Sunday 15 February 2015

'Walau baru sehari, saya amat rindukan dia...'

Baju kesukaan Tok Guru yang dipakai Tuan Sabariah semalam akan menjadi kenangan untuk selama-lamanya.
PERMERGIAN insan tersayang yang berkongsi hidup selama 53 tahun sudah pasti memberi kesan hebat kepada diri seseorang, apatah lagi insan itu seorang suami penyayang yang lebih dikenali sebagai Tok Guru, juga menjadi pemimpin disayangi ramai, di dalam dan luar negara.

Ikuti luahan hati DATIN TUAN SABARIAH TUAN ISHAK, isteri bekas Mursyidul Am Pas, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat dalam wawancara eksklusif bersama wartawan Sinar Harian, ROSMIZA KASIM dan SITI FATIHAH AWANG di kediaman beliau sehari selepas pemergian suami yang dicintai itu.“Nanti abang tak dok (meninggal dunia) lepas ni, sapo nak jago Yah,” itulah kata-kata yang membuatkan hati saya sedih dan sayu apabila mengenangkan suami yang baru sehari meninggalkan saya buat selama-lamanya.

Kata-kata abang itu yang diluahkan tiga hari sebelum meninggal dunia, ketika dirawat di Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) itu saya sambut dengan senyuman, sambil memegang tangan insan yang selama ini berkongsi hidup suka dan duka dengan saya.

Sambil menggenggam tangan abang, saya kata “anak-anak kita kan ada, mereka boleh jaga saya sampai bila-bila. Abang janganlah risau,” walaupun dalam hati saya ketika itu sebak tidak terkata.

(Perasaan yang ditanggung itu diluahkan Tuan Sabariah sambil menyapu air mata dengan tisu yang dihulurkan saudara-mara yang datang menziarahi keluarganya di kediamannya).

Kini, anak-anaklah yang akan menjadi peneman saya, menghilangkan kesunyian hidup saya. Walaupun baru sehari, saya mengakui saya sangat merindui beliau.
- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

'Nanti abang tak dok, sapo nak jago Yah'



Nik Aziz dan Tuan Sabariah ketika di Majlis Perkahwinan Perdana anjuran negeri Kelantan pada tahun 2010. -Foto Inksensei.wordpress.com

KUALA LUMPUR: “Nanti abang tak dok (meninggal dunia) lepas ni, sapo nak jago Yah."

Sayu hatinya bila mengingati ungkapan itu seakan terpatri bahawa orang yang disayanginya itu akan pergi menemui Ilahi tidak lama lagi.

Bagi Datin Tuan Sabariah Tuan Ishak, isteri mantan menteri besar Kelantan dan Mursyidul Am Pas Allahyarham Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, ungkapan yang dibuat tiga hari sebelum beliau meninggal dunia cukup menyentuh hatinya.

“Itulah kata-kata yang membuatkan hati saya sedih dan sayu apabila mengenangkan suami yang meninggalkan saya buat selama-lamanya,” kata Tuan Sabariah.

Tuan Sabariah berkata demikian dalam satu temu bual bersama akhbar Sinar Harian sehari selepas ikon negeri Kelantan itu meninggal dunia.

Sesungguhnya pemergian suami yang telah berkongsi hidup dengannya selama 53 tahun itu pasti memberikan kesan mendalam buat Tuan Sabariah.

Menurut Tuan Sabariah, kata-kata itu diluahkan arwah ketika masih dirawat di Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM).

“Kata-kata abang itu saya sambut dengan senyuman, sambil menggenggam tangan abang.

“Saya kata ‘Anak-anak kita kan ada, mereka boleh jaga saya sampai bila-bila. Abang janganlah risau.’

“Walaupun dalam hati saya ketika itu sebak tidak terkata,” cerita Tuan Sabariah sambil menyeka air matanya dan ditenangkan oleh sanak saudara.

Tuan Sabariah juga mengakui terlalu rindukan suaminya walaupun baru sehari arwah pergi menghadap Ilahi.

- Sumber: Astro Awani 

Bapa maut, anak parah kereta langgar treler

Polis berkata kejadian berlaku disebabkan kegagalan mangsa yang membawa Perodua Myvi gagal mengawal kenderaannya lalu melanggar belakang treler rosak di lorong kecemasan.

SEREMBAN: Seorang bapa maut manakala anak perempuannya cedera parah dalam kemalangan melibatkan sebuah kereta dan sebuah treler di Kilometer 263.3, Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan, arah utara, di sini pagi tadi.

Mangsa, K. Ganesan, 39, yang berasal dari Port Dickson disahkan mati di tempat kejadian akibat cedera parah di kepala manakala anaknya, G. Reshika, 7 tahun, yang mengalami cedera parah dirawat di Hospital Tuanku Ja'afar (HTJ) di sini.

Ketua Polis Daerah Seremban ACP Muhamad Zaki Harun berkata kejadian dalam kejadian pada pukul 8.50 pagi itu, mangsa yang memandu kereta Perodua Myvi dari arah Seremban menghala ke Kuala Lumpur gagal mengawal kenderaannya lalu melanggar belakang treler yang rosak di lorong kecemasan.

"Treler berkenaan berhenti di situ kerana mengalami kerosakan pada gegandar tayar. Difahamkan mangsa turut melanggar kon keselamatan yang diletakkan di lorong kecemasan itu," katanya, di sini hari ini.

Mayat mangsa di bawa ke HTJ untuk bedah siasat dan kes disiasat di bawah Seksyen 41(1) Akta Pengangkutan Jalan 1987, katanya. 

Sementara itu, Pegawai Bomba Kanan dari Balai Bomba dan Penyelamat Seremban 2, Md Munawir Md Yusoff berkata tujuh anggota bersama sebuah jentera dan dua Unit Gerak Cepat (RIM) bergegas ke lokasi kejadian.

"Kami mengambil masa lebih kurang 30 minit untuk mengeluarkan kedua-dua mangsa yang tersepit di dalam kereta berkenaan," katanya kepada Bernama.

- Sumber: Bernama 

Serangan Denmark: Dua dipercayai terbunuh

Anggota polis sedang melakukan pemeriksaan keselamatan sekitar lokasi kejadian. Foto: Mirror UK

COPENHAGEN – DENMARK. Selepas seorang maut dan tiga pegawai polis cedera awal hari ini, terkini seorang lagi ditembak di kepala dan dua anggota polis cedera di lengan dan kaki susulan serangan terbaharu di pusat bandar Copenhagen.

Memetik laporan Mirror.UK, pihak polis belum dapat mengesahkan jika kejadian ini ada kaitan dengan serangan maut pada Sabtu lalu.

"Kami belum dapat mengeluarkan kenyataan tentang mangsa yang cedera.

"Penembak berjaya melarikan diri," kata polis Copenhagen.

Kejadian tembak-menembak berlaku di Krystalgade, sebuah jalan yang menempatkan rumah ibadat utama di Copenhagen.

Kawasan tersebut merupakan sebuah pusat budaya di mana perdebatan mengenai Islam dan kebebasan bersuara diadakan.

Sementara itu memetik laporan Denmark Ritzau stesen kereta api Noerreport berhampiran lokasi telah dikosongkan.

Dalam pada itu Perdana Menteri Denmark Helle Thorning-Schmidt menyifatkan serangan itu sebagai ‘serangan pengganas’.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Hong Kong captain found guilty of manslaughter over 2012 ferry tragedy


This file picture taken on October 2, 2012 shows the bow of the Lamma IV boat partially submerged during rescue operations. - AFP Photo

A Hong Kong ferry captain was on Saturday found guilty of manslaughter over the deaths of 39 people in a 2012 boat collision, the city's worst maritime disaster in nearly four decades.

Sea Smooth skipper Lai Sai-ming, 56, was also convicted of one count of endangering the safety of others at sea by a Hong Kong court over the accident between his high-speed ferry and a pleasure boat near Lamma Island.

The captain of the other boat, Chow Chi-wai, 58, was acquitted of all manslaughter charges but found guilty of one count of endangering the safety of others at sea.

Lai looked solemn as he heard the "guilty" verdicts for all charges against him read out in court, which could see him sentenced to life in prison. The nine member jury found him guilty by a majority of seven-to-two.

"Mr Lai will be sentenced on Monday," his lawyer Audrey Campbell-Moffat told press outside the city's high court, while refusing to comment on the judgement.

Chow, 58, who was at the helm of the Lamma IV pleasure boat when it crashed with more than 120 people on board on October 1, 2012, faces a maximum sentence of HK$200,000 ($25,787) and four years' imprisonment.

Chow's lawyer, Gerard McCoy, did not comment on the verdict.

The pair had both pleaded not guilty to the 39 counts each of manslaughter and have been remanded in custody until sentencing.

'Litany of errors'

The jury deliberated for almost four days before coming to a decision on Saturday afternoon.

Before the verdicts were read out after 60 days of court hearings, deputy High Court judge Brian Keith called for the packed courtroom to remain still, saying "these are moments of high tension".

"The lives of the 39 people cannot be compensated by this judgement," an emotional Irene Cheng who lost her 24-year-old son in the boat collision told reporters after the judgement. Cheng, however, said she accepted the jury's decision.

Hong Kong's justice department will decide this month whether to prosecute several marine department officials for the incident as well, a spokeswoman said.

The pleasure boat was filled with staff from a Hong Kong electricity provider and their families who were going to watch a holiday fireworks display when the collision occurred.

Scores of people were thrown into the sea when the Lamma's left rear side was torn open by the impact. Others were trapped inside as the boat sank in just two minutes, leaving only its bow protruding from the water.

The fatal accident raised questions over safety in the waters of Hong Kong -- one of the world's busiest ports -- after an independent commission found a "litany of errors" had contributed to the disaster.

Victims could have had vital extra minutes to escape if the Lamma IV had been equipped with a watertight door, while several were actually left trapped when seats fell on top of them, the inquiry found.

The boat also had no children's life jackets onboard when it sank, claiming the lives of eight youngsters.

It was the deadliest maritime accident in the territory since 1971, when a Hong Kong-Macau ferry sank during a typhoon, leaving 88 people dead.

Several other incidents since -- including two high-speed ferry accidents that injured scores of passengers and the grounding of a large container ship -- have worried those who cross Hong Kong's waters.

New ports in the nearby Chinese trading hub of the Pearl River Delta have driven a surge in maritime traffic in the island's ports, with vessel arrivals almost doubling between 1990 and 2013 to some 200,000 a year.

- Source: AFP 

PKR masih kaji permohonan pengampunan Diraja buat Anwar - Wan Azizah

Wan Azizah berkata barisan peguam Anwar sedang meneliti perkara tersebut dengan teliti termasuk implikasi-implikasinya sebelum membuat sebarang keputusan.

PERMATANG PAUH: Barisan peguam Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim masih mengkaji pilihan mengemukakan permohonan pengampunan Diraja bagi membebaskan Ketua Pembangkang itu daripada hukuman penjara lima tahun.

Sambil menegaskan suaminya tidak bersalah, Presiden PKR Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail berkata, langkah memohon pengampunan itu boleh menimbulkan tanggapan serong seperti Anwar sememangnya bersalah di atas dakwaan tersebut.

Justeru, beliau berkata barisan peguam Anwar sedang meneliti perkara tersebut termasuk implikasinya sebelum membuat sebarang keputusan.

“Itu adalah salah satu daripada pilihannya... tetapi kita hendak kaji lagi sebab pengampunan ini walaupun ada satu klausa mengatakan, kerana dia tidak bersalah tetapi konotasinya memberi satu gambaran bahawa dia mengaku bersalah.

“Ini adalah sesuatu yang kita bincang dan barisan peguam kita akan mengambilnya dengan mendalam,” kata Wan Azizah.

Dalam pada itu, Wan Azizah menafikan desas-desus bahawa anak keduanya, Nurul Nuha Anwar, bakal tampil sebagai calon PKR dalam pilihanraya kecil parlimen Permatang Pauh yang bakal berlangsung berikutan hukuman penjara ke atas Anwar.

Beliau sebaliknya mendakwa Nurul Nuha hanya berkempen untuk pembebasan bapanya dan menafikan ia adalah langkah pertama Nurul Nuha untuk menceburi politik dalam pilihan raya kecil itu nanti.

Wan Azizah menegaskan suaminya masih lagi ahli parlimen Permatang Pauh dan PKR masih belum berbincang mengenai persedian mengenai pilihanraya kecil Permatang Pauh sehingga Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) mengisytiharkan kerusi itu kosong.

“Belum lagi kita bincangkan sebab ahli parlimennya masih lagi Anwar sampai SPR putuskan dia telah dilucutkan statusnya sebagai ahli parlimen, lepas tu barulah kita timbulkan perkara ini,” jelasnya.

Wan Azizah berkata, ketika ini Nurul Nuha hanya mengetuai kempen kemanusiaan tersebut dan soal dia bakal menjadi calon parlimen Permatang Pauh tidak timbul

Memandangkan mereka sekeluarga kini lebih menumpukan soal pembebasan Anwar.

Tambahnya, kempen pembebasan Anwar dianjurkan sebuah pertubuhan bukan kerajaan yang membantah keputusan Mahkamah Persekutuan mengekalkan hukuman penjara lima tahun terhadap Anwar Ibrahim.

Nurul Nuha, 31, seorang suri rumah berkelulusan Ijazah Teknologi Seni dan Visual dari Universiti George Mason, Amerika Syarikat diberikan ‘tugasan awal’ dalam kempen terbaru perjuangan Anwar yang didakwa menjadi mangsa ketidakadilan.

Beberapa pemerhati politik melihat Nurul Nuha, mula diketengahkan bagi meneruskan legasi keluarga itu di Permatang Pauh.

Wan Azizah berkata demikian kepada media selepas menghadiri mesyuarat Cabang Permatang Pauh di Yayasan Aman, Penanti pada Sabtu.

Pada Selasa, Mahkamah Persekutuan menolak rayuan akhir Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim terhadap kesalahan meliwat Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, hampir tujuh tahun lalu.

Keputusan dicapai secara sebulat suara oleh panel lima hakim diketuai oleh Ketua Hakim Negara, Tun Arifin Zakaria yang mengekalkan sabitan salah dan hukuman penjara lima tahun terhadapnya.

- Sumber: Astro Awani 

One dead, three police hurt in shooting at Copenhagen Islam debate

This handout photo released by Danish Police and taken from a surveillance video CCTV shows a man suspected to be involved in a shooting attack at a cultural centre in Copenhagen, Denmark. - AFP PHOTO / DANISH POLICE

COPENHAGEN: A gunman killed at least one person and wounded three police officers after opening fire Saturday on a cultural centre in Copenhagen as it was hosting a debate on Islam and free speech.

Swedish artist Lars Vilks -- the author of controversial Prophet Mohammed cartoons that sparked worldwide protests in 2007 -- was among those at the debate targeted by the gunman, who fled the scene after a shootout with police.

Danish Prime Minister Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt described the assault as "a terrorist attack" as Danish television showed the windows of the Krudttonden cultural centre pock-marked by multiple bullet holes.

Police released a photo of the suspect showing a man in a dark anorak and a maroon hat carrying a black bag.

They described him as 25-30 years old, around 185cm (six feet) tall, with an athletic build.

French ambassador to Denmark Francois Zimeray, who had been present at the debate but was not hurt, told AFP the shooting was an attempt to replicate the January 7 attack against the Charlie Hebdo weekly in Paris, which left 12 people dead.

"They shot from the outside (and) had the same intention as Charlie Hebdo, only they didn't manage to get in," he said by telephone from the venue.

"Intuitively I would say there were at least 50 gunshots, and the police here are saying 200," he told AFP.

"Bullets went through the doors and everyone threw themselves to the floor."

A statement by Danish police said "an unidentified man died after having been hit by bullets" in the strike, and three officers were wounded in the shooting.

Police initially said two suspects had fled the scene in a Volkswagen Polo. The car was found abandoned around two hours after the attack.

After witness statements indicated there was just one attacker, police later said they were hunting for a lone gunman.

Media reports said it was likely the gunman used an automatic rifle to fire as many rounds as possible in a short time.

"Denmark has today (Saturday) been hit by a cynical act of violence. Everything leads us to believe that the shooting was a political attack and therefore a terrorist act," the Danish premier said in a statement.

The assault comes at a time of heightened security and rising fears of Islamist attacks, following January 7-9 incidents in Paris that left 17 people dead. 

Anti-terror sweeps carried out across Europe since mid-January have resulted in the arrests of dozens of suspected jihadists and seizures of large stocks of weapons and explosives.

'Bullets went through doors' 

Raids in Belgium on January 17 thwarted what police called imminent "terrorist attacks to kill police officers on public roads and in police stations."

Two suspects were killed fighting Belgian police in those sweeps.

Satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo raised the ire of Islamist extremists by publishing cartoons mocking Mohammed and periodically satirising Islam. 

Vilks has been living under police protection after his controversial cartoons prompted death threats.

Concern of renewed attacks targeting symbols of freedom of speech and the press have been growing since the Charlie Hebdo assault, Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire told AFP after the Copenhagen assault.

"It's something that we feared after Charlie Hebdo. We see that ultra-radical groups are leading a war against freedom of expression, against the freedom to be irreverent about religion and against the simple freedom to debate them," Deloire said.

'We're all Danish tonight' 

A Charlie Hebdo columnist voiced dismay over the Copenhagen shooting, saying: "We are all Danish tonight".

"It's horrible because it's one month after the Paris attacks, it brings back all the sadness," Patrick Pelloux told AFP.

Pelloux, who arrived at Charlie Hebdo's offices just minutes after the attack by two Islamist gunmen, urged artists not to succumb to self-censorship out of fear. "We must stand firm and not be afraid," he said.

French President Francois Hollande contacted Denmark's Thorning-Schmidt to express his country's "solidarity in this ordeal", according to a presidential statement.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius condemned what he called a "terrorist attack targeting a public meeting", saying in a statement that France "remains by the side of the Danish authorities and people in the fight against terrorism."

The French president's office also said Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve would travel to Copenhagen on Sunday.

- Source: AFP 

Kereta milik anggota Parlimen Kuala Krai Mohd Hatta Ramli terbakar

Semasa kejadian, Mohd Hatta Md Ramli bersama lapan lagi anggota keluarganya berada di rumah. - Gambar fail

KUALA LUMPUR: Kereta milik anggota Parlimen Kuala Krai Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli terbakar dipercayai akibat perbuatan khianat, awal pagi ini.

Penolong Pengarah Operasi Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Selangor Mohd Sani Harul berkata pihaknya menerima panggilan berkenaan kejadian itu pukul 5.12 pagi tadi dan tiba ke lokasi lima minit kemudian.

"Kejadian berlaku di Persiaran 1, Desa Aras Ampang, Selangor dan melibatkan kereta jenis Toyota Fortuner milik anggota Parlimen parti PAS itu. Kebakaran tersebut berjaya dikawal dan kemusnahan akibat kebakaran kenderaan itu dijangka lima peratus," katanya dalam kenyataan di sini, hari ini.

Tiada kemalangan jiwa dilaporkan dan enam anggota bomba dikerahkan ke lokasi kejadian, katanya.

Sementara itu, Ketua Polis Daerah Ampang ACP Khairuldin Saad berkata siasatan awal mendapati kejadian itu dipercayai melibatkan dua individu yang datang ke lokasi kejadian dengan sebuah kereta, sebelum melarikan diri.

"Polis turut menemui sebatang kayu diselaputi kain dan kesan minyak petrol di tempat kejadian, dipercayai kelengkapan yang digunakan untuk melakukan jenayah itu," katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini.

Semasa kejadian, mangsa bersama lapan lagi anggota keluarganya berada di rumah, kata Khairuldin sambil menambah kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 435 Kanun Keseksaan kerana melakukan khianat menggunakan api.

- Sumber: Bernama | Februari 14, 2015

Eight couples detained in Valentine's Day ops in Malacca

A JAIM officer escorting a couple who had been detained on suspicion of committing khalwat during a Valentines Day operation. 

Two government employees were among eight couples detained in a Valentine's Day operation by the Melaka Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) at four hotels in Melaka Tengah here today.

JAIM Enforcement Division assistant director Zurul Iman Zakaria said one of them, a soldier, aged 36, was detained on suspicion of committing khalwat (close proximity) with a 23-year-old college student in a hotel room in Malim Jaya here about 12.15am.

The other, a 30-year-old Public Works Department employee, was detained for khalwat with a woman, aged 30, in a hotel room in Cheng here about 12.50am, he added.

He said the two couples, as well as six other couples, aged between 20 and 37, were then taken to the JAIM office for further investigation.

In a related development, Zurul Iman said JAIM would lodge a report with the Melaka Historical City Council for action to be taken against a hotel in Peringgit for allegedly providing condoms to its guests.

"Action should be taken because the act is seen like encouraging vice activities in the state," he added.

- Source: Bernama 

Four friends killed in car-lorry collision


Tan Wei Oon, 18; Loh Yi Wei, 19; Tin Seing Kit, 19, and Lee Ping Meng, 22, died on the spot.

MUAR: Four friends were killed when the car they were travelling in, collided head-on with a frozen-food laden lorry at the 12km stretch of Jalan Muar-Air Hitam here today.

Tan Wei Oon, 18; Loh Yi Wei, 19; Tin Seing Kit, 19, and Lee Ping Meng, 22, died on the spot in the 1.40pm crash. The victims are from Batu Pahat, Johor.

Their bodies were sent to the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital.

The lorry driver, identified only as Lee, 62, who was also injured, was sent to the hospital where his condition was described as stable.

Muar police chief, ACP Azman Ayob said the four were heading here from Batu Pahat while the lorry was coming from the opposite direction.

Tin's mother, identified as Lim, said she only knew that her son had come here for a job.

Lim, in her 40s, was speaking to reporters at the hospital mortuary.

Meanwhile, Tan's girlfriend, who declined to be identified, said she was planning to meet her boyfriend tonight, in conjunction with Valentine's Day.

She said she found out about the accident via Facebook and headed straight to the hospital.

- Source: Bernama 

Many risks for online love seekers


A couple kisses while posing behind a heart-shaped pastry during a flashmob in Paris on February 14, 2014. - AFP Photo/Francois Guillot

WASHINGTON: Advice for people seeking love on the Internet for Valentine's Day: keep looking, but watch for scams and other risks.

Security experts say hackers and other malicious actors often use the occasion to target romance-seekers and the lovelorn.

The growing sector of dating apps that use mobile technology has led to new risks, according to researchers.

IBM Security said this week it found 26 of 41 mobile dating apps studied to be vulnerable to cyber-attacks that put personal user information and corporate data at risk.

Many dating applications can give access to a smartphone camera, microphone, storage, location and mobile wallet billing information, according to IBM.

"Many consumers use and trust their mobile phones for a variety of applications. It is this trust that gives hackers the opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities like the ones we found in these dating apps," said IBM Security vice president Caleb Barlow.

Other tried-and-true scam methods, many using email or social networks, can also be effective tools for fraudsters.

'Malware, not flowers'

Some use electronic greeting cards which infect a computer with malware. Others purport to be florists seeking to verify information for flower delivery.

Romance fraud schemes -- mostly aimed at people over 40 -- consistently make top scam lists, according to the American Association of Retired Persons, which warns people to avoid clicking on links or responding to secret admirers online.

Security experts urge caution when potential dates seem too good to be true, and quickly ask for money or personal information.

Scammers often typically meet their victims online through dating websites or social networking, and eventually ask for money using wire transfers or prepaid money cards, according to a warning from Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.

DeWine's office said the state had received 90 complaints of "sweetheart" scams, with the average loss at $22,000.

"Victims of this scam think they’ve found the right person, but often they end up losing thousands of dollars," said Attorney General Mike DeWine.

"Victims of this scam think they’ve found the right person, but often they end up losing thousands of dollars," DeWine said.

"Online dating works well for many people, but you have to be very careful. Don't send money to someone you’ve never met in person."

DeWine urged people to be cautious when potential dates won't meet in person or claim to be in another country, with an urgent need for money.

An FBI warning from 2014 said the scammers "troll social media sites and chat rooms in search of romantic victims -- usually claim to be Americans traveling or working abroad."

The most common targets are women over 40 who are divorced, widowed, or disabled, "but every age group and demographic is at risk," the FBI said.

It's not only in America: the City of London police said online dating fraud in Britain rose 33 percent in 2014, costing a total of 34 million pounds ($52 million).

There was a significant rise in fraud cases from April to May 2014, "suggesting that in the blissful wake of Valentine's Day people may become more susceptible to romance scams," the London police statement said.

- Source: AFP 

Jackie Chan's son apologises for drugs 'mistakes'

This handout photo taken on January 9, 2015 shows Jaycee Chan during his trial at the DOngcheng District People's Court in Beijing. - AFP Photo

BEIJING: The son of kung fu star Datuk Jackie Chan apologised Saturday for making "mistakes" after serving six months in a Chinese jail for drugs offences.

Jaycee Chan, who like his father has worked as an actor and singer, was released from prison on Friday.

"I made mistakes, I will remember this lesson, I won't commit mistakes again in the future," he said in Beijing.

"I want to apologise to everyone for my mistakes. I'm genuinely sorry."

Chan was detained in August and charged with providing a venue for others to use drugs after police found 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of marijuana at his home in Beijing.

The 32-year-old had already spent five months in prison when he was sentenced in January after pleading guilty to the crime.

"I haven't been a very good role-model for the youth, I feel really ashamed," he said.

At least 10 locally-known stars were detained on drug-related charges last year, according to state-run media.

Experts say the arrests are part of a wider campaign by Beijing to promote morality. Chinese authorities have also targeted prostitution and the broader illegal drugs trade over the past year.

Jaycee Chan has featured in several films but not yet won the acclaim earned by his father, one of Asia's best-known actors with a string of Hollywood hits to his name.

- Source: AFP 

PKR patut minta maaf daripada Abdul Khalid - Faekah


FAEKAH: PKR patut minta maaf daripada Abdul Khalid - Gambar fail

KUALA LUMPUR: Pimpinan PKR didesak untuk memohon maaf daripada Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim kerana mengaitkan bekas menteri besar Selangor itu sebagai dalang demonstrasi yang mahu bekas perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dilantik menjadi ketua umum PKR yang baharu.

Pegawai khas Abdul Khalid, Faekah Husin berkata, tindakan Pengarah Komunikasi PKR Fahmi Fadzil yang menuduh Khalid sebagai dalang dilihat kebudak-budakan bagi menutup kelemahan sendiri.

"Pemimpin PKR perlu berhenti menuding jari kepada orang lain bagi permasalahan dalaman parti yang mereka hadapi.

"Sebaliknya pimpinan parti itu harus bermuhasabah dengan melihat permasalahan dalaman ahli parti tersebut dengan jujur, bijak dan matang," katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Faekah merupakan bekas Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Pemerbadanan Menteri Besar (MBI) dan pegawai khas Abdul Khalid di Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Pelabuhan Klang dan Parlimen Bandar Tun Razak.

Sebelum ini, satu kumpulan yang mendakwa anggota PKR berhimpun di hadapan ibu pejabat parti itu dan memegang kain rentang yang mendesak pucuk pimpinan parti itu melantik Dr Mahathir sebagai ketua umum PKR menggantikan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang kini menjalani hukuman penjara.

Kumpulan itu berkata, perlantikan Mahathir mampu menumbangkan Barisan Nasional (BN) pada Pilihan Raya Umum (PRU) akan datang.

Dalam pada itu kata Faekah, PKR kini turut dilihat mahu mengaitkan permasalahan dalaman parti itu dengan Abdul Khalid sendiri.

"Tidak cukup dengan fitnah dan penghinaan yang mereka lemparkan terhadap Khalid, kini permasalahan dalaman PKR pula mahu dilibatkan kepadanya.

"Selaku seorang negarawan, Khalid terkenal dengan sifat telus dan bertanggungjawab. Justeru menuduh beliau sebagai dalang yang bersembunyi penghinaan melampau yang dilakukan pimpinan PKR.

"Kami menuntut PKR memohon maaf di atas keceluparan pimpinan mereka yang jelas gagal menegakkan keadilan seperti yang mereka laungkan selama ini," katanya.

- Sumber: Media Statement via Astro Awani 

Cuepacs mohon pencen dibayar sebaik pesara tamat perkhidmatan

AZIH: Cuepacs memohon supaya pembayaran wang pencen dibayar sebaik sahaja pesara menamatkan perkhidmatan berikutan peningkatan kos sara hidup.

KOTA BHARU: Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-Pekerja Di Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (Cuepacs) memohon supaya pembayaran wang pencen dibayar sebaik sahaja pesara menamatkan perkhidmatan berikutan peningkatan kos sara hidup pada masa ini.

Presidennya Datuk Azih Muda berkata pesara memerlukan wang pencen kerana mempunyai pelbagai komitmen termasuk membayar pinjaman perumahan.

"Sebaiknya seminggu selepas bersara terus dapat wang itu (pencen) kerana pesara memerlukan wang berkenaan untuk membayar pinjaman rumah dan lain-lain.

"Kami minta tindakan proaktif diambil oleh pihak berwajib dan kita harap proses ini dapat disegerakan dan diambil perhatian serius," katanya kepada pemberita selepas majlis penyampaian bantuan bencana banjir kepada kakitangan awam di sini, hari ini.

Turut hadir Presiden Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa) Datuk Abdul Fattah Abdullah.

Azih berkata pesara pada masa ini hanya menerima wang pencen selepas tiga bulan menamatkan perkhidmatan dalam sektor awam.

Justeru, beliau memohon kerajaan supaya melihat semula kaedah pembayaran wang pencen berkenaan bagi mengurangkan beban dihadapi penjawat awam yang telah kehilangan pendapatan selepas bersara.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Azih berkata pihaknya juga mencadangkan supaya kerajaan dapat memanjangkan lagi tempoh penurunan tarif elektrik kepada setahun.

Menteri Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili sebelum ini mengumumkan, pengguna di Semenanjung Malaysia akan menikmati penurunan tarif elektrik dengan kadar Pelepasan Kos Tidak Seimbang (ICPT) sebanyak 2.25 sen setiap per kilowatt-jam (kWj).

Sementara purata kadar tarif bagi Sabah dan Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan diturunkan sebanyak 1.20/kWj berkuat kuasa 1 Mac hingga 30 Jun 2015.

- Sumber: Bernama 

BN tak perlu letak calon tanding Dun Chempaka

Mustapa

KOTA BHARU - Pengerusi BN Kelantan, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed menyifatkan melalui pandangan peribadinya, BN tidak perlu meletakkan calon bagi mengisi kekosongan kerusi Dun Chempaka selepas kematian penyandangnya, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Mustapa berkata, sebagai pimpinan negeri, beliau mahu lebih fokus terhadap bantuan pacsa banjir terhadap mangsa-mangsa yang kehilangan kediaman dan harta benda dalam banjir Disember lalu.

"Buat masa ini saya, belum membuat perbincangan dengan Umno Bahagian Pengkalan Chepa namun segala keputusan akan ditentukan selepas perjumpaan nanti.

"Lagipun masih terlalu awal dan tidak sesuai untuk kita bincangkan hal ini memandangkan Nik Aziz baru sahaja meninggal dunia kelmarin.

"Jika ada pilihan raya kecil, banyak yang perlu kita fokus termasuk soal keselamatan dan mungkin akan berlaku pergeseran antara pimpinan parti. Jadi kini, kita harus fokus pada perpaduan dan bukannya perbalahan antara satu sama lain," katanya pada sidang media di Hotel Sutera Inn, di sini, pagi tadi.

Pada PRU13 lalu, Allahyarham Nik Aziz mempertahankan kerusi Dun Chempaka menewaskan calon BN.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Ibu Ako Mustapha meninggal dunia

IBU kepada pelakon Muhaizad Ahmad Mustapha atau lebih dikenali sebagai Ako Mustapha, meninggal dunia pada kira-kira 2.30 petang tadi, akibat penyakit jantung.

Ako Mustapha ketika dihubungi Bernama memberitahu, ibunya Norma Osman, 79, menghembuskan nafas terakhir di rumahnya di Bukit Rahman Putra, Sungai Buloh.

"Ibu berada di rumah saya sejak seminggu lalu. Sebelum ini, ibu pernah dirawat di PPUM (Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya)," katanya kepada Bernama di sini hari ini.

Allahyarham meninggalkan suami yang juga bekas Pengurus Besar Bernama, Ahmad Mustapha Md Hassan, 79, empat anak serta sembilan cucu. 

"Jenazah ibu saya selamat dikebumikan di tanah perkuburan Islam Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh selepas Maghrib tadi," katanya. 

- Sumber: Bernama | 14 Februari 2015