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APRIL 12, 2013
BERNAMAPIX
Wangsa Maju?
Umno claims it was a loaned seat being returned by MCA
BY CINDI LOO, MICHELLE CHUN AND HEMANANTHANI SIVANANDAM
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
Who owns
ELECTIONS
BN WILL RETAKE SELANGOR ... Feng Shui expert David Koh, 67, shows an image of an I-Ching hexagram known as
Shi, which means war, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. He predicted that the Barisan Nasional (BN) will form the federal government and will recapture Selangor and Kedah. He also predicted that BN will win more state assembly seats in Penang compared to the last general election. Koh had previously told Bernama TV poll 13GE that he had accurately predicted that the election would fall on May 5 as announced by Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof on Wednesday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Political horse-trading on seats to contest has resulted in some dissatisfaction which now appears to threaten Barisan Nasional (BN) component cooperation, but MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek yesterday allayed such fears, citing his confidence that the BN spirit of consensus will prevail. One such seat of contention is Wangsa Maju, which was contested by MCA in 2008. In the face of speculation that BN will be represented by Umno this time around, the Wangsa Maju MCA division has said it will pull out of all campaigning efforts if its chief, Datuk Yew Teong Look, is not fielded. It has been speculated that Umno Wangsa Maju has been eyeing the seat since 2008, and plans to field its division chief Datuk Shafie Abdullah, the political secretary to prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who is Umno president. Speaking to newsmen after chairing the MCA central committee meeting yesterday, Chua confirmed that the Kuantan parliamentary seat as well as the Tanah Rata (Pahang) and Kota Laksamana (Malacca) state seats will be loaned to Umno, Gerakan and PPP respectively. We exchanged Tanah Rata for Ketari, and
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Najib: No need to change govt P02
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NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS

theSun ON FRIDAY | APRIL 12, 2013
BERNAMAPIX
Putting Msia among top 3 in education

PAGOH: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the 18 initiatives listed under the education segment of the Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto for the 13th general election (GE13) aims to achieve excellence in education and teaching. He said the target is to elevate Malaysia to the top three best education systems in the world. BN promises to improve the quality of education, to allow performance-based fast-tracking promotion for 420,000 teachers, build more schools in areas of high demand and continue special allocations for all types of schools. Improving the command of Bahasa Malaysia and English among pupils of national-type schools (SJK) is another initiative. To ease the burden of teachers, more administrative assistants will be roped in so that teachers can focus on teaching instead of being involved in administrative work. Muhyiddin was speaking to reporters at SJK (T) Lanodron after presenting awards of excellence to pupils of Sekolah Parlimen Pagoh, Panchor, yesterday. The government will also train teachers to be proficient in English and make English a compulsory pass subject for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination from 2016. Opportunities for students in vocational schools will be increased from 10% now to 20% to attract more pupils. The manifesto also stated that the government will continue to support SJK (Chinese) and SJK (Tamil) schools by providing annual grants and upgrading the infrastructure of such schools. Muhyiddin said the government will also introduce a new curriculum in Bahasa Malaysia at SJKC and SJKT schools in line with the standard their pupils. We have received feedback that Chinese school pupils have lamented the standard of Bahasa Malaysia taught in is too high. We hope to lower the level of difficulty to an acceptable one, he said. Bernama
enjoys a game of chess with Ho Tien Wing, 78, during his visit to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministrys ofce after opening the Pahang Urban Transformation Centre in Kuantan yesterday.
YOUR MOVE ... Najib
Najib: No need to change govt

> Major changes can be implemented by BN administration
KUANTAN: Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government is capable of making major changes for the peoples wellbeing, thus there is no need for them to change the government merely for the sake of changing. The prime minister said that for the past four years, the BN government leadership had brought about transformation for everyone. We are capable of making major changes if the people want them, and there is no need for the government to be replaced by a new one. Major changes can be implemented with the same government, he said in his speech at the launch of the Pahang Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) yesterday. The RM37 million UTC is a government initiative to provide government and private sector services for the urban community at one stop. The prime minister said what is important is not to change the government but to receive the changes currently being implemented by the BN government. Transformation is not to change the government, the transformation that is called for can be implemented by us (the government), Najib reiterated. He said the people must be wise in evaluating the Opposition, which was purportedly implementing changes although its leadership had never reached consensus on several issues. The people should ask the party that purportedly want to bring changes. Are
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they capable of bringing changes? How can they bring changes when there are three captains in the group? he said, to which the crowd of about 30,000 responded, sink. The prime minister said the people should also be wise in assessing the track record of the opposition leader (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim). He said the opposition pact is now in disarray in deciding their candidates for the 13th general election (GE13), and the people should be wise to see what will happen if it is given the mandate. The Pahang UTC was completed in five weeks. It is open every day from 8.30am to 10pm. Najib said Malaysia is the only country in the world which provides government and private sector services until 10pm. Bernama
Umno sues Tian Chua

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has filed a defamation suit against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, over an article posted in KeadilanDaily.com relating to the Lahad Datu intrusion. The legal action filed through Messrs Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak on March 15 by Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh also named KeadilanDaily. com editor Fazallah Pit and the writer of the article, Aisha Geoffrey, as defendants. Ab Raufs counsel Nor Hazira Abu Haiyan said the court had fixed April 23 for Tian Chua to file his defence and for case management. Bernama
15-day campaign period okay, says Mahathir

NILAI: The 15-day campaign period set by the Election Commission (EC) for the 13th general election (GE13) is appropriate as it will prevent tension in society, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He said a longer election campaign period might not be good as it could lead to party supporters over-reacting. A long campaign like the six weeks in 1969 will worsen tension among contesting parties and may lead to chaos. Two weeks is appropriate, he said after the launch of the Criminalise War Club (CWC) by his wife and club patron Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at Kolej Tunku Kurshiah yesterday. The EC has fixed nomination for April 20 and polling for May 5. Advance voting is on April 30. Mahathir also expressed confidence that Barisan Nasional (BN) will achieve better results in GE13 compared with the 2008 polls. It is not impossible for BN to win twothirds of the parliamentary seats in the coming general election, he said. On the debate challenge issued by DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang to him recently, he said it is unnecessary since he is not contesting and is not a party adviser. Bernama
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A general election with many rsts

COMMENT
by OON YEOH
ELECTION fever is in the air like never before. In past elections, some of my friends and acquaintances would inevitably be apathetic about the whole thing but not with GE13. Everyone I know seems to be truly looking forward to this one. And for good reason: there are so many firsts with this election, its no exaggeration to say that it will be the most consequential election in our countrys history. Here is a list of 10 firsts relating to GE13 (not in order of importance or merit). 1. CLOSE FIGHT. This is the first election where the Opposition actually has a fighting chance of winning. Prior to this, the discussion was always one of whether the Opposition could finally deny Barisan Nasional its traditional two-thirds majority in parliament. Now, people are pondering whether there will be regime change. Thats a huge step from just one election ago. 2. NOBODYS DISENFRANCHISED. In previous elections, mainly because snap polls were called well before the end of term, and also because of the notoriously long waiting period for electoral rolls to be verified, there were always segments of the population eager to vote but couldnt. Not this time. Its fair to say
that for the first time ever, anybody who seriously wanted to vote would have registered by now. 3. FULLY PREPARED. Again, because of snap polls, the Opposition always found itself to be in a mad scramble once parliament is dissolved. With so many false alarms, and with polls being held so late in the term, for the first time ever the Opposition is as ready as the incumbent. Nobody can say it didnt have time to prepare. 4. NO FEAR. Previous elections would always be marred by fear, in particular, that the ghost of May 13 might emerge if the Opposition makes gains in certain states. Such fears were still present in 2008 but the aftermath of the March 8 political tsunami swept them all away. For the first time ever, Malaysians are going into the polls with the spectre of May 13 forever banished. 5. BASIS FOR COMPARISON. In the past, voters never had a real sense of what a Pakatan Rakyat government would be like. Kelantan and briefly, Terengganu, were in Opposition hands but they were effectively PAS governments, not a coalition of Opposition parties. Its been five years and for the first time, people have had a
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good chance to see how Pakatan states have been run. Its an indication of how well or not the Opposition could run the country. 6. INTERNET PENETRATION. There was barely any Internet in 1999 and no broadband in 2004. By 2008, we had broadband but it could hardly be described as high speed. Today, not only is the broadband fast, its almost ubiquitous if you count 3G as broadband (and why shouldnt you, its good enough to stream YouTube videos on). The internet played an important role in the 2008 elections but the first real election of the cyber era is GE13. 7. EQUAL OUTREACH. The incumbent still has far more access to mainstream media than the Opposition. That hasnt changed. But precisely because of Point 6 above, it doesnt matter anymore. The populace is more educated, more informed and more internet savvy than ever before. Anyone who wants news about Opposition activities, even rural kampung folks, knows where to find them. For the first time ever, you will see live streaming of ceramah. This time around, the incumbent does not have more media access, if you take into consideration new media.
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8. DO OR DIE. This is the first election where the Opposition is taking the fight right into the BN heartland, with DAPs Lim Kit Siang spearheading the charge into Johor, an Umno and MCA stronghold. But hes not the only one going for broke. PAS Salahuddin Ayub will contest in Johor too while Husam Musa has announced he will be contesting in Putrajaya, where an overwhelming majority of the voters are civil servants. You cant accuse these guys of playing it safe! 9. REVERSAL OF FORTUNE. This is also the first election where Umnos key partners MCA, MIC and Gerakan are fighting for their political lives. Having been severely weakened in 2008, they now face the prospect of being wiped out. Its the first time key component parties of the BN (Umno notwithstanding) are going into the election as underdogs. 10. MANIFESTOS. I think most people would love to see a debate between the PM and the so-called PM-in-waiting. Thats not going to happen. But rather than deciding who to vote for based on emotion and rhetoric, voters for the first time can compare manifestos and decide whose vision best reflect this generations hopes for the future. Oon Yeoh was editor of the book, Tipping Points Viewpoints on the reasons for, and impact of, the March 8 election earthquake.
B R I E F S YOUNG MANIFESTO FOR KELANTAN

KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Barisan Nasional pledged that the people of Kelantan will experience a major change in landscape should they give Barisan Nasional (BN) the mandate in the 13th general election. BN pledged to bring about a big change, especially for the younger generation, to ensure a better future for them. The pledges were contained in a manifesto themed People at Heart Promises Fulfilled launched by Kelantan BN chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed at the Umno building yesterday. He said BN would also create 30,000 job opportunities in the next five years and churn out young religious scholars and leaders based on strong Islamic values and principles. Bernama
Liew and Mujahid (on the left) and Saifuddin and Gan at the panel discussion yesterday.
DONT TAKE SIDES, IGP TELLS OCPDS

KUALA LUMPUR: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar has reminded district police chiefs (OCPDs) not to take sides in dealing with cases during the polls to maintain the integrity of the force. The role and duty of the police during elections are to ensure peace, security and public order are under control, he said in a posting on the police Facebook. He asked all police departments and contingents to ensure the highest level of preparedness, and logistics and communications needs to facilitate the smooth running of the 13th general election. Policemen on duty should also be professional in facing any situation or challenge during the polls, he said. Bernama
Msia heading towards non-racial politics

BY CINDI LOO
KUALA LUMPUR: Politicians from both coalitions have acknowledged that Malaysian politics is becoming nonracial, with young voters making a difference in the coming general election. PAS central committee member Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said young voters have a different interpretation of politics and by making up 21.69% of the total voters, their viewpoint will shape the countrys future. From our survey, we found that 39% of these voters prefer to identify themselves first and foremost as Malaysian rather than Malay, Chinese or Indian, he told a
panel discussion yesterday. Mujahid also said PAS is non-racial as it has a PAS Supporters Congress made up of non-Muslim members and will field non-Muslim candidates in elections. Umno supreme council member Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah also acknowledged that race will not be the determining factor in the future, saying the 13th general election will be the last national polls where race still matters. By the 14th general election, be it for Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat, race politics will not matter anymore, he said at a forum on the three key issues that will determine the outcome of the 13th general election organised by the Centre for Public Policy Studies. He said the rise of new politics will
allow more bipartisanship in Parliament, where issues will be discussed based on needs instead of race. DAP political education director Liew Chin Tong said this election will show if support for parties can cut across the ethnic divide, with nonMalays supporting PAS or Malays supporting DAP. MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu said Umno and MCA have been nonracial, as shown by the intention to place Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman in Gelang Patah, a Chinesemajority seat. However, we constantly face criticism when making these moves. When we contest in Malay-majority areas, were accused of hiding under their sarong, he said.
GE BETTING SYNDICATE BUSTED

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have busted a syndicate in Bentong, Pahang, that was engaged in illegal book making for the coming polls. Federal police Secret Societies, Illegal Gambling and Anti-Vice Division principal assistant director Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan said acting on a tip-off, police raided a shop lot yesterday where illegal bets were being taken on the polls and arrested a man and a woman, suspected to be the bookies and also three punters. He said police also seized RM619, handphones and betting slips in the raid. All the five suspects, aged in the 40s and 50s, are assisting us in the investigations, he told Bernama yesterday.
Caretaker govts under scrutiny for alleged breach of ethics

BY ALYAA ALHADJRI
KUALA LUMPUR: Both the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Selangor government have violated guidelines on ethics of caretaker governments compiled by Bersih 2.0, claimed its monitoring committee co-leader, Dr Irene Fernandez. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Fernandez noted that since April 4 after dissolution of Parliament, Bersih has identified seven reported misuse of public facilities by caretaker governments.
She said the actions were tantamount to vote buying. She said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had on April 4, announced RM300 bonus for civil servants in the state, followed by an additional allocation of RM2.46 million for a crime prevention programme on April 5 and awarding of land titles to residents of three villages in Bestari Jaya on April 7. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, meanwhile, on April 5 announced new development projects amounting to almost RM8 billion in Cyberjaya and gave out 22,000 helmets for BN Youth supporters in
Selangor on April 7. The Bersih 2.0 guidelines, among others, state that a caretaker government should not make decisions with potential financial implications to the next elected government or use its machinery for campaigning purposes. Fernandez also rubbished the argument that some of these projects were already pre-approved as the announcements do not fall under dayto-day administration of the states. It has to be clear that once parliament is dissolved, the (governments) role also has to change, she stressed.
Committee member Jerald Joseph also pointed out that any political spin to the discharging of services by a caretaker government is tantamount to an act of campaigning. The civil service will go on as usual (after parliament is dissolved) and Malaysia has very capable civil servants, Joseph said in questioning the need for elected political leaders to remain involved in making such announcements. It is incumbent upon the (caretaker) government to refrain from exploiting such possibilities for campaigning purposes, he added. Bersih 2.0 steering committee
chairpman Datuk Ambiga Sreenivasan noted that while the caretaker government concept and guidelines have never been in place before, it is not an excuse to justify abuse of available machinery for political gains. You know, we know, (and) we are watching you, so please stop! she stressed. Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz has maintained that such guidelines for a caretaker government are not legally binding and that it could only take action against any party for alleged breach of conduct once the official campaign period starts on April 20.
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Three-cornered ght in Sungai Acheh

BY AARON NGUI AND BERNARD LEE
Penang BN all out to retake opposition areas

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) will launch an assault on opposition strongholds in the state to ensure the partys victory in the May 5 polls. Chairman Teng Chang Yeow said BN will hold briefing sessions to convince voters in opposition strongholds that the BN manifesto is the best for the people. The BN election machinery must work hard to reclaim Penang from the Opposition, he told reporters after opening the 4B Youth Movement operation room on Wednesday night. The Penang BN manifesto would be launched next week. The manifesto focuses on improving the income of people in rural areas, retain traditional villages and to restore Penangs free port status. Teng said Penang BN will fulfil all its promises if given the mandate by the people. The Penang BN manifesto is a bit different from the manifesto announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak which focuses on the national agenda to meet the peoples needs. Teng urged members of BN component parties to support the chosen candidates. Dont think of the candidates, as what matters most is the party. We have to support and vote for BN because we want Penang back, he added. Bernama
> PAS joins the ght for Penang state seat

leader Anwar will launch the state PR manifesto on Monday. He said one of the proposals in the manifesto is that licensed taxi drivers in the state would be given RM600 annually as a service initiative in recognition of their front-line role in the tourism industry. In addition, he said inshore fishermen would also be given nets throughout the year if PR returns to administer the state. Meanwhile, Badrul wrote in his blog (http:// chegubard.blogspot.com/) that he has left the choice of candidates to the PR leadership. My response is simple we are facing BN and we are to empower the people. I am prepared to follow whatever the decision the top party leadership makes, he said.
KEPALA BATAS: In a move that will please Penang Barisan Nasional (BN), particularly Umno, PAS has thrown its hat into the ring for the Sungai Acheh state seat, creating a threecornered fight. The announcement that state PAS Youth chief Yusni Mat Piah will contest the seat comes a day after Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) named its supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, popularly known as Chegubard, in its bid to wrest the seat from BNs Datuk Mahmud Zakaria. However, Penang Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has quickly moved to soothe the situation with its de facto chief Lim Guan Eng saying the issue will be resolved by the coalitions leaders. He said PKR de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang would sort out the matter.
It is better for the leadership at the higher level to resolve the issue, he told a press conference at Wisma DAP yesterday. Also present were DAP, PAS and PKR leaders. Conspicuously absent, however, was Penang PAS commissioner Datuk Salleh Man and state PKR chairman Datuk Mansor Othman, who had made the candidacy announcement for their respective parties. Like Lim, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu was optimistic that both sides could reach a consensus by April 20. We are going to solve it before or on nomination day, he said, indicating that PR was aiming for straight fights in all seats. Earlier, Lim announced that opposition
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Who owns Wangsa Maju?

XFROM FRONT PAGE
Sabah BN has also given us the Luyang state seat. However, we are not giving up the Padang Serai and Tebrau parliamentary seats, said Chua, adding that no consensus has been reached on other hot seats traditionally held by MCA. They include Wangsa Maju, Pandan, Gelang Patah, Jelapang and Tronoh, which other component parties have voiced interest in contesting. Reiterating that MCA did not give up any seats without a fight and that loaning and seat swapping was done in the spirit of the BN coalition, Chua said it was also based on the understanding there will definitely be more parliamentary and state seats drawn up in the delineation exercise after the general elections. The seats that are loaned by MCA will come back to us after the delineation, said Chua. BN secretary-general Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, however, denied that Umno was taking away the Wangsa Maju seat from MCA. Tengku Adnan, who is also Umno secretary-general, said MCA was in fact merely returning the seat to Umno. He claimed that in 2004, when he was Federal Territory state liaison chief, it was suggested that an Indian candidate from BN contest the newly-formed constituency of Wangsa Maju, on the grounds that there were over 100,000 Indian voters in Kuala Lumpur. I suggested an Indian should be a candidate. I dont know what happened along the way, but the seat was given to MCA, on loan. Now MCA is returning it to (Umno) because they are rational and understand the situation. We (Umno) are not taking away any seats. BN has never done that because we discuss matters until we reach a consensus, said Tengku Adnan. Pressed further to confirm if Wangsa Maju will be contested by Umno, he replied: As of now, perhaps.
B R I E F S INK COLOUR KNOWN ONLY ON POLLING DAY

PUTRAJAYA: To ensure that no party can exploit the use of indelible ink, the colour of the ink to be used on the May 5 polling day will be known only on the day itself. The Election Commission (EC) will also ensure that the vault storing the ink is heavily guarded by security teams operating round-the-clock besides being monitored by closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs). EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said yesterday the colour of the ink to be used would be different from those available in the market. Bernama MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek after the partys central committee meeting yesterday. With him is deputy president Datuk Dr Liow Tiong Lai.
PAS NAMES WOMAN CANDIDATE

MALACCA: Malacca PAS, which plans to contest 13 state and one parliamentary seats, will field a woman candidate for the first time. Its deputy commissioner (I), Kamaruddin Sidek, said yesterday Kintan Man, 54, an entrepreuner will contest the Sungai Rambai state seat. Kamaruddin also said most of the candidates in the state will be new faces. State PAS commissioner Adly Zahari will stand in Durian Tunggal and former Malacca Hospital director Dr Khalid Kassim in Bukit Baru. Both are state seats. Bernama
Heng tapped for Padang Serai

PRESS DIGEST
BY KONG SEE HOH
BARRING last-minute changes, Wanita MCA vicechairman Datuk Heng Saei Kie is likely to contest the Kedah parliamentary seat of Padang Serai. Amid talk that the former deputy women, family and community development minister will not be fielded in Gopeng, she is said to have received Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razaks blessings to help MCA recapture Padang Serai, which it lost in 2008. Sin Chew Daily reported yesterday that Heng declined to comment, saying any announcement regarding her candidacy should come from the top party leadership. Apart from pointing out that both Gopeng and Padang Serai are her adopted constituencies, she declined to comment when asked if she would accept an offer to contest the Padang Serai seat. When told that N. Gobalakrishnan, who won the seat on a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) ticket in 2008 but later quit the party to become an independent, wants MCA to make way for him to defend the seat on a Barisan Nasional (BN) ticket on the premise that he is a winnable candidate, Heng said everyone is entitled to an opinion.
It is understood that Gopeng, and not Padang Serai, is Hengs first choice but Gopeng is expected to go to party chief Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Leks blue-eyed boy Datuk Tan Chin Meng, who is Perak MCA secretary. Before 2008, Padang Serai was an MCA fortress. In 2004, the party retained the seat with a majority of more than 10,000 votes. However, in 2008, Gobalakrishnan won the seat for PKR by more than 11,000 votes amid the winds of change. Should Heng be fielded in Padang Serai, it will be a tough fight for her as she will be up against PKR vicepresident N. Surendran, a champion of the Indian poor. But with the swing of Indian votes to BN and the dissatisfaction among Chinese over certain policies implemented by the PAS-led state government, MCA has identified Padang Serai as among the winnable seats. Gobalakrishnan, who heads Perkemas, a nongovernmental organisation, may join the fray as an independent if his request is turned down by BN, making it a three-way fight. Sin Chew also reported that MCA veteran Datuk Yap Pian Hon will almost certainly be fielded in Serdang. Yap, who is in his 70s, is expected to come up against 32-year-old DAP chilli padi Teo Nie Ching, who won the seat with a majority of more than 21,000 votes, if she is not parachuted to Johor as speculated. Yap, who last won the seat in 2004, was dropped in the last general election.
PKR-PAS TUSSLE FOR CHANGKAT JERING

IPOH: The decision whether a PKR or PAS candidate gets to contest the Changkat Jering seat will be made by the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) supreme council. We have given the Pakatan leadership the mandate and will accept the supreme council decision, Perak PR secretary Dr Khairuddin Abdul Malik said yesterday. Problems arose when PAS anounced that Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin will contest the Changkat Jering seat and not Pasir Panjang, which he won in the last general election. Bernama
07
08

PSM urged to run under Pakatan ticket

> Offer made to avoid three-cornered ghts in contentious seats
BY PAULINE WONG AND TAN YI LIANG
PETALING JAYA: Parti Sosialis Malaysias (PSM) candidates who want mutual cooperation with Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the 13th general election (GE13) may run in seats sought by PR parties provided they agree to contest under the symbol of the relevant PR party. PKR supreme council member R. Sivarasa explained that the PR coalition is not rejecting PSMs request to contest in those seats. We are offering the seats to their candidates but on condition that they contest under a PR ticket, he said at a press conference yesterday. Also present was PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution. We hope they compromise accordingly as we are thinking of winnability, he added. Sivarasa was responding to questions on reported seat tussles between PSM and PKR in Kota
Damansara (which PSM won in the March 2008 GE) and Semenyih (which PSM lost). In the 2008 election, PSM had not had its registration as political party approved by the home ministry and therefore, contested on the PKR ticket. The registration was given in June 2008. The PKR leaders yesterday were, however, mum on whether PSM will be accepted as a component of the PR coalition, saying the presidential council has yet to make a decision. Meanwhile, at a separate press conference, PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvan said PSM feels its candidates are the most credible for their respective constituencies. We are not parachute candidates as we have done work in these areas. We will support Pakatan Rakyat in all seats they are fighting for, except for
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the ones we are contesting, he said. Arutchelvan stressed that PSM had strict conditions as to who the party could field as an election candidate as only those who have worked for the party for five years in a constituency can stand as a candidate. PSM is fielding four candidates incumbent Dr Michael Jeyakumar for the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat, PSM deputy chairman M. Sarasvathy for the Jelapang state seat, Arutchelvan for the Semenyih state seat and PSM president Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim for the Kota Damansara state seat. On potential three-cornered fights, Arutchelvan said PSM has proposed that a non-governmental organisation committee decides who should run for the seats. There must be a process when parties cannot agree who should run for a seat, he said. He stressed that PSM will not sabotage efforts by PR in its bid to seize Putrajaya.
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... Simon Lee Chung Hsin, 34, son of former Bukit Gasing state assemblyman Edward Lee Poh Lin yesterday conrmed his candidacy as an independent in his late fathers seat in a three-cornered ght with Bukit Gasing Gerakan coordinator Juan Sei Chang, 42, and DAPs Kasturi Rani Patto, 34, who is the daughter of DAP strongman P. Patto. The elder Lee defeated Barisan Nasionals Datuk Lim Thuang Seng with a majority of 8,812 in 2008.
STEPPING INTO DADS SHOES
Come clean on selective discrimination, says KPRU

BY SOO WERN JUN
Wan Azizah not contesting

BY PAULINE WONG
PETALING JAYA: PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (pix) wants to be the feather that tips the scale in the very close fight in the May 5 polls. Confirming rumours that she will not be contesting in the election, Wan Azizah said she wants to campaign all over the country, and not just in one seat. I want to campaign all over (not just in one seat), she told a press conference yesterday. My role is to campaign... and I feel I can contribute more to the party
if I go around to all the seats. I think this election will be very narrow(ly fought), and with just a little tip... I hope I can be that (tip), she said. She also said that she would want to contribute to the party, rather than campaign for herself. However, she has no intentions of stepping down as party president, as long as the members still want her. Meanwhile, Wan Azizah also launched a new video which is aimed at women voters in the rural and semi-rural areas.
Titled Your Hands, the six-minute long video, which can be viewed at mediarakyat. net and on YouTube, shows a mother caring for her children through hard times. The final message of the video is women can be the change, and make a change. I believe all women should be appreciated and their voices heard, she said. She added that the party intends to bring the message of change to women who do not have access to the internet or social media.
PETALING JAYA: Think tank Political Studies for Change (KPRU) has urged the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak to come clean on the reasons for selective discrimination against individuals entering or leaving the respective states. These individuals include Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vicepresident Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua who was denied entry into Sabah. He was among a long list of individuals from the Opposition and activists that have been barred entry into Sabah and Sarawak. KPRU said the barring still took place despite in 2008, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Chief
Ministers Office Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman saying that Sarawak had never barred opposition leaders from entering the state. This barring of individuals who are opposition leaders and activists, mirrors the selective discrimination practised by both Sabah and Sarawak and their denouncing of human rights principles, the KPRU statement said. There were also cases of human rights activists who were denied the right to leave Sarawak. These included Gara Jalong (from the Long Geng Kenyah community), Meenakashi Raman (legal adviser to Consumer Association Penang), Jok Jau Evong (Rumah Bawang Resident Association) and Raymond Abin (Borneo Resources Institute, Brimas).
PKR ropes in sons of stalwarts for KL

BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE
KUALA LUMPUR: The sons of two stalwarts from the past have been roped in by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to join their top guns in the city. Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong, son of Mr Opposition Tan Sri Dr Tan Chee Khoon, and Ibrahim Yaacob, son of former Kuala Lumpur mayor Yaacob Latif, will be contesting in Wangsa Maju and Setiawangsa respectively. PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday: Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong will be our new candidate in Wangsa Maju. He is a former land and cooperatives development deputy minister who stood up to the government and fights for Felda peoples rights. That speaks volume about him. The Wangsa Maju parliamentary seat was won by Wee Choo Keong in 2008 under a PKR ticket, but he later declared himself an independent MP. Ibrahim will re-contest the Setiawangsa seat that he lost in 2008. He was winning the seat until the postal votes came in, Anwar said, adding that Setiawangsa had 16,000 registered postal voters in 2008 the highest in the country. The duo will join PKR top guns Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, Tian Chua and Nurul Izzah Anwar who will defend their Bandar Tun
Ibrahim Yaacob and Tan Kee Kwong Razak, Batu and Lembah Pantai seats respectively. Khalid is the most vigilant and successful mentri besar People say he is too strict and cheap but thats why Selangor people enjoy free water usage, Anwar said at Bandar Tun Razak. Tian Chua is the peoples champion be it the poorest Malay, Chinese or Indian, Tian Chua will fight for them. People asked me to move Nurul Izzah to a safer seat but she stood up to me and said no, Lembah Pantai residents are her people and she will continue to serve them. In 2008, PKR won four out of 11 parliamentary seats in Kuala Lumpur.
NORMAN HIU/ THESUN.
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PRESS DIGEST
Man falls to death putting up ags

BY SONG BOON MUN
Detained Filipinos not terrorists

> Men were mayoral delegation travelling to campaign
BY CHARLES RAMENDRAN
AN Umno supporter apparently fell to his death from a tree while putting up election paraphernalia in Jalan Sawah, Pekan Nanas. Sinar Harian reported yesterday that the man, Abdul Jalil Buyamin, 58, was found dead at the site by a student who was walking to school. Jalils wife, Katijah Md Dom, 51, said she was informed of her husbands death by a man who told her that Pak Jalil (her husband) had died after falling from a tree. I felt like I was about to faint when I heard the news, she said. Not long after that, my family members took me to the scene. I noticed my husband was not breathing and his head was bleeding profusely. I embraced him and kissed his forehead for the last time, she added. Khatijah said that Jalil was a delightful father, an extrovert and had been actively involved in politics since an early age. Since young, he has played an active role alongside Umno and he likes to be involved in the partys activities even though he no longer holds any posts, she said. Meanwhile, Pontian District police chief Superintendent Zahaliman Jamin has confirmed the incident. According to him, investigations revealed that the deceased had intended to trim branches on the tree and install political party flags.
KUALA LUMPUR: The 32 Filipinos who encroached on Malaysian waters off Sabah and held by police on suspicion of being linked to Sulu terrorists on Monday have turned out to be an entourage accompanying two mayoral candidates of an island in the Philippines. A spokesman for the Philippines embassy here said the mayoral delegation was travelling in a boat from Languyan Island to Mapun Island, which are under the TawiTawi province, for an election campaign. He said the candidates were accompanied by their supporters and were escorted by two armed Filipino policemen. The firearms seized were those that the policemen were carrying. The boat had unintentionally entered Sabah waters. The journey was within the Philippines and not (meant) to head into Sabah.
Had this happened in the past, maybe they would have been let off after a brief check by the Malaysian authorities. But now, they are stricter after the intrusion by Sulu gunmen, the spokesman said, adding that the Philippines embassy has clarified the matter with Bukit Aman and the 32 detained foreigners are expected to be freed by today. In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah commissioner of police Datuk Hamza Taib said police are clarifying the matter with the Philippines embassy. He said investigations are ongoing to ascertain if it was true that the armed men are Filipino policemen and that two others among the detainees are mayoral candidates. He said according to a statement recorded from the boat crew, the vessel had stalled due to engine problems and drifted into Malaysian waters. Based on initial investigations, we have written to the Attorney-Generals Chambers to drop all charges against the 32
foreigners detained. We have intensified security off the coast of Sabah and we have to take strict and preventive measures on those who encroach our waters, he said. On claims in Filipino media portals by Sulu spokesman Abraham Idjirani that 400 armed Filipinos have sneaked into Sabah to reinforce the battered small group of terrorists remaining from the original insurgents, Hamza said police intelligence reports do not show any truth in such rumours. Meanwhile, four more Filipinos were charged in the Semporna and Lahad Datu magistrates courts yesterday with waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and being members of a terrorist organisation, Bernama reports. In Semporna, three Filipinos were charged with committing the two offences while another Filipino was charged with the same offences in Lahad Datu. No plea were recorded from the accused.
Top cops promoted for Esscom

KUALA LUMPUR : A dozen senior police officers were promoted and reassigned yesterday to lead the police force in Sabah under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) initiative. Federal police head of public relations ACP Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said in a statement that the deputy head of internal security and public order, SAC Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun, has been promoted to deputy police commissioner and appointed as commanderin-charge of personnel under ESScom. Federal special branch assistant director (security protection division) SAC Datuk Ahmad Nadzer Nordin, who was also promoted to DCP, will head the jointintelligence division of ESScom. Ramli said 10 other officers bearing the rank of assistant commissioners and superintendent from various departments including the CID, marine police, General Operations Force and air wing were also promoted one step up and will be posted to Sabah to lead several other divisions.
Writ led to free businessman

BY EDMUND LEE
GEORGE TOWN: A writ of habeas corpus has been filed by the wife of businessman Muhammad Ridzuan Sulaiman, who was detained by police on April 1 under the Security Ordinance and Security Measures Act 2012 (Sosma). Nur Rina Abdullah, 39, who was accompanied by her lawyer Datuk C. V. Prabhakaran, filed the writ at the High Court here yesterday morning seeking her husbands release. She has named the inspector-general of police, Ampang Jaya district police chief and the Malaysian government as respondents. After submitting the writ to the court registrar, Nur Rina said that her husband was not involved in any criminal activities, saying that he also did not fund any terrorist activities.
My husband is only a president of a charitable organisation and he is not a terrorist, she said. When met, Prabhakaran mentioned that Ridzuan was a charitable person and also stressed the fact that it has not been established that Ridzuan is a terrorist. Prabhakaran claimed that Ridzuans detention was unlawful and that he should be released as soon as possible. Ridzuan was detained on April 1 when he turned himself in at the Ampang Jaya district police headquarters after it was made known that he was being sought by the police to assist in investigations involving funding of the Sabah incursion. He had reportedly denied allegations that he provided funds to Jamalul Kiram, the faux sultan of Sulu who ordered his heavily armed followers into Sabah to reclaim the state.
BERNAMAPIX
... Commander of the Chuping Anti-Smuggling Unit (UPP) ASP Syed Basri Syed Ali questioning some of the illegal immigrants detained at the UPP Camp near Padang Besar. In separate operations this month, UPP has detained 26 foreigners attempting to enter the country illegally by breaching the fence at the Thai-Malaysian border.
ROUNDED UP
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12

Heroin courier escapes gallows

> 30-year-old becomes rst drug trafcker in Spore spared death penalty
SINGAPORE: A heroin courier has become the first convicted drug trafficker in the city-state to avoid a death sentence following reforms in the application of capital punishment, officials said yesterday. Singaporean Abdul Haleem Abdul Karim, 30, was saved from the gallows because he was a mere courier and assisted the police in disrupting the activities of drug traffickers, the Attorney-Generals Chambers (AGC) said. Abdul Haleem was sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison as well as 24 strokes of the cane, an additional punishment imposed for serious offences. Until the legal reforms took effect this year, Singapore judges had no choice but to impose death by hanging on people found to be trafficking in drugs above specific limits. For heroin dealers, anyone found trafficking in more than 15gm faced the mandatory death penalty under the old system. Abdul Haleem and a friend were found in possession of at least 72.5gm of the drug when they were arrested in 2010, prosecutors said. The mandatory death penalty had long been denounced by human rights groups which say most traffickers caught and executed are just low-level couriers. The AGC said in a statement that Abdul Haleem satisfied two requirements for a judge to spare him from execution: he was just a courier and he provided substantive assistance to police in the fight against the drugs trade. But his friend Muhammad Ridzuan Muhammad Ali, 28, was sentenced to be hanged because he did not meet the criteria. Under the legal reforms, judges are given a small degree of discretion to impose a jail term rather than the death penalty if a convict meets certain requirements which must be certified by the AGC. The sentencing of the pair on Wednesday set off a courtroom drama when Abdul Haleem demanded to be hanged along with his friend, also a Singaporean, the Straits Times reported. If you are sparing my life and not sparing his life, Id rather go down with him, Abdul Haleem was quoted as telling Justice Tay Yong Kwang after the sentences were handed down. The judge replied: You have certification from the Attorney-Generals Chambers, he does not. Changes to capital punishment laws were passed following a year-long review of the mandatory death penalties for murder and drug trafficking, which critics said were too harsh and sweeping. But Singapore, widely regarded as one of the worlds safest societies, rejected calls to abolish the death penalty altogether, saying it must be preserved as a deterrent to crime. AFP
REUTERSPIX
China ex-minister seeks no-execution pledge

BEIJING: A Chinese former minister facing corruption charges involving millions of dollars changed lawyers after his attorney could not guarantee he would escape execution for his crimes, media reported yesterday. Former railways minister Liu Zhijun has been accused of bribery and abuse of power, the official Xinhua news agency said on Wednesday, without giving details of the charges. He asked me to guarantee that he would not face the death penalty, but I couldnt do that, Lius family lawyer Gao Zicheng was quoted by the Beijing Times newspaper as saying. Liu later decided to use a different legal representative, the report said, adding he was accused of taking bribes worth 60 million yuan (RM29 million) linked to rail construction projects. Liu allegedly collaborated with railway supplier Ding Shumiao, who is said to be a close friend, to generate illegal profits worth three billion yuan, the report said. Under Chinese criminal law, the death penalty can be imposed for taking bribes exceeding 100,000 yuan. The indictment accuses Liu of taking advantage of his position as a government official to accept what Xinhua described as financial incentives from others, which were of a huge amount. Chinas rail system which has cost hundreds of billions of dollars has been one of its flagship development projects in recent years, and it now boasts the worlds longest high-speed network. But a high-speed crash in the city of Wenzhou killed 40 people in 2011, sparking a torrent of public criticism that authorities compromised safety in their rush to expand the network. AFP
MOBILE HOME ... Street performer Li Guanjun, 57, sits inside his
self-made motorhome on a street in Taiyuan, Shanxi province, yesterday. Li used to be a farmer in Datong before he started searching for his mentallydisabled wife who got lost two years ago when they travelled in Beijing.
Dutch uncover large-scale meat fraud
B R I E F S HK FERRY CAPTAINS FACE MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES

HONG KONG: Police yesterday charged two captains with manslaughter after a ferry collision last year that claimed 39 lives in the Chinese citys worst maritime disaster in decades. The two men, 54 and 56, were each charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and will appear in a magistrates court later. The two were arrested along with five crew after their boats collided on Oct 1. AFP
THE HAGUE: The Netherlands food watchdog on Wednesday asked hundreds of companies across Europe, supplied by a Dutch wholesaler suspected of mixing beef and horsemeat, to check 50,000 tonnes of suspect meat. The latest saga comes after a vast scandal that erupted across Europe after horsemeat was found in supposedly pure beef ready-made meals and burgers in UK and Ireland. The organisation sent a letter to 130 Dutch companies who were supplied with possible horsecontaminated beef from the Selten company asking them to take it off the market as a precautionary measure and verify all products. The governments NVWA food and consumer watchdog said although the meats origin could not be guaranteed, there are no signs of a danger to public health. Around 370 companies across Europe could also be affected, it said. The companies have possibly already processed the meat and sold it, the watchdog said in a statement. We estimate its about 50,000 tonnes of meat. NVWA spokeswoman Esther Filon told AFP that the meat was supplied between January 2011 and February this year across Europe. Dutch public television NOS reported that the suspect meat could be on supermarket shelves, notably in frozen food. AFP
PALESTINIAN PREMIER PONDERS RESIGNATION

RAMALLAH: Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad was pondering whether to resign due to irreconcilable differences with President Mahmoud Abbas, a senior official said yesterday. Fayyad was expected to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah after the presidents return from a visit to Qatar and Jordan and submit his letter of resignation. dpa
FINLAND APOLOGISES FOR BLACKLISTING PUTIN

HELSINKI: Finland apologised to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday after its police accidentally put him on a blacklist of people with connections to criminal activity. Finland quickly removed Putins name from the list which is not public, but whose inclusion of Putin was revealed by Finnish broadcaster MTV3. Police said Putins name had been deleted. AFP
US SENATORS REACH DEAL ON BACKGROUND CHECKS

WASHINGTON: Senators struck a hard-fought compromise Wednesday that could expand US background checks to all commercial firearms sales, which may result in the most ambitious change to gun laws since 1994. The amendment would see background checks expanded to include all sales at gun shows and online. AFP
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14

B R I E F S 57 KILLED IN ARMY ASSAULT IN SOUTHERN SYRIA

BEIRUT: Six children were among at least 57 people killed in southern Syria as the army launched an all-out assault on two towns in Daraa province, a watchdog said yesterday. At least six children, seven women, 16 rebel fighters, 16 other unidentified men and 12 army troops were killed on Wednesday, in fighting, shelling and summary executions waged after the army launched an assault on Al-Sanamein and Ghabagheb, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said the armys assault came a day after a dozen troops defected from a nearby military post to join the rebels. AFP
North Korea keeps world on edge

SEOUL: North Korea kept the world on edge yesterday over an expected missile launch while turning its own energies to celebrating leaders past and present amid soaring tensions on the Korean peninsula. The United States warned North Korea it was skating a dangerous line as South Korea remained on heightened alert for any missile test, that could start a whole new cycle of tensions in a region already on a hair-trigger. The Norths state media focused its attention, however, on the first anniversary of new leader Kim Jong-Un becoming head of the ruling Workers Party yesterday and next Mondays birthday celebrations for late founder Kim Il-Sung. The official party mouthpiece Rodong Sinmun praised Kim Jong-Un as the No. 1 man of conviction and will and credited him with the success of the Norths long range-rocket launch in December and Februarys nuclear test. History has never seen any socialist leader like him, the newspaper said. The launch and test, along with the UN sanctions imposed for each, are at the core of the current crisis that has seen Pyongyang threaten nuclear strikes against the US and its allies. South Korean intelligence says the North has prepared two mid-range missiles for imminent launch from its east coast, despite warnings from ally China to avoid provocative moves at a time of soaring military tensions.
> South on heightened alert for missile launch

REUTERSPIX
DEATH TOLL HITS 10 IN CHINA BIRD FLU OUTBREAK

SHANGHAI: The death toll from H7N9 bird flu in China reached 10 yesterday with another victim in Shanghai, as cities banned people from raising chickens at home to try to contain the outbreak. China has confirmed 38 human cases of H7N9 avian influenza after announcing on March 31 that it had found the strain in people for the first time. One person, a young boy in Shanghai, has been discharged from hospital after recovering but the city reported the death of a 74-year-old retired man yesterday. AFP
SERBIAN GUNMAN WHO SHOT 13 PEOPLE DIES

BELGRADE: A Serbian gunman who shot dead 13 people in the countrys worst massacre in two decades, died yesterday from a self-inflicted gun wound, according to a source at Belgrades emergency centre. Ljubisa Bogdanovic passed away at 2:00 pm (8pm in Malaysia), the source told AFP. The 60-year-old war veteran had been in critical condition after shooting himself in the head following a rampage through his tiny village that left six men, six women and a two-year-old boy dead.
Female North Korean soldiers patrol along the banks of Yalu River, near the town of Sinuiju and opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong, yesterday. Although Pyongyang has not announced any launch, many observers believe it will take place during the build-up to the April 15 birthday anniversary. State media said foreign delegations had already begun arriving in Pyongyang for the event, which is one of the most important dates on the Norths calendar. The missile launch may also coincide with some high-profile visits to South Korea, with both US Secretary of State John Kerry and Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Seoul today. Yonhap news agency quoted military sources as saying the North was moving multiple missiles around in an apparent bid to confuse outside intelligence-gatherers about its intentions. AFP
Two Thai soldiers killed in wave of attacks

BANGKOK: Two soldiers were killed and six security officers wounded as insurgents mounted dozens of coordinated bombing, shooting and arson attacks in Thailands deep south, police said yesterday. Government offices, mobile phone masts and convenience stores were among the targets of 32 attacks on Wednesday evening across eight districts of Pattani province in the restive region near the Malaysian border. Police said the casualties were all from a single ambush, with a car bomb aimed at security personnel responding to a shooting. More than 5,500 people have been killed in several provinces in Thailands south in nine bloody years of unrest, with shadowy insurgent groups blamed for near-daily bombings and shootings. Security personnel and those connected with the government are regularly targeted, as well as those perceived to be collaborating with the authorities. Thailand held its first official peace talks with southern insurgents at the end of March, with a one-day meeting with representatives of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) in Kuala Lumpur. But while talks were said to be cordial and a further round was set for April 29 attacks have continued in the region, leading to questions about the influence of BRN. National Security Council (NSC) chief Paradorn Pattanatabut, who is heading negotiations, said Thai authorities would demand that BRN tells its militants to stop the bloodshed, but said negotiations would continue. Intensive talks will absolutely continue and I am compiling a list of violent incidents to present to them, he said. AFP
Actress Sharon Stone counter-sues Filipina nanny

LOS ANGELES: Sharon Stone has countersued her Filipina former nanny, who is pursuing the US actress for wrongful dismissal and harassment including racist abuse, new court documents show. In a breach-of-loan-agreement action filed in Los Angeles Superior Court this week, the Basic Instinct star says Erlinda Elemen owes US$9,500 (RM29,000) of a US$12,500 loan she made to her in 2010. Elemen, who worked as a live-in nanny for Stone until she was sacked in 2011, repaid US$3,000 between August 2010 and January 2011, but then stopped repayments. Her lawyers announced last year that she was suing the actress. A judge has ruled that the former nanny had provided enough evidence to support her charges of harassment, failure to prevent harassment, retaliation and wrongful dismissal. Stones lawyers sought to have the case which has a tentative July 30 trial date dismissed, arguing that comments by the actress did not amount to harassment. All we have is that Ms Stone made comments about Filipino food, Filipino accents, said lawyer Daniel Gutenplan. When the lawsuit was announced in May, the actresss publicist slammed the legal action as absurd, claiming the ex-nanny was simply trying to cash in on Stone. The lawsuit claimed the star equated being Filipino with being stupid, and ordered her not to speak in front of her children so they would not talk like you. Stone also banned Elemen from reading the Bible in the actresss home, even though the live-in nanny looked after the actresss three children and frequently travelled with them. AFP
ADVERTORIAL
theSun ON FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013
15
PKNS is taking a serious stance towards instilling a culture of integrity amongst the council ofcers as well as the general public.
We pledge
integrity
> PKNS takes a serious stand against corruption and misconduct among its members
HE Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) has undertaken various initiatives towards enhancing good corporate governance, strengthening the management structure, administration system and bureaucracy. PKNS is the first State Economic Development Corporation to sign a corporate integrity pledge, as a sign of its commitment to promoting integrity, transparency and good governance in all aspects of its operations. The Corporate Integrity Pledge was among some of the key elements in the implementation of the Corporate Integrity System (CIS) by PKNS. The signing of the pledge on Nov 14 last year was witnessed by Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who is also PKNS chairman, and Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Sutinah Sutan. At the same event, Khalid also launched the PKNS Whistle Blowing Policy, which is a channel to receive complaints and provide opportunities for PKNS personnel and the public to report any misconduct within the organisation.
Other initiatives taken by PKNS are the formation of a Corporate Governance and Integrity Committee (JKTI), the establishment of the Procurement Division, the implementation of CIS, the establishment of Organisational Management and Integrity Departments appointment of a Certified Integrity Officer as well as the implementation of the No Gift Policy. PKNS chief integrity officer, Norita Mohd Sidek, said, the pledge is PKNS commitment and the Whistle Blowing Policy works as a platform for the staff and public to make complaints anonymously to report any misconduct or mismanagement in the organisation. The public can send in their complaints to us and we will accept them and conduct an internal investigation towards any allegation made against PKNS. It is important that we improve our system first. Before we talk about corruption, we need to address the basic level of integrity, which is being fair, honest and truthful. We need to inculcate this within our organisation, she said. Norita added, the Organisational Management and Integrity Department (POI) has received good feedback on the whistleblowing policy and there has been a significant increase of trust among people to channel their complaints towards any wrongdoing within the corporation.
It is important that we improve our system first. Before we talk about corruption, we need to address the basic level of integrity, which is being fair, honest and truthful. We need to inculcate this within our organisation.
PKNS Chief Integrity Ofcer, Norita Mohd Sidek
To file complaints, the public is requested to kindly get in touch with:

Datuk Mohd Salleh bin Mahmud Whistle Blowing Policy chairman 013-389 3411 datosalleh.integriti@pkns.gov.my Hajah Norita binti Mohd Sidek Chief Integrity Officer 03-5520 1275 | 019 2225872 norita.integriti@pkns.gov.my Hajah S. Normalis binti Abd Samad Integrity Manager 03-5520 1530 | 013-3401757 malis.integriti@pkns.gov.my PKNS members now have proper channels to voice their complaints with the implementation of the Whistle Blowing Policy.
16

REUTERSPIX
Maine hermit arrested

BOSTON: A Maine man who walked into the woods shortly after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident and lived as a hermit for almost three decades, supporting himself by stealing from nearby camps, was arrested last week, police said on Tuesday. Christopher Knight (pix), 47, had lived nearly without human contact in a tent near a pond outside of Rome, Maine, about 32km north of the state capital Augusta, state police said. They arrested him early last Thursday morning at the Pine Tree Camp, where he was stealing food, police said. They said Knight, now being held at Kennebec County Jail, confessed to burglarising the camp about 50 times, taking food, clothing, propane tanks and other essentials. Everything he owned except for his eyeglasses was stolen, said Stephen McCausland, a spokesman with the Maine State Police. Knight told the officers who arrested him that he had spoken with only one other person a lone hiker during his years of solitude. The man survived the brutal winters of central Maine, where winter overnight temperatures can drop well below freezing, by sleeping in multiple sleeping bags inside a tent that was covered with a tarp. He appeared neatly groomed and
> Loner accused of hundreds of food thefts

clean-shaven in a police booking photo. Police also released photos of Knight, wearing a cap and jacket, carrying a large plastic bag inside a walk-in cooler at the Pine Tree Camp where he was apprehended. Knight had built himself a large camp in the woods near North Pond, his tent covered by a tarp that was carefully tied to the surrounding trees, evidently to provide some shelter from the elements, according to photos released by police. He had painted garbage cans in camouflage patterns, covered shiny tools and made other efforts to
Maine state police photo shows Knights makeshift camp site of 27 years in Rome, Maine taken following his arrest on April 4.
conceal his presence, police said. McCausland said Knight offered police no reason for his decision to go into the woods. The Chernobyl accident was the last major event he remembered before beginning his hermitage, he told police, but the nuclear accident had not prompted his decision. Knight has been charged with one
count of burglary so far, but additional charges are likely to follow, McCausland said. In total, Knight is suspected of some 1,000 thefts over his 27 years in the woods. His presence was long suspected by local residents and camp operators from whom he had stolen, according to local media. Reuters
Flood of immigrants triggers emergency

BRASILIA: Brazils northwestern state of Acre declared a social emergency on Wednesday as it attempts to slow a wave of undocumented immigrants smuggled overland from neighbouring countries. More than a thousand illegal immigrants have entered over the past month, said Nilson Moura, Acres secretary for justice and human rights. One of Brazils smaller states, Acre borders the states of Amazonas to the north and Rondonia to the east. To its southeast is Bolivia, while Peru is on its south and west. Moura said the new arrivals have come from some of the poorest corners of the world, including Haiti and Bangladesh. Others have come from Senegal, the Dominican Republic, Nigeria and elsewhere, he said. Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo said the Haitians status would be adjusted so that they can work in Brazil. But the fate of the other immigrants was unclear. The Amazon rainforest state has been turned into an international travel route controlled by coyotes, said Moura, referring to the smugglers who often in exchange for exorbitant fees guide the undocumented foreign migrants into Brazil. Officials said the migrants began as a trickle in December 2010 and quickly numbered 4,300 Haitians. Authorities in Acre said they now have detained some 1,300 immigrants at a facility in the town of Brasileia built to hold 200. We have shortages of space and water, and illness, Moura said, adding that he feared that the miserable conditions could lead to an epidemic of even more serious disease. Officials here said that they issued the emergency decree in hopes of procuring assistance from Brazils federal authorities. Weve been really surprised by the arrival of the Africans, Moura said. He noted that 53 Senegalese had arrived two days ago, and another 70 came on Wednesday alone. The migrants usually travel to Spain before reaching Ecuador and then being brought to Brazil thanks to coyote immigrant smugglers. AFP
Museum shuts for day as guards protest pickpockets

PARIS: Tourists caught no glimpse of the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory or Venus de Milo on Wednesday due to a one-day closure of the Louvre, as guards protested that pickpockets were rampant at the worlds most visited museum. Two hundred museum guards exercised their right to a work stoppage, forcing the museum to shut its doors for the day, union representatives said. The CGT union said guards were fed up by attacks and threats directed at them and visitors over the past few months by pickpockets. National Union for Museums secretary-general David Maillard, said petty thieves were multiplying at the site, visited by nearly nine million people each year. There are thefts and threats every day. The guards are fed up with being assaulted by pickpockets, Maillard said, adding that the unions want better security at the museum. The museum, which confirmed the closure on its website, could not be reached for comment. Police regularly patrol most crowded tourist sites, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. But thieves who often operate in organised gangs are a constant frustration for authorities as they are easily able to exploit tourists and can lose themselves in crowds. Many of those arrested do not hold French nationality or are minors, complicating judicial pursuit. Reuters
SPEAK UP
17
AFPPIX
No laughing matter
BY JOHN WALSH AS this our first real hint of the imminence of the Third World War? A sign tacked to a tree in a quiet street in the residential London suburb of Ealing? The sign said simply, Loading and warned residents not to park outside a house. The space was reserved, it turned out, for a removals lorry that arrived on Tuesday, loaded several boxes and departed. It wasnt a dramatic occurrence. But given that the house belongs to Hyon Hak Bong, North Korean ambassador to the Court of St Jamess, the removal was of huge and alarming significance. Is this it? Is this the start of hostilities? Has the ambassador been recalled to Pyongyang in advance of the outbreak of war? Are diplomats being called home to keep them safe from fallout, political or literal? Is an attack imminent? Its an odd business, waiting for a war to start reading the signs, sifting the evidence, listening to what politicians are really saying, discounting reassurances. And when North Korea is involved, its all about interpretation. Last week, David Cameron warned that the Norths arsenal of BM25 missiles, capable of carrying nuclear warheads 1,500 miles, had grown beyond a dozen. He said, I think its a good moment to stand back and ask ourselves about the dangers there are in the world, and the need to maintain strong defences. This is code for: Theres a batso teenage egomaniac with his
finger on the button, and anything could happen now. The UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon said the tensions between North and South were very dangerous, adding that any small incident caused by miscalculation or misjudgment might create an uncontrollable situation. This is code for: Theres a batso teenage egomaniac with his finger on the button, and anything could happen now. The Norths tactic of pushing things towards confrontation while never explaining why has been joined by the tactic of ordering civilians about in an inscrutably threatening manner. On Monday they announced the temporary closure of the Kaesong industrial plant, which is in the North but is run by South Korean companies and employs 53,000 North Korean workers a rare example of cross-border co-operation. No workers showed up after the governments edict; Pyongyang said they might close the complex for good. Its a classic case of cutting off your nose to spite your face, to terminate an operation that brings welcome income to the all-butbankrupt North Korean economy, just to spite their long-suffering neighbour. Tuesday brought a passiveaggressive display of concern, when the KCNA news agency told foreigners in the region to vamoose: The situation in the Korean peninsula is inching close to a thermonuclear war. North Korea does not want to see foreigners in South Korea fall victim to the war.
Im sure they dont. They have such a record of concern for the lives of others. Its a shame they dont show their caring side to their own people, most of whom, since the Russian subsidies dried up in the wake of the USSRs collapse, have lived at starvation level. When the American journalist Barbara Demick talked to a doctor at a North Korean hospital for her book, Nothing to Envy, she learned that the hospital had no medicine, bandages, bed linen or intravenous equipment, and that when patients arrived, starving to death, they were advised to cook weeds and grass, mashed up to make soup. All their posing and missile-waving is to distract the people from the need for that infamous repast. How do you solve a problem like North Korea? The problem now isnt just the regimes reignited hostility and threats. The problem is how to take it seriously. Our instincts are, Im afraid, to laugh at the boy dictator with his podgy frame, comical haircut and shy smile at the commotion which his every public appearance inspires. Were tempted to laugh at his alleged fondness for Doritos, his armys Disco-Inferno goose-step, the massed ranks of generals photographed in their hundreds around the Boy Wonder, the hysterical delivery of the local TV announcer, the orchestrated fistshaking and slogan-shouting of people in the street begging their leader to have a pop at the White House Were tempted to think these
Peace and work ... South Korean activists at the border city of Paju urging North Korea to reopen the Kaesong industrial complex on Wednesday. people lack a sense of the ridiculous, a feel for irony, a friend wholl say, Look, youre behaving really stupidly. Youre threatening people much better equipped for war than you. Weve all had a drink. Shall we get you a cab home? Weve laughed at North Korea before. Anyone who saw Team America: World Police (made by the South Park and Book of Mormon satirists) will recall that Jong-Uns father, Kim Jong-Il, is portrayed as plotting the destruction of several cities and given a pathetic song about the isolation of power (Im so ronery/ Sitting on my rittle throne/ When I change the world maybe theyll notice me.) We could laugh some more now and say: Theres nothing to fear about Kim Jong-Un; his displays of missiles and bloodcurdling threats are all shop window and no stock room. But the danger is that he may not be planning a war; the danger is that he may be planning a gesture. Hes a big, pampered kid whos grown up to have things his own way, and have minimal contact with the outside world. His fingers are used to firing digital weapons at things on screens, without thoughts of responsibility or outcome. Its precisely because of his whimsicality and irresponsibility that we should take him very seriously indeed. John Walsh has been editor of The Independent Magazine, literary editor of the Sunday Times and features editor of the London Evening Standard.
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Say no to populism
FRESH IDEAS
by Hafiz Noor Shams
LETTERS
letters@thesundaily.com
EMOCRACY by far is the most respectable way a society can govern itself. That, however, does not mean that democracy has no weaknesses at all. As Winston Churchill is often quoted, democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried. It is the best that we have after thousands of years of experimentation. Populism is the very essence of democracy. The good thing about that is that it helps ensure the power of the day must always come back to the people if they want to renew their mandate. Unfortunately, populism is probably the worst feature of democracy as well. That is so because populism can bring about irresponsible policies that can be costly in the future. Everybody loves having a good time but nobody likes to be there for the clean-up. We saw that in Greece when the government spent everything that it had and more to make its people happy. The economic populism we saw there is not the only cause of the Greek sovereign debt crisis but it was a major contributor nonetheless. When the debt crisis finally came about and it was time to tighten the belt, the country was up in arms. And who can forget, in a humiliated and desperate pre-World War II Germany, Adolf Hitler was popular. That populism later brought devastation that no one had seen before.
Greece of recent times and Germany before World War II are extreme examples of populism gone wild. But it is still a cautionary tale for all to bear in mind: there is always cost to populism. In the late 1970s, Margaret Thatcher was elected as the prime minister of the United Kingdom. She was no friend of populism. She swam against the current ferociously. The ladys not for the turning, as she once said in response to increasing opposition to her policy. She was adamant in changing the way of doing things to push the UK national economy forward and out of the doldrums. In her mind, there was too much government in the economy and the private sector played too little a role. The most important thing of all is that she succeeded in revitalising the economy of the UK. She did the job she set out to do even when it cost her the job. Her determination in pursuing her policy shocked her colleagues. Fearing that they might lose the election, they turned around and gave her the boot. She died earlier this week at the age of 87. The vile comments that followed the news of her death only strengthened the idea that she was not very popular. At the very least, she was divisive. But whatever one thinks of her, she took her responsibility to heart and she did not flinch. As Malaysians go to the polls, perhaps it is worthwhile to reflect on the resoluteness that Thatcher showed. This is especially so when both sides of the Malaysian political divide are engaging in populism. Both are promising to either increase subsidy or cash transfer in hope of
winning the general election. To make the matter worse, both sides promise to cut taxes even when their promises if implemented will see government expenditure rising. The continuing economic populism cannot be good for the health of public finance. Sooner or later when the party is over, somebody will have to pay for that. The path of economic populism is ultimately unsustainable and somebody will need to hit the brakes. Fortunately, Malaysia is still at the stage where we can hit on the brakes gently. The finance of the government is still at a respectable level. There is no need for the harsh fiscal austerity in practice in Europe as European economies struggle to grow. But the leeway that Malaysia enjoys cannot be true for too long if economic populism goes on. The responsible side will be the one which will hit on the brakes gently. The responsible side will be the one that goes out promising a vision that does not depend on promising yet more subsidies and money to voters. The responsible side will be the one that stands up and reminds all that we cannot go on partying all day, every day. It is in this respect that Malaysia needs a Thatcher. One may disagree with the policy Thatcher implemented in the UK in the 1980s but her resoluteness and refusal to succumb to crass populism is something to be admired. Hafiz Noor Shams is a fellow at IDEAS. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
Keep politics secular

ACCORDING to former Egyptian Chief Justice Muhammad Said alAshmawy, the most natural consequence of bringing politics into religion is that the former debases the latter. Because of his controversial views, the Egyptian jurist has been on the hit list of militants. He is surrounded by bodyguards most of the time. In 1987, in Political Islam, a book still read by many, alAshmawy said that Islam was in the beginning, an apolitical religion, concerned solely with spiritual and ethical guidance. Not any more. Rulers who operate under the guise of political Islam acquire a degree of infallibility. Their political statements will be seen as expressions of absolute truth and their political goals shrouded with religious sanctity. When this happens, political issues cannot be commented upon, or even criticised. If you open your mouth, you will be accused of questioning God. This is what is happening. The political ulama make pronouncements that question the religious faith of other Muslims who do not subscribe to their views. This has caused much dismay, confusion and antagonism between Muslims of different political beliefs. Mohd Yusoff Shah Alam
Inspiring role model

A LIFE worth living (Oon Time, April 11) about Roger Ebert was informative and inspiring. We must keep working till our last breath; the mind hasnt evolved to let the body and itself become a mere vegetable just before death. Not many of us realise this; we think we must slow down and retire by the time we are 67. We feel our bodies cant work any more and become dependent on others and society, losing our self respect and dignity. In other instances, wellmeaning and over protective children mollycoddle and stifle their parents. This is a loss as senior citizens have much to contribute and share. Kundavi Sandrasegaran Kuala Lumpur
ON FRIDAY
APRIL 12, 2013
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APRIL 11, 2013 STOCK CLIQ-WA CLIQ LBS INGENCO MAYBANK YTL AXIATA TIGER CIMB DIGISTA-WB VOL 107,707,200 55,816,900 41,674,000 32,700,000 23,414,100 18,032,800 16,648,900 15,147,400 14,960,000 14,379,600 CLSG 23 60 100 9.5 963 165 675 27.5 778 8 +/+5.5 +3 -11 +0.5 -3 +1 +9 UNCH +1 +7.5
Malindo may start ATR ops with Lion planes

BY KANG SIEW LI AND PREMALATHA JAYARAMAN
sunbiz@thesundaily.com
KL MARKET SUMMARY
APRIL 11, 2013 INDICES FBMEMAS FBM-KLCI INDUSTRIAL CONSUMER PROD INDUSTRIAL PROD CONSTRUCTION TRADING SERVICES FINANCE PROPERTIES PLANTATIONS MINING FBMSHA FBMACE TECHNOLOGY TURNOVER 1.119bil CHANGE 11,688.96 1,707.04 2,910.02 559.62 123.13 251.59 213.51 15,946.90 1,249.69 8,173.26 474.19 11,681.26 4,077.19 12.19 VALUE RM2.049bil +62.50 +10.84 +23.47 +1.03 +0.58 +1.70 +1.17 -0.08 +1.94 +114.53 -4.05 +96.54 +39.83 UNCH
KLCI at all-time high

BURSA Malaysia staged a strong rally to end higher yesterday, pushing the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) to touch an all-time high for the second consecutive day, dealers said. The index, spurred by aggressive foreign institutional buying, rose by 10.84 points to 1,707.04 after hovering between 1,697.97 and 1,710.35 throughout the day. IOI Corp, the largest contributor to the CI gain with 2.388 points, saw its share price up 20 sen to close at RM4.98, with 7.963 million lots traded. Affin Investment Bank vice-president and retail research head Dr Nazri Khan attributed the rise to the continued bullish sentiment among investors, coupled with foreign investors confidence in the ruling partys chances of a landslide victory in the 13th general election on May 5. Gainers thumped losers by 416 to 317, with 304 counters unchanged, 588 untraded and 27 others suspended. Turnover slipped to 1.119 billion shares worth RM2.049 billion. Among actives, Ingenuity Consolidated added half-asen to 9.5 sen and CLIQ Energy gained three sen to 60 sen. LBS Bina fell 11 sen to RM1.00. Bernama
PETALING JAYA: As Malindo Air remains tight-lipped over its plan to start turboprop operations out of the Skypark Terminal in Subang, industry observers and analysts are not discounting the possibility of the newly-established joint Malaysia-Indonesia airline getting the planes from its major shareholder Indonesias Lion Air. In February last year, Lion Air had placed an order for 27 ATR 72-600s, which when all are delivered in 2015 will make its regional subsidiary, Wings Air, the worlds largest ATR operator, with a total fleet size of 60 comprising 20 ATR 72-500s and 40 ATR 72-600s. Standard & Poors aviation analyst Shukor Yusof told SunBiz it is likely Lion Air will transfer several ATRs from Wings Air to Malindo Air for the latter to begin flights from Subang to Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore, currently dominated by Firefly. Malindo Air is reportedly seeking an operating licence from the Department of Civil Aviation to fly from the Subang airport, which only allows the operations of propeller aircraft for commercial passenger flights. At an April 4, 2013 event,
its CEO Chandran Rama Muthy did not deny or confirm the rumours, except to say that the airline is focused on jet operations at the moment. If it happens, I see it will have a detrimental impact on Firefly, which is now serving the full-service premium segment using the ATRs and where its fares are no longer as competitive as before (when it was operating as a lowcost carrier), said Shukor. Malindo Airs turboprop operations would be competing head-on with Firefly on the lucrative short-haul routes out of Subang to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu as well as Singapore, and Malindo Air is likely to have an advantage over Firefly in offering lower fares. This in turn could hurt Fireflys parent Malaysia Airlines, which has been trying to turn itself around. But as a consumer, I would welcome Malindo Airs turboprop operations as it would benefit passengers (by giving more choice of routes, frequencies and lower fares), Shukor added. MIDF Research aviation analyst Chua Boon Kian believes that Malindo Air is likely to operate turboprops out of the Skypark Terminal as the terminal is unable to support bigger jet operations and takeoff of larger aircraft due to its
short runway. Firefly and Berjaya Air currently fly out of Skypark Terminal, operating turboprop aircraft like the ATR 72-500 and DeHavilland Dash 7. Skypark Terminal was designed for turboprop flights. If they can utilise the turboprops from their parent company (Lion Air), then there is a possibility (of Malindo Air flying out of Skypark Terminal), Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd head Pong Teng Siew told SunBiz. While the terminal used to handle international flights in the past, there is a lack of facilities there now to handle jet operations unless it is upgraded. Rumours are rife that Malindo Air, which has been on a recruitment drive prior to it beginning domestic jet flights out of the KL International Airport in Sepang on March 22, 2013, was also recruiting pilots for turboprop operations. Like Wings Air, an industry observer sees Malindo Airs turboprop operations from Malaysia feeding Lion Airs 737900ERs operations in Indonesia as well as Malindo Airs jet operations. National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd owns a 51% stake in Malindo Air, while Lion Air holds the remaining 49% stake via parent PT Lion Grup.
Oldtown names HK rm for China, Macau ops

PETALING JAYA: Oldtown Bhd, operator of the Oldtown kopitiam food chain and instant beverage mix manufacturer, has appointed OTK (HK) Investment Ltd as the territorial licensee in Guangdong Province, China and Macau, which gives it the exclusive right to operate the centralised food production facilities or central kitchen in the two areas as well as a nonexclusive right to use the trade mark and trade name of Oldtown White Coffee and Oldtown White. Oldtown, via its unit Kopitiam Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd (KAP), yesterday signed a licence agreement with OTK for the purpose. OTK is a joint venture between Old Town (M) Sdn Bhd and Year Full Group Ltd. Under the deal, OTK can also use the operation and business system developed in connection with the operation of the central kitchen to supply and produce approved products within the two locations. Oldtown said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday that the licence agreement is valid for five years and may be renewed for a further two terms of five years each. KAP, the operator of the franchised restaurant business under the name of Oldtown White Coffee, had in July 2012 entered into a Central Kitchen Licensing Agreement with Emperors Kitchen Sdn Bhd and Esquire Chef Sdn Bhd (both are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Oldtown) to formalise the appointment of KAP as the elected representative for transfer of knowledge and consultant for the setting up of central kitchen facilities in overseas territories. The execution of the licence agreement between KAP and OTK will authorise the transfer of knowledge and usage of the trade name, trade mark and system for operation of the central kitchen to OTK for its operations in Guangdong and Macau. Oldtown said OTK will establish a wholly-owned foreign enterprise in Guangdong for the setting up of the central kitchen business to support the development of the licensed Oldtown White Coffee shops in the territory of south China. Oldtown had recently acquired a 70% equity stake in its sole coffee distributor in Hong Kong and China named Advanced City Ltd (ACL) for RM27 million. Alliance Research said in its report on Tuesday that it is positive on the acquisition of ACL as it is earnings accretive and complements Oldtowns existing business, enabling Oldtown to take greater control of its distribution operation and gain direct access to
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EPF accepts revised offer for stake in MISC

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysias shipping firm MISC Bhd said yesterday the countrys pension fund, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), has accepted the revised buyout offer at RM5.50 per share made by state oil group Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas). The announcement came three days after MISC said the revised US$3 billion (RM9 billion) offer from shareholder Petronas to buy out all remaining stock was not fair, but reasonable enough in view of over-capacity in the shipping industry that the company faces. The acceptance by EPF raised Petronas equity stake in MISC to 79.77% from 70.27% previously. Petronas has garnered an additional 8% from other MISC shareholders since it first made the offer in February. Shares of MISC closed 0.18% lower at RM5.41 per share, underperforming the benchmark indexs 0.64% rise. Reuters
Chinas marketing operations and distribution networks. The proposed acquisition will be funded by the proceeds raised from the 10% private placement completed on Dec 21, 2012 amounting to some RM64 million of which it has allocated 70% for capital expenditure or business expansions. Post acquisition, the group would be left with about RM18 million for other business expansion purposes including but not limited to, opening new Oldtown outlets in both domestic and international markets, acquisition of equipment for the new and existing outlets, FMCG Phase 2 expansion and investment in central kitchen in China to support the development of the licensed outlets in the country, it said.
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SUNBIZ
Shells Gumusut-Kakap facility ready by year-end

PORT KLANG: Shell Malaysia aims to fully commission its Gumusut-Kakap deepwater floating production system (FPS) facility in Johor by year-end, said its chairman Iain Lo. Lo said the FPS facility has a processing capacity of 150,000 barrels of oil per day. The facility will be loaded this month and we will tow it offshore, connect it to the wells and start commissioning it, hopefully by year-end, he told reporters at the launch of Shell Westport Phase 3 here yesterday. He said Malaysia has now become the centre of excellence for Shell, not only in deepwater technology but also in business services that provided services in human resources, information technology, finance, procurement that served companies within Malaysia and also around the world. Lo said Shell invested an average of US$1 billion (RM3.04 billion) in Malaysia every year. We have a lot of confidence in continuing to invest in Malaysia and we hope to be here for a very long time. Malaysia holds a very good promise for us in the long term not just in production in oil and gas but also in the downstream sector because we believe that the countrys market is strong and its investment and environment is stable, he said. Bernama
Myanmar names 12 bidders for 2 mobile licences

YANGON: Myanmar has announced the names of 12 international consortia that have pre-qualified to bid for two mobile licences, moving closer to opening one of the last major untapped mobile markets. The companies include Indias Bharti Airtel Ltd, China Mobile, Japans KDDI Corp, Africas MTN, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, Norways Telenor SA and Digicel, a group backed by billionaire George Soros. Other pre-qualifiers are Axiata Group, Millicom International Cellular SA, Qatar Telecom and Viettel Group. The pre-qualified applicants will be required to submit their applications to the committee by June 3, 2013, the Telecommunications Operator Tender Evaluation and Selection Committee said on its website yesterday. The committee expects to announce the names of two winners to receive 15-year telecommunications licences by June 27, it said. China Mobile has teamed up with Vodafone, while France TelecomOrange is working with Marubeni, and Africas MTN with M1 Telecom and Amara Communications. SingTel has joined with Myanmar Telephone Co Ltd and KBZ, while KDDI has teamed up with Japans Sumitomo Corp and Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Development Corp. The bidding has attracted wide interest from international telecoms firms, which see huge opportunities in a country of 60 million where mobile penetration is just 5-10%, compared with rates of over 100% in many developed markets. Myanmar, where SIM cards are prohibitively expensive, has said it hopes to increase mobile penetration to 80% in three years, lifting it off the bottom of the worlds ladder of mobile use. Reuters
KLRCA aims to arbitrate 250 cases in 3 years

> KL arbitration is more cost effective than others in the region
BY EE ANN NEE
sunbiz@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA), a forum for settlement by arbitration of disputes concerning trade, commerce and investment in Asia-Pacific, aims to arbitrate 250 cases per year by 2016, from 100 cases last year, said its director Datuk Sundra Rajoo (pix). Founded in 1978, he said KLRCA has taken time to establish itself as a regional hub for arbitration and today it is recognised as an alternative to established arbitration centres such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Kuala Lumpur is 20% more cost effective (in arbitration proceedings) compared with other arbitration institutions in the region, he told SunBiz recently. Theres no restriction for legal representation (be it local or foreign
lawyers or arbitrators) where arbitration is concerned in Malaysia, he said, adding that KLRCA has a panel of 700 arbitrators, of whom 500 are international arbitrators. Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution and is a less formal way for parties to resolve legal disputes outside of the traditional court system. It aims to provide fair and unbiased resolution to disputes without causing needless delay or expenses. In Malaysia, arbitration is governed by the Arbitration Act 2005 and the Arbitration (Amendment) Act 2011, both based substantially on the United Nations Commission on
International Trade Law (Uncitral) model law. Sundra said half of the arbitration cases in KLRCA are from the construction sector and the rest are commercial, intellectual property, insurance and technology-related. Examples of commercial cases include disputes in supply contracts, sales and purchase agreements, joint ventures and dealerships agreements. About 20% of the hearings being conducted in KLRCA are international cases. While were trying to expand KLRCAs role, were also trying to expand the role of arbitration institutions in Asia. We want to expand the pie We want all arbitration going to Europe or the US to come back to Asia, said Sundra, who is also the president of the AsiaPacific Regional Arbitration Group
that represents 40 arbitration institutions in the region. He said Malaysias strength is in Islamic arbitration, with the iArbitration Rules being the first set of Islamic arbitration rules in the world for the resolution of disputes arising from commercial contracts containing syariah issues. It adopts Uncitral Arbitration Rules that ensures international enforceability. In its efforts to make Malaysia the preferred alternative dispute resolution hub in the region, KLRCA is continuously building on its portfolio of rules as well as improving its services. We have to innovate our products (in arbitration rules) and market KLRCA aggressively. We have to sell Malaysia as a package to promote the legal services here, said Sundra. Malaysia is a signatory to the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of foreign Arbitral Awards which enables KLRCAs arbitral awards to be enforceable in 148 signatory countries.
More KFC and Pizza Hut outlets to open in region

KUALA LUMPUR: QSR Brands (M) Holdings Sdn Bhd will open 21 KFC and five Pizza Hut outlets in Singapore, Brunei, India and Cambodia, this year as part of its overseas expansion plan. The move is also in line with the companys efforts to strengthen its market presence overseas. We have done much to improve our services, its managing director Datuk Ahmad Zaki Zahid told reporters after launching the new Double Sensation Pizza here yesterday. In this regard, we would like to elevate standards at all our restaurants, in keeping with the new transformation strategies to strengthen the brand position. QSR Brands will also spend RM190 million on capital expenditure to open new KFC and Pizza Hut outlets in Malaysia this year. Our core market is Malaysia but we are looking forward to the overseas expansion. The four overseas markets will contribute 25% to the groups revenue for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2013, said Ahmad Zaki. He said the group also hopes to achieve more than RM4 billion in revenue this year, from the RM3.6 billion recorded last year. We are coming up with a lot of innovative products, promotions and events to streamline our business. We expect Pizza Hut to do well with 25% of all sales within the next two months coming from the Double Sensation pizza, said Ahmad Zaki. Bernama
MAS rights issue price xed at 23 sen

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) has fixed its rights issue price at 23 sen per share to raise up to RM3.07 billion. MAS said the board of directors has approved the issue at an entitlement basis of four rights shares for every one existing MAS share. The issue price represents a discount of 34.3% to the theoretical ex-rights price of 35 sen and 72% to the 5-day volume weighted average market price of 82 sen, the airline said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday. MAS also said the rights issue, which is the fourth pillar in its longterm financing plan, will be undertaken on a minimum subscription basis based on major shareholder Khazanah Nasional Bhds full entitlement to the rights shares. In the event only Khazanah (which holds 69% in the airline) subscribes for its full entitlement to the rights shares, this will raise gross proceeds of RM2.13 billion. MAS had said it plans to use the proceeds of the issue for capital expenditure and working capital. Shares of the airline closed down 2.94% at 82.5 sen yesterday, with 6.65 million shares traded.
E&O deputy managing director Eric Chan Kok Leong, Raja Noorma and Taqi at the event to mark the culmination of the JV between E&O, CIMB-Mapletree and Al Salam Bank in Penang on Wednesday.
E&O completes JV with CIMB-Mapletree, Al Salam

PETALING JAYA: Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) has sold all 73 villas worth a combined RM260.6 million at its flagship Seri Tanjung Pinang development in Penang as part of a joint venture with CIMBMapletree Management Sdn Bhd and Al Salam Bank of Bahrain. The three parties had in 2006 signed an agreement to jointlydevelop the villas. The villas comprised 2 and 3storey units spread over 6.07ha, with views of the sea. The first batch of 40 villas were launched in 2007 and delivered to buyers in 2009, while the remaining 33 villas were launched in 2010 and completed early this year. Leveraging on CIMBMapletrees network and reach, we were able to bring together two other highly respected entities in Al Salam Bank and E&O, to strike a tripartite partnership that delivers an award-winning end-product with an innovative and crossborder structure. We aim to emulate similar successes for our subsequent funds, said CIMBMapletree CEO Raja Noorma Raja Othman in a statement yesterday. We are proud of the quality of this development, and see this as another key step to our commitment to Malaysia. We hope to do a lot more in the coming years, said Al Salam Bank CEO Yousif Taqi.
SUNBIZ 21
AQRS reveals RM600m project

> The Peak will be its rst in Iskandar
PETALING JAYA: Gabungan AQRS Bhd has become the latest developer to launch a property project in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor after it revealed The Peak@Jalan Temenggong service apartments with a gross development value (GDV) of RM600 million . The high-end project will bring its ongoing GDV to RM893 million. The Peak will be another flagship development by Gabungan AQRS and adding to our current construction projects and property development portfolio of RM1.23 billion in GDV to-date, its executive director Ow Chee Cheoon said in a statement yesterday. The project is expected to contribute significantly to the groups top and bottom line in coming years, providing higher value for our stakeholders. The Peak is Gabungan AQRS first property project in Iskandar Malaysia. Built with the concept of the heritage meets distinction, it features six 41-storey blocks of service apartments, totalling 668 units. Ow said the project, which is expected to be completed in 2015, has received interests from Malaysian, Singaporean and Indonesian
Ow beside a model scale of The Peak@ Jalan Temenggong service apartment. buyers. Meanwhile, Ow is optimistic that the outlook will remain positive in 2013 for the Johor property market, particularly in Iskandar Malaysia, which has been progressing well in the last six years and brought changes in south Johor. He added that the groups next project in Islandar Malaysia is Permas Centro, a RM127.3 million shop-office development about 15-20 minutes away from The Peak.
TRC shares to see upside

PETALING JAYA: PublicInvest Research sees as much as 24% upside for TRC Synergy Bhds shares over the next 12 months, given that the construction firm is a good proxy to the Klang Valley mass rapid transit (MRT) project and its exposure in projects under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy. It is maintaining an outperform call on TRC at 54 sen, with a 67 sen target price. The research firm is unfazed by delays in the Kelana LRT line extension project caused by a recent fatal accident along KM15 Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang, of which TRC is the main contractor for that stretch. It has been more than a week since the unfortunate fatal accident, whereby a bore pile hoisted by a crane fell and crushed two cars resulting in one death. We understand that the stop order is still effective pending findings by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health to determine if theres any compromise on safety rules and regulations, said PublicInvest in a note to clients yesterday. On TRCs joint venture with Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd to develop a 12-acre land surrounding Station 2 of the Kelana LRT line extension project into a mixed development, PublicInvest said TRC has guided that the projects gross development value (GDV) of RM688 million might be higher as selling prices in surrounding areas have since moved up.
Toyota strengthens ops to meet target

ALOR STAR: UMW Toyota Motor will strengthen its operations to meet an initial sales target of more than 105,500 units for its Toyota and Lexus brands this year. UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd president Datuk Ismet Suki said in the area of after sales, the company would strive for more than 1.14 million vehicles serviced. We strongly believe that the automotive industry will continue to grow despite the prevailing challenging market conditions, he added. He was speaking at the opening of the companys 3S (sales, service and spare parts) and Body & Paint Centre here yesterday. Ismet said UMW had at present an extensive network of 92 sales and after sales outlets, including dealers, in the country. Last year, we sold more than 17,500 vehicles in the northern region, of which 30% was in Kedah, with an overall growth of 20% from 2011, said Ismet. He said the after sales also recorded similar growth, with more than 183,000 vehicles last year in the northern region, alongside an additional 13% growth from 2011. Meanwhile, the 3S Centre here is to cater for the increasing number of Toyota Vehicles in the northern region. The 3S outlet with a total built-up area of more than 58,000 sq ft, is considered as UMW Toyota Motors premier 3S facility in the state. Bernama
CR-V receives record 3,000 bookings

KUALA LUMPUR: The Fourth Generation CRV has received close to 3,000 bookings in the first month of its launch on March 5, representing 43% of the annual sales target. In a statement yesterday, Honda Malaysia said the CR-V had contributed 34% to its overall March sales this year. Managing director and CEO Yoichiro Ueno said because of the good market acceptance, the company would review its production plan and conduct a feasibility study to reduce the waiting period for the CR-V. Honda Malaysia is also working closely with its dealers to extend the after-sales services to provide a wholesome customer experience to achieve customer satisfaction. Bernama
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Worst PC sales drop in history

> More consumers are switching over to tablets and smartphones
interface), removal of the familiar Start button, and the costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative. Microsoft will have to make some very tough decisions moving forward if it wants to help reinvigorate the PC market. IDC said Hewlett-Packard (HP) remained the top vendor despite a 23% year-on-year drop in Q1 shipments. Chinas Lenovo remained second in global shipments and nearly closed the gap with HP, based on IDC estimates. HP sold 11.997 million PCs for a 15.7% market share to 11.7 million for Lenovo, for a 15.3% share. Dell was third at 11.8% followed by Taiwan firms Acer (8.1%) and Asus (5.7%). NEW YORK: Worldwide sales of personal computers (PCs) slid 13.9% in the first quarter of 2013 (Q1), research firm IDC said Wednesday, the worst contraction since it began tracking the market in 1994. IDC said global PC shipments totalled 76.3 million units in Q1, the fourth consecutive quarter of yearon-year declines. The group said sales were down significantly across all regions of the world. The research firm said tablets and smartphones continue to divert consumer spending and efforts by PC makers to come up with touchscreens and capabilities and ultra-slim systems have fallen flat. While surveys have shown consumers shifting away from traditional PCs to tablets and other devices, the survey highlighted a grimmer-thanexpected market. The survey found a result far worse than IDCs projected 7.7% year-on-year drop despite what the firm called some mild improvement in the economic environment and some new PC models with the Windows 8 operating system. It seems that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market, said IDC analyst Bob ODonnell. While some consumers appreciate the new form factors and touch capabilities of Windows 8, the radical changes to the UI (user A separate report by Gartner painted an equally bleak picture. Gartner said global shipments fell 11.2% from a year earlier to 79.2 million, dropping below 80 million units for the first time since the second quarter of 2009. Mikako Kitagawa, analyst at Gartner, said: Consumers are migrating content consumption from PCs to other connected devices, such as tablets and smartphones. Even emerging markets, where PC penetration is low, are not expected to be a strong growth area for PC vendors. Gartner data showed HP and Lenovo in a virtual tie for the top vendor spot, with HP barely ahead at 14.8% to 14.7% for Lenovo. AFP
EXCHANGE RATES
Foreign currency
APRIL 11, 2013
Bank sell Bank buy Bank buy TT/OD TT OD 1 US DOLLAR 3.0700 3.0020 2.9920 1 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.2410 3.1590 3.1430 1 BRUNEI DOLLAR 2.4850 2.4210 2.4130 1 CANADIAN DOLLAR 3.0220 2.9580 2.9460 1 EURO 4.0150 3.9140 3.8940 1 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 2.6500 2.5570 2.5410 1 PAPUA N GUINEA KINA 1.5660 1.3120 1.2960 1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 2.4845 2.4210 2.4130 1 STERLING POUND 4.7010 4.6050 4.5850 1 SWISS FRANC 3.2880 3.2180 3.2030 100 ARAB EMIRATES DIRHAM 84.8000 80.5300 80.3300 100 BANGLADESH TAKA 3.9900 3.7660 3.5660 100 CHINESE RENMINBI 49.6000 47.7000 0.0000 100 DANISH KRONE 55.3400 50.9900 50.7900 100 HONGKONG DOLLAR 40.1200 38.1100 37.9100 100 INDIAN RUPEE 5.7240 5.4400 5.2400 100 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 0.0322 0.0305 0.0255 100 JAPANESE YEN 3.0880 3.0040 2.9940 100 NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR N/A N/A 0.0000 100 NORWEGIAN KRONE 54.9400 50.6200 50.4200 100 PAKISTAN RUPEE 3.1900 2.9900 2.7900 100 PHILIPPINE PESO 7.5900 7.2000 7.0000 100 QATAR RIYAL 85.4700 81.3000 81.1000 100 SAUDI RIYAL 83.0600 78.8500 78.6500 100 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND 35.5100 32.7300 32.5300 100 SRI LANKA RUPEE 2.5200 2.3200 2.1200 100 SWEDISH KRONA 49.5700 45.2100 45.0100 100 THAI BAHT 11.3000 9.6000 9.2000
Source: Malayan Banking Berhad/Bernama
Japan carmakers to recall 3.4m vehicles

TOKYO: Four Japanese automakers including Toyota Motor Corp, Nissan Motor Co and Honda Motor Co are recalling a total of about 3.4 million vehicles worldwide as a result of an airbag problem, the companies said on Thursday. Japanese auto parts maker Takata Corp spokesman Toyohiro Hishikawa said the company supplied the airbags related to the recalls. Toyota is recalling about 1.73 million vehicles globally, including 580,000 vehicles in North America and 490,000 vehicles in Europe because some airbags at the front seat next to the driver may not inflate when necessary, spokesman Ryo Sakai said. No injuries or deaths have been reported, he said. Toyota will exchange the faulty inflator with new ones, a fix that is expected to take about an hour to two and a half hours for most models, he said. He declined to give the costs related to the recall. Honda said it is recalling around 1.14 million vehicles worldwide, Nissan about 480,000 vehicles, and Mazda Motor Corp about 45,500. Takata has been informed that carmakers will recall about 2 million vehicles globally due to problems with airbags it had supplied, but not 3.4 million, said Hishikawa. Reuters
China bank lending nearly doubles in March

BEIJING: Chinese banks in March lent nearly twice as much money as in February, official data showed Thursday, as Beijing beefed up efforts to bolster a faltering economic recovery. Banks granted a total of 1.06 trillion yuan (US$171 billion) in new loans last month, up from 620 billion yuan in February, the central Peoples Bank of China said in a statement. Total social financing, a broader measure of credit, surged to 2.54 trillion yuan, it said, more than doubling from 1.07 trillion yuan in February, although that month had fewer working days because of the Lunar New Year holiday. The figures came after official inflation and foreign trade data for March released this week indicated recovery in the worlds second-largest economy has remained fragile. With the supportive monetary policy, we expect growth to regain its rising momentum in the second quarter after a pause in the first quarter if the ongoing bird flu wont turn much uglier, analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a report, referring to the H7N9 illness that has killed nine people. But they cautioned the strong rebound in lending last month could again fan fears on inflation, property bubbles and government debt, which could trigger monetary tightening. Chinas monetary policymakers are in a tough position to balance short-term growth stability, market worries, and long-term economic health, they said. The Chinese economy grew 7.8% last year, its slowest pace in 13 years, due to the global downturn and domestic woes. The government is slated to announced Chinas gross domestic product growth for the first quarter on Monday. AFP
High-speed rail for Australia

SYDNEY: A high-speed rail (HSR) link connecting Melbourne to Brisbane via Canberra and Sydney would cost A$114 billion (US$120 billion) and take more than 40 years to complete, an Australian government study showed Thursday. Australia has debated the merits of HSR connecting the main centres along its east coast since the 1980s but has never committed to such a major project. Transport Minister Anthony Albanese, who commissioned a feasibility study in 2010, said it would transform the way people along the eastern corridor home to about two-thirds of Australias population live and work. But he conceded there were technical, logistical and financial challenges as he released details of the study. Asked by ABC radio if the government was serious about pressing on with high-speed rail despite the hefty price tag, he said: Yes, we are. But theres no doubt that for a project which is 1,700km long, that would involve some 144km of tunnelling, that it would take time for construction to commence. The study shows the total capital cost would be US$114 billion, including project development and construction funding, with limited potential to attract private investment due to poor rates of return. Albanese admitted the federal and state governments would need to pay for much of the project. Its pretty clear that this would require a substantial commitment by the national government, he said. Its also the case that you could get some state and territory government contributions. There would need to be contributions in the way of planning support. But he insisted it could deliver a positive economic benefit. The study concludes that once the high speed rail line is fully operational, it could carry some 84 million passengers each year, he said. And it estimates as well, in terms of the financial modelling, that it could generate sufficient revenue to cover its operating and asset renewal costs. So there are benefits of it. It estimates that overall there is a significant economic benefit, a return of US$2.30 to Australias economy for every dollar that is invested. A journey from Sydney to Melbourne that currently takes some 12 hours by rail would take just two hours and 44 minutes on trains travelling at an average of 300kph. Travel from Sydney to the capital Canberra would be reduced from four hours to 64 minutes while commuters from Sydney to Brisbane could make the trip in two hours 37 minutes. The study said the 1,784km route from Melbourne to Brisbane would not be completed until 2058, with the first trains unlikely to be running on the first stretch of track until at least 2030 if the project proceeds. The proposal will now be put out to public consultation. AFP
Lagarde: Some eurozone banks may need to close

NEW YORK: International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde on Wednesday called on European authorities to step up banking system reform, including closing some banks, if necessary. The debt-wracked eurozone has achieved major accomplishments, including setting up the European Stability Mechanism, the rescue fund for members of the 17-nation bloc, but more needs to be done, Lagarde said in a speech to the Economic Club of New York. Cyprus last week agreed to financial sector restructuring, including winding down its secondlargest bank, Laiki, to receive an international bailout. According to Lagarde, many banks in the eurozone periphery states are under-capitalised and have too many bad loans on their books. The bottom line is that we need a global financial system that supports stability and growth. AFP
China regulator questions aggressive RQFII

HONG KONG: Chinas foreign exchange regulator has criticised aggressive quota applications submitted by overseas institutional investors to gain access to the countrys domestic financial market. The countrys State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) believes some requests for quotas far exceeded the actual needs of the institutions and it doubted their ability to manage a fund worth 5-10 billion yuan, the Hong Kong Economic Journal reported on Thursday. SAFE also stressed that the Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (RQFII) scheme quotas should not be transferred to other parties and said it would punish those who did so. Beijing introduced RQFII scheme with an initial quota of 20 billion yuan (US$3.2 billion) in 2011 and expanded it to 270 billion yuan at the end of 2012. The products, especially those that invest in the mainlands A-share market via exchange-traded funds (ETFs), have been well received, given Chinas recovering economy and its appreciating currency. SAFE held a meeting with RQFIIs and their custodian banks on April 9 and suggested they apply for quotas based on their needs. China loosened restrictions on participants and investment products under the RQFII scheme in March. The new rules allow Hong Kong subsidiaries of mainland commercial banks, insurance companies and financial institutions based in Hong Kong, to take part. Reuters
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ON FRIDAY
APRIL 12, 2013
f Supplements Editor Irene Leong fTel (Editorial) 03-7784 6688 fTo advertise email advertise@thesundaily.com
RM10 million clubhouse for Garden Homes

> Among the rst of its kind to be submitted for a platinum LEED
UNWAY Integrated Properties recently launched a RM10 million clubhouse in Sunway Montana, following the launch of its nal phase, Garden Homes. The clubhouse is a boon for homebuyers seeking luxurious facilities to complement their landed properties. Sunway Montana is among the rst landed developments to integrate a clubhouse of such magnitude for its residents. Spanning 19,000 sq ft, the clubhouse will be one of the rst in its category to be submitted for a platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certication. Its design will enable 40% reduction in annual energy cost and 48% reduction in water use. The LEED certication is the recognised standard for measuring building sustainability in the US and in a number of other countries around the world. Among the clubhouses eco-luxurious features is a structure that provides shade and natural ventilation, sunshade louvers, solar photovoltaic panels, and an open layout that allows natural lighting and ventilation. Rainwater harvesting ensures that resources are well-managed within the exclusive space. The clubhouse features function rooms that are made available to residents to host their own private events, as well as Sunway Montanas community gatherings. A world-class gourmet kitchen, complete with comprehensive facilities, complements the event spaces where residents can host guests. It also comes complete with a yoga room, a viewing deck facing the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) Petronas Twin Towers, an innity swimming pool, and a library. Sunway Montanas Garden Homes project, with an estimated GDV of RM280 million, consists of 198 units of three- and four-storey townhouses that span over 22.73 acres. The homes are closest in proximity to the exclusive 14-acre private forest which lies at the fringe of the entire 56.4-acre development. A 30 metre-long skywalk will be built, traversing the secondary forest, allowing Sunway Montanas residents a spectacular walk within the green lung. An approximately 1km jungle trail is also being demarcated by the
A photo provided by Think Big Factory shows a woman relying on motion sensor technology to manipulate information on the wall of a prototype smart home.
New tech set to transform homes

WITH a ick of the wrist, residents of a futuristic home developed in Spain can browse internet pages displayed on the living room walls, switch off a giant projected alarm clock in the bedroom or transform the entire interior into a busy streetscape or tranquil beach. It may seem light years ahead of current smart home technology, but this prototype apartment in Fuenterrabia, a city in Spains northern Basque country, is far from the realms of fantasy. In fact, the technology used to create the interactive interior is the same as that already being used in video games.The team behind the prototype has linked projectors which beam interactive applications on to walls to Kinect motion sensors, developed by Microsoft for its X-box 360 console, thus allowing residents to control their environment simply by waving their hands. It seems to work like magic. In the morning, a wave at the wall will switch off the alarm and display your diary at the same time. If you fancy a change of scenery, just one small gesture will splash video on every wall, turning half of the apartment into a busy urban street or picturesque seascape, complete with sound effects. The project is a working prototype of a smart home, said its creator, Ion Cuervas-Mons, at a visual presentation of the project to AFP in Madrid. What we have done is add a digital layer to a physical space to be able to interact with digital information through gestures, peoples different movements, he said. Cuervas-Mons launched the Openarch project in November 2011 and built the prototype in his own apartment. He now leads the Think Big Factory, a core team of ve architects and engineers, who collaborate with others to develop various products. There is a general interface, which is in the living room and which interacts with your hands, he explained. You go two metres away from the wall and move a type of cursor and you can switch lights on and off, turn music on and off, launch internet sites, which then come up in a projection on another wall. But the project is only 40% complete, he said. When we have nished the prototype, we will start to transform the applications into products. That is our goal for next year, he said. Cuervas-Mons sees many possibilities for the technology; he hopes to apply it to other environments like supermarkets. - AFPRelaxnews
Sunway Montana is among the rst landed developments to integrate a clubhouse of such magnitude.
developer to enable residents to hike through the forest in the near future. The design of the Garden Homes is the fth generation innovation of Sunways largely successful townhouse developments, namely Sunway Challis Damansara, Sunway Parkville, Sunway Laman Impian and Sunway SPK 3 Harmoni. Designed for grandeur, the townhouses are double volume and 32 ft wideone of the widest available in its category. The luxury of space is framed within contemporary architecture, enveloping its residents in divine exclusivity. Each unit is designed according to the contour of the undulating terrain, and planned in order to capitalise on the green views of the KL cityscape. The townhouses start from RM1.45 million and range from 2,293 sq ft to 2,750 sq ft. It is estimated to complete end of 2015, following the estimated completion of Phase 1 in early or
middle of 2015. Sunway Montana, a freehold well-planned and modern gated residential development with patrolling services, is strategically located within the afuent neighbourhood of Desa Melawati, an estimated 12km from Kuala Lumpur city centre. The development has excellent accessibility to major roads and highways via Middle Ring Road (MRR2), Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), and Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (AKLEH). It also has easy access to the public LRT Taman Melati and Wangsa Maju stations. Its location is conveniently situated near comprehensive existing amenities such as Giant Supermarket, KL International School, Sekolah Sri Inai Junior Kuala Lumpur, Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC), University Islam Antarabangsa (UIA), nancial institutions and eatery outlets.
Mapex 2013 a success

REHDA Penang and iProperty.com Malaysia recently launched the highly awaited property exhibition, Malaysia Property Exposition (Mapex) 2013 at G Hotel in Penang. With a booming economy, topped with its rich cultural heritage and pristine beaches, Penang is attracting not just locals but also tourists from around the world. Not just as tourists but as investors. The Malaysia My Second Home scheme has also played a signicant role in positioning Penang as an attractive investment destination, iProperty Groups CEO, Shaun Di Gregorio said at the launch. He added that Penang also continues to garner international recognition. Kiplinger, a Washington DC based publisher of business forecasts and personal nance advice recently voted Georgetown, Penang as the fourth ideal place to retire after Medellin in Columbia, Dubrovnik in Croatia, and Salinas in Ecuador. Our recent iProperty.com Asia Property Market Sentiment Report for the rst half of 2013 also revealed that out of the 8,000-plus respondents that participated in the survey, 76% ranked Penang as their top investment destination. With such a high interest in the property market in Penang, we are condent that Mapex
Di Gregorio (fth from left) with Chan (on his right) and other members of Rehda at the launch.
2013 would serve to meet the needs of property investors and buyers as they are now able to nd their perfect home or next investment without any hassle, said Di Gregorio. Echoing the same sentiments, Rehda Penang Chairman, Datuk Jerry Chan said the real estate market in Penang is now frequently compared to some of the best schemes around the world. Astute local and foreign real estate investors have complimented Penangs progress in offering not just some of the most attractive product designs but developments at attractive prices. Chan said these recognitions have played a vital role in promoting the state. Through
Mapex, the property industry in Penang is further boosted as it is an avenue that promotes the latest and upcoming developments there to the world. The event has over the years also helped many homebuyers nd their dream home. The states property market is expected to see a sustainable growth of between 5% and 10% in 2013. The property market will remain bullish amid rising demand for houses due to the increase in jobs as an impact from foreign investments as well as growing population. With a booming market, for those who are keen in investing in property in Penang, now is the perfect opportunity to do so, Chan said.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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A groovy mix on air

> Sensational Sarimah Ibrahim and Rod Monteiro team up to heat up the MIX Breakfast show from Monday onwards
long been waiting for. Im proud to say that MIX fm is now a great picture of creative talents. Sarimah, who is of IrishMalay descent, adds: MIX fm will be a fabulous platform for me to grow and continue entertaining my fans. If they already had thousands of reasons to tune into MIX fm, there are plenty more as Rod and I will heat up their weekday OCAL English radio station MIX fm is set to heat up the morning airwaves from this coming Monday with a brandnew breakfast show hosted by two well-known announcers, Sarimah Ibrahim and Rod Monteiro. The MIX Breakfast with Sarimah & The Rod puts two of the best radio talents around together for the first time to present the stations best MIX Breakfast show yet. Sarimah has been involved in the entertainment industry since 1996, starting out as host of various television shows before venturing into singing and acting. Rod has been in the industry for over 17 years, mostly spent helming breakfast shows in Singapore. He admits that he cant spell to save his life, neither can he take chilli. A health nut, hes successfully completed two triathlons. Together, the duo is set to take listeners on their best ride to work every morning on MIX fm. It is great to have Sarimah and Rod joining the MIX fm team, says MIX fms programming manager Steve Kyle Dangelo. Their experiences and personalities will not only appeal to MIX fms listeners, but also enhance the change that the radio industry has
SCREEN SHORTS DISLIKES JEALOUS MEN

SCARLETT JOHANSSON (pix) dislikes jealous men and has no time for possessive guys. She enjoys her independence in a relationship, accepts that her partner may want to check in on her daily antics, but still hates feeling smothered. Speaking in the May issue of Marie Claire magazine, she said: I dont like jealous behaviour. I dont mind an occasional check-in, but when somebody is passiveaggressively jealous, its really unattractive as it shows a sort of insecurity.
mornings. Rod says: Moving to Malaysia and joining MIX fm are some of the big plans that have filled my 2013 calendar. Most importantly, I look forward to charming listeners with Sarimah on one of Malaysias most reputable English radio stations. The duo would be delivering some brand new features on the show. One of the most interesting is The MIX Flirt, where Sarimah and Rod would put their investigative minds to work in helping listeners solve the case of a flirting partner. The MIX Pop Quiz on weekdays at 7.30am will offer cash prizes to listeners who call in and answer 10 questions in 60 seconds. Each question is worth RM100. The more questions they answer correctly, the more money they will earn. Meanwhile, in the Scareoke segment, Sarimah and Rod will put their guests to a karaoke moment before rewarding them with a pelting. So, tune in to MIX fm at 7.30 on Monday morning to catch this duo in action on the air.
PRAISING THATCHER
MERYL STREEP (pix) hailed the late Baroness Margaret Thatcher, who died at home from a stroke on April 8, as a pioneer, working her way to the top against the odds. Streep who memorably played the former British prime minister in the 2011 biopic, The Iron Lady, said in a statement to the BBC: To me she was a figure of awe for her personal strength and grit. To have come up, legitimately, through the ranks of the British political system, class bound and gender phobic as it was, in the time that she did and the way that she did, was a formidable achievement.
AN ACTOR NOT SEX SYMBOL

ALEXANDER SKARSGARD (pix), 36, wishes people would focus on his acting rather than his looks. He told E! News: Im an actor, not a sex symbol. If youre vain and youre like: Oh, my fans wont like it if Im a little chubby or if Im pale or if I look older than I really am, Im not doing my job then. Honestly, I dont think too much about it. I think if vanity becomes a part of who you are as an actor ... its important that you let yourself be true to the character.
A THING FOR COLE
MPO to accompany Bocelli in concert

FOR fans of tenor Andrea Bocelli, after watching the concert film, Andrea Bocelli Love in Portofino, and listening to his latest album, Passione, the icing on the cake has to be to catch him perform live in concert. JS Concert Productions is flying the internationals star here for a one-night-only concert at the Putra Indoor Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on May 5. Invited to accompany him on stage is our very own Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO). Bocelli (right) has been described as the voice for the new millennium. Born in 1958 in Tuscany, Italy, Bocelli first got his break as a singer in 1992 when Italian rock star Zucchero Fornaciari auditioned tenors to record the song, Miserere. Bocelli took the spot and recorded the tune as a duet with the legendary Luciano Pavarotti. He went on to be a guest artiste at the Pavarotti International Festival in Modena in 1994. From there, his popularity grew and he worked with artistes such as Al Jarreau and Sarah Brightman. Bocellis musical career now spans close to 20 years and over 80 million in record sales, making him one of the great classical
SIMON COWELL (pix) says he had a thing for Cheryl Cole. The 53-year-old music moghul, who worked alongside the Girls Aloud singer on The X Factor from 2008 to 2010 before both left to star on the US version of the show, hinted he appointed the 29-year-old star on the programme because he fancied her, and most of his team also found her sexy. He said: I mean literally, when she walked on set on the first day in the UK, I thought that she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life. Bang Media
Eastwood to direct Jersey Boys

cross-over stars. This concert will be Bocellis first live performance in Malaysia and is part of his Asia Tour With Passione. The tour coincides with the recent release of his 14th studio album which includes some of the worlds most beautiful love songs and duets, performed with such artistes as Jennifer Lopez and Nelly Furtado. The one-night-only concert in Kuala Lumpur will be conducted by Marcello Rota and will also feature quartet Div4s, soprano Sabina Cvilak and guitar duo Carisma. Among the songs to be performed are Puccinis Vissi darte (from Tosca) and O soave fanciulla (from La Bohme), Verdis Brindisi (from La Traviata), Bixios Mamma and Califanos Vieni sul mar (both from the album, Incanto), and Guglielmis La vie en rose (from his latest Passione album). The MPO is delighted to have the opportunity to perform alongside one of the worlds most beloved tenors right here in Kuala Lumpur, said Timothy Tsukamoto, the general manager of the MPO (above). This concert is the latest addition to the MPOs alreadyimpressive international artiste collaborations, which include tenor Jose Carreras, jazz vocalists Harry Connick Jr and Laura Fygi, trumpeter Chris Botti, soprano divas Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Sumi Jo, cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and violinist Joshua Bell. Local artistes who have performed with the MPO include Datuk Sheila Majid, Datuk M. Nasir and piano virtuoso Tengku Ahmad Irfan. Tickets for the Andrea Bocelli Live In Kuala Lumpur can be purchased from www.ticketpro. com.my and all Ticket Pro, Victoria Music and Rock Corner outlets. ACCORDING to The Hollywood Reporter, actor/director Clint Eastwood has his heart set on the movie Jersey Boys, based on the musical about Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Eastwood (right) is apparently in talks with the producers to direct the movie. Screenwriter John Logan (Aviator, Skyfall) was responsible for the cinema adaptation of the musical about the group whose career began in 1962 and went on to include hits such as Cant Take My Eyes Off You, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night) and Beggin that have since become classics. If the parties reach an agreement, the octogenarian director will replace Jon Favreau, who was briefly attached to the project last summer. Eastwood is still attached to direct a remake of A Star is Born. Sean Penn and Esperanza Spalding could play the leads in this movie about the music industry. AFP-Relaxnews
THE BIG PICTURE

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HEN the script for Broken City arrived on Catherine Zeta-Jones desk, she applied the same litmus test that she always does to any movie project offered to her. If a story grabs me, then thats it, Im in, she explains. Its really as simple as that. You have to trust your instincts. In this case, she says, her instincts were telling her that Broken City was a rare treat a taut, superbly-crafted thriller that pays homage to the golden era of American film, the 70s. With Allen Hughes on board to direct and Mark Wahlberg already signed up, Zeta-Jones didnt hesitate. I read it and I thought to myself: This is exactly what I like to go and see at the movies. It has that wonderful Sidney Lumet thriller aspect to it. It had great characters and Mark was already on board at that point and I said: Im in. Its great. She was delighted, too, when Oscar winner Russell Crowe a close friend for more than 20 years signed on to play her on-screen husband. She recalls: We go back 21 years to when all these expats came to LA, including Russell and myself, and we were vying for roles and going for interviews and castings. There was a whole bunch of us and Russell and I were part of that. So Ive known him for years and he is a good friend, a lovely guy, and Ive always wanted to work with Russell. But nothing has ever come up that he was cast in that I was suitable for or vice versa until Broken City. So as you can imagine I was thrilled when he joined the cast. Crowe plays charismatic New York Mayor Nick Hostetler, a two-term Republican about to run for re-election. He suspects his wife Cathleen (Zeta-Jones) is cheating on him and hires former cop-turned-private eye Billy Taggart (Wahlberg) to tail her and find the proof. Taggart, who was forced to resign as a cop after killing a man suspected of rape and murder, unearths a whole lot more than extramarital antics its sex, lies, corruption and power politics in the rotten Big Apple. He begins to realise that Hostetler might be involved in an illegal, big-money property deal and an underhand campaign to discredit his political rival. To the public, Cathleen is the perfect politicians wife a beautiful, glamorous vote winner who supports notable charitable causes. In private, shes desperately unhappy and trapped in a loveless marriage to a man she increasingly despises. Cathleen is very smart, bright, and has married well, says Zeta-Jones of her character. She married for love but realised after she married that, for her husband, it was a marriage of convenience. She tries to fight for what she believes in but is constantly quashed by her husband, the mayor, who is, obviously a very powerful man. But she also knows about everything thats going on and without wishing to spoil the story for an audience, theres a lot going on with the mayor that the public dont know about. But she does. There are so many wives, especially in politics, who are just on the arm of somebody, on the arm of a powerful man. Ive never wanted to be that. Years ago, people wrote about me being on the arm of Michael (her husband, the actor Michael Douglas) and Ive never wanted to be that. Im very happy standing by myself, thank you very much. But Cathleen was that kind of trophy wife,
Trusting her
> Catherine Zeta-Jones reveals why she took on the role of a trophy wife in Broken City
at least to start with, and then the shit hits the fan and shes no longer content just being on the arm of a powerful man. The script for Broken City, by Brian Tucker, was plucked off from the Black List the hottest unproduced screenplays in Hollywood by Hughes (Menace II Society, Book of Eli) who took it to Wahlberg, who produced the film. I think it has a very 70s feel, says ZetaJones. And I love American movies from the 70s. When I read the script, all I had in my head was The Conversation. I love that movie. And Broken City does have that vibe. And the way that Allen shot it has that vibe. I wish Id been making movies in that era because there were some great roles around then. Films like One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Dog Day Afternoon, Network there were so many great films made in the 1970s. And one of the things I loved about Broken City is that you have to think its not given to you on a platter. there are so many twists and turns and you dont quite know what is going on. I like to go to the cinema and see films that make me think. I see so many scripts where as soon as I start reading them, I know the ending. Golden Screen Cinemas Broken City opens here on April 18.
instincts
TOP 10 MOVIES IN THE US

TW LW 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 1 4 3 Title Evil Dead The Croods G.I. Joe: Retaliation Jurassic Park 3D Olympus Has Fallen Tyler Perrys Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor Oz: The Great and Powerful The Host The Call Admission dist TriStar Pictures DreamWorks Studios Paramount Pictures Universal Pictures FilmDistrict wg RM78.0 RM63.3 RM63.3 RM54.6 RM30.0 cg RM78.0 RM377.4 RM260.1 RM54.6 RM213.3
7 8 9 10
5 6 7 8
Lionsgate Walt Disney Pictures Open Road Films TriStar Pictures Focus Features
RM30.0 RM24.3 RM15.6 RM10.5 RM6.0
RM115.2 RM638.4 RM59.1 RM136.5 RM46.2
Note: TW: This week; LW: Last week; WG: Weekend gross; and CG: Cumulative gross (amount in millions)
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BEAUTY
FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR: Peter Yap E-MAIL: peteryap@thesundaily.com
BY SOO WERN JUN VER heard of your friends who match their hairstyle to make-up and clothes? Of course it is not compulsory that we all must have matching outfits whenever we decide to change our hairstyle, but wearing suitable styles would definitely flatter or complement your looks. Sherbet Delight, the latest theme from Shiseido Professional, features cuttingedge fashion, hair and make-up styles that mirror international trends. The focus for this seasons trend is simple designs with stereoscopic cutting, emphasising on shape and texture. From Tokyo to the world, one of the key looks now worn by women in Japan is the wet texture that creates dewy femininity. Building on the graduated bob look, geometric bangs are added to reflect the trends while the finishing of the style is a compact silhouette with a hint of minimalism on trend in the fashion industry. The creation is centred on Wet and Shiny, by applying a trendinspired styling product - the Stageworks Damp Jelly (far right pix) that produces a wet look with dewy glossiness. The product is applied to achieve a glistening finish from the roots to the ends. Perfect for creating air and bouncy hair with movements, Stageworks Air Feel Motion (above pix) is a lightweight styling spray with moderate hold. This spray gives hair the ideal tousled texture that is lightweight and dry without leaving any sticky or clumpy
> Shiseido Professional introduces the Sherbet Delight 2013 hair trends
CAROL LEONG/THESUN
Fun with styling

Kenji Toyota demonstrating the wet and shiny look on a model.
Elegant beauty
GERMAN actress Diane Kruger, who first represented Chanels Allure perfume in 1996, has been unveiled as the new face of a Chanel beauty campaign due some time this year. Praising her natural elegance and beauty and her cosmopolitan spirit, the Parisian label will release the images later this year. This isnt her first work for Chanel in 2007 she appeared in ads for the Paris-Biarritz bag line, having made her Chanel debut back in the 1990s with a print campaign for the Allure fragrance. Famed for her appearances in Hollywood blockbusters Troy, National Treasure and Quentin Tarantinos Inglourious Basterds, Kruger trained as a ballet dancer in London as a teenager before moving to Paris to pursue a career in fashion modelling. The 36-year-old actress speaks fluent English and French alongside her mother tongue. AFP Relaxnews
Yoshiyuki Takahashi styling a summer look. feeling. It is recommended for short to long length hairstyles. The Stageworks Air Feel Wave, similar to the Air Feel Motion, allows styling from various angles. The Air Feel Wave also imparts a lightweight yet smooth texture, giving hair a beautiful and glossy finish. This product is recommended for short to long hairstyles. Trend products are seasonally produced according to current trends. Once a new season arrives, these products will be replaced by new products. Most hair sprays or gels leave sticky residue on our hair, but these products are formulated specially for tropical weather to avoid hair from feeling sticky in this humid weather. The products do not leave an oily feel on the hair, so you can wear them for long hours without discomfort, said Kenji Toyota, a Shiseido Professional (Japan) stylist. These looks that we have created are currently the most popular styles worn by women in Japan. Often times when you walk into salons and you pick a hairstyle that features a Western woman, it does not work out because of the difference in hair texture. Your features also play a big role in enhancing the hairstyle that you choose. The hairstyles that we have created are suitable for the humid and summery weather. Our customers have told us that these styles are easy to wear and maintain, said Yoshiyuki Takahashi, also a Shiseido Professional stylist.
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HOROSCOPE
March 20 April 18 JUDGING from the current planetary setup, you need to make changes, some involving nothing more than a serious rethink of existing arrangements, while some, conducting an in depth review of longstanding but increasingly unrewarding arrangements. Difficult as letting go of these would be, you sense its time. April 19 May 19 SINCE early in the year youve had no choice but to be flexible, even in situations where it hasnt been fair because others were struggling and you couldnt discuss issues less, complain. Now, suddenly, it all changes. Not only will circumstances improve, others will show their gratitude for your generosity. May 20 June 19 ITS rare that youre stubborn for the sake of it. While it may seem to certain individuals the arrangements youre being stubborn about are unimportant, thats only because you havent discussed your feelings. Do so now and not only will their attitude be transformed, theyll back you to the hilt. June 20 July 21 DONT be shy about expressing your views, even if you risk upsetting somebody. These matters dont just need to be discussed, if anyone is so sensitive that a simple exchange of ideas would cause problems, then its vital you clear the air. Worrying as this seems, youll be glad you did it. July 22 Aug 21 ONCE youve decided to undertake major changes, you prefer to get on with the process as swiftly as possible. Take that approach now, and youll only complicate matters. Things may seem organised but once you get going, youll realise numerous details need attention first. Aug 22 Sept 21 NOBODY is better at planning ahead than you are until others come to you for advice about their plans. Yet between now and the 20th, when your ruler Mercury meets the unpredictable Uranus, which brings exciting if unsettling changes, youre better off keeping even simple arrangements flexible. Sept 22 Oct 22 YOU dislike having to discuss tense issues, but when you must, youll do it thoroughly. Enough that theyre unlikely to arise again. Yet now several are. This has more to do with the ongoing changes which are shaking up the practical side of arrangements than a lack of attentiveness on your part. Oct 23 Nov 20 WHEN certain new ideas were first mentioned, you brushed them off, mostly because they were unfamiliar to you. But these came up again, and in a number of situations. It is enough that you now know more about them. The trick is to find a way to raise these again without calling attention to it. Nov 21 Dec 20 THERE are one or two arrangements to which youre extremely attached, perhaps because they were your idea or youve worked hard to nurture them. That makes it hard for you to let them go. Yet, now its becoming clear that, despite your best efforts, their time is coming to an end. Dec 21 Jan 19 NO sign is more attentive to obligations. Still, you need a break. Youll get it, and a rather glorious one, but not just yet. Focus on certain tedious but important tasks now and then when the planetary focus shifts to lifes pleasures, later in the month, youll be free to enjoy them. Jan 20 Feb 18 CLEARLY, youd rather have important individuals on your side before you undertake important commitments. Ifyou feel strongly about this, its worth taking a chance that you wont get the support youre seeking. Acting on your own illustrates your strong conviction which that alone attracts supporters. Feb 19 March 19 ALL too often, you allow your tendency to try to organise things perfectly while keeping everybody happy, to dominate your thinking and planning. Do that now and youll complicate matters as such issues could be distracting. You really must put you and your interests first.
Fishing
longevity
> Consuming higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood is linked to longer life
EOPLE aged 65 and older who eat fish may live an average of two years longer than people who do not consume the omega-3 fatty acids found mainly in seafood, a US study suggested recently. People with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids also had an overall risk of dying that was 27% lower, and a risk of dying from heart disease that was 35% lower than counterparts who had lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids, said the study. The research was led by scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health and was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. While other studies have demonstrated a link between omega-3 fatty acids and lower risk of heart disease, this research examined records of older people to determine any link between fish-eating and death risk. Researchers scanned 16 years of data on about 2,700 American adults aged 65 or older. Those considered for the study were not taking fish oil supplements, to eliminate any confusion over the use of supplements or dietary differences. Those with the highest blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids found mainly in fish like salmon, tuna, halibut, sardines, herring and mackerel, had the lowest risk of dying from any cause, and lived an average of 2.2 years longer than those with low levels.
TV1
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Yassin Terakhir Bumi Kita Orang Kita Dokumentari Riuh @1 Selingan Santai Bersama National Geographic Death of the Iceman 9pm Bicara Rakyat 10.05pm Mahligai Kaca 11.30pm Sukan
TV2
10am 10.30am 11am 2pm 2.30pm 4pm 4.35pm 5pm 6pm 7pm 9pm 10pm
Mat Saintis Intai Gelanggang Qudwah Konstable Mamat My Dream Job Balle Balle Chakde Kalapaddam Shut Up & Lets Go Splash Fiesta Fish Hooks Operasi D6 The Fugitive
TV3
Researchers identified docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as most strongly related to lower risks of coronary heart disease death. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was strongly linked to lower risk of non-fatal heart attack, and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) was most strongly associated with lower risks of dying from a stroke. The findings persisted after researchers adjusted for demographic, lifestyle and diet factors. Our findings support the importance of adequate blood omega-3 levels for cardiovascular health, and suggest that, later in life, these benefits could actually extend the years of remaining life, said lead author Dariush Mozaffarian, who is an associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health. The biggest bang for your buck is for going from no intake to modest intake, or about two servings of fatty fish per week. AFP-Relaxnews
10am 11.30am Noon 1.30pm 3.30pm 4.30pm 5pm 6pm 6.30pm 9pm 10pm
Bintang Mencari Bintang Datin Wan Abe Wanita Hari Ini Asmara Pontianak K-Pop Tukang Gali Kubur Kaya Mendadak Paan & Paiz Al-Kuliyyah Seri Sarjan Saji 3 Sebenarnya Saya Isteri Dia The Spiderwick Chronicles
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Celebrating Songkran in Genting

YOU DONT need to go far to enjoy the Songkran festival, a month-long festival celebrated in Thailand in conjunction with the water festival, as Resorts World Genting (RWG) is bringing the festival up to the mountain this weekend. Celebrate the Genting Sanuk Songkran Festival 2013 at the Outdoor Theme Parks wave pool and Arena of Stars from noon to 8pm tomorrow and Sunday. Among the activities are a DJ show, a band performance, interactive and fun water games as well as traditional dance performances. Whats more, entrance to the events is free. A Thai bazaar has been set up at the Arena of Stars with over 20 stalls offering an array of Thai art and merchandise including handicrafts, ceramics, accessories and snacks. For a taste of Thai, RWG is
Dragon Hunters Ala Carte Amazing Sports Stories Chef Apprentice Home Makeover An Appeal The Bride With White Hair Just For Laughs Gags Love Compulsory Elite Brigade A Beautiful Life Perfect Match
8TV
offering a special buffet-style Songkran festival food promotion at the Coffee Terrace, Genting Highlands Resort Hotel, for both lunch and dinner. Among the selections are tomyam seafood soup, Thai fish cake, green curry chicken with pumpkin and eggplant, BBQ beef with tamarind sauce, fragrant rice with fish floss and mixed salad, and glutinous rice with mango and coconut milk. The Al-Fresco Patio and Xin Ju
Dian located at First World Plaza on level two have also gone Thai with such dishes as som tum, mango salad with crispy cuttlefish and the popular cha yen Thai iced tea. Meanwhile, Imperial Rama restaurant at Highlands Hotel is featuring a month-long scrumptious Thai menu prepared by a Thai specialty chef. For more, go to www.rwgenting. com.
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My Love My Family A Place Called Home Celebrity Chat My Girlfriend is a Gumiho Feng Shus Cooking Class A Song to Remember Family Harmony Grace Under Fire Moon Embracing the Sun Action Zone American Idol M! Countdown
TV9
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Lara Hati Anugerah Static Shock Go Diego Go! Hey Arnold SpongeBob SquarePants Binar Bening Berlian Bola Kampung Hot TV Ekstra Galaksi OST Hijab Stailista Kau Yang Terindah
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The Incredible Dr Pol

NATGEO WILD, 7PM: It is another busy spring season for the staff of Pol Veterinary Services. An overflowing schedule of clinic visits and farm calls has left Dr Pol and his right-hand woman, Dr Brenda, no choice but to start looking for some help.
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Dragons and Warriors set for a big showdown

MABA STADIUM, Malaysia is set for a big showdown when the Westports Malaysia Dragons host the Indonesia Warriors for this weeks ABL Friday Basketball on FOX Sports. The Dragons have won their last ve games at home. The Dragons have played the Warriors three times so far this season but still have not beaten them. They last met during the ABL Hoops Fest Saigon 2013 where the Warriors had a huge third quarter to give the Dragons an 84-67 loss. The Warriors are the only team that the Dragons have not beaten this season. Heading into tonights game, the Dragons have had nine days of rest after suffering a 68-63 loss to Sports Rev Thailand Slammers at Nimibutr Stadium, Thailand. After the loss, Dragons head coach Ariel Vanguardia urges his team to put the loss behind them and look ahead. My message to the team was to focus on the next play, next game, but learn from this defeat, said Vanguardia. We will take this defeat and move on. The rest will help us recover. During the loss, Moala Tautuaa led the Dragons with 23 points and Gavin Edwards added 15 points. Marcus Hubbard is expected to be healthy for this game after recovering from a stomach u in Bangkok. Even though he was not 100%, Hubbard still managed to grab 10 rebounds in that game. Loh Shee Fai and Yoong Jing Kwaan will not play on Friday while Dragons captain Guga Batumalai will be a game time decision. Guga is still recovering from a gash on his forehead that required 14 stitches which he sustained during last Wednesdays game against the Slammers.
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Tiger, Rory set for Masters battle

ITH A RESURGENT Tiger Woods once again on the prowl and Rory McIlroy seemingly back in form, golf fans savour the start of the 77th Masters which got underway at Augusta National this morning. The years opening major is always the most heavily anticipated of the four and, with a myriad of captivating storylines bubbling during the tournament buildup, this latest edition is rich with promise. Though four-times champion Woods has been installed as a hot favourite after winning three times in his rst ve starts on the 2013 PGA Tour, the general feeling among the players is that the 93-man eld bristles with potential winners. We all know what Tigers capable of doing, said Australian world No. 7 Adam Scott, who has nished in the top 10 for the last two years at the Masters with its spectacular setting amid Georgian pines and blooming azaleas. Hes always a threat at any golf tournament, but hes far from just running away with it at the moment. Hes just returned to No. 1 and thats just a number at the end of the day. There are so many players playing well. Its just not a foregone conclusion. Twice former champion Bernhard Langer believes that up to 60 players are capable of slipping into the coveted green jacket on Sunday. Who would have necessarily thought that Charl Schwartzel would win (in 2011) or even Bubba (Watson) last year? They are all great players but they werent necessarily mentioned among the favourites that week, Langer told Reuters. Then you have Tiger, Phil (Mickelson), Rory and a bunch of other guys. There are a lot of players who can win and pull it off if they get hot. I think at least 50, maybe 60, players could win this week, added the 55-year-old German, who claimed his two green jackets at the Masters in 1985 and 1993. Most eyes, however, will be rmly focused this week on world No. 1 Woods who is bidding to win his rst major title in ve years, and his rst green jacket since 2005. His quest to eclipse the record 18 majors won by fellow American Jack Nicklaus had stalled
Rory McIlroy and his girlfriend tennis star Caroline Wozniacki during the Par 3 Contest yesterday, held the day before the start of the 77th Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. AFPpix
Rory McIlroy A mercurial golfer with a turbo switch. If he gets even half a sniff, and his form coming into this tournament is bubbling nicely to the boil, he has a talent and a winning instinct deep enough to make even Tiger Woods wince. He wants it badly enough. Keegan Bradley Long-hitting risk-taker who moves ominously about this golf course. None will attack more pins. If he can contain his instincts a tad and acquire more patience on the greens he has an outstanding chance of adding a second major to the US PGA championship he won in 2011. Adam Scott Lost out to the unprecedented four-birdie nale of Charl Schwartzel in 2011. Blew a four-hole lead with four to play at the Open Championship last year. Fate owes him one and if he gets the ball rolling on the greens, he is a birdie-making machine.
Three who could spoil Woods party
on 14 but now that he has regained full tness after being plagued by lingering knee injuries and personal strife he appears to be back on track. I feel comfortable with every aspect of my game, Woods told reporters earlier this week. I feel that Ive improved and Ive got more
consistent, and I think the wins show that. Thats something that Im proud of so far this year, and hopefully I can continue it this week. Watson, who beat South African Louis Oosthuizen in a playoff last year after conjuring a miraculous shot from pine straw as he hooked
a wedge 40 yards through the air for his ball to settle 10 feet from the pin, regards Woods as a hot favourite. Hes playing good, so he would be the guy right now, said the American left-hander. Hes playing the best. Hes No. 1 in the world, thats all you need to look at. As for world No. 2 McIlroy, he will be eager to atone for his nightmarish nal-round meltdown at the 2011 Masters when he squandered a four-shot overnight lead with a closing 80. The Northern Irishman will also be champing at the bit to prove that his relatively poor form earlier this season, following his switch in club manufacturers, was simply a temporary phase, though he gave himself a welcome boost by nishing second at last weeks Texas Open. Every time you come here to Augusta, youre wanting to win that green jacket, and every time you dont its another chance missed, said McIlroy, while adding that anything less than a win this week would be a disappointment. I have no ill memories of this place at all. I absolutely adore the golf course and its great to be here. Everythings been going well and Im looking forward to the week. The list of potential champions this week is a long one, as demonstrated by the unlikely victories of Canadas Mike Weir in 2003, American Zach Johnson in 2007 and South African Trevor Immelman in 2008. The strength in depth of the modern game is unparalleled in the history of golf and virtually any player in the eld, with a few venerable exceptions, is capable of winning with a hot hand for all four rounds. Former world No. 1s Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, along with their fellow Englishmen Justin Rose and Ian Poulter, will each be chasing a rst major title, as will Australians Scott and Jason Day, joint runners-up two years ago. Veterans such as Steve Stricker and Ernie Els, established PGA Tour winners like Brandt Snedeker, Hunter Mahan and Matt Kuchar, plus a host of younger guns led by Italys Matteo Manassero, are all capable of ourishing. Reuters
Team orders fallout hangs over China

MEMORIES OF CHINA would have given Nico Rosberg (pix) plenty of extra motivation on his return to Shanghai this weekend, even without a team orders furore that blew up at the last race in Malaysia. While Red Bull caught the full force of the storm at Sepang, with triple world champion Sebastian Vettel winning after ignoring instructions from his pitwall to stay behind teammate Mark Webber, Mercedes were buffeted by their own drama. Remember this one, Rosberg told Mercedes principal Ross Brawn over the radio after obeying the bosss orders and nishing fourth behind teammate Lewis Hamilton despite believing he was faster. Brawn, who said he imposed the orders to prevent his cars running out of fuel, would rather think back a bit further to last years race in China when Rosberg secured Mercedess rst win as a works team since 1955. The German, son of Finlands 1982 champion Keke, has a special relationship with the monumental Shanghai circuit and Sundays race could bring an immediate payback. He has led the last three races in China and his success, in a car that was off the pace for much of the rest of the season, marked a big breakthrough as his rst grand prix victory. Brawn saw no reason why the run could not continue, particularly with a car that has looked much more competitive. It was a very special day, the burly Briton said of 2012. We always seem to go quite well in China and in particular Nico is very strong there. It seems to be a track that suits him. cedes now have the last two Chinese GP winners in their cars. Weve had a better start than we expected and to have nished in fth and third places so far is really positive, said Hamilton. I know there is much more to come... Champions Red Bull will be the focus of much of the media attention, despite Vettel apologising to the team and to Webber after the Malaysian race. Team principal Christian Horner has said the matter has now been dealt with, and Red Bulls unusually bland race preview made no mention of the controversy, but it is sure to be simmering still. McLaren, who have won three times in China, are looking for a marked improvement after two disappointing opening races that have left 2009 champion Jenson Button with just two points. In a funny way, the Chinese Grand Prix almost feels like something of a reboot of the start of my season, said Button, whose China memories run the gamut from victory in 2010 to embarrassment in 2011 when he pulled in at the Red Bull garage instead of McLarens. I think everybody in the team has picked themselves up and really attacked the task of addressing our cars issues, added the Briton. We know where were losing performance so I think were actually all looking forward to seeing just what we can achieve. Ferraris Fernando Alonso will be keen to get his championship campaign back on track after crashing out in Malaysia while Kimi Raikkonen is another force to reckon with in the Lotus. Reuters
I DONT APOLOGISE FOR WINNING, SAYS VETTEL

FORMULA ONE world champion Sebastian Vettel (caricature) made clear yesterday that his apology to Red Bull for ignoring team orders at the Malaysian Grand Prix did not extend to any remorse about winning. I told the team straight after that I apologise for putting myself above the team which I didnt mean to do, the 25-year-old German said in an interview for team title sponsor Inniti ahead of Sundays Chinese Grand Prix. Theres not much more to say really. I dont apologise for winning. I think thats why people employed me in the rst place and why Im here. I love racing so thats what I do. Vettel was told to stay behind leading Australian teammate Mark Webber at last months race at Sepang, with both drivers asked to ease off to save their tyres and fuel to ensure a one-two nish. Webber was incensed when Vettel disregarded the instruction to hold position and overtook, giving his teammate the cold shoulder after the race once he had reminded him of the coded instruction Multi-21. Team principal Christian Horner has explained that Multi-21 refers to car two (Webber) preceding car one (Vettel). The order Multi-21 would have been issued in the other onetwo scenario. The spat between the teammates, whose rivalry has had some notable are-ups over the years including a collision in Turkey while ghting for the lead in 2010, is likely to be still simmering this weekend despite the team trying to move on. Vettel said the Malaysian controversy had taken attention away from what was a great performance by the team at Sepang. Unfortunately, people didnt say that we performed well on the day, he said. As a team I think we did a very good job and got a fantastic result. The whole race I think we worked excellently well with the tyres etc so I think thats what people forgot. Obviously, what stuck in their heads was the way the race ended. Vettel was open-minded about Sunday. We learned quite a bit from the rst two races. China will be different again... I think we are still in the learning process, he said. Reuters
its a track which is front tyre-limited (where the front tyres are under greater stress) because of the nature of the corners, not rear tyre-limited. possibly over the last few years weve been a bit weak in terms of rear tyre durability. I think thats better now. Theres no reason why we shouldnt be in that leading group, weve got some steps we want to do with the car and the car seems to be behaving pretty well and (weve got) two great drivers, said Brawn. Hamiltons third place in Malaysia was the 2008 world champions rst podium since he left McLaren at the end of last season and the Briton also has a strong record in China. The only driver to have won twice in Shanghai, his 2011 success means Mer-
36

Bluebirds must be wary of Forest re

CARDIFF CITY face another tough examination of their title credentials tomorrow when they entertain a resurgent Nottingham Forest side who are strong candidates for promotion themselves. Unbeaten since the return of Billy Davies as manager, Forest have put together a run that has seen them rise from mid table to fth place and the Bluebirds can expect a erce battle as they bid to secure the rst automatic promotion slot. Permanent residents of pole position since November, the Welsh club have wobbled of late and although no one seriously thinks they can slip up, they have been making harder work of it than expected. Barnsleys equaliser at the death on Tuesday was another reminder that however dominant a side can be strange things can happen in injury time just ask Malaga. But if that goal was frustrating, it justied manager Malky Mackays (caricature) cautious approach of taking each game as it comes. The Scot is too canny a campaigner to start celebrating until the nal whistle has been sounded - and Cardiffs long wait to return to the top ight is nally over. So Cardiffs anxious fans, who have had their share of disappointments in recent years, just have to remain patient and the points will come. At times like this, experience counts and no one has more than Craig Bellamy who said this week that promotion would be his legacy. The Welsh international may be a tad slower than he once was but he remains a vital cog in Mackays formidable outt and one reason Forest have to fear their recent record will be broken. But in in-form midelder Lewis McGugan, the Reds have their own match-winner a player who has scored in ve successive games, all but one coming off the bench. It all adds up to a fascinating battle between two ambitious clubs and two dynamic Scottish managers.
United to have a go
> Ferguson says Devils to refocus on title assault after City blip
CHASTENING home defeat to Manchester City has given Premier League leaders Manchester United all the incentive they need to win against Stoke City on Sunday and move closer to sealing a 20th English league title. Champions City cut Uniteds lead to 12 points after Mondays 21 win at Old Trafford, though with seven games remaining the Premier League trophy appears destined to be prised from their grasp by their neighbours. City manager Roberto Mancini has already conceded the title to United but a red-up Stoke, dragged into a relegation battle by a dismal run of form, will be desperate to take at least a point from Alex Fergusons men in the afternoon kickoff. If Mancini is already planning for next season, his City players have not quite given up hope that United might still slip up. In our dressing room, we think it is mathematically still possible, said City midelder James Milner, whose side face Chelsea in an FA Cup seminal on Sunday. Hopefully weve put a bit of doubt in there. It could be a bit of a stumble. If this rocks them, then great, he added in reference to Mondays derby victory. The loss was Uniteds rst in the league since Nov. 17 and ended a run of six games
without conceding a goal. Ferguson promised his side would have a go on Sunday and have three wins and a draw from their last four trips since Stoke returned to the top ight. Stoke, in 15th but only three points above the drop zone, have just one league win this year. With the supporters right behind us, the spirit of the club will take us through, said goalkeeper Asmir Begovic
(pix). Sunderland sit one place above the drop zone and a highlycharged atmosphere is certain when they head a few miles north to take on bitter rivals Newcastle on Sunday. Sunderland are level on 31 points with 18th-placed Wigan Athletic and after a run of nine games without a win, new manager Paolo Di Canio has told his players they have to ght a war at St. James Park. Im looking forward to the game and every match were in now is a cup nal, said defender Danny Rose. Ive heard from the staff and the lads that its a hostile atmosphere and Im looking forward to it. We shouldnt be in this position but we have to try and forget about that and do our best over the next six games. Tomorrow 16th-placed Aston Villa, on 33 points, host Fulham while bottom club Reading host Liverpool and second-last Queens Park Rangers travel to Everton, in what is swiftly becoming the pairs last chance at a miraculous escape from relegation. Arsenal can further unhinge Tottenham Hotspurs pursuit of a top four spot knowing a victory at home to Norwich City tomorrow would lift them a point above their north London rivals into fourth. Reuters
Juventus close to home title

WINNING the Serie A title is the only goal left in the season for holders Juventus after closing their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich. The German side yesterday sailed into the seminals on a 4-0 aggregate, leaving the Bianconeri to focus on Seria A where they enjoy a nine-point lead over Napoli. Being able to win in Italy and getting into the top eight teams in Europe, considering that two years ago we were not even in the Europa League, is something extraordinary, coach Antonio Conte (pix) said. Juves next game is a tough one on Monday at Lazio, who in January beat the Bianconeri to secure the Italian Cup nal. The Rome side also had Europa League duty yesterday, when they battle to clinch the semis after a 2-0 defeat at Fenerbahce. The weekends big game is set for late Sunday in Milan, where the Rossoneri hope to close in on second-place guests Napoli. Napoli moved four points clear last weekend and look to retain a position that takes to the next Champions League without a play-off game. Now we gear up for the game at Milan with great attention, coach Walter Mazzarri said after beating Genoa 2-0. The Rossoneri are a highlevel team. They were clever in pulling an incredible comeback. It is a game where the motivations are clear to
Barca to go to Zaragoza without injured Messi

BARCELONA will make the short trip to Zaragoza on Sunday without world player of the year Lionel Messi. The Argentine megastar aggravated his hamstring injury in yesterdays tense 1-1 draw at home to Paris Saint-Germain, which allowed Barca to scrape into the seminals of the Champions League for the sixth straight year. Messi should not really have come off the subs bench yeserday but, with PSG winning 1-0, Barca needed hime more than ever. He immediately set up the crucial goal for Pedro, then painfully limped through the nal minutes. Pedro said afterwards: He (Messi) is very for the team and this week he has really pushed himself hard. We have to thank him for his contribution. Messi will now be out for a couple of weeks, probably until the Champions League seminals. This will open the door for Alexis Sanchez and Cristian Tello. Barca will also be without defenders Carles Puyol (pix), Javier Mascherano and Adriano. They are 13 points clear atop La Liga, whereas Zaragoza are fourth from bottom. Zaragoza veteran Jose Movilla said: We are hoping they will come here tired after their exertions Wednesday. If not, then we are in for a really difcult game. Also Sunday, second-placed Real Madrid will visit Athletic Bilbao, who are 14th and still not out of relegation danger. It will be Reals last visit to Bilbaos historic Estadio San Mames, which is due to be demolished in June. Bilbao midelder Ander Iturraspe said: We are going to play in our usual style, pressing them high up the eld and getting a lot of players forward. We only have 35 points and a lot of work still ahead of us. Sundays other games are Rayo Vallecano v Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid v Granada. Rayo, who are ninth, need to beat fourth-placed Sociedad in order to keep alive their dream of getting into Europe. However, a Sociedad win would leave the Basques well placed to nish in fourth place. Meanwhile, Atletico need to beat lowly Granada in order to end a poor run. They are third, three points behind Real Madrid. The 31st round of games will begin today with the Seville derby between Betis and Sevilla. Betis, who are seventh, need to win to stay close to Sociedad, Valencia and Malaga. dpa
Chelsea open minded over Mourinho as speculation continues

CHELSEA have left the door open to a return for Jose Mourinho after stating they are completely open minded about a potential successor to Rafael Benitez. Unpopular interim-manager Benitez is set to depart Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, and while chairman Bruce Buck insists the club are yet to draw up a shortlist of names for the post, he clearly isnt ruling anyone out just yet. I am completely open minded about it, said Buck when he was asked about Mourinho and if anyone had been ruled out of the running. Were all thinking about it and have some ideas and certainly Mr Abramovich is thinking about it. At the moment were concentrating on the end of the season. Mourinho saw his Real Madrid side stutter into the seminals of the Champions League despite defeat to Galatasaray on Tuesday evening, but the Portuguese is clearly unsettled at the Bernabeu and is likely to depart the Spanish capital in the summer. Madrid currently trail rivals Barcelona by 13 points and the season has been largely disrupted by an on-going dispute between Mourinho and goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Speaking after last nights game in Istanbul, Mourinho said his future would be discussed at the end of the season with club president Florentino Perez. When the season ends I will sit down with who I have to sit down with, who as well as being the president is also my friend and is the legal and emotional representative of all Real Madrid fans, he said. We will sit down quietly and talk about my future, like two friends.
BENITEZ TO RETURN TO LIVERPOOL? NOT LIKELY SAYS RODGERS

LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers has rubbished suggestions that Rafael Benitez could return to manage at Aneld in the near future. Benitez, who will leave his post as interim-manager of Chelsea after the climax of the current campaign, has proved deeply unpopular at Stamford Bridge but appeared to voice his desire to return to the club where he won the Champions League in 2005. My idea is to keep coaching a competitive team. Why not in England? Benitez told Spanish newspaper Marca. I will return to Liverpool one day almost certainly, I just dont know when, my daughters and wife are still living there. Rodgers said: I havent seen the statements but Ive heard plenty of people talk about it.Rafa had a successful time here in the period he was here and I think he will join a list of probably many managers throughout the world who would love to manage a great club - especially having been here before.
see. Milan had notched just 12 points from the rst 13 games of the league when they drew 2-2 at Napoli in November, rallying from two goals down in a game that marked a change of pace in their season. Last weekend the Devils allowed 10-man Fiorentina to bounce back from 0-2, but still have a six-point lead on the Florence side. Out for the big game is Mario Balotelli, who is also to miss the next game with Juventus as he was banned for three games after insulting a game ofcial. Super Marios absence gives Giampaolo Pazzini a chance to play next to Stephan El Shaarawy, the Devils best scorer on 16 goals. Hoping for Milans slip-up are Fiorentina, who could get back in the race for a Champions League berth as they visit Atalanta late Saturday. Inter Milan are sixth behind Lazio and chase an Europa League berth as they tackle Cagliari in Triest. dpa
37
38

Barca survive huge PSG scare

> Pedro strike sees Catalans through on away goals
ARCELONA survived a huge scare from Paris Saint-Germain yesterday to qualify for the Champions League seminals for the sixth successive season on away goals after a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou. The 2-2 draw between the pair in last weeks quarter-nal rst leg had handed the advantage to the Catalans, but with star player Lionel Messi only starting the return as a substitute due to a hamstring injury, they seemed nervous throughout and PSG deservedly went in front just after half-time through Javier Pastore. However, with Messi summoned from the bench, Pedro red home 19 minutes from time to send Barca into the last four. Even without their talisman Barca came within inches of the perfect start when Cesc Fabregas was brought down 25 yards from goal a minute in and Xavis resultant free-kick scraped the post on its way past. Thereafter though the rst-period belonged to the visitors who capitalised on Barcas uncharacteristic slackness in possession to take a stranglehold of the game.
Ezequiel Lavezzi was rst to test Victor Valdes in what was to be a busy 45 minutes for the Barca keeper with a shot straight down his throat and Gerard Pique had to show good pace and strength to prevent Lavezzi a clear run on goal moments later. Andres Iniesta saw an audacious effort from 45 yards sail just over with Salvatore Sirigu off his line as the game roared from end to end in the early stages. However, as the half wore on PSG posed the greater threat with Lucas Mouras pace in particular causing problems for a makeshift Barca defence. The Brazilian saw a erce strike from outside the area well handled by Valdes, before he and Lavezzi both wastefully shot over when wellpositioned. Lavezzi then had the biggest chance of the rsthalf as he latched onto Zlatan Ibrahimovics through ball, but his prodded effort lacked the power to beat Valdes who comfortably blocked with his feet. Ibrahimovic was the provider again as Lucas saw a headed effort at the back post turned over by Valdes as the pressure from the French league
leaders continued. The hosts did manage to wrestle some control of the game back in the nal 15 minutes of the half as David Villa curled over from a rare opening inside the area, but Barca were lucky to head into half-time with 11 men when Adrianos rash lunge on Lucas produced only a yellow card from referee Bjorn Kuipers. The goal that PSG had been threatening all night nally arrived ve minutes after the break as an excellent one-two between Pastore and Ibrahimovic sent the Argentine in behind the Barca defence and this time there was nothing Valdes could do to keep out his left-footed nish. Pastore missed a great chance to register his second of the evening eight minutes later from another lightning PSG break, but this time he scuffed wide from 12 yards. Alves then had Barcas best chance up to that point of the evening as he blasted over when unmarked at the back post before Messi replaced Fabregas to a huge ovation. Messis arrival instantly forced Barca onto the front foot and, after Pique had a shot blocked,
Iniesta forced Sirigu into his rst serious save with Messi unable to control the rebound. Pastore dragged another shot wide at the other end as PSG maintained a threat on the break, but the Parisians were made to rue their wastefulness in front of goal as Barca equalised on 71 minutes. Inevitably, Messi was involved as he jinked past a couple of defenders and rolled the ball into Villa who laid it back for Pedro to smash home. And despite a nervy nal 15 minutes for the hosts, PSG couldnt create another clear opening as Barca join Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in Fridays seminal draw. AFP CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QF 2nd-leg Barcelona 1 (Pedro 71) Paris Saint-Germain 1 (Pastore 50) 3-3 on aggregate Barcelona win on away goals; Juventus 0 Bayern Munich 2 (Mandzukic 64, Pizarro 90+1) Bayern Munich win 4-0 on aggregate. Seminal draw: Friday, April 12 Seminals: April 23/24; April 30/May 1 Final: Wembley, May 25
Messi vs Ronaldo: Worlds greatest players locked in new battle

CRISTIANO RONALDOS move to Real Madrid has been characterised by his battle with Lionel Messi to be recognised as the worlds greatest player, however the Portugal international has been consistently outdone by his Barcelona counterpart. The past four Ballon dOr awards have been won by Messi - with Ronaldo the runner-up in three of those years after winning the award himself while a Manchester United player in 2008. Since switching to the Bernabeu, Ronaldo witnessed Barca win the league title twice before he could call himself a champion, and the league trophy is destined for the Nou Camp again this season. And Ronaldos role as the bridesmaid has extended beyond the domestic front to Europe. Messi has been the top scorer in the Champions League for the past four seasons, as well as winning the trophy in two of the last four years. However that could all be about to change. Ronaldo scored twice last night in Real Madrids defeat to Galatasaray to take his seasons tally in Europe to 11 three ahead of Burak Yilmaz, who will be scoring no more after the Turkish side went out on aggregate, and Lionel Messi who are both on eight goals for the season. CR7s brace also meant he took his tally of European goals to 50 16 for United and 34 for Real. Speaking after Tuesday nights game, Real manager Jose Mourinho was full of praise for his talismanic forward. There nothing left to say, the statistics are there and speak for themselves, Mourinho told a news conference. What I think about Ronaldo is what everyone thinks. I dont think anyone in perfect mental health thinks any differently. With a seminal to look forward to and a possible nal at Wembley, Ronaldo will be condent of adding to his tally and ensuring Messis run as top scorer comes to an end. Goals help us to win matches and it is what I have been doing since I arrived here (at Real), Ronaldo told reporters in Istanbul yesterday. I am and I feel good and motivated, he added. The team too and they are giving me good passes so I can do my work, which is to score goals. The possibility of being usurped by Ronaldo on the goal scoring front will ensure Messi does everything in his power to feature in the seminals. Messi is not used to losing, and he certainly doesnt like it. Particularly to Ronaldo. The Independent
Juventus Paul Pogba (left) outpasses Bayern Munichs Thomas Mueller during their Champions League quarternal second-leg match at the Juventus Stadium in Turin yesterday. AFPPIX
Juve crash out to Bayern

JUVENTUS coach Antonio Conte has called on Italian football to get its house in order or risk becoming a lost giant of European football, following their quarternal exit from the Champions League to Bayern Munich yesterday. Juve were outclassed during a 2-0 rst leg defeat to the newly-crowned German champions last week in Munich and despite a far better performance in Turin the hosts fell to another 2-0 reverse. Conte, a former midelder with the two-time European champions before leading the club to their 28th Scudetto in his rst season in charge last year, said there was a huge gap between his side and big-spending Bayern. After second-half goals from Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro sealed the Bundesliga sides place in the semis for the third time in four years, the 43-year-old Conte took aim at Italian football in general. He said it is time for Italys clubs to start generating the nance needed to compete on a level playing eld with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern and Manchester United. If not, Juve could go the way of one of European footballs strongest sides in the 1970s, Dutch giants Ajax, who have struggled to get back to Europes top table in the past two decades. Given that two years ago we werent even in the Europa League I have to congratulate my players for getting this far, said Conte. Theyve worked really hard to make a mark in this competition over the past two years. They (Bayern) were simply stronger than us and we can only congratulate them. When youre playing against one of the strongest teams in Europe it becomes difcult for everyone. But playing Bayern was a good opportunity to see where exactly we are compared to the big boys in Europe. Where are we, whats missing and how do we remedy it? We have to look elsewhere, to Spain, to England and to Germany to see what lessons we can learn. But if you have the money, you can buy (players) and win. Otherwise, it takes a lot of patience. The way things are right now, I dont see any Italian teams winning the Champions League for the next several years. Conte, who earlier this season served a fourmonth touchline ban for his alleged role in a matchxing affair while at his former club, Siena, added: In Italy, people are more interested in following futile stories than looking at how we can go about improving the state of our football. They ask useless questions about the referee or this or that. The answer is, we have to work hard and try to take our football to a new level and to do that we have to increase the budget thats available to us. AFP
FIXTURES & PREDICTIONS

SATURDAY
ARSENAL vs Norwich
HOME WIN
READING vs Liverpool
HOME WIN
Stoke vs Manchester Utd

DRAW
Southampton vs West Ham Aston Villa vs Fulham

DRAW DRAW
WEDNESDAY
ARSENAL vs Everton (2.45am local time) HOME WIN theSun sports predictor
SUNDAY
Newcastle vs Sunderland
DRAW
Everton vs QPR
AWAY WIN

39
Messi a god on one leg

HERE is a god and he wears a blue and red No.10 shirt. He hardly touched the ball last night but his inuence was divine: by merely coming onto the eld, he electried the crowd, galvanised his team and deated their opponents. He didnt do much but he did everything. One-man team? You bet. Without Lionel Messi, Barcelona were struggling, shadows of their normal mesmeric selves. Insipid rather than inspired, wearing rugby boots whenever the goal beckoned. Creaking at the back, nding only culs-de-sac up front. But cometh their hour of dire need, their man came on. PSG had had the audacity to take the lead and Catalan hearts were in their boots. At that point the nouveau riche French side looked the more likely winners. Tito Vilanova had no option but to summon his one-man cavalry, one man on one leg. Stepping gingerly, even fumbling his rst touch, the worlds greatest player transformed the tie. It was like icking a switch the Nou Camp went from 90,000 nails being bitten to its usual intimidating cauldron. In the nick of time, the players remembered who they
INSIDE WRITE
by Bob Holmes
Barcelonas Lionel Messi (right) vies with Paris Saint-Germains Alex Costa during their Champions League quarternal second-leg match yesterday. AFPPIX
were: the saviour had arrived. An all-too-hasty warm-up had not been enough and when the ball rst came to him a few yards out from a ricochet, he was not quick enough to adjust his feet. But a few minutes later, he made the decisive move. A little run with those scurrying feet of his and a short, sharp pass with the outside of his left foot found David Villa. There hadnt been anything on but there was now. Villa laid it off to Pedro and a superb nish did the rest. It was enough. After that he hardly had a kick. His teammates, sensing his lack of tness, barely passed to him, acutely aware they had to preserve his damaged hamstring as much as their narrow (on away goals) lead. They just about did both but there was a bit of a limp as he left the eld. His recovery was set back but the rescue had been completed. They say its only when something goes missing that you fully appreciate its worth. That was the case with Barca and Messi, not to mention the curmudgeons who think he still has something to prove. Hopes that the Catalans could manage without him, raised by their weekend 5-0 romp over Real Mallorca, proved illusory. The notion that they are so well-stocked with great players who can take charge when their talisman is absent was false. Only their second-best player, Andres Iniesta, stepped up to the plate but so far below their Messielevated par were the rest that Barca looked the least formidable of the four seminalists. When the wayward Danny Alves blazed over for the umpteenth time and then Adriano, their fth-choice centreback, went off injured, it looked like - if not the wheels - the hub caps were coming off. Their defence appeared there for the taking a glaring weakness that will have Messrs. Mourinho,
Klopp and Heynckes salivating. Barcas biggest mistake in recent years? Not buying a top central defender. Indeed, their status as favourites to lift their fth Champions League trophy at Wembley in May is challenged as much by their own defence as by Messis injury. Every time PSG attacked, the Nou Camp became nervous. It was not merely makeshift, it was ramshackle and only the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic once again failed to deliver a big performance on the big occasion allowed it to survive. Throughout their golden era Barca have relied on not letting opponents get the ball as the ultimate defensive shield but when they do surrender possession, they need somebody capable of keeping their opponents out. With an open draw, we could have another clasico in the seminal but many neutrals would prefer to see it at Wembley. The most impressive performance of the quarternals by a mile was from Bayern Munich who were two classes above a disappointing Juventus. But the team they least want to meet are their compatriots, Borussia Dortmund who probably best know how to beat them. Whatever combination emerges for the May 25 nal, it should be mouthwatering. Ditto the semis. But most neutrals will want Messi to have another supreme stage on which to strut his genius. To those sceptics who still say he has to do it in a World Cup before he can sit alongside Pele and Maradona, you have to ask if they think, as many do, that Barca are the greatest club side of all time and theyre a one-man team, then what else has he to prove? Quite simply, Barcas chances of a another European Cup rest on one man. And even he will need both legs for the coming battles.
Taarabt leaves a hole in the wall

ADEL TAARABT
Queens Park Rangers vs Wigan, English Premier League April 7
OF MANY must-win games QPR had played in recent weeks, this was the one with the capital M. At home to relegation rivals, the xtures running out and none looking easier than the visit of perennial strugglers Wigan. Quite simply, the Malaysianowned Londoners, who had spent a lot and talked a lot, had to start winning. Or the trapdoor from the Premier League would slide open. Instead of glamour match-ups with Man U, Liverpool and Chelsea, next season would see them playing Barnsley, Hudderseld and Peterborough. There could be no slip-ups. The opening exchanges were predictably tense. But disaster is never far away from QPR this season. It took just
20 minutes to strike. Bobby Zamora goes ying in with a two-footed tackle. Red card, QPR down to 10 men and still 70 minutes remaining. But gradually the home side wrestle control and with ve minutes to go, expensive French import Loic Remy scores a brilliant goal. Pandemonium in the stands and on the bench. The Great Escape is on. The RM50m spent on Remy suddenly seems worth every sen. Manager Harry Redknapp is not called Houdini for nothing. But as injury time looms, the life drains out of the 10 men. And with just 24 seconds of the four added minutes left, Stephane Mbia clatters into Wigans Shaun Maloney on the edge of the box. Free-kick. An agonising hush envelops Loftus Road. The wall assembles. Time to stand tall and man up. Maloney takes the kick. Straight into the wall. But one of the bricks comes loose Adel Taarabt (far right) inches. The ball ies through him and into the net. Taarabt hangs his head in shame. It was the last kick of the game. Two precious points had been lost. And even Redknapp admits it would be very tough to survive now. But he refuses to blame the Moroccan star unlike Twitter which slaughters him. Then Redknapp says: Its the lowest Ive felt in management. Taarabt was last seen looking for a hole to crawl into.
ON FRIDAY | APRIL 12, 2013

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Hail Messi-ah
> Barcelona thank Argentine supersub for escape against PSG
ARCELONA assistant manager Jordi Roura hailed Lionel Messis (caricature) desire after the World Player of the Year helped guide the Spanish giants past Paris Saint-Germain and into the seminals of the Champions League. The Spanish league leaders were heading out of the competition as they trailed 1-0 on the night, and 3-2 on aggregate, when Messi was introduced as a second-half substitute having started on the bench to protect a hamstring injury. And the Argentine made a decisive impact as he was involved in the move that led to Pedros equaliser which took the Catalans through on away goals. It was a pact that we had with him that if things werent going well, we would bring him on, Roura told a press conference. He is so important and his presence on the eld
conditioned the game after we had conceded a goal and made an impact on the opponent. Once again he has shown his competitive spirit and desperation to always be there for the team and we have to take our hat off to him. Barca have now reached the last four of Europes premier club competition for a record sixth successive season, but this was far from their most uid display. PSG controlled the vast majority of the rst period and had chances to kill the game off when leading and Roura accepted Barca need to improve before the seminal rst-leg in two weeks time. Once again the team has shown its courage. To reach six straight seminals is something of great merit. Obviously there are things we can improve on, but rst we have to enjoy reaching the seminals. We will take a couple of days to rest and recuperate physically
and then approach the semis with everything we have to try and win. PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti meanwhile also praised his players for their impressive diplay. We did everything we could to win. We played a great game and we were close, he said. It was a marvellous night, but it would have been fantastic to get to the seminals. We did well and didnt give up at any point. However, Ancelotti believes by taking Barca so close over the two legs they have proved they will be a force to be reckoned with in the next few years. This game will be useful for us for the next seasons. We lacked a little bit of experience and some of our players were discovering the competition for the rst time. Only time will allow us to gain the experience to get to the seminals and this will be the objective for next year. We lost just once in 10 games, we nished rst in our group and went out against a very strong team, in a very even game. Some poeple would say we didnt deserve to lose and so the experience was really good for us. I am sure we will be better in the coming years. AFP
Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez (No. 17) scores a goal past Paris St Germain's goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu (right), Alex (No. 16) and Christophe Jallet (left) during their Champions League quarternal second leg match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona yesterdaty. REUTERSPIX
Premier League also-rans ght over Cup semi scraps

UNABLE to challenge Manchester Uniteds hegemony in the Premier League, holders Chelsea and Manchester City meet in an FA Cup seminal at Wembley on Sunday that offers the victor a measure of redemption for seasons unfullled. City, despite a morale-boosting derby victory at Manchester United on Monday, have long since conceded that the title is heading away from the Etihad and back a few miles west across the city to Old Trafford. In the capital, Chelsea have gone from proud European champions to a club bedevilled by fan disharmony, seemingly riding out manager Rafael Benitezs tumultuous interim spell before hoping for calmer seas, possibly under Jose Mourinho, in the future. The winner of Sundays showdown, a day after Wigan Athletic take on Championship (second division) Millwall in a far from glamorous but no less intriguing rst seminal, will be hot favourites to lift the trophy. I think we should be sad that we wont win the title, City manager Roberto Mancini told the FAs website (www.thefa.com). But if there is a team better than you then you have to accept that. After, it is important for us to win The FA Cup. Benitez, with the howls of protest by fans that greeted his arrival in November now petering out into apathy, has got on with the job and is determined to end his Stamford Bridge tenure with some silverware having seen off United in the last eight. It cannot be more difcult, eh? the Spaniard, whose rst game in charge was a 0-0 draw with City on Nov. 25 and notable only for the jeers he received from hostile Chelsea fans, said of Sundays clash. But if you want to win you have to play against the best. United is one, City will be another one. I think its a great season at the moment and it could be even better. Chelsea, FA Cup winners in four of the last six seasons, will have only two full days to recover from a long ight back from Moscow after they faced Rubin Kazan in the Europa League yesterday. Chelsea and City have already met in one showpiece this season, Mancinis men beating the Londoners 3-2 in the FA Community Shield in August in a match played at Villa Park in Birmingham with Wembley busy for the Olympic football tournament. Wigan, embroiled in their perennial ght against relegation from the top ight, are in the last four for the rst time in their 81-year history. The match marks an emotional return to Wembley for Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman who was 23 when he broke his leg at Wembley playing for Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup nal against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves won 3-0 and the injury ended Whelans top-ight playing career. Hes put so much into the club and the town as well. He comes into the changing room always positive, said Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce. He always tells us to enjoy football because of what happened to his career. Its going to be a proud, proud moment for him to lead us out at Wembley. Millwall, 16th in the Championship, start as underdogs to reach a second FA Cup nal after they lost the 2004 showpiece 3-0 to Manchester United at Cardiffs Millennium Stadium. The club from south east London are sure of vociferous support at Wembley having sold over 31,000 tickets. Wigan have failed to sell their allocation. Reuters
P28
ON FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2013
Veyron dethroned as King of Speed
Making of a champion
Chronicling the struggles and triumphs of rally ace Karamjit Singh
O tale of motorsports glory is complete without its own set of trials and tribulations and local rally ace Karamjit Singh knows it better than anyone in the local racing fraternity. Malaysias Flying Singh has carried our ag proudly on the international motorsports stage, but it all came at a heavy price at times as he had to nance his own team in a sport that can cost
millions to participate in. At 51, he says he has never thought of retirement and wants to continue racing even when he is over 60. We spend an entire afternoon with the rallying legend as he shares some of the challenges and tribulations he had to endure in order to become the nations most prolic motorsports gure.
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26
In Coversation
The Flying Singh

Karamjit Singh shares what it takes to keep a championship dream alive
BY KESHY DHILLON PICTURES BY JAGGAT RASHIDI
OR a man who has raced at speeds above 200km/h on almost every drivable surface on the planet, it comes as a surprise that Karamjit Singhs only fear is the possibility of killing his co-driver in a crash. Killing my co-driver, I would never want to do that, said Karamjit when asked what his biggest fear was at an exclusive interview on his birthday. Fondly known as Malaysias Flying Singh or Flying Sikh, Karamjit began his professional rallying career back in 1985 at the age of 24, which he considers to be quite old. But what an illustrious career it has been.
Karamjit made history after winning the 2001 Asia Pacic Rally Championship (APRC) drivers title. At that time, he was at the wheel of a specially prepared turbocharged four-wheel-drive Group A car, properly bred for rallying. He then went a step further in 2002 by competing in both the APRC and the Production Car World Rally Championship (PWRC) simultaneously. Despite the overwhelming odds, Karamjit won both the drivers titles that year, becoming the rst Asian driver to win the PWRC title at the same time. Karamjit describes 2002 as one of the best moments of his racing career and looks back at it constantly. I successfully defended my APRC title in China. Then two weeks later
Race regulations state that cars need to be stock standard. This 1.6-litre CamPro engine still produces 120hp and 148Nm of torque.
I nished third to secure my PWRC title in Australia. That was the most fantastic moment of my career. Karamjit describes the celebrations in Australia at the time: It was pretty emotional. We (the team) were really happy; some were crying and hugging each other after becoming double world champions. In spite of his regional and international successes between 2001 and 2004, life was difcult for Karamjits career after that. It was not long before he had to take a break from the international scene which sadly lasted six long years. It was all because of money, explained Karamjit regarding the hiatus and having no sponsors and a car at the time. I feel like I wasted six good years of my driving and it has become one of my biggest regrets. However, things changed and the opportunity came again when Proton introduced the much cheaper but equally as competitive Group N Satria Neo rally cars prepared by Cusco Japan, a car he describes as very easy (to drive) with very good handling. He points out that he is more accustomed to faster turbocharged cars, but that allows him to drive at-out in the Satria, most of the time at full throttle. As for the race, he says I calculated the budget and realised that I could do it and I did not want to wait any longer. Determined, Karamjit spoke about his need to pay for the car and team out of his own pocket in 2011 and his efforts in raising the necessary funds, asking for loans from relatives
and friends who were supportive of his cause. He even went to the extent of writing to the Prime Minister to gain his support, receiving the aid he crucially needed. I would like to thank the government for helping me when I needed it, he added. Making his APRC return in 2011 with a whopping RM500,000, Karamjit managed to get RM380,000 back from sponsorship deals, spending only RM170,000 of his own nances. I am still paying back that money slowly, but I want to say thank you to everyone who believed in me. Karamjit repaid the trust his family and friends showed him by winning nine out of 10 races in 2011, and winning the APRC title again in 2012. It is a well-known fact that racing and rallying is not cheap, Karamjit explains the details: A proper rally car like the Satria Neo S2000 costs 150,000, or close to RM900,000 for the car alone. Karamjit estimates that a full seasons worth of parts, crew, and other related funding requires no less than RM3 million for a full season of racing in the APRC. Staggering to say the least, but it
27
The FIA-regulated roll cage not only increases the car's safety, it increases chassis strength and improves the handling of the car. Karamjit Singh
only emphasises the commitment needed from team and driver and the importance of gaining the right support for anyone looking for a career in racing. When asked to give his opinion why it was so difcult to get sponsorship and why other local racers had to endure similar nancial woes, Karamjit reckons that races other than Formula 1 were not receiving enough attention. Most of the big money has gone into Formula 1 and big racing series, leaving a really tough situation for people like us. His only advice is to have a very high dedication to achieve a goal. Self-belief is important and if you want to succeed, then do not give up. It is hard to imagine a man who has achieved so much in his career to have any regrets, but Karamjit has some things he lives to regret about and is not embarrassed to share. I think I should have gone back into APRC much earlier. I feel like I wasted six good years of my career rallying in Malaysia doing the local
rounds. That I think is my biggest regret. I was in my prime but was not doing any international events for six years. That is one of the reasons, actually the main reason why I really wanted to get back to rallying and racing internationally. Now moving on from his regrets and living the life he always wanted, Karamjit is actually looking forward to more racing at an age when most people are looking to retire. I still want to race and I am still looking for sponsors and I would love to actually drive a proper four-wheeldrive car in the APRC, and win the outright championship. I always try to work towards that, and try to get the money that is needed for that. It is difcult to ask such a passionate racer about retirement, but no one could possibly do it for any longer than a few more years. Karamjit however begs to differ, pointing out that he still keeps t by going to the gym all the time to improve his tness. My reexes are still very good, and so is my eyesight. I do not feel
The interior has been stripped bare to keep the car light, but regulations require a spare tyre and a rst aid kit
like I am 51. I still have the same re as when I was younger, and I have never thought of retirement. I think the only reason why I would ever retire is because I have run out of money to go rallying. But after pausing for a while to ponder about the future, Karamjit changes his tone and says: Look, I cannot afford to keep on spending my familys and friends money, and keep on asking people for money, and spending my own money as well. I think I need to keep some money for my old age. But I think I still have a good ve years in the international scene. As for the Malaysian championship, I would like to drive until I am over 60, then perhaps, I will think of retirement. So what advice does the Malaysian rallying legend have for those looking for a career in racing? Well, rst of all, you obviously need to have some driving skill. Other than that, you have to be dedicated. You have to work very hard, and there is denitely going to be ups and downs. You should always believe in yourself and your abilities to be a good rally driver. I know the troubles of racing well, and all I have to say is that no one should ever give up, says the man who describes circuit racing as incredibly boring, before departing for his next appointment where he was to discuss the next step in an illustrious career that is not about to end anytime soon.
Karamjit repaid the trust his family and friends showed him by winning nine out of 10 races in 2011, and winning the APRC title again in 2012.
DOB 29 January 1962 (Age 51) Height 1.6 meters Nationality Malaysian First Rally 1986 Castrol Rally, Malaysia Drivers Titles 11x Malaysian Rally Championship 3x Asia Pacic Rally Championship (2001, 2002, 2004) 2x 2WD Asia Pacic Rally Championship (2011, 2012) 1x Production World Rally Championship (2002) Current Team Proton Cusco Racing Team
28
Planet Wheels
Compiled by Rockstar Media
Red Bull signs rst female driver

RED Bulls highly acclaimed driver academy welcomed its latest member recently, female Dutch driver Beitske Visser. The 18-year-old youngster caught the rms interest after winning two races last year in the Germanbased ADAC Formel Masters series driving for the Lotus team. The rst female driver to join the energy drink giants prestigious driver development program, Visser will continue racing with Red Bulls support in the 2013 season of the Formel Masters series, feeder series to the German Formula 3 Championship. The academys head Dr Helmut Marko stated that the program was looking for drivers based on performance, not by quota. Vissers enrolment comes after Dr Markos previous statement last month that popular favourite, American female Indycar and Nascar driver Danica Patrick did not have enough achievements to attract the energy drink giants attention. Graduates of the Red Bull academy include current Formula 1 drivers such as JeanEric Vergne, Daniel Ricciardo, and most notably, triple world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Veyron speed record stripped

THE Bugatti Veyron Super Sport (main pic) was stripped of its World Fastest Production Car title earlier this week. Guinness World Records ofcials stripped the hypercar of its title after following up with an enquiry made by a British motoring website that pointed out the production Veyron Super Sports built-in top speed limiter. All 30 road-going Veyron Super Sport sold were electronically limited to a top speed of 415km/h. Guinness ofcials then discovered that the car used in the 2010 record attempt in VWs Ehra-Lessien high speed testing facility had its speed limiter removed, an illegal alteration from the cars supposed standard form, thus invalidating the attempts 431.072km/h average top speed over two runs. The record and title now returns back to the American-built SSC Ultimate Aero TT (in grey) and its 2007 record average top speed of 412.28km/h. Experts also believe that another American
hypercar, the Lotus Exige based Hennessey Venom GT (in yellow), could stand a chance for the title as well after it reached a top speed of 427.6km/h during a recent test. Bugatti could regain the crown if its rumoured Veyron Super goes into production, allegedly capable of a 463km/h top speed. This, however, remains to be seen.
BMW reveals X4 Concept

BMW ofcially unveiled its new X4 Concept crossover last week. Bound for its debut at this months Shanghai Motor Show, the concepts dynamic design is heavily inspired by the larger X6 model. Hints of the X6 are clearly seen in the X4 Concepts sloped rooine, distinctively curved bodylines, and contrasting plastic claddings. Signature design traits include the front fascias kidney grille, headlamps with three-dimensional daytime running light design, wrap around rear LED lights, dual exhausts, and a rear bumper with integrated protection of the cars underbody. The Bavarian carmaker has not released details regarding the X4 Concepts production powertrain package, but hints point towards the 2.0 litre Twin Power turbocharged four-cylinder, and the 3.0 litre Twin Power turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engines. The 2.0 litre is expected to produce at least 240hp and 352Nm of torque, while the 3.0
Fastest pitstop recorded at Malaysian GP
litre is predicted to output a minimum of 300hp and 406Nm instead. The BMW X4 Concept will be built in the rms Californian facility, with aims of initiating production and sales next year.
Kias designer wants a GT86 rival

WHILE the Formula 1 racing fraternity ends its three-week break this weekend with the Chinese Grand Prix, last months Malaysian Grand Prix is still the talk of the world. Despite the on-going controversy amongst its two drivers, the Inniti Red Bull Racing team posted the fastest pitstop time ever in the sports history. The McLaren team held the previous record posted at last years German GP when the team changed all four tyres on Jenson Buttons race car in just 2.31 seconds. Red Bull Racings pit crew beat McLarens time at the recent Malaysian GP rst with Sebastian Vettels rst scheduled stop, clocking in an impressive 2.13 seconds. The team then clocked in a much faster time later in the race with Mark Webbers stop on lap 19, posting an incredible time of 2.05 seconds. The achievement came just under three years since the no-refuelling regulation was enforced at the start of the 2010 season. DURING the recent New York International Auto Show, chief of Kias California design studio, Tom Kearns openly stated to the press about his desire to produce a Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ rival. Believing it would increase the Korean brands appeal and sales performance further in the US market, Tom further added: I think we should do a coupe over a convertible. Being only a personal opinion, Toms vision may not be a shared amongst Kias top management. Despite this, the American designer says that he has already drawn up plans for the reardriven coupes potential looks. This is not the rst time a representative of the rm openly carrying the idea of a rear-wheel-drive car, Kias CEO HyoungKeun Lee stated back in November that the rm seriously considered producing a road-going version of the GT Concept (pictured). Kia has already introduced sportier models in its line up starting with the ceed GT and pro_ceed GT at last months Geneva Motor Show.
Sources speculate that Kias iteration of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe could arrive within the next few years.

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