung sempena sambutan ulang tahun tersebut.

Program yang diatur pada 15 dan 16 Sept ini termasuk persembahan tarian, parti untuk kanak-kanak dan persembahan bunga api dalam versi 3D.

"Kami juga akan menganjurkan satu sesi aktiviti bersama pengunjung iaitu membina sebiji kek daripada bongkahan lego yang bermula 5 hingga 14 September," katanya.

Kek tersebut diperbuat daripada 3000,000 bongkahan lego, dengan beratnya 646.2192 kilogram, tinggi 1.60 meter dan lebar tiga meter, katanya.

- BERNAMA 

Petroleum murah: Petronas buat penjelasan

PETRONAS hari ini menjelaskan mengenai tanggapan salah sebilangan rakyat bahawa Malaysia dapat mengeluarkan produk petroleum yang lebih murah seperti gasoline dan diesel jika ia mengeluarkan dan menggunakan sendiri minyak mentah.

Bagaimanapun perbadanan minyak negara itu berkata, minyak mentah Tapis blend yang ditemui di perairan Malaysia, merupakan bahan mentah yang sangat mahal.

Oleh itu, dengan mengeksport minyak Tapis blend dan mengimport minyak kurang berkualiti untuk penggunaan dalam negara, Malaysia meraih manfaat lebih besar daripada sumber minyak mentah semula jadinya, dan pada masa yang sama memastikan jaminan tenaga untuk penggunaan domestik. PPetronas, dalam satu kenyataan malam ini mengulas mengenai rasionalisasi subsidi kerajaan baru-baru ini yang telah menimbulkan kebimbangan dan tanggapan salah sebilangan rakyat.

Mereka berpendapat rakyat sepatutnya menikmati produk petroleum, terutama gasoline dan diesel, pada harga minimum selari dengan status negara sebagai negara pengeluar minyak, katanya.

Ini bertentangan dengan negara seperti Arab Saudi dan negara Timur Tengah yang menghasilkan minyak mentah murah dalam kuantiti yang besar.

Minyak Tapis blend mencatat premium tipnggi berbanding minyak biasa pada harga premium US$122.96 setong pada 30 Ogos, 2013, berbanding minyak mentah yang biasa dijual iaitu minyak Brent blend pada US$115.38 pada hari yang sama.

Petronas berkata, harga runcit semasa produk petroleum di pam di Malaysia tidak menggambarkan kos sebenar pengeluaran komoditi itu memandangkan ia tidak menunjukkan perubahan kos minyak mentah.

Ini disebabkan perbezaan dan impak perubahan minyak mentah sudah diserap oleh subsidi besar kerajaan.

Harga minyak mentah kini semakin meningkat berikutan ketidaktentuan politik dan keselamatan di Timur tengah seperti Mesir dan Syria.

“Bagaimanapun, harga runcit gasoline dan diesel di Malaysia tidak berubah kerana di subsidi oleh kerajaan.

“Subsidi besar merupakan perbelanjaan yang tidak berkekalan dalam jangka panjang, selain itu ia menyebabkan penggunaan tenaga tidak berhemat dan tidak cekap," kata Petronas.


- BERNAMA

Terkejut lihat mayat kakak tergantung

Keluarga mangsa mengiringi mayat ke Hospital Parit Buntar untuk bedah siasat.

BAGAN SERAI - Seorang remaja perempuan berusia 19 tahun ditemui mati tergantung oleh adik lelakinya dalam bilik tidur di rumahnya di Kampung Matang Pasir, Alor Pongsu kira-kira jam 4.20 petang kelmarin.

Lebih memilukan, kejadian itu berlaku selepas keluarga terbabit kehilangan anak lelaki yang meninggal dunia akibat dihempap traktor tiga bulan lalu.

Adik lelaki mangsa yang hanya ingin dikenali sebagai Shai, 13, berkata, ketika kejadian berlaku, dia sedang membaiki motosikal milik ayahnya di garaj rumah, manakala mangsa dan abang sulung mereka berada dalam rumah.

Menurutnya, dia mendengar bunyi radio dari dalam bilik tidur mangsa dan tanpa mengesyaki apa-apa dia meneruskan kerjanya.

“Bagaimanapun, saya hairan kakak langsung tidak keluar dari bilik sejak pagi semalam (kelmarin).

“Jadi, saya menjenguk bilik tidur kakak melalui tingkap dan terkejut melihat dia tergantung dalam keadaan melutut,” katanya ketika ditemui di lokasi kejadian, kelmarin.

Shai berkata, dia terkejut dan terus memanggil teman lelaki kakaknya yang tinggal selang beberapa rumah sebelum mendapati mangsa sudah tidak bernyawa.

“Arwah kakak baik dan bertanggungjawab terhadap adik beradik serta rapat dengan saya. Bagaimanapun sebelum kejadian kakak sering mengadu tertekan.

"Saya juga diberitahu kakak sempat menghantar khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) memohon maaf kepada rakan-rakan dan teman lelakinya,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Ketua Polis Daerah Kerian, Superintendan Mat Fauzi Nayan mengesahkan kejadian dan memaklumkan kes diklasifikasikan sebagai kematian mengejut.

“Bagaimanapun, polis tidak menolak kemungkinan terdapat unsur jenayah khianat ke atas mangsa dan keputusan akan diketahui selepas siasatan menyeluruh dilakukan,” katanya.

Mayat mangsa dihantar ke Hospital Parit Buntar untuk bedah siasat sebelum dituntut ahli keluarga dan dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Matang Pasir.



Sumber: Sinar Harian

10,000 petugas akan ambil alih urusan pentadbiran di sekolah - Muhyiddin

Urusan pentadbiran sekolah akan diambil alih oleh pembantu pentadbiran secara berperingkat bagi mengurangkan bebanan tugas guru, kata Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Beliau berkata sekurang-kurangnya seorang pembantu pentadbiran akan ditempatkan di setiap daripada 10,000 buah sekolah di negara ini secara berperingkat.

"Kita sudah putuskan 10,000 petugas dihantar secara berperingkat supaya beban guru dapat diserahkan kepada petugas baharu ini bagi menguruskan hal berkaitan pentadbiran.

"Soal pengajaran dan pembelajaran itu masih tanggungjawab guru," katanya dalam rancangan 'Soal Jawab' terbitan TV3 malam tadi.

Muhyiddin, yang juga Menteri Pendidikan, berkata langkah bagi mengurangkan bebanan guru itu terkandung di dalam Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia (PPPM) 2013-2025 yang akan dilancarkan Jumaat ini.

Beliau berkata pelan itu adalah hasil gabungan pandangan dari semua kelompok termasuk pelajar, pihak berkepentingan dan kumpulan ekstrim bagi memastikan ia dapat meningkatkan pencapaian pelajar dan sistem pendidikan negara setanding dengan negara maju.

"Ini semua terhasil dari kehendak masyarakat dan pakar-pakar pendidikan baik di dalam mahupun di luar negara iaitu dari Korea Selatan, Singapura dan Kanada yang kita jemput untuk berikan pandangan," katanya.

Muhyiddin berkata ada sesetengah pihak yang kurang bersetuju dengan beberapa perkara yang terkandung di dalam pelan itu, tetapi setelah diberikan penjelasan mereka akur dan menyokong pelaksanaan PPPM.

"Dua hari lepas saya ada berjumpa dengan Gabungan Pertubuhan Cina Malaysia (Hua Zong), mereka bertanyakan apakah Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) dan Tamil (SJKT) ada lagi lepas pelaksanaan pelan ini, saya jawab ya ada.

"Persekutuan Persatuan-persatuan Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Dong Zong) pula kata kami nak hapuskan Bahasa Cina, saya kata mana ada di dalam laporan itu yang menyatakan sedemikian," katanya.

Mengenai tuntutan Dong Zong yang tidak mahu menambah waktu pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu di SJKC kerana khuatir pembelajaran bahasa Cina akan terhapus, Muhyiddin berkata bahasa ibunda mereka itu tidak akan terhapus kerana hasrat kerajaan adalah untuk merapatkan jurang penguasaan Bahasa Melayu di antara pelajar Cina di SJKC dengan pelajar Cina yang bersekolah di Sekolah Kebangsaan.

"Kita hendak rapatkan jurang sebab itu ditambah waktu, kita cadangkan supaya buat jadual waktu yang sesuai untuk menampung kekurangan dan kelemahan mereka, mereka boleh gunakan kelas peralihan untuk perbaiki penguasaan Bahasa Melayu.

"Kelompok ini bukannya menentang dan tidak bersetuju dengan PPPM, ada beberapa perkara yang tidak jelas dan mereka fikir kita abaikan tetapi sebenarnya tidak," katanya.

Beliau berkata walaupun 'ribut dan taufan' pelan itu akan dilaksanakan kerana ia adalah hak rakyat dan untuk kebaikan mereka.

"Kita hendak pastikan apa yang telah dirancang jangan ada penghalang ataupun gangguan, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pun sudah menyatakan sokongan 100 peratus dengan PPPM dan sudah dimulakan dengan peruntukan-peruntukan khas tambahan," katanya.

Muhyiddin berkata beliau akan menyediakan laporan tahunan untuk mengetahui sejauh mana pencapaian pelan itu dalam pelaksanaannya bagi tempoh setahun.

"Kita mahu ketelusan, supaya rakyat tahu apa kemajuan dan kekurangan kita, apa yang saya harapkan dari pelan ini ialah supaya pelajar terdidik dengan ilmu menerusi sistem yang berkualiti serta pembentukan sahsiah bagi melahirkan modal insan yang dapat memberikan bantuan kepada proses pembangunan negara," katanya.

Muhyiddin berkata menerusi pelan itu juga, peranan ibu bapa melalui Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG) akan diperkukuhkan kerana mereka juga memainkan peranan penting dalam memastikan kecemerlangan pendidikan anak mereka.

"Peranan ibu bapa dalam pelan ini diiktiraf, baru-baru ini kita lancarkan Sarana iaitu toolkit panduan bagaimana ibu bapa boleh memberikan sumbangan dalam membantu sekolah dan anak mereka dalam pembelajaran," katanya.

Beliau berkata kementerian juga akan mengadakan latihan dan kursus kepada PIBG supaya ibu bapa tidak melepaskan sepenuhnya proses mendidik anak mereka kepada guru di sekolah.

Beliau berkata menerusi sistem Bestari Net iaitu sistem internet yang sudahpun diaplikasikan di sekolah-sekolah, ibu bapa juga boleh mengakses internet untuk mengetahui pencapaian anak mereka dalam semua mata pelajaran.

- BERNAMA 

PDAM urges govt to abolish road tax, cut insurance rate

:  The Petroleum Dealers' Association of Malaysia (PDAM) has proposed that the government abolish road tax and reduce the insurance rate for cars with engine capacity of less than 2,000cc.

Its President Datuk Hashim Othman said the government should be sensitive of the needs of the lower- and middle-income groups so that they are able to adapt to the country's current economic situation.

"I hope the savings obtained from the reduction in fuel subsidies can be channelled to the abolishment of vehicle road tax and reduction of insurance rate," he said during 'Helo Malaysia' programme on Bernama TV Wednesday.

He said local economists had long considered the alternatives to reduce the burden of the rakyat and this move needed to be implemented so that the rakyat do not feel the burden and are not oppressed, which could lead to a hatred for the government.

Last Tuesday, Minister in the Prime Minister's DepartmentDatuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar said the reduction in fuel subsidies would result in savings of RM3.3 billion for the government which could be channelled to the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) scheme and used for infrastructure projects.

Commenting on the proposal by the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) to re-introduce RON92 petrol into the market, Hashim said he was not sure if there were vehicles still using that petrol.

"Now, cars cannot use the RON92 petrol as many people are using new cars that are not suitable for that petrol (RON92)," he said.

Hashim also said to re-introduce RON92 fuel, petrol station operators also had to fork out additional cost to increase fuel tanks and pumps for RON92.

"The effects of using RON92 are also not good for the environment," he said.

Earlier, MDTCC Minister Datuk Hasan Malek said the government is studying the possibility of re-introducing RON92 petrol, which is much cheaper, as an alternative fuel for consumers.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of Malaysia Muslim Consumers Association, Datuk Nadzim Johan said the government must also take stern action that could give the 'fear factor' impact on business owners who raise product prices exhorbitantly following the hike in fuel prices.

He said this was to ensure that whenever there is a hike in fuel prices, it is not a normal practice for businesses to also increase the prices of their products and services.

He also urged the government to look for mechanisms to ensure that the subsidies were only given to the middle- and low-income earners.

Apart from that, Nadzim said the rakyat must make adjustments and adapt to the situation by reviewing their household spending according to priorities and needs.

- BERNAMA 

Castrol launched first online car care service in Malaysia

According to Castrol, the launch of its 'Carama' portal simplifies car care, maintenance and workshop guidelines for Malaysian car owners.


Two Carama brand ambassadors show the pilot launch portal.


Castrol claimed its new web and mobile portal called 'Carama' is the Malaysia's first online service for car care, which also includes maintenance and workshop guides for Malaysian car owners.

Castrol InnoVentures [Castrol's strategic innovation arm] general manager Sumeet Wadhwa said the one-stop solution is one result of a recent survey in the Klang Valley [Malaysia] pointed to the need for more transparency and trust between car owners and workshops.

More than 400 respondents said independent workshops must give grater assurance of quality of workmanship, skills, equipment and pricing, said Wadhwa, adding that Carama Certified Shop was another result of the survey. "The rating of workshops on a 40-point screening by an independent third party panel of experts checks that the shops meet the highest standards of quality, skills, transparency, customer service, health and safety compliance."

"Carama is envisioned to be the 'go to' site for car cares in Malaysia, although we are still in the early stages of the portal's development," he said. "Car owners have a high level of concern and uncertainty regarding maintenance costs, price and quality of repair for their vehicles. Carama will streamline the selection process and provide car owners peace-of-mind and confidence that they have made the right decision in their choice of the workshop."

"Carama will also benefit independent workshops and mechanics by generating valuable business leads for those who lack the capability to market their workshops, especially online," said Wadhwa, as the portal provides features such as accredited repair shop locator, spare parts calculator, my car logbook and Carama rewards.


 
Sumeet Wadhwa, GM - Castrol InnoVentures, Castrol.


"Car owners will also be able to share consumer reviews based on actual experiences of Carama Certified and Listed Shops," he said. "As Malaysia's first social graph car care portal, Carama connects car owners to share their experiences and car maintenance tips with friends, family and the general public."

Castrol InnoVentures managing director, Roy Williamson, said: "Carama's vision is to become the  number one player in aftermarket car care and service space by connecting consumers, workshops and affiliates, through a one stop web and mobile enabled platform, leveraging Castrol's heritage of trust and customer relationships. We are confident that Carama [CaramadotCom] will change the aftermarket car care experience for all car owners, simplifying the maintenance of their car."

- See more at: http://www.computerworld.com.my/tech/industries/first-online-car-care-service-launches-in-malaysia-castrol/#sthash.NoUjuy1C.dpuf

Malaysian smartphone penetration increases 300% in last 2 years

More than 1 out of 3 Malaysians now own a smartphone compared to just 1 in 10 two years ago, says Google's Sajith Sivanandan, citing new study by Ipsos MediaCT.



Photo - Sajith Sivanandan, Country Manager, Google Malaysia.


According to new research announced by Google, Malaysia's smartphone penetration has increased 300 percent since 2011 - when just one in 10 Malaysians owned a smartphone - as more than one out of three now own a smartphone.

The study, conducted by Ipsos MediaCT, also shows an increased engagement with mobility with 57 percent using their smartphones on a daily basis, which is higher than both the US and the UK, while three in five Malaysians will not leave home without their phone every day.

Google Malaysia country manager Sajith Sivanandan said the increase in mobile penetration pointed out opportunities for businesses. "Malaysian consumers have embraced smartphones, but Malaysian businesses have yet to follow." "It all comes down to basics: know your customer.

The opportunity is significant, but if you can't be found on mobile, you are sending business to your competitors," said Sivanandan, adding that the majority of large advertisers in Malaysia don't yet have a mobile website.The study confirmed that business in Malaysia was being transformed by smartphones.

Nine out of 10 Malaysian smartphone owners have researched a product or service from their device while three in five who start research on smartphones go on to complete purchases on a desktop; one in two complete their purchase offline.

Products (69 percent) aren't the only thing mobile-savvy Malaysians are searching for. Other hot searches include travel (57 percent), restaurants and bars (53 percent) and even job offers (49 percent).

- See more at: http://www.computerworld.com.my/tech/mobile-and-wireless/malaysian-smartphone-penetration-increases-300-in-last-2-years-says-google/#sthash.m5e1s2qA.dpuf

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 specs vs.Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Samsung's just-unveiled Galaxy Note 3 is a little bigger, a little leaner, and maybe a lot more stylish than last year's Galaxy Note 2.

For superphone nuts, this phablet is also turbo-charged across the board, with a more muscular processor, higher-resolution camera, oodles more RAM, and a (slightly) more capacious battery.

In addition to this display of hardware might, it's Samsung's ever-enhanced productivity tools that also separate this new Note from what came before. Clever additions make the stylus smarter than it's ever been.

Yet for bargain hunters hoping to scoop up a cheaper Note 2 when the Note 3 goes on sale, Samsung's gleaming spec list and S Pen innovations may not prove significant enough to command a premier price


Source

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 officially announced, Sept 4. Launching on Sept 25

Samsung officially announced the Galaxy Note 3 on Wednesday (Sept 4) at an event just before the IFA conference in Berlin.

The latest entry to Samsung's popular phablet line is equipped with a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display and its signature S Pen stylus, and is scheduled to launch later this month.







The thinner and lighter Galaxy Note 3 has ditched the plastic rear casing found on previous versions, instead opting for a faux-leather finish, complete with stitching. The 1920 x 1080 resolution display is accompanied by a 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera, 32 or 64 GB of storage with microSD card support, and a big 3,200 mAh battery.

The new Note will ship with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean along with Samsung's TouchWiz UI. Existing features like Multi Window have been improved, which now lets you pull up two instances of the same app at the same time. Information can then be transferred from one window to the next.

Samsung also introduced My Magazine, which the company made in collaboration with Flipboard and is more or less their version of the HTC One's BlinkFeed feature.






The improved S Pen brings with it a number of new software features, including Air Command, which pulls up a radial menu for quick access to built-in stylus-friendly apps like Actions Memos, S Note, Scrapbook, and S Finder.

Air Command can be accessed from anywhere in the operating system by simply hovering the S Pen just above the screen and pressing the button on the stylus.

The new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will be available in jet black, classic white, and blush pink, and will launch in more than 140 countries on September 25th, with worldwide availability scheduled for October. The Note 3 will be sold through all major carriers in the United States.


Source

Lenovo launches new Android tablets in Malaysia

 
Photo - Three Malaysian models show the Lenovo A3000, S6000, and A1000 tablets.

Computer firm Lenovo has launched a new range of Android tablets in Malaysia, which offer different form factors and configurations to suit a range of consumer needs.

Lenovo Malaysia country general manager Khoo Hung Chuan said the customer needs for both ultra-portable tablets and multimedia performers have been taken into account.

Khoo said the range starts with two new A-series tablets, seven-inch devices, "designed for optimal mobility while still packing a performance punch."

He said the A1000 targets first-time tablet buyers and includes enhanced audio, while the A3000 offers quad-core processing for speedy performance whether for gaming or web-browsing.

Lenovo also announced the new 10-inch S6000 with extended I/O options, a large screen and a slim profile. "Lenovo is best positioned to win in the PC Plus era," said Khoo. "Not only have we successfully become the world's largest PC vendor, Lenovo shipped more tablets and smartphones than PCs in the same quarter, another first for Lenovo."

 

 

- See more at: www.computerworld.com.my/tech/mobile-and-wireless/lenovo-launches-new-android-tablets-in-malaysia/#sthash.z1DaILHy.dpuf

Pistol and 11 bullets found during police raid in Bangsar

Police seized a Browning pistol, 11 bullets and various types of drugs from a man during a raid on an apartment in Jalan Tandok, in Kulal Lumpur on Wednesday.

A police spokesman said in the 3.30am raid, the man was at home and tried to attack police with a samurai sword but he was overpowered and arrested.

"Upon checking the master bedroom in the apartment unit, the raiding team found various drugs in a brown sling bag that was hidden under the bed.

"There were 15 packets and 22 tubes of heroin, six packets of cannabis, 134 Eramin 5 pills, 27 packets of syabu and 1.5 litres of cough mixture," he said when contacted, here, today.

The spokesman said police also found a black face mask in the suspect's car.

He said the 23-year-old suspect had a number of past criminal records and had been a restricted resident in Sik, Kedah from 2009 until 2011.

The suspect is now being detained for further investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

Brickfields police chief, ACP Muhammad Azlee Abdullah confirmed the case.

- BERNAMA 

'Port' urutan batin diserbu

Tukang urut dan pelanggan yang dicekup.


SUBANG JAYA – Asyik melakukan seks oral, seorang pelanggan dan tukang urut dicekup dalam keadaan berbogel di sebuah rumah urut di Puchong, lewat malam kelmarin.

Lelaki berusia 50-an itu dikatakan menikmati layanan tukang urut warga asing dalam keadaan menjijikkan di salah satu ruang yang dipisahkan menjadi bilik-bilik kecil di premis terbabit.

Hasil serbuan Jabatan Penguatkuasaan Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ) di tiga premis termasuk di Subang Jaya dan Seri Kembangan, 10 tukang urut wanita warga Vietnam ditahan.

Pengarah Jabatan Penguatkuasaan Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ) Mejar (B) Mohd Rasip Rasul berkata, hasil maklumat dan risikan sepasukan anggotanya menyerbu masuk premis menjalankan aktiviti perniagaan tanpa lesen sah daripada pihak majlis.

Menurutnya, tukang urut yang diberkas gagal mengemukakan pengenalan diri masing-masing dan diserahkan kepada pihak polis untuk tindakan lanjut.

Beliau berkata, serbuan ke premis kedua di USJ 21, Subang Jaya mendapati premis dijalankan dengan kebenaran namun menyalahgunakan lesen dikeluarkan majlis.

Pengusaha didapati tidak menawarkan urutan biasa kepada pelanggan tetapi terus mempelawa golongan itu untuk mendapatkan urutan batin dan khidmat seks.

Tambah teruk lagi, pengusaha turut menyediakan kondom kepada pelanggan yang memerlukannya.

“Ketika serbuan beberapa kondom baru dan terpakai ditemui dalam tong sampah,” katanya.

Kesemua pengusaha premis berdepan tindakan di bawah UUK 3 Undang-undang Kecil Pusat Kecantikan Dan Penjagaan Kesihatan MPSJ 2007 yang membawa hukuman denda RM1,000. Barang peralatan urut dirampas dan premis ditutup.


Sumber: Sinar Harian, 5 Sept.

Suspected adultery case more shocking than initially thought

BADLY HURT: The injuries on Azreenna’s hand after she dipped it into boiling water to clear her name of adultery.

SIBU: A more shocking truth has surfaced from the case of a woman allegedly forcing her daughter-in-law to dip her right hand into boiling water to clear her name of adultery.

Police investigating the incident, which happened in a rented house in Nyatoh Road here at about 7.30pm on Aug 30, believed the 40-something mother-in-law had also forced her 13-year-old granddaughter to dip her hand into the pot of boiling water.

The teenager was said to be forced to do so to prove what she had said about having seen the adultery was true. Both daughter-in-law, who is three months pregnant, and granddaughter suffered burns on their hands.

The mother-in-law and her granddaughter have given their statements to the police. A source close to the police said the mother-in-law had denied having committed the cruel act.

She claimed that her daughter-in-law Azreenna, 21, and her granddaughter dipped their hands into the boiling water on their own free will.

When the incident received media spotlight yesterday, it sent shock waves here. It sparked a discussion on Facebook and the news was even aired on the evening television news. The incident unfolded when the granddaughter allegedly told her grandmother of the adultery. The teenager had spent a night with Azreenna in a hotel.

It is believed the granddaughter claimed she saw Azreena talking to a man, but Azreenna denied having an affair with the man.

Azreenna’s husband, who is two years younger than his wife, was present when his mother accused his wife of adultery. It is believed he tried to stop his mother from forcing the duo to dip their hands into the boiling water, but to no avail.

- The Borneo Post

Former triad now in politics

Former CID director Tan Sri Zaman Khan Rahim Khan has revealed that a former convict who was a triad chief is now a low-ranking leader in a political party in Penang.

He said that when he was in the police force, he had the man arrested in Thailand, prosecuted in Malaysia and sentenced to jail.

The former convict had been the head of a secret society in Malaysia and his active involvement in politics, to the extent of holding an important position in a political party, was an unhealthy development for politics in the country, he said.

Zaman Khan did not reveal the identity of the leader but said that the individual was now a low-ranking leader of a political party in Penang.

He urged the police to conduct an investigation as the involvement of politicians in secret societies could cause all kinds of speculation by the public.

Principal assistant director of the Secret Societies, Gambling and Vice Division at Bukit Aman, Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan, said the police would investigate claims of involvement of suspected secret society members in politics or holding important positions in political parties.

He said the police had not received any report or information linking secret society members with political parties.

"We do not have any report of secret society members being divisional heads in political parties. If there are such claims, we will investigate," he said.

Last week, the Home Ministry revealed the names of 49 secret societies identified to be involved in drug trafficking, extortion, murder, initiating fights among secret societies and causing chaos.

In the special 'Ops Cantas' nationwide exercise which began on Aug 17 to arrest secret society members, the police nabbed 4,777 people and seized 16 stolen vehicles, eight firearms, one hand grenade, 54 rounds of ammunition and 133 dangerous weapons.

The exercise was launched following a reported rise in crimes such as murder, rape and fights.

These cases included the shooting death of Arab Malaysian Bank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi on July 29 near a Chinese temple in Lorong Ceylon. His wife was badly injured in the shooting.

Another was the shooting of crime watchdog MyWatch chairman R. Sri Sanjeevan near Taman Awana Indah, Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, on July 27.

Customs deputy director-general Datuk Shaharuddin Ibrahim was shot dead while on his way to his office in Putrajaya on April 26.

Crime analyst Datuk Akhbar Satar said the involvement of secret society members in any political party in the country was not a good development.

He said political parties, as registered organisations, should investigate the background of every member before allowing them to contest positions in the party.

"If left unchecked, it will become a threat because these gangsters will misuse their position to carry out illegal activities," he said.

- BERNAMA 

Dapat kelulusan PBB sebelum serang Syria - Putin

ST. PETERSBURG:  Rusia memberi amaran serangan ketenteraan terhadap Syria tanpa kelulusan daripada Pertubuhan Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) adalah satu bentuk pencerobohan.

Bagaimanapun Presidennya, Vladimir Putin menegaskan tidak menolak kemungkinan menyokong resolusi PBB sekiranya terbukti tentera Syria menggunakan senjata kimia.

Amaran itu dinyatakan Putin ketika temuramah sebelum berlangsung mesyuarat sidang kemuncak G20 di St Petersburg.

Ini sekaligus membayangkan kesediaan Kremlin untuk kekal konstruktif terhadap hubungan dengan Amerika.

Putin menegaskan sehingga kini, tiada bukti kukuh wujudnya penggunaan senjata kimia seperti didakwa Amerika.

- Astro Awani 

Kerajaan bakal umum kadar baru bagi bantu golongan pertengahan

Kerajaan bakal mengumumkan kadar baharu bagi membantu golongan pertengahan setelah menjalankan kajian mengenainya, kata Timbalan Menteri Kewangan Datuk Ahmad Maslan.

Beliau berkata kerajaan mungkin menaikkan paras pendapatan bulanan antara   RM3,000 hingga RM4,000 sebulan, bagi melayakkan mereka untuk memperoleh bantuan berkenaan.

"Namun, bentuk bantuan masih dikaji, dan keputusannya akan diumumkan dalam Pembentangan Belanjawan 2014," katanya pada sidang media selepas menyaksikan majlis menandatangani perjanjian persefahaman antara Sersol Bhd dan Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia.

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang juga Menteri Kewangan, akan membentangkan Belanjawan itu pada 25 Okt.

Ahmad berkata selain itu, penduduk luar bandar merupakan antara fokus kerajaan kali ini dengan pembangunan di kawasan tersebut akan dipercepat.

Selain itu, kerajaan juga merancang meningkatkan aktiviti untuk perusahaan kecil dan sederhana, katanya.
"Selain memberi Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) kepada golongan fokus ini, kerajaan juga menggalakkan program satu daerah satu industri (SDSI)," katanya.

Ketua Setiausaha Perbendaharaan Tan Sri Irwan Serigar Abdullah dilaporkan berkata kerajaan akan mengumumkan beberapa pendekatan atau inisiatif bagi mengurangkan bebanan golongan kelas pertengahan dalam Belanjawan 2014.

Menurutnya langkah itu diambil berikutan golongan kelas pertengahan sehingga kini masih belum menerima manfaat daripada pelbagai dasar kerajaan, berbanding golongan berpendapatan rendah.

"Golongan berpendapatan rendah, sebagai contoh, dijangka menerima Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia yang lebih tinggi tahun ini, yang jumlahnya akan diumumkan dalam Belanjawan  2014," katanya.

- BERNAMA 

Agong mulakan lawatan negara ke Vietnam hari ini

HANOI:  Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah dan Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah akan melakukan lawatan negara empat hari ke Vietnam mulai hari ini (5 Sept).

Ini merupakan kali pertama Seri Paduka melawat negara itu selepas ditabal sebagai Yang di-Pertuan Agong buat kali kedua pada 11 April tahun lepas.

Seri Paduka sebelum ini pernah melakukan lawatan negara ke Indonesia, Brunei dan bakal menamatkan lawatan ke Thailand hari ini.

Tuanku Abdul Halim dan Tuanku Hajah Haminah dijadual tiba di Terminal Khas Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Noi Bai pada 11 pagi esok (tengah hari waktu Malaysia) menaiki pesawat khas dari Thailand.

Turut berangkat Tunku Laksamana Kedah, Datuk Seri Diraja Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, Tunku Panglima Besar Kedah, Tunku Puteri Intan Syafinaz dan beberapa kerabat diraja yang lain.

Keberangkatan tiba Seri Paduka berdua berserta delegasi Malaysia akan disambut Pengerusi Pejabat Presiden Vietnam, Dao Viet Trung (he), Duta Vietnam ke Malaysia, Nguyen Hong Thao, Timbalan Menteri Luar Vietnam, Nguyen Phuong Nga dan beberapa kenamaan negara berkenaan.

Lawatan Seri Paduka antara lain bertujuan memperkukuh hubungan persahabatan serta kerjasama sedia ada antara Malaysia dan Vietnam.

Sempena lawatan itu, Yang di-Pertuan Agong akan menghadiri beberapa majlis keramaian dan menerima menghadap Presiden Vietnam, Truong Tan Sang.

Selain itu, Seri Paduka juga dijadual berangkat ke majlis makan malam bersama kira-kira 200 rakyat Malaysia di sini.

- BERNAMA