Dong Zong wants only Chinese-speaking teachers at vernacular schools

THE Education Ministry should remove all newly-assigned non Chinese-speaking teachers and those who did not have Chinese language qualification, including Malay and English teachers, from Chinese vernacular schools, the Chinese dailies reported.

The demand was among four resolutions that were passed by Dong Zong (the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia) during a rally to protest against the shortage of teachers in Chinese vernacular schools.

YouTube comes to Malaysia

YouTube announced that it’s creating a localized domain for Malaysia at www.youtube.com.my. Malaysia becomes the 42nd country with it’s own YouTube site.

Jobless man charged with Nurul’s murder

An unemployed man has been charged with the murder of five-year-old Nurul Nadirah Abdullah (pic) at an oil palm plantation.

Muidin Mydin, 24, nodded his head after the murder charge was read to him at a magistrate’s court here yesterday.

The charge said the crime was committed on March 1 at the plantation where Muidin previously worked as a labourer.

He faces the mandatory death sentence upon conviction under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

No plea was recorded.

Facing the gallows: Muidin being escorted by policemen after he was charged in the magistrate’s court in Johor Baru.

All eyes on September now

September has now emerged as a likely month for the coming general election with many arguments put up against the earlier speculation of June.

One contention is that several issues will need some time to be resolved. Then, there are the travel plans of the Prime Minister which seems to rule out the June polls.

It is understood that Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is scheduled to visit the United States in the second week of May, where he is expected to meet officials of the Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council in New York.

The council was set up to enable the country to make a quantum leap from a middle-income nation to a high-income one.

According to sources, Najib is likely to spend five days in the United States, after which he may take a short break with his family.

TV host makes KL her home after marrying businessman boyfriend

Not wasting any time: Wong and Yew posing for a photograph during their Western-style wedding ceremony in Kuala Lumpu

She came to Malaysia, she loved it and now she is staying.

Angel Wong Chui Ling, who is from Hong Kong and a top Astro Wah Lai Toi television host, married her Malaysian businessman boyfriend Peter Yew in a private wedding ceremony on Saturday.

And Wong can't wait to start a family.

“No, I'm not pregnant yet,” the Hong Kong lass told The Daily Chilli.

“I wished I was. But yes, we do plan to have a baby as soon as possible.”

Teng urges BN reps to table motion against him

Selangor State Assembly Speaker Teng Chang Khim today urged Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen to table a motion against him after they had accused him of being bias.

Seven BN assemblymen had today staged a walkout during the assembly sitting after accusing Teng (picture) of favouritism following an SMS the latter had sent to Selangor state executive councillors.

Teng’s SMS, obtained by The Malaysian Insider, states: “This is possibly the last winding-up session for exco, opportunity should be fully used to talk about our success in the past 4 years like what (Kota Anggerik state assemblyman) Yaacob (Sapari) is doing.”

Lewd video, messages targeting Anwar sent to MP

Lewd video, messages targeting Anwar sent to MP



Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching lodged a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) today over lewd video and picture messages she received on her mobile phone, targeting PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Nazri says son can handle own affairs

Umno minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz has refused to respond to allegations linking his son Mohamad Nedim to an assault case last week, saying the latter is an adult and could handle his own affairs.

“I cannot be responsible for his actions. It has nothing to do with me,” Nazri told The Malaysian Insider when approached in Parliament yesterday.

The federal minister also pointed out that several police reports have already been lodged on the March 20 incident and the police were already investigating it.

As such, Nazri (picture) said it would be inappropriate for him to issue any comment on the ongoing case.
 

Magnanimous Wee forgives alleged 'attacker'

No police report will be lodged against the person who has been accused of shoving his fist into the face of Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong at a rally in Kajang yesterday.

Wee told reporters at the Parliament lobby today that he has "forgiven" the person who tried to punch him.

"I've chosen to forgive them... I was prepared for the worst. It took guts to go and listen to their voices, that's all," he said.

PM: Support for BN peaking

Support is peaking for Barisan Nasional, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tells Hulu Langat residents in another clear sign of a looming general election.

Former Umno minister leaves door open to joining opposition

Former Umno supreme council member Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, who quit the party a week ago, said today he has not ruled out joining Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

The ex-Cabinet minister said many top leaders in PKR, PAS and the DAP, who were his “close friends”, had asked him to join the opposition pact but said he had yet to make a decision on the matter.

He stressed that for now he would focus on carrying on the “original fight” of Umno’s founding fathers for equality and democracy through NGO Angkatan Amanah Merdeka, where he is deputy president.

Onus on Lynas Corp to seek permission to ship waste to Australia

The onus of obtaining permission from the authorities to ship waste from the proposed rare earth plant in Gebeng, Pahang, to Australia lies with operators Lynas Corporation, said Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

“There has been no official word from the authorities in Australia over the shipment (of the waste) and I have not received any formal communication,” he told reporters at Parliament lobby on Tuesday.

1Malaysia Chopper

The Prime Minister unveiled the 1Malaysia Chopper while launching the “5-Mountain Motorcycle Tour” tour package at PWTC on Friday.

RON95 petrol subsidy up 10sen in March; pump price remains at RM1.90

Global rise in oil prices has pushed up the subsidy for RON95 petrol by 10sen to RM1.03 per litre in March, said Domestic Trade and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Tuesday.

The pump price of RON95 will remain at RM1.90 per litre.

Putrajaya brushes aside Hassan Marican’s Singapore appointments

Putrajaya dismissed today concerns that Tan Sri Hassan Marican’s move to Singapore was an indicator of Malaysia’s failure to address its “brain drain” problem, saying “there are no indispensable people in the world”.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop told Parliament this morning that in the current era of globalisation, the government could not stop individuals from migrating abroad for better job opportunities but could do its best to reap benefits from the phenomenon.

Team Shahrizat strikes back at Wanita Umno deputy

The Wanita Umno leaders maintain that Shahrizat continues to enjoy “united and robust” support.


Wanita Umno’s pro-Shahrizat faction shot back at their deputy Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim today, insisting her repeated demands for their leader’s resignation were not shared by the wing’s majority.

In a short statement claiming to represent Wanita Umno’s top echelon, including its central leadership and state chiefs, the wing insisted that Kamilia’s latest call for Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s resignation stemmed from “her own agenda and personal view”.

“It does not at all give the true picture of what is happening in Umno’s women movement regarding that particular issue (National Feedlot Centre or ‘NFC’) whether at the exco level, state, division or even the grassroots,” the statement said.

Chinese educationists to go ahead with rally on teacher shortage

Chinese educationists to go ahead with rally on teacher shortage

The United Chinese School Committees Association (Dong Zong) will go ahead with a mass rally planned this Sunday to voice its concern over the shortage of teachers in Chinese primary schools.


Dong Zong said this was despite Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong’s (picture) announcement on Wednesday about the Education Ministry’s eight long- and short-term plans to resolve the issue.

“The deputy minister announced the eight plans five days after (the second roundtable discussion on March 16), on March 21,” Dong Zong was quoted as saying today by Sin Chew Daily.

Facebook, Twitter foster national security threats, say police

Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have made Malaysians “liberal” and thus more willing to commit acts that can threaten national security, the police have said.

Internal security and public order director Datuk Salleh Mat Rasid said the Internet posed a challenge to the police as it allowed people “to know what was going on in and outside the country”.

Ban Ki-moon praises Najib's role

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulating Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak during his visit to the prime minister’s office yesterday.

He says 1Malaysia similar to what UN wants to promote worldwide

UNITED Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is impressed with Malaysia's progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He said he had always been a strong friend and admirer of the country and its people.

"Even though it is my first visit here as secretary-general, I have visited here many times in my personal capacity before and have worked with its people and government.

"I am impressed with what Malaysia has achieved under the leadership of PM Najib in terms of political and democratic maturity, social economic development and the contribution from the policies that the PM introduced."

4th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloons Fiesta

Hot air balloons recently decorated the skies during the Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloons Fiesta at the Monumen Alaf Baru.

Still not fully fit

LEE Chong Wei's shoulder injury is not serious but the shuttler can forget about making a speedy return to competitive badminton as he requires three to five weeks to recover.

National Sports Institute (NSI) chief executive officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz, in confirming the recovery period, stressed that Chong Wei would not be fully fit to play in tournaments during this period.

This puts the World No 1's participation in the mega-bucks Axiata Cup in doubt.

The preliminary round -- in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta -- is this weekend while the home and away semi-finals will be held on March 30-April 1 and the final on April 13-15.





Lee Chong Wei (right) and coach Tey Seu Bock at Damansara Specialist Centre recently.

"Normally, this kind of an injury is associated with another injury but fortunately, it didn't happen to Chong Wei," said Dr Ramlan.

"Treatment started last week but he still feels pain which is due to spasms caused by the tightness of the shoulder muscles. Chong Wei doesn't need to undergo an operation as the current treatment will help heal the shoulder completely.

Lynas project will stop if proven harmful'

The Prime Minister gave his assurance the Lynas project would not proceed should it is scientifically proven to harm the people's health and the environment.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak told listeners of a radio show -988 Street VIP- aired on FM 988 today, the evidences must show the rare earth project would be harmful.
"We will never compromise the safety of the people and the environment.

"Our people's health and the environment are absolutely our top priority. We will not compromise on them," he said in the one-hour radio show.

Toddler survives being rolled over by car

A toddler had a close shave with death as he was trapped under a car at his family's home in Taman Desaru Utama, Bandar Penawar, Kota Tinggi on Wednesday.

Mohd Ilman Sadiq, aged one year and six-months, suffered severe internal injuries, including his lungs, and is currently being warded in the intensive care unit of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) after the 6.30pm incident on Wednesday.

His mother Salinda Kamisan, 38, said she was shocked to see her child (Mohd Ilman) trapped under the family's Proton Iswara car.

Western Australia says no to Lynas waste

File photo of a signboard at the site of the Lynas plant in Gebeng.


The Western Australian government, where Lynas Corp’s rare earths mine is located, has said it will not accept waste from the firm’s controversial refinery in Kuantan even if it is not radioactive.

Putrajaya said early this month Lynas, which plans to transport ore from Mount Weld in the Australian state, to its RM2.3 billion plant in Gebeng, had promised to send its residue abroad if it could not find a suitable waste disposal site in Malaysia.