Wan Azizah paling layak bertanding Permatang Pauh

KUALA LUMPUR - Presiden PKR, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail dianggap calon paling layak bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Parlimen Permatang Pauh, kata Naib Presiden parti itu, Rafizi Ramli.

Beliau berkata, Dr Wan Azizah, yang juga Adun Kajang, dianggap sebagai calon tepat berdasarkan kepimpinan dan pengalaman beliau yang pernah menjadi anggota Parlimen kawasan itu.

"Saya menyokong penuh, pastinya kita akan melalui proses di peringkat Keadilan (PKR) dan juga peringkat pakatan rakyat seperti biasa, sudah tentu ada beberapa calon yang akan dipertimbangkan.

"Tetapi jika dilihat dari segi kepimpinan dan pengalamannya, Kak Wan (Dr Wan Azizah) adalah paling layak," katanya kepada pemberita di lobi Parlimen, hari ini.

Portal berita 'The Malaysian Insider' hari ini memetik Dr Wan Azizah sebagai berkata beliau tidak menolak kemungkinan akan bertanding sekali lagi di kerusi Parlimen Permatang Pauh sekiranya diperlukan.

Semalam, Speaker Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia mengumumkan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hilang kelayakan sebagai anggota Parlimen Permatang Pauh pada 16 Mac lalu sebaik sahaja Lembaga Pengampunan menolak petisyen pengampunan diraja yang dipohon oleh keluarganya.

Justeru, Setiausaha Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR), Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh berkata, SPR akan mengadakan mesyuarat khas berhubung PRK Parlimen Permatang Pauh, Rabu depan (8 April).

Rafizi, yang juga anggota Parlimen Pandan berkata, mesyuarat menentukan calon PRK itu akan dibuat sebaik sahaja pengumuman rasmi SPR.

Pada 2008, Dr Wan Azizah mengosongkan kerusi Parlimen Permatang Pauh bagi memberi laluan kepada suaminya, Anwar untuk bertanding kerusi tersebut.

Tindakan itu memaksa Dr Wan Azizah digantung daripada bertanding dalam mana-mana pilihan raya selama lima tahun kerana meletak jawatan sebagai wakil rakyat tanpa alasan kukuh.

Pengerusi SPR, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof pada 24 Februari lepas dilaporkan berkata isu penggantungan presiden PKR itu tidak timbul lagi kerana tempoh tersebut hanya berkuat kuasa selama lima tahun. 

Pada Pilihan Raya Umum 2013, Anwar mengekalkan kubu kuatnya di Permatang Pauh dengan menewaskan calon BN, Dr Mazlan Ismail dengan majoriti 11,721 undi. 

- Sumber: Bernama

Melaka mahu bina menara telekomunikasi tertinggi

Idris Haron

MELAKA - Melaka bercadang membina sebuah menara telekomunikasi antara yang tertinggi di Asean untuk menyediakan perkhidmatan yang lebih berkesan dan bagi mempertingkat keupayaan liputan komunikasi.

Ketua Menteri Melaka, Datuk Seri Idris Haron berkata, pihaknya akan meminta Melaka ICT Holdings menyediakan kertas cadangan dalam tempoh dua minggu mengenai reka bentuk, spesifikasi serta lokasi yang diperlukan.

"Projek ini sesuatu yang kena pada masanya dan bakal menjadi mercu tanda Melaka dan kita mencadangkan supaya menara setinggi 186 meter ini menjadi menara telekomunikasi tertinggi di Asean," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat exco hari ini.

Idris berkata, kerajaan negeri turut bercadang membuka semula permohonan kepada kerajaan persekutuan untuk membina lebuh raya pantai bagi mengurangkan kesesakan.

Beliau berkata, lebuh raya tersebut dicadang dari Telok Mas hingga Kuala Linggi.

"Kita sudah arahkan Exco Kerja Raya, Kemudahan Awam, Pengangkutan dan Pemulihan Projek untuk membuka kembali fail permohonan lebuh raya pantai ini," katanya. 

- Sumber: Bernama

Full price list of the now cheaper Perodua cars

Perodua has followed up with its recent announcement to lower its prices by up to 1.6% following the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) yesterday. The 1.6% drop is reflected in the new price for the Myvi 1.3 Standard G MT, which now wears a price tag of RM40,862.16 on-the-road (OTR) with insurance. 

The Perodua Axia 1.0 Standard E MT now begins at RM24,437.16 – a decrease of RM175 or 0.71%. With that said, the entire Axia range from the entry-level trim right up to the 1.0 Advance AT receives a price drop of RM175. Also, a minute RM95 decrease is now effective across the entire Alza range. 

Opting for the range-topping Alza 1.5 Advanced Version AT will now cost you below RM65,000 – at RM64,932 OTR with insurance. Elsewhere, the range-topping Myvi 1.5 Advance AT is now priced at RM57,968.51 – a mere RM3,722.49 less than its rival, the Iriz 1.6 CVT Premium.

- Source: paultan.org

Sarimah Ibrahim sah milik Tunku Jamie

SARIMAH Ibrahim sah bergelar isteri kepada Tunku Nadzimuddin Tunku Mudzaffar dengan sekali lafaz tengah hari tadi. - Foto Rohanis Shukri

KUALA LUMPUR: Dengan sekali lafaz pengacara Bella saluran ntv7, Sarimah Ibrahim, 37, sah bergelar isteri kepada cucu Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan ke-10, Tunku Nadzimuddin Tunku Mudzaffar, 43, jam 12.38 tengah hari tadi. 

Pasangan itu dinikahkan jurunikah dari Istana Negara, Ustaz Nik Ridzuan Nik Mohamad dengan disaksikan wali-bapa Sarimah, Ibrahim Ahmad dalam majlis itu bertemakan tradisional dan kemelayuan yang berlangsung di sebuah hotel di sini. 

Pihak pengantin perempuan menerima tujuh dulang hantaran berbalas jumlah yang sama kepada pengantin lelaki. Sarimah turut menerima mas kahwin sebanyak RM6,000. 

Sarimah bertunang dengan Tunku Nadzimuddin atau lebih mesra dikenali Tunku Jamie pada 27 September tahun lalu. 

Ini bukan perkahwinan pertama mereka. Sarimah pernah berkahwin pada 2006 tetapi bercerai pada penghujung Disember 2008.

Tunku Jamie pula sudah berstatus duda tanpa anak ketika bertemu Sarimah.

Yang turut hadir pada majlis ini ialah ibu bapa Tunku Jamie, Tunku Kecil Besar Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha dan Tunku Dara Tunku Tan Sri Naquiah Tuanku Jaafar serta Tuanku Najihah Tunku Besar Burhanuddin, Tunku Ampuan Negeri Sembilan.

- Sumber: BH Online 

Wanita maut digilis MPV

Motosikal ditunggangi mangsa terjatuh di kilometer 6.2 Lebuh Raya Kemuning.

SHAH ALAM - Seorang wanita maut digilis kenderaan pelbagai guna (MPV) selepas motosikal ditungganginya terjatuh di kilometer 6.2 Lebuh Raya Kemuning Shah Alam (LKSA), kelmarin.

Dalam kejadian jam 7 malam itu, Nursyahniza Zulkifli, 30, cuba mengelak sebuah motosikal lagi menyebabkan dia hilang kawalan.

Ketua Polis Daerah Shah Alam, Asisten Komisioner Azisman Alias berkata, mangsa dalam perjalanan dari Seksyen 14 ke Seksyen 18.

Mayat dibawa ke Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) Klang untuk bedah siasat.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Pengeluaran KWSP tidak dikenakan GST

KUALA LUMPUR - Pengeluaran daripada Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) tidak dikenakan cukai barang dan perkhidmatan (GST) yang berkuat kuasa pada 1 April.

KWSP dalam satu kenyataan hari ini mengingatkan ahlinya agar tidak melantik ejen atau pihak ketiga untuk membantu membuat sebarang pengeluaran.

"Ahli-ahli yang memenuhi syarat-syarat dinasihatkan berurusan terus dengan KWSP untuk membuat pengeluaran.

"Bagi Skim Pelaburan Ahli KWSP, KWSP tidak akan mengenakan GST bagi amaun dipindahkan untuk pelaburan," kata kumpulan itu.

Di bawah skim tersebut, ahli-ahli dibenarkan untuk memindah sebahagian daripada wang KWSP mereka untuk melabur dalam dana saham amanah yang diluluskan KWSP.

"Ahli-ahli dinasihatkan untuk memahami kos dan risiko yang terlibat, dan mendapatkan nasihat daripada penasihat berkelayakan, sebelum memutuskan untuk menyertai skim itu," kata KWSP.

- Sumber: Bernama

Polis sambung reman pelakon dan rakan terbabit dadah

Polis mendapat kebenaran mahkamah untuk menyambung reman selama enam hari terhadap seorang pelakon dan rakan.

MUAR: Polis mendapatkan kebenaran Mahkamah Majistret di sini untuk menyambung reman selama enam hari bermula hari ini terhadap seorang pelakon lelaki dan rakannya berhubung penemuan lebih 1.3 kilogram syabu dalam kereta dinaiki mereka pada Sabtu lepas.

Ketua Polis Daerah Muar, ACP Azman Ayob berkata lanjutan reman itu bagi membolehkan polis melengkapkan siasatan terhadap kes membabitkan suspek berumur 37 dan 27 tahun itu selepas tempoh reman mereka sebelum ini tamat hari ini.

Pada 28 Mac lalu pelakon itu yang sudah tiga kali ditahan kerana terbabit dengan kes dadah, ditahan polis buat kali keempat dalam sekatan jalan raya berhampiran stesen minyak di Jalan Pagoh-Muar di sini kira-kira pukul 1.40 pagi.

Hasil pemeriksaan, polis menemukan empat paket syabu dalam satu ruang di bahagian tempat letak kaki di bahagian belakang kereta, selain beberapa barangan yang disyaki untuk memproses dadah.

Kes disiasat mengikut Seksyen 39B Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952 yang jika sabit kesalahan membawa hukuman mati mandatori.

Terdahulu, Majistret Muhammad Hidayat Wahab membenarkan tempoh lanjutan tahan reman terhadap kedua-dua suspek itu mengikut Seksyen 117 Kanun Acara Jenayah.

Ketika keluar daripada mahkamah, pelakon terbabit sempat menunjukkan isyarat `peace' kepada jurugambar. 

- Sumber: Bernama

91.7 percent of people in Kelantan in support of hudud - Survey

The passing of the amendment of the hudud bill in Kelantan showed that the state was moving forward which in turn is triggering various reaction.

KUALA LUMPUR: Almost 91.7 percent of the people in Kelantan are in support of the implementation of the Syariah law or hudud in the state, said Hudud Technical Committee member, Dr Azhar Abdullah.

In a report by Malaysiakini, Dr Azhar said that a survey was done among the people in the state last year. 

“We did a survey using text messages to the people in Kelantan where almost 77 thousand SMS were sent to respondents.

“The question asked to the respondents is ‘should Kelantan continue or not (hudud). We sent the question to all the 29 constituencies via SMS and the result showed 91.7 percent in support of it,” Dr Azhar was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.

Speaking at a hudud forum organised by the Universiti Malaya Islamic Students Organisation on Wednesday night, Dr Azhar said that the survey reflected the peoples’ desire for the implementation of hudud law.

He said that the passing of the amendment of the hudud bill in Kelantan showed that the state was moving forward which in turn is triggering various reaction.

“This is a proactive move by Kelantan, with this chance we have the spirit to venture into something that we have not done in Malaysia.

“Since the independence, we have to admit that we never had a hudud law. So we have opened a new chapter in our legislation for us to discuss an issue which we have never brought forward,” he said.

He explained that Kelantan will follow the parliamentary democracy process and maintain the federalism spirit in upholding the hudud law.

Apart from Dr Azhar, the forum was also attended by former Bar Council president, Datuk S Ambiga; Umno Youth exco, Dr Fathul Bari Mat Jahaya, UM business and accountancy faculty head, Prof Mohd Nazari Ismail and UM senior lecturer, Siti Zubaidah Ismail. 

- Source: Astro Awani 

Adun Canning diarah keluar dewan

Wong Kah Woh

IPOH - Adun Canning, Wong Kah Woh diarah keluar dewan selepas mengingkari arahan Speaker agar tidak mencelah ketika perbahasan dibuat Salbiah Mohamed (BN-Temengor) sebentar tadi.

Beliau sebelum itu, beberapa kali diminta agar duduk apabila bangun mempersoalkan ulasan Salbiah yang menyelar pembangkang tidak menggunakan fakta jelas dalam menuduh bantuan banjir tidak diberikan kepada Orang Asli di Tasik Temengor.

Usul agar Adun DAP yang juga Ketua Pemuda DAP Perak itu digantung dari menghadiri Sidang Dewan dibuat Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid (BN-Kamunting) dan disokong.

Speaker Dewan, Datuk Seri SK Devamany sebelum itu sudah memberi peringatan akan mengeluarkan arahan keluar dewan sekiranya Kah Woh mengulangi kedegilan. Kah Woh akan dibenarkan menghadiri sidang dewan esok dan akan dirujuk kepada Jawatankuasa Hak dan Kebebasan untuk tindakan selanjutnya.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Prince Harry to embed with Australian army from Monday

Prince Harry will be with the Australian Army for one month spending time on bush patrols and working with an indigenous regiment. - File pic

SYDNEY: Prince Harry will begin a month-long attachment with the Australian Army on Monday, officials said, spending time on bush patrols, working with an indigenous regiment and possibly flying helicopters.

The 30-year-old, who will be nudged down to fifth in line to the throne by the birth of his brother Prince William's second child this month, has already announced he will leave the British military in June after his Australian swansong.

Upon arrival in Canberra, the royal will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial before reporting for duty to Australian Defence Force chief Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin.

Captain Wales, as he is known in the British Army, will be embedded with a number of Australian army units and regiments in Sydney, Darwin and Perth.

"He is expected to take part in a range of unit-based activities and training exercises," the Australian Defence Force said in a statement.

"These will include urban training exercises, regional bush patrols, flight simulation and aviation activities, joint fire exercises and indigenous engagement activities.

"Captain Wales will also take part in routine activities, such as physical training, first aid training and pack marches."

The prince, who has flown Apache helicopters for Britain, has reportedly asked to fly choppers in Australia, although a Defence Force spokesman said his credentials would need to be checked first.

Harry, who graduated from the elite Sandhurst military academy and served twice in Afghanistan, will also spend time with wounded and ill service personnel, whose rights he has long championed.

During the attachment, he will travel from Australia to Turkey to attend the Gallipoli centenary commemorations on April 24 and 25.

A captain commissioned in the Household Cavalry, Harry currently has a desk job organising commemorative army events in London.

"After a decade of service, moving on from the army has been a really tough decision," he said in announcing his departure last month.

"The experiences I have had over the last 10 years will stay with me for the rest of my life. For that I will always be hugely grateful."

Harry earned a reputation as a wild-child in his youth with party-going high jinks, but has since tried to carve out a more mature role for himself, with his devotion to military service playing a major part.

- Source: AFP

BlackBerry gets its second wind

Between December and February, BlackBerry sold a mere 1.6 million smartphones at an average price of $211.

After almost disappearing in 2013, BlackBerry is back on track this year, thanks in large part to its enterprise software services. But the brand also strives to return to its former glory by releasing new phones, including the brand new Leap.

Once the leading name in mobile devices for business, BlackBerry took a nosedive as its signature keyboard smartphones were outpaced by Android and iOS touchscreen devices, with their abundant apps offerings. The brand has also missed out entirely on the tablet trend.

For the first time in ages, however, in the fiscal quarter ended February 2015, the Canadian firm made a profit, though not due to device sales, which continued to decline. Between December and February, BlackBerry sold a mere 1.6 million smartphones at an average price of $211. In what is perhaps a sign of the times, BlackBerry, forced to diversify, has found its highest returns in the software segment, and specifically in the market for enterprise security solutions.

The first BlackBerry phone (5810), launched in 2002 by Canadian manufacturer RIM, had attracted over 25 million users worldwide by 2008, at the height of its popularity. A few months later, the world learned that even Barack Obama was a BlackBerry fan, with no plans of giving up his device once in the Oval Office. But the success of the iPhone and other touchscreen smartphones would soon be the brand's undoing. In 2013, in an effort to turn the tide, RIM changed its name to BlackBerry and launched its first touchscreen keyboard device, the Z10, along with a new platform. The sales results did not live up to the hype.

The brand's latest phones, all of which are 4G-ready, include the Passport, which breaks with industry style codes through its square 4.5-inch screen above a traditional keyboard; the Classic, a 3.5-inch device more in line with the manufacturer's earlier models; and the brand new Leap, due to launch in April, currently in pre-order.

Entirely touchscreen-based, somewhat along the lines of the Z10, the new 5-inch smartphone has a battery life of up to 25 hours and will sell for less than $300.

Even at its darkest hour, BlackBerry can count on the help of famous brand ambassadors including Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton. 

- Sumber: AFP RELAXNEWS 

Fast & Furious 7: Rollercoaster of crazy, fun and poignancy

Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) and Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) rekindling their romance in Furious 7. - All photos by United International Pictures

KUALA LUMPUR: A franchise built on speed, since 2001, Fast & Furious has never failed to entice its viewers with its signature tacky bravado and charm.

The difference is this time, Furious 7recognizes the cultural alcove the franchise has shaped for itself – an eclectic of strangely stereotypical yet adrenaline-pumping action scenes and the caviar dreams lifestyle depiction of other countries; hence, Malaysian Chinese descent director, James Wan, who has also directed Conjuring and Insidious (to name a few) really milked on their signature out-of-this-world action sequences, over-the-top silly lines, and globe-trotting bling-bling wheels and heels.

Paul Walker, Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson lead the cast of this hugely anticipated film, which welcomes back Los Angeles headgear gang – Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black.

This time. each cast member’s character is highly-amplified.

Dom Toretto (Diesel) has a fresh list of one-liners like "I don't have friends, I have family"; Agent Hobbs played by Johnson flexes his muscle every 10-minutes of the scene; Letty Ortiz played by Rodriguez is consistently having PMS, always on an emotional bumper car; and of course you can always count on the two clowns - Roman Pearce (Gibson) and Tej (Ludacris) for making cliché, cheap shot jokes.

Furious 7 opens with the relentless introduction of the villain, Deckard Shaw (played by Jason Statham) who discreetly runs amok and seeks revenge for his brother who stumbled in a clash with the crew in an earlier installation.

Dom (left) and Deckard after a head-on collision in Furious 7.

Dom who always puts family first, leads Furious 7 to a globetrotting journey with major cliff hangers, literally.

From the States to Aizerbaijan to Abu Dhabi, audiences will witness cars, vans, buses – all jumping or hanging by a cliff (at one point).

At the same time, in the mission to bring down the villain, a sultry hacker got involved along the way due to some sort of dangerous surveillance technology that requires the crew to get their hands on and concurrently evading gritty terrorist - Djimon Houson and bad-ass acrobatic Asian villain - Kiey, played by Ong-Bak's Tony Jaa.

What is more exhilarating than seeing two muscled bald-men trying to kill each other? Seeing two muscle-toned girls in designer gowns having a go at each other.

However, the crew is not alone this time. Furious 7 welcomes another new member of the franchise who plays the crew's little yet suave helper, secret-agent man, Chris Morgan played by Kurt Russell.

Amidst the usual chaos of screeching and the burning of low-profile tyres and the roaring rev of four-wheeled monster or ‘beast’ (like the crew call it) such as the Lykan Hypersport (the most expensive car in the world), there were a few, quiet golden and warm moments.

Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) and Dom admiring the 'beast' -- a Lykan HyperSport .

These moments bring strange sorrow to this film unlike the ones before, because it highlights the poignant portrait of the late Paul Walker. I am pretty sure it is not just me who feels this way.

Watching Walker play Brian O'Conner, the character that has paved his way to stardom, one final time is simply difficult. Especially when Dom keeps saying "one last ride."

It is very apparent, despite the highly amplified personality of each cast member, cheesy scripts and surreal automobile stunts, Furious 7 is custom specifically as a farewell to a dear friend.

Despite it's superficial glorification of luxe and mad machines, it carries the heavy notion of 'family first' which people often forget.

So, don’t come expecting a good plot if you plan to watch Furious 7. Come for the fun. Crazy fun.

Directed by: James Wan

Written by: Chris Morgan and Gary Scott Thompson

Cast: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Elsa Pataky, Lucas Black, Djimon Houson, Tony Jaa and Kurt Russell.

Release date: Thursday (April 2, 2015)

- Source: Astro Awani 

Bekas pengurus Tegar ditahan polis Singapura

Tegar. - FOTO : KUMPULAN MEDIA KARANGKRAF SDN BHD

BEKAS pengurus penyanyi cilik popular Indonesia, Tegar Septian, telah ditahan oleh pihak berkuasa Singapura susulan laporan penderaan seksual yang dibuat oleh Tegar sebelum ini.

Memetik laporan Berita Harian Singapura menyatakan penangkapan Arif Dollah itu berdasarkan kepada dua laporan yang telah dibuat terhadapnya sebelum ini.

“Seorang lelaki berusia 29 tahun telah ditangkap sementara siasatan sedang dijalankan pada sekitar tiga petang tadi,” petik jurucakap polis Singapura.

Arif didakwa telah mendera secara seksual, Tegar sebelum ini.

[Artikel berkaitan di SH: Tegar dakwa didera secara seksual]

Baru-baru ini, Tegar dilaporkan membuat aduan itu kepada badan yang melindungi hak kanak-kanak di Indonesia, Komisi Nasional Perlindungan Anak (Komnas PA).

- Sumber: Sinar Harian 

Avril Lavigne menderita penyakit Lyme

NEW YORK: Penyanyi rock, Avril Lavigne memberitahu dia sudah terlantar selama lima bulan menderita penyakit Lyme dan berasa seperti sudah hampir mati. 

Penyanyi dan pemain gitar kelahiran Kanada berusia 30-tahun itu mengesahkan laporan dalam media sosial sebelum ini mengenai penyakitnya tetapi menjelaskan dia kini berasa semakin sihat sesudah lama menyepi daripada penampilan di khalayak ramai. 

"Rasa seperti sukar bernafas, sukar bercakap dan bergerak," kata Lavigne kepada majalah selebriti AS, People yang disiarkan semalam. 

"Ingatkan saya sudah hendak mati," katanya. 

Mengikut Lavigne, dia terlantar di katil selama lima bulan selepas disahkan menghidap Lyme, penyakit yang biasanya merebak disebabkan gigitan sejenis kutu. 

"Adakalanya saya tak boleh mandi selama seminggu kerana tak boleh berdiri, ..rasa seperti banyak benda yang menyedut keluar hidup ini," katanya yang mengakui kini sudah 80 peratus pulih kerana dijaga baik ibunya di Ontario serta suaminya, Chad Kroeger, penyanyi kumpulan Nickelback. 

Setiap tahun, dianggarkan lebih 300,000 orang warga Amerika disahkan menghidap penyakit Lyme, mengikut Pusat Kawalan Penyakit manakala sejumlah kecil kes turut direkodkan di Eropah. 

Penyelidikan terkini menunjukkan penyakit Lyme semakin merebak terutama di Kanada kerana perubahan cuaca menyebabkan kawasan yang menjadi tapak pembiakan kutu semakin meluas. 

Lavigne adalah antara artis yang mencipta kejutan di peringkat global apabila 2002 ketika masih remaja, muncul menerusi album 'Let Go' - irama pop lunak yang diadun dengan pengaruh grunge. 

Penyanyi ini yang turut memiliki kerakyatan Perancis, tidak mengeluarkan album sejak 2013 tetapi memberitahu ada menulis lagu untuk Olimpik Khas di Los Angeles pada Julai ini. 

- Sumber: AFP

First day of GST similar to Y2K paranoia

Astro AWANI's Zan Azlee compares the reaction to GST as similar to the Y2K scare 15 years ago.

The first day of the of the GST in Malaysia has come and gone. Being the 1st of April, many even jokingly thought that it could be an elaborate April Fools joke by the government.

But of course it wasn't. It's just something that was bound to happen, and it eventually did and there is nothing anybody could do but just to accept it - just bite the bullet.

The reaction by Malaysians on the 31st of March 2015 reminded me of the 31st of December 1999 (yes, I'm that old to still clearly remember that far back!).

It was just one day before Y2K, and everyone was panicking because the reset of the digits in the year was thought to have the potential of causing a global meltdown.

People were scared that all the computer systems around the world would just go haywire and crash because the digital date would reset itself to the year 0000.

Large corporations (and even small ones who were too paranoid) started investing in all kinds of technological software patches that would apparently help to fix the bug.

Normal citizens started to even buying canned food in bulk from the supermarkets thinking they were preparing themselves for the unimaginable world apocalypse.

Then the day came, people went to work as usual, governments continued functioning, businesses and schools didn't cease to exist, and the day ended as usual like any other day.

And so it was exactly the same on the 1st of April 2015. People woke up and went on their day as normal, with just a little six percent increase in most of their daily financial transactions.

The days preceding it saw a little bit of panic (or denial!) where some folks started hoarding all kinds of processed food like sardines and the like and some supermarkets were a little packed.

I had to fill petrol for my car the night of the 31st of March and the queue at the petrol station was unusually long as people wanted to get their last fill GST free.

But honestly, what difference does it make if you do all this? You might save that six percent today, but only have to incur it for the rest of your life if you continue to live in the country.

On the morning of the first day of GST, some people posted pictures of the receipts of their first financial transactions with GST included on social media.

Some ranted saying that their daily expenses are now more expensive (one individual I saw even calculated that her normal daily breakfasts would cost her an additional RM76 a year).

But like any other major tax in the country (or any other country, for that matter), if used properly (a very important note!), will only benefit the citizens who are paying it.

And the GST is a tax that is more efficient and transparent in it’s collection, hence a majority of the governments in the world implement it.

I’m convinced that after a few months, Malaysians will slowly let it sink into their system and it will eventually become a normal part of daily life.

The most important thing for the government to do next is to show that the money will and is being used properly and for the benefit of the people.

- Source: Astro Awani 

Sekeluarga dikebumi dalam satu liang lahad

MUAR - Jenazah empat sekeluarga yang terbunuh dalam kemalangan ngeri di Kilometer 138 Jalan Kuantan-Segamat, berhampiran Bandar Muadzam Shah, pagi semalam dikebumikan dalam satu liang lahad di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Kampung Parit Beting, Jalan Salleh di sini awal pagi ini.

Kesemua jenazah itu disemadikan kira-kira 3 pagi yang turut dihadiri lebih 100 penduduk kampung.

Sebelum itu semua jenazah tiba di rumah ibu bapa Allahyarham Sallyza Hakim Lokma Nulhakim di Kampung Parit Beting kira-kira 1 pagi dengan dua van jenazah dari Hospital Muadzam Shah, Pahang.

Suasana pilu mula dirasai apabila semua jenazah diusung penduduk kampung untuk dibawa ke tanah perkuburan yang hanya terletak kira-kira 300 meter dari rumah keluarga Allahyarham Sallyza Hakim itu.

Penduduk kampung berdiri di tepi jalan sepanjang ke tanah perkuburan untuk memberikan penghormatan terakhir ketika jenazah diusung keluarga dan penduduk kampung. 

Dalam nahas 5.30 pagi semalam, empat beranak, Rohaizan Paimon, 38; isterinya, Sallyza Hakim, 32; dan dua anak mereka, Nur Allysha Adrieanna Hakim, 6; serta Muhammad Nur Orfan Danish Hakim, 4; maut di tempat kejadian selepas Proton Waja dipandu Rohaizan dipercayai hilang kawalan lalu terbabas ke laluan bertentangan sebelum bertembung sebuah lori.

Sementara itu sepupu mangsa yang enggan dikenali berkata, sebelum kejadian, empat beranak itu tiba di sini pada 8 malam untuk menghantar anak ketiga mereka, Nur Irresya Nellydia Hakim Rohaizan, setahun, kepada ibu bapa Sallyza Hakim, sebelum pulang ke Kuantan kurang daripada lima jam kemudian.

"Saya difahamkan, mereka menghantar Irresya Nellydia Hakim untuk dijaga ibu bapa Sallyza Hakim sebagai persediaan awal sebelum sepupu perempuan saya itu melahirkan anak keempat, dua bulan lagi," katanya. 

Katanya Sallyza Hakim yang juga jururawat di Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan kini sarat mengandung tujuh bulan manakala suaminya Rohaizan merupakan

seorang jurutera di sebuah syarikat perkapalan dan mereka menetap di Kampung Sungai Karang Darat, Kuantan, Pahang.

"Sebelum pulang dari sini kira-kira 12.30 tengah malam, keluarga ada meminta Rohaizan yang berasal dari Kluang, supaya berehat dan pulang selepas subuh bagaimanapun arwah berkeras untuk pulang cepat kerana bertugas," katanya. 

"Semua anggota keluarga kami sedih dengan kejadian ini namun reda dengan ketentuan Tuhan. Apa yang penting adalah membesarkan seorang lagi anaknya dengan penuh kasih sayang kerana dia bukan saja tidak sempat melihat adiknya, malah kehilangan ibu, bapa, kakak dan abang," katanya.

Jiran mangsa, Amaludin Rahim, 21, berkata beliau sedih dengan kejadian itu kerana rapat dengan semua mangsa dan menganggap mereka sebagai keluarga sendiri.

"Walaupun kami hanya berjiran, saya membesar bersama mereka dan menganggap Sallyza Hakim sebagai kakak sendiri, malah memanggilnya 'kak long'," katanya yang kali terakhir bertemu keluarga itu Februari lalu. 

- Sumber: Bernama | 1 April, 2015

Kekeliruan hari pertama GST kerana tidak cukup pendedahan

MARIA: Pihak Kastam melakukan aktiviti turun padang bukanlah untuk mencari salah lalu terus mendenda tetapi untuk memberi nasihat dan bimbingan.

KUALA LUMPUR: Reaksi hari pertama pelaksanaan sistem Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST) agak baik namun masih ramai yang keliru dengan beberapa perkara tertentu kerana tidak didedahkan dengan maklumat yang mencukupi.

Perkara tersebut dinyatakan oleh Penolong Kanan Pengarah Kastam II, Maria Madel sewaktu menjadi tetamu dalam program Agenda AWANI pada Rabu.

“Contohnya berkaitan isu kad prabayar telefon kecoh diperkatakan pada hari ini (Rabu) seperti yang kami terima melalui talian pertanyaan ke pejabat kami.

“Harga itu sepatutnya sudahpun termasuk cukai perkhidmatan malah pihak Kastam juga sudah keluarkan surat kepada semua syarikat telekomunikasi supaya tidak menaikkan harga,” ujarnya.

Jelas Maria, jika penilaian dibuat dari segi elemen kos, harga tetap sama kerana kadar 6 peratus cukai perkhidmatan sudah digantikan dengan kadar 6 peratus GST.

Sekiranya kenaikan harga nilai prabayar telefon itu dikesan pengguna di kaunter kedai yang memberi perkhidmatan tersebut, Maria berpendapat bahawa ia terjadi akibat ketidakfahaman pengusaha tersebut.

“Mungkin mereka tidak faham atau tidak dimaklumkan mengenainya. Ini boleh terjadi kerana mereka mempunyai vendor yang terlalu ramai,” kata Maria yang mengesyorkan supaya hak pengguna digunakan sebaik-baiknya dalam hal itu.

Sementara itu, menurut Maria, pihak Kastam telah membuat simulasi terhadap peniaga-peniaga dengan hasil jualan tahunan yang kurang daripada RM500,000.

Golongan tersebut dikategorikan sebagai kumpulan yang boleh mendaftar GST secara sukarela dan kebanyakan daripada mereka tertarik dengan tuntutan input yang boleh dibuat.

“Kami mendapati bahawa peniaga-peniaga dengan hasil jualan seperti itu tidak begitu ekonomi untuk berdaftar dengan sistem GST kerana mereka tertakluk dengan pematuhan kos termasuk kos perisian dan penggajian pekerja.

“Masalahnya apabila berdaftar dalam sistem GST, mereka tidak boleh keluar selama dua tahun. Kami bimbang mereka tidak sedar kos mereka akan bertambah,” ujar Maria.

Secara rumusannya, Maria menjelaskan, pihak Kastam banyak melakukan aktiviti ‘turun padang’ bukan untuk mencari salah dan terus mendenda tetapi untuk memberi nasihat dan bimbingan.

“Pada hari pertama, masih ada pengguna dan juga peniaga yang keliru dengan pelaksanaan sistem ini. Oleh kerana itulah kami sedia memberi penerangan kepada mereka dalam perkara ini,” ujarnya.

Pihak Kastam Diraja Malaysia telah menambah talian di pejabat di banyak pusat bantuan dan penerangan di seluruh negara serta menambah pegawai untuk mengendalikan pelbagai pertanyaan umum.

Orang ramai boleh menghubungi talian hotline 1300-888-500 atau 03-8882211untuk mendapatkan sebarang penjelasan berhubung GST selain membaca kandungan buku panduan mengenainya di portal http://gst.customs.gov.my

GST: Syarikat telekomunikasi kaut untung dan tindas pengguna

IBDILILLAH: Isu tersebut perlu diberi perhatian oleh pihak KPDNKK dan Kastam.

KUALA LUMPUR: Ketamakan majoriti syarikat rangkaian telekomunikasi yang mementingkan keuntungan dan terus menindas pengguna seumpama mensabotaj usaha kerajaan pada hari pertama pelaksanaan sistem Cukai Barang dan Perkhidmatan (GST), kata Pengerusi Biro Media Sosial, Exco Pemuda UMNO, Ibdilillah Ishak.

Menurutnya dalam satu kenyataan media hari ini, kerajaan telahpun memberitahu syarikat-syarikat rangkaian telekomunikasi untuk tidak mengenakan GST di kad-kad pra-bayar.

“Pengguna perlu tahu bahawa sebelum ini kad pra-bayar mempunyai elemen cukai perkhidmatan sebanyak 6 peratus atau dengan maksud lain, harga kad prabayar adalah termasuk dalam cukai perkhidmatan,” ujarnya yang menggesa harga jualan kad prabayar dikekalkan.

Ibdilillah mempersoalkan tindakan syarikat-syarikat itu menaikkan harga dan mengelak daripada membayar cukai perkhidmatan 6 peratus sebaliknya memindahkan beban membayar cukai itu kepada pengguna.

“Adakah ini satu tindakan sabotaj oleh syarikat-syarikat telekomunikasi ke atas kerajaan? Syarikat-syarikat ini bersikap tidak jujur dengan mengambil kesempatan ke atas pengguna. Apa yang utama bagi mereka ialah keuntungan berlebihan tanpa menghiraukan nasib pengguna?” tanya Ibdilillah.

Beliau menyarankan pengguna mempertimbangkan tindakan boikot ke atas syarikat rangkaian telekomunikasi yang hanya mementingkan keuntungan berlebihan selain menggesa perkara itu segera diberi tumpuan oleh pihak Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan (KPDNKK)dan Kastam.

- Sumber: Astro Awani 

Korean Air heiress appeals 'nut rage' conviction

Cho Hyun-Ah was jailed for a year in February after a district court found her guilty of violating aviation safety by forcing a taxiing New York-Seoul Korean Air Lines (KAL) flight to return to its departure gate.

SEOUL: Lawyers for the eldest daughter of Korean Air's chairman asked an appeal court Wednesday to overturn her conviction for disrupting a flight in a rage over macadamia nuts.

Cho Hyun-Ah was jailed for a year in February after a district court found her guilty of violating aviation safety by forcing a taxiing New York-Seoul Korean Air Lines (KAL) flight to return to its departure gate.

Crucially, the lower court ruled that an aircraft should be deemed "in flight" from the moment it begins to move.

So even though the KAL aircraft had barely left the gate when she forced it to return, Cho was found guilty of illegally altering the plane's flight.

Her lawyer Yoo Seung-Nam took issue with that ruling in the Seoul High Court on Wednesday, arguing that the plane never reached the point where it could be said to be in flight.

"It's hard to say that her act actually hindered security and the plane's safety," Yoo said. "She really had no intention to impede the plane’s safe flight."

At the end of the hearing, Cho, who was dressed in a light-green prison outfit, stood and spoke to the packed courtroom, voicing remorse over her behaviour.

'I beg for forgiveness'

"On this occasion, I apologise again to the victims and beg for their forgiveness," she said.

Cho, who was a KAL vice president in charge of in-flight service at the time of the December 5 incident, had become enraged after a flight attendant served her some nuts in a bag, rather than on a plate.

She lambasted the chief steward over the behaviour of his cabin crew and then insisted the plane return to the gate so he could be removed from the flight.

The 40-year-old's actions invited overseas ridicule and domestic embarrassment.

Many South Koreans saw her behaviour as emblematic of a generation of spoilt and arrogant offspring of owners of the giant family-run conglomerates, or "chaebols", that dominate the national economy.

She was also convicted of assault on the cabin crew, with the chief steward, Park Chang-Jin, testifying that Cho had made him kneel and beg for forgiveness while jabbing him with a service manual.

The flight attendant who served the now infamous nuts has since filed a civil lawsuit, alleging Cho attacked, threatened and screamed obscenities and then pressured her to cover up the incident by lying to government regulators.

At the February trial Cho was acquitted of obstruction of justice charges, but the prosecution has appealed that decision and asked for her one-year prison term to be extended.

Prosecutors had initially sought a three-year sentence, but the district court judge took into account the fact that Cho had two young children and that her personal and professional reputation had been shattered.

In his argument to the High Court on Wednesday, prosecutor Lee Jong-Hyok questioned the sincerity of Cho's apologies and said her abuse of her position merited a harsher sentence.

Lee also insisted that her acquittal for obstruction of justice should be reviewed, on the grounds that the transport ministry investigation into Cho's alleged intimidation of witnesses had been ineffective. 

- Sumber: AFP 

Cynthia, first wife of John Lennon, dies

In this Sept 26, 2005 file photo, Cynthia Lennon, the first wife of Beatle's band member John Lennon, sits behind copies of her newly released book entitled 'John' during a book signing at Foyle's bookshop in central London. - AP Photo/ Jane Mingay

NEW YORK: Cynthia Lennon, the British first wife of The Beatles' songwriter John Lennon, has died aged 75, the couple's son Julian said Wednesday.

A message on the musician's website said Lennon "passed away today at her home in Mallorca, Spain following a short but brave battle with cancer."

"Her son Julian Lennon was at her bedside throughout. The family are thankful for your prayers," it added.

Julian Lennon wrote and sang a song of tribute to his mother that was posted on the site with a montage of family snapshots and footage.

"You gave your life for me, you gave your life for love," the song begins, then ends with the words "I know you're safe above."

Cynthia met John Lennon at an art class in the British city of Liverpool when she was 18 and the couple married in 1962.

"You couldn't resist being around him," Cynthia Lennon said in a 2005 interview with US television.

"You couldn't resist watching what he was up to. I mean, he was a total rebel."

In her 2006 memoir of the relationship, "John", Cynthia said the pair had had an intense but turbulent relationship.

"He was a very jealous young man at the time, and he had a lot of pain inside," she said, explaining that he had once hit her.

They stayed together until 1968, as The Beatles grew to be the world's biggest group.

'A lovely lady' 

John left her after beginning an affair with Japanese artist Yoko Ono in 1968 and the couple was divorced. The song, "Hey Jude", was later written by John's fellow Beatle Paul McCartney to comfort Julian Lennon during his parents break-up, and was initially titled "Hey Jules."

"The news of Cynthia's passing is very sad," McCartney said Wednesday.

"She was a lovely lady who I've known since our early days together in Liverpool.

"She was a good mother to Julian and will be missed by us all but I will always have great memories of our times together."

British journalist Hunter Davies, who wrote the only official biography of The Beatles, remembered Cynthia Lennon as a contrasting character to her husband.

"She was totally different from John in that she was quiet and reserved and calm," Davies said.

"John treated her appallingly. He slept with Yoko in their marital home and as we discovered later, he also physically attacked her, but she was loyal to him," he added.

John Lennon was later murdered by a troubled fan in New York in 1980.

At the time John was reconciling with Julian, the son he had had with Cynthia.

"Near the end, before his tragic death, of course, they were getting close on the phone; they were connecting," she said.

"It was just coming back and it was wonderful. Then, of course, his life was cut very short."

After her death was announced, The Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr tweeted a tribute: "Peace and love to Julian Lennon. God bless Cynthia."

Yoko Ono said she was "saddened" by Cynthia Lennon's death.

"She was a great person and a wonderful mother to Julian," Ono wrote on her Facebook page.

"She had such a strong zest for life and I felt proud how we two women stood firm in the Beatles family."

After her split from John Lennon, Cynthia remarried three times, tying the knot for the fourth and final time in 2002 with nightclub owner Noel Charles who died in 2013.

- Source: AFP 

Hanya dua minit, Lin Dan ke pusingan kedua

Lin Dan memperolehi kemenangan percuma setelah Tommy Sugiarto mengalami kecederaan pada aksi Kejohanan Badminton Maybank Malaysian Open 2015, hari ini.

JUARA dunia lima kali, Lin Dan hanya memerlukan masa dua minit untuk melangkah ke pusingan kedua Kejohanan Badminton Siri Super Terbuka Malaysia 2015 di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, di Kuala Lumpur hari ini.

Bintang China itu membuka kempen memburu gelaran sulung Terbuka Malaysia dengan memperoleh kemenangan mudah selepas lawannya Tommy Sugiarto dari Indonesia terpaksa menarik diri ekoran kesakitan kecederaan belakangnya kembali.

Tommy, yang mengalami kecederaan itu pada Terbuka India, minggu lepas, ketika itu ketinggalan 2-0 pada set pertama.

"Banyak peminat mahu melihat saya bermain dengan Lee Chong Wei tetapi malangnya dia kini digantung. Namun saya berharap mendapat sokongan peminat Malaysia dan akan bermain dengan sebaik mungkin di sini," kata Lin Dan.

Pemain berusia 31 tahun itu kali terakhir beraksi pada Terbuka Malaysia pada edisi 2012 tetapi kalah kepada pemain Denmark, Jan O Jorgensen, pada pusingan kedua. 

Pada pusingan kedua esok, Lin Dan akan berdepan H.S.Prannoy, selepas pemain Indonesia berusia 22 tahun itu mengalahkan pemain Ireland, Scott Evans 22-20 dan 21-18 pada pusingan pertama.

Sementara itu, Tommy berkata beliau mengambil keputusan untuk menarik diri daripada meneruskan permainan kerana tidak lagi mampu menanggung kesakitan di bahagian pinggangnya.

Katanya, kecederaan yang dialami ketika separuh akhir Terbuka India minggu lepas kembali menghantuinya sejurus perlawanan menentang Lin Dan bermula.

"Saya merasakan saya sudah tidak mampu bermain dengan sempurna pada perlawanan ini. Mahu bergerak ke depan juga tidak mampu apatah lagi mahu pantas dalam mengawal gelanggang," katanya yang agak kecewa tidak dapat meneruskan perlawanan dengan jaguh China itu.

Beliau akan kembali ke Indonesia untuk mendapatkan rawatan sebelum membuat keputusan sama ada menyertai kejohanan Terbuka Singapura atau terpaksa melupakan dulu kejohanan itu bagi mendapatkan rawatan dan rehat yang secukupnya.

"Saya mahu cepat sembuh," katanya. 

- Sumber: Bernama | 1 April, 2015

7-Eleven mohon maaf kesilapan GST

7-Eleven

SHAH ALAM - Rangkaian kedai runcit 24 jam, 7-Eleven memohon maaf kerana kesilapan mengenakan bayaran cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) terhadap penjualan akhbar di kedai tersebut bermula pagi tadi.

Menulis di Facebook hari ini, 7-Eleven menjelaskan bahawa perkara itu berlaku akibat kesilapan sistem mesin jualan dan pihaknya tidak berniat untuk berbuat demikian.

“Sejurus sahaja kesilapan sistem itu diketahui kami terus ambil tindakan dengan menarik balik produk ini daripada jualan supaya tidak menyusahkan pelanggan.

“Bagaimanapun kami faham bahawa insiden itu menyebabkan kekecewaan kepada pelanggan kami dan oleh itu kami dengan ikhlas memohon maaf,” katanya.

7-Eleven berkata, kesilapan tersebut telah diperbaiki dan pihaknya menegaskan 7-Eleven sentiasa menyokong pelaksanaan GST.

“Bagi sesiapa yang telah memberi kesan pada hari ini, kami hargai jika anda boleh menghubungi dengan menggunakan facebook atau e-mel rasmi 7-Eleven Malaysia dengan maklumat anda (e-mel dan nombor telefon bimbit) untuk kami membetulkan kesilapan ini.

“Sekali lagi kami ingin memohon maaf kepada semua pelanggan kami berikutan kesilapan teknikal dalam sistem kami ini,” kata 7-Eleven.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian | 1 April, 2015

Skuad Harimau Muda dicadang bubar

Khairy Jamaluddin

KUALA LUMPUR - Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) disaran supaya membubarkan skuad Harimau Muda iaitu skuad negara bawah 22 tahun bagi menumpukan perhatian terhadap program pembangunan di peringkat akar umbi.

Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Khairy Jamaluddin berkata, cadangan itu telah dimaklumkan kepada wakil FAM semalam.

Beliau berkata, kewujudan skuad Harimau Muda itu adalah untuk tempoh jangka masa pendek dan tidak boleh diteruskan untuk jangka masa panjang.

Menurutnya, beliau pernah membuat cadangan itu ketika memegang jawatan Timbalan Presiden FAM.

“Sebelum ini pun saya pernah cadangkan supaya skuad Harimau Muda ini dibubarkan. Kita perlu beri peluang kepada pemain untuk bermain dengan kelab atau pasukan negeri,” katanya ketika mengulas kegagalan skuad itu ke pusingan akhir Piala AFC Bawah 23 Tahun di Qatar tahun depan.

Bercakap kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan jam tangan Garmin dengan navigasi sistem pengesanan global (GPS) di sini hari ini, Khairy berkata sekiranya pemain skuad itu didedahkan dengan kelab atau pasukan negeri, mungkin prestasi pemain akan meningkat dengan cepat. 

Dengan cara itu, katanya, pemain akan lebih tahu tahap kemampuan masing-masing berbanding bermain dalam kalangan kelompok mereka sendiri di mana mereka tidak dapat meningkatkan kemahiran permainan masing-masing.

Pada pusingan kelayakan Kumpulan I, skuad bimbangan Razip Ismail hanya mampu menduduki tangga ketiga kumpulan selepas tewas kepada Vietnam 2-1 dan Jepun 1-0 dan menang 2-0 ke atas Macau.

Khairy berkata semua pemain bawah 23 tahun Jepun, bermain dengan kelab dalam liga tempatan sebelum dipanggil untuk mewakili negara itu.

"Peningkatan mutu bola sepak negara akan mengambil masa sekurang-kurangnya masa lima hingga 10 tahun dan justeru itu, generasi baharu dapat dilahirkan melalui Program Pembangunan Bola Sepak Negara (PPBN," katanya.

"Selari dengan matlamat PPBN, kita juga mahu Liga Malaysia menjadi lebih berdaya saing. Jika Liga Malaysia sendiri tidak berdaya saing, akhirnya kita akan dapat keputusan yang sama," katanya.

- Sumber: Bernama