Kekal hukuman mati kes bakar isteri, anak

PUTRAJAYA - Mahkamah Persekutuan di sini hari ini mengekalkan sabitan dan hukuman mati ke atas seorang penjual ais kerana membunuh isteri dan anak perempuannya 10 tahun lalu dengan menyimbah minyak tanah dan membakar mereka.

Barisan panel lima hakim yang diketuai hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan, Tan Sri Suriyadi Halim Omar juga mengekalkan keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi menjatuhi hukuman penjara 12 tahun ke atas P. Balan Subramaniam atas percubaan membunuh seorang lagi anak perempuannya.

Hakim Suriyadi yang bersidang bersama Hakim Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop, Tan Sri Jeffrey Tan Kok Wha, Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali dan Datuk Seri Abu Samah Nordin, menolak rayuan akhir Balan terhadap sabitan, hukuman mati dan hukuman penjara.

Balan, 62, didapati bersalah dan dijatuhi hukuman mati oleh Mahkamah Tinggi Ipoh kerana membunuh isterinya R Angeladevi, 48 tahun.

Mahkamah Tinggi pada mulanya telah melepas dan membebaskan Balan atas pertuduhan membunuh anak perempuannya, Anuradha, 20, pelajar kolej ketika itu dan percubaan membunuh anak perempuannya Malini berusia 23 tahun ketika itu (sekarang 34 tahun), seorang pembantu hospital tanpa dipanggil membela diri. 

Bagaimanapun, selepas pihak pendakwaan memfailkan rayuan kepada Mahkamah Rayuan, kes itu dikembalikan ke Mahkamah Tinggi untuk Balan membela diri atas kedua-dua pertuduhan.

Pada penggulungan kes pembelaan, Balan didapati bersalah dan dihukum mati kerana membunuh Anuradha dan dia juga didapati bersalah dan dijatuhi hukuman penjara 12 tahun atas percubaan membunuh Malini.

Mahkamah Rayuan menolak rayuannya untuk mengetepikan sabitan dan hukuman.

Balan dituduh melakukan kesalahan itu di rumahnya di Jalan Anggerik, Desa Changkat, Batu Gajah, di daerah Kinta, Perak antara 10 malam dan 11 malam pada 11 Oktober 2004.

Menurut fakta kes, pertengkaran tercetus pada hari kejadian sehingga menyebabkan dia bertindak membakar kedua-dua mereka. Angeladevi dan Anuradha telah membuat deklarasi membabitkan Balan sebelum kematian mereka.

Balan diwakili peguam Datuk K Kumaraendran dan Dev Kumaraendran sementara pendakwaan dijalankan oleh timbalan pendakwa raya Hamdan Hamzah. 

- Sumber: Bernama

Eleven shot dead at French satirical weekly, Paris now on highest alert

Firefighters and police officers gather in front of the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris and treat victims, after armed gunmen stormed the offices leaving eleven dead. - AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE DUPEYRAT

PARIS: At least 11 people were killed when gunmen armed with Kalashnikovs and a rocket-launcher opened fire in the offices of French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday, said sources close to the investigation.

The prosecutor's office confirmed that "at this stage" 10 people had been killed without detailing how many had been injured.

Another source close to the investigation said the number of dead had reached 11.

Deputy Mayor of Paris Bruno Julliard earlier said "six people are seriously injured", including a policeman. It was not clear whether these now figured among the dead.

French President Francois Hollande arrived at the scene of the shooting after rushing there and calling an emergency cabinet meeting, the presidency said.

The government raised its alert level to the highest possible in the greater Paris region.

A source close to the investigation said two men "armed with a Kalashnikov and a rocket-launcher" stormed the building in central Paris and "fire was exchanged with security forces."

The source said a gunman had hijacked a car and knocked over a pedestrian while attempting to speed away.

The publication's cartoonist Renaud Luzier earlier told AFP there were "casualties" after the incident.

The satirical newspaper gained notoriety in February 2006 when it reprinted cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed that had originally appeared in Danish daily Jyllands-Posten, causing fury across the Muslim world.

Its offices were fire-bombed in November 2011 when it published a cartoon of Mohammed and under the title "Charia Hebdo".

Despite being taken to court under anti-racism laws, the weekly continued to publish controversial cartoons of the Muslim prophet.

In September 2012 Charlie Hebdo published cartoons of a naked Mohammed as violent protests were taking place in several countries over a low-budget film, titled "Innocence of Muslims", which was made in the United States and insulted the prophet.

French schools, consulates and cultural centres in 20 Muslim countries were briefly closed along with embassies for fear of retaliatory attacks at the time.

- Source: AFP

LA Galaxy confirm Steven Gerrard signing

Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena has confirmed Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will join the club in July.

In an interview with the LA Times, Arena revealed what is expected to be officially announced later on Wednesday.

"Steven Gerrard arrives in July and by then we will certainly have a plan available," Arena, who has led the club to three Major League Soccer titles in four years, told the newspaper.

"He's a player of quality. I'm not concerned about how he's going to fit in with our team.

"We have a club now with a proven history of success. All those things go hand in hand in making LA Galaxy a very attractive team for players such as Steven Gerrard."

Galaxy president Chris Klein described the Reds captain as "the perfect fit".

"We just started thinking in the universe of players that are out there, we want to make a decision on what signifies a Galaxy-designated player.

"When we look at that, Steven Gerrard is the perfect fit with what he brings to us on the field and the character that he has off it."

- Source: PA Sport

No compromising with Malaysians involved with '14K Triad'

Ahmad Zahid said as the case was being tried in an American court, a statement could not be issued as it would jeopardise the court's decision.

PASIR SALAK: The Home Ministry will not compromise with Malaysians linked to the triads and an international drug trafficking syndicate known as the '14K Triad'.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it had been confirmed that the '14K Traid' did not exist in the country.

"Nevertheless, if there are Malaysians associated with the group abroad, it's beyond national legislation.

"The home ministry will neither sympathise nor compromise even if the individuals concerned are Malaysians and involved with triad gambling activities," he said.

He was speaking to reporters after visiting 1,115 flood victims from 297 families at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) training centre in Sungai Galah here, today.

Paul Phua and his son, Darren Wai Kit are currently under house arrest in the United States (US) and facing charges for allegedly transmitting betting information and conducting illegal gambling activities in Las Vegas during the football World Cup 2014.

Paul Phua, noted for his involvement in the professional poker game circuit, took part in the 'Big One For One Drop' tournament in the 2012 World Series of Poker and finished sixth in the European Poker Tour Grand Final in Monte Carlo and, 100k Super High Roller 2014, is also suspected of being involved with '14K

Triad' activities.

Following his arrest, his lawyers from the firm, Chesnoff and Schonfeld applied to Zahid to issue a letter to US' Federal Bureau of Investigation deputy director, Mark F. Giuliano to confirm that the man was not a member of '14K Triad' and that the triad did not exist in Malaysia.

Ahmad Zahid said as the case was being tried in an American court, a statement could not be issued as it would jeopardise the court's decision. 

- Source: Bernama

Apart from Palanivel, his wife also gives orders - Ramanan

RAMANAN: My blind loyalty led me to executing any orders entrusted to me.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIC treasurer general, Datuk R. Ramanan claims that the party is also governed by its President, Datuk Seri G.Palanivel's wife, reported The Malaysian Insider.

Ramanan said he has also received orders from Datin Seri R. Kanagam when he served the party as its treasurer-general.

The former Central Working Committee (CWC) member also labelled Kanagam as the party’s actual ‘president’ for intervening in its internal affairs.

“My blind loyalty led to my executing all orders which were entrusted to me. I have received orders from both sides – the president and the ‘husband’,” Ramanan was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insider.

News portal, Malaysian Insider also reported Ramanan as saying that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) has ordered MIC to conduct fresh elections for its 23 CWC and the three vice-president positions within 90 days following an alleged misconduct and breach of party constitution and Society Act.

He added that RoS will not entertain any pleas from MIC.

“RoS stated that the explanation provided in a previous letter was sufficient and no other letters would be entertained from MIC,” said Ramanan during a press conference held at the MIC headquarters, here, today.

Palanivel had earlier delivered a letter to RoS requesting for an extension of time for the re-election.

However, Ramanan said the letter delivered by Palanivel was confusing as it did not state a clear standing.

“From an MIC source, the letter in its first paragraph had requested for an extension of 120 days for corrections (mistakes). With that, he ether pleads guilty or agreed to the letter.

“But later admitted of not committing any mistakes and that the letter was not an admission. Can that be? No. State your ground,” said Ramanan. 

- Source: Astro Awani

Rakaman komunikasi antara QZ8501 dan ATC Juanda didedah

Sumber dalaman KompasTekno yang enggan namanya disiarkan mengesahkan bahawa rakaman tersebut adalah rakaman sebenar ATC Juanda pada Ahad (28/12/2014).

KUALA LUMPUR: KompasTekno pada Selasa mendedahkan salinan rakaman komunikasi antara Pusat Kawalan Trafik Udara (ATC) Lapangan Terbang Juanda, Surabaya dengan pesawat AirAsia QZ8501.

Rakaman komunikasi itu memuatkan kebenaran ATC kepada pesawat itu untuk terbang di laluan Surabaya-Singapura.

Pada awalnya, rakaman tersebut diperolehi oleh KompasTekno melalui laman Soundcloud oleh pengguna dengan identiti "digitizing" pada 3 Januari 2014, setelah Kementerian Perhubungan Indonesia membekukan kebenaran terbang AirAsia laluan Surabaya-Singapura.

Sumber dalaman KompasTekno yang enggan namanya disiarkan mengesahkan bahawa rakaman tersebut adalah rakaman sebenar ATC Juanda pada Ahad (28/12/2014). Perkara tersebut disahkan berdasarkan lalu lintas pesawat lain yang dikawal pada pagi itu.

Fail tersebut dirakam dalam format UTC atau waktu Zulu (GMT +0) sehingga tarikh yang tercatat masih 27 Disember 2014 pukul 22.25 GMT, yang membawa maksud, Ahad 28 Disember 2014 pukul 05.25 Waktu Indonesia Barat (WIB).

Dalam rakaman audio berdurasi sekitar 20 minit tersebut, pada minit ke-10 terdengar suara dari AirAsia QZ8501 (dengan callsign Wagon Air 8501) yang memberitahukan posisinya di ruang parkir A9, dengan pendaftaran PK-AXC (Alpha X-ray Charlie), jumlah penumpang, dan tujuan Singapura.

Percakapan tersebut kurang lebih seperti berikut:

AWQ8501: "Tower, Wagon Air eight five zero one good morning..."

Tower: "Wagon Air 8501 good mornig Juanda Tower, go ahead..."

AWQ8501: "Eight five zero one (registrasi) alpha x-ray charlie parking stand Alpha Niner (A9) destination Singapore POB (passenger on board) one six one, request push and start, wagon air eight five zero one..."

Tower: "Wagon Air eight five zero one parking stand number Alpha niner Pushback and start approved heading west runway one zero, exit sierra two...

Tidak lama kemudian, pada minit ke-4, QZ8501 meminta kebenaran dari ATC untuk menuju ke landasan pacu. ATC kemudian mengarahkan QZ8501 ke landasan 10 yang sedang digunakan di saat itu.

Pada minit ke-07.07, ATC kemudian memberikan kebenaran penerbangan kepada QZ8501 melalui laluan udara M635 dengan ketinggian awal 24.000 kaki.

"Wagon Air eight five zero one clear to Singapore, mike six three five level two four zero initial, RAMPY one alpha departure squawk number seven zero zero five," demikian kata petugas ATC yang bersuara wanita tersebut.

Rakaman komunikasi itu boleh didengardi sini.

Logiknya, jika ATC telah memberikan kebenaran, flight plan atau perancangan terbang tersebut telah dipersetujui danflight plan hanya boleh dibuat dan dipersetujui sekiranya sudah ada kebenaran dan slot di kedua-dua lapangan terbang berlepas dan destinasi.

Secara prosedur, jika ATC telah memberikan kebenaran, tentunya AirAsia sudah memiliki kebenaran terbang, sebagaimana yang diungkapkan oleh pihak di Singapura sebagai negara dituju.

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) menerusi laman rasminya mengatakan bahawa AirAsia QZ8501 memiliki jadual penerbangan dari Surabaya ke Singapura pada Ahad (28/12/2014).

Menurut CAAS, keizinan laluan Lapangan Terbang Juanda Surabaya di Indonesia ke Lapangan Terbang Changi di Singapura bagi pesawat AirAsia pada hari nahas tersebut merupakan kesepakatan kedua-dua negara.

CAAS menegaskan, persetujuan Indonesia-Singapura terhadap jadual penerbangan tersebut bermula sejak 26 Oktober 2014 sehingga 6 Mac 2015.

Perkara ini dibangkitkan apabila ketua pihak berkuasa Lapangan Terbang Juanda, Praminto Hadi sebelum ini menegaskan bahawa AirAsia tidak memiliki kebenaran terbang pada hari Ahad.

"AirAsia tidak mengajukan perubahan izin terbang dari Sabtu ke Minggu (ahad) kepada Dirjen Perhubungan Udara sehingga penerbangan Minggu ilegal (tidak dibenarkan)," ujar Praminto di Kompleks Mapolda Jawa Timur, pada Isnin.

QZ8501 membawa 162 penumpang dan anak kapal berlepas dari Surabaya pada 28 Disember 2014 jam 5.35 pagi dan dijadual tiba di Singapura pada 8.20 pagi hari sama sebelum dilaporkan hilang.

Penumpang pesawat terdiri daripada 149 orang warga Indonesia, Korea Selatan (3) dan masing-masing seorang rakyat Singapura, Malaysia dan United Kingdom.

Krunya pula terdiri daripada enam warga Indonesia dan seorang Perancis.

Sehingga Selasa, 39 mayat telah berjaya ditemui pasukan mencari dan menyelamat. 

- Sumber: Astro Awani

Tiada kompromi rakyat terlibat kumpulan '14K Triad'

ZAHID: KDN tak kompromi rakyat terlibat kumpulan 14K Triad

PASIR SALAK: Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) tidak akan berkompromi dengan rakyat Malaysia yang terlibat dengan kumpulan kongsi gelap dan sindiket pengedaran dadah antarabangsa yang dikenali sebagai kumpulan '14K Triad'.

Menterinya Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata pihaknya mengesahkan tidak wujud kumpulan tersebut di Malaysia dan sekiranya terdapat rakyat Malaysia menganggotai kumpulan itu di luar negara, ia di luar perundangan negara ini.

"KDN tidak bersimpati walaupun individu berkenaan rakyat Malaysia dan kita (KDN) juga tidak akan berkompromi sekiranya seseorang itu terlibat dalam aktiviti perjudian atau kongsi gelap," katanya kepada pemberita selepas melawat 1,115 mangsa banjir dari 297 keluarga di pusat latihan UITM Sungai Galah hari ini.

Paul Phua serta anaknya, Darren Wai Kit Phua kini sedang dalam tahanan rumah di Amerika Syarikat dan menghadapi pertuduhan di mahkamah negara itu atas kesalahan penghantaran maklumat pertaruhan dan menjalankan kegiatan perjudian tidak sah di Las Vegas semasa Piala Dunia 2014 lalu.

Paul Phua yang cukup terkenal dalam sirkit permainan poker profesional, pernah mengambil bahagian dalam kejohanan Big One For One Drop dalam Siri Poker Dunia 2012.

Beliau menduduki tempat keenam dalam European Poker Tour Grand Final Monte Carlo‚ 100k Super High Roller 2014 dan dia juga disyaki terlibat dengan kegiatan kongsi gelap ‘14K Triad’.

Berikutan penahanan Paul Phua, firma guamannya, Chesnoff & Schonfeld memohon Zahid agar mengeluarkan surat kepada Timbalan Pengarah FBI, Mark F. Giuliano untuk mengesahkan yang lelaki itu bukan seorang ahli ‘14K Triad’ dan kumpulan kongsi gelap itu juga tidak wujud di Malaysia.

Zahid berkata kes tersebut sedang dibicarakan di mahkamah Amerika Syarikat, maka pihaknya tidak boleh mengeluarkan sebarang kenyataan yang akan mempengaruhi sebarang keputusan yang akan dibuat oleh mahkamah negara itu.

"Kerajaan Malaysia terutama KDN dan (Polis) Bukit Aman berpihak kepada perundangan.

"Jika tertuduh dikenakan pertuduhan dan mahkamah memutuskan sebarang keputusan, maka peraturan dan perundangan negara berkenaan hendaklah dipatuhi," katanya.

- Sumber: Bernama