Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh appointed as the first mentor under 1Malaysia For Youth programme

International film actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh has been appointed as the first mentor under the 1Malaysia For Youth (1M4U) programme.

Among the first order of the day for Yeoh would be to raise awareness on crime prevention, road safety and promoting the country's beautiful eco-system.

Yeoh received the letter of appointment from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Prime Minister's Office here Tuesday.

Najib is also the chairman of the 1M4U board of trustees.

"I was very distraught when I heard about women, particularly, who were traumatised in carparks and by snatch thieves.

"We will (draw up a) campaign to make Malaysia safer and once we have the campaign in place, we will announce it," the Ipoh-born lass said.


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Ex-minister says disgusted by ‘I love PM’ campaign

Those responsible for Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s “I Love PM” campaign should be sacked, former minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin has said as he expressed disdain for the attempt to endear the prime minister to Malaysians.

Zainuddin, or “Zam” as he is popularly known as, said the campaign that depicted Najib eating in stalls and mamak coffee shops with voters during the just-concluded polls, only showed hypocrisy as the prime minister was understandably still flanked by his personal assistants and bodyguards.

“His advisors thought that these pictures would show the elitist Najib and his aristocratic family living like regular citizens... but to the people, this is ‘extraordinary’ because they never bump into Najib in places like these.

“Former finance minister Daim Zainuddin called (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim a clown (King of Comedians would be more appropriate). To me, I call Najib an imitator,” Zam wrote in his blog Zamkata yesterday in a posting titled, “I love PM. It is disgusting”.


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Najib: Youth must move out of comfort zone and challenge themselves

Captain James Anthony Tan receiving the Malaysia Book of Records certificate after completing his "1Malaysia Around The World Tour" from Najib at the TUDM Subang airbase.

Malaysian youth must move out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves to do better than what they had previously achieved for the nation said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He expressed confidence that the nation's youth will be able to rise to the challenges ahead and succeed in doing good for the country.

"Ultimately, the success of a nation depends on the determination and ability of our youth to compete including their courage to try," he said at the reception to welcome home 21-year-old Malaysian pilot James Anthony Tan after his record breaking solo flight around the world on Tuesday.

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Star Radio Group deejays kick off Kamilah Malaysia campaign

Star Radio Group's 'Kamilah Malaysia' campaign officially kicked off at 6am Monday with radio deejays inspiring listeners to celebrate the country's unity and diversity.

Malaysian football fans may support various clubs, but when Malaysia is playing, they're solidly behind the nation, said a caller named Azril, to Star Radio Group's 'Kamilah Malaysia' campaign which kicked off Monday morning.

Another caller, John, dedicated Bob Marley's One Love to all listeners, while Aileen said Malaysia "is home."

The campaign saw the radio deejays inspiring listeners to celebrate the country's unity and diversity, and callers were asked what reminded them of Malaysia.

Suria FM deejay Adibah Noor asked listeners to imagine Red FM's Lil Kev in a kebaya (a traditional blouse-dress outfit) when she crossed over to the station.

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Najib urges Petronas staff to back BN, announces RM1,000 handout

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced today a “token of appreciation” of RM1,000 each to staff of the national oil company Petronas ahead of elections expected soon.

Najib (picture), who is also finance minister tasked to oversee Petronas, said the cash gift was Putrajaya’s appreciation for the company’s contribution to the economy.

“The board and management have recommended a small gesture to bring cheer to the staff.

“Finally, I decided to accept the recommendation. A RM1,000 token will be given to all staff as a gesture of our appreciation, so spend it wisely,” he told some 4,000 Petronas employees at a town hall meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Conventional Centre here.

FORMULA ONE: Footage shows Webber's dangerous move

Dramatic new footage has emerged revealing just how serious the feud is between Red Bull teammates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber after the Australian pulled a shockingly dangerous manoeuvre after Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix had finished.

Red Bull are in turmoil after Vettel ignored their clear instruction not to challenge Webber at the climax of the race, and the German was forced to issue an apology for undermining the order which has left his colleague considering his Formula One future.

The combo picture shows fuming Mark Webber (left) cutting up Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel in a dangerous move after Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix had finished.

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."

Malaysia won't take loans to fund BR1M

Malaysia will not take loans from other countries or the World Bank to finance its 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) programme.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said today, the country could afford to finance the programme through existing funds generated by its strong economy.

He was asked to comment on an allegation by the opposition that the allocation for BR1M was obtained from the World Bank.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said the source for the financing of BR1M programmes was from the strength of the country's economy and not through the World Bank. Najib, in his statement, urged the people not to be influenced by the opposition's false propaganda as it was obvious they were lies, adding that the last time Malaysia took a loan from the World Bank was in 1998 for US$400 million (RM1.28 billion).

Earlier, Nor Mohamed visited three families to hand over daily necessities in Alor Merah here.

Najib to counter online ‘slander, false news’ with 1 Malaysia TV

Najib acknowledged today that Malaysians turn to “other sources” online due to the current information “vacuum” with regards to news and current issues related to the country.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak today unveiled his administration’s first internet protocol television site, saying that the move would enable the government to disseminate information to Malaysians in “real-time.”

Speaking at a glitzy launch, the prime minister said “1 Malaysia TV” would allow “speedy” and “accurate” information to be disseminated to the public.

He acknowledged that there was currently an information “vacuum” with regards to news and current issues related to the country, causing Malaysians to turn to “other sources” online to gain access to said information.

“We do not have a choice. We have to disseminate fast and accurate information to the rakyat.

Sue me, Pua tells KR1M boss

Tony Pua says Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin can sue if he is unhappy over remarks by the DAP publicity chief concerning allegedly substandard Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia goods, The Malay Mail reported today.

“Sue me if you are not happy with my statements or claims. Take me to court if you have to,” the Petaling Jaya Utara MP told the daily.

Kedai Rakyat is a chain of government-backed thrift shops run by local hypermarket operator Mydin Mohamad Holdings Bhd, which is headed by Ameer.

Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia products not as cheap as advertised

Nurul Izzah showing 1Malaysia store goods not as cheap as other hypermarket.

Several Pakatan Rakyat MPs questioned the prices of goods sold at the Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) outlets, alleging that some are not as cheap as advertised to the public.

Pakatan MPs who brought samples of grocery products to Parliament to prove their point today said while some products were indeed cheaper, some on the other hand, were not.

Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara) said the items – ranging from canned sardines to dish-washing liquid – were priced higher than certain hypermarkets.

"The price difference for most products is far off from the claims of 30%-50% less," Pua told a press conference.

Nazri says no objection to non-Malay PM

De facto law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz says he has no problem with a non-Malay prime minister as long as the best man gets the job.

“If it happens that the best person is a non-Malay, so be it,” he told The Edge Financial Daily in an interview published today.

“I cannot say, ‘I’m Malaysian first, but the prime minister must be Malay.’ You can’t have your cake and eat it (too).”


Last year, Nazri (picture) became the first Umno minister to declare he was Malaysian first and Malay second, in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia concept.

Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the first of many 1Malaysia shops in the country, designed to help bring down the prices of goods and ease the burden of the common man.

Mavcap says money not meant for 1 Malaysia email

Tricubes chief executive Khairun Zainal Mokhtar said yesterday that the company had borrowed some RM5.3 million from Mavcap for the 1 Malaysia e-mail project.

Malaysia Venture Capital Management Bhd (Mavcap) confirmed today it had invested RM5.5 million in a Tricubes Bhd subsidiary, but it clarified that the money was meant for the development of mobile solutions and not the 1 Malaysia email project.

The clarification from the government fund, started to provide seed money for start-ups with high growth potential, has now raised questions again about Tricubes Berhad’s finances. The IT company also confirmed Mavcap’s clarification in a filing to Bursa Malaysia this evening.

Kit Siang: Utusan is Muhyiddin’s voice against Najib

Lim rubbished Muhyiddin’s assertion that Utusan spoke on behalf of the Malay community
Najib (right) was urged to rein in his deputy.


Lim Kit Siang rebuked Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today for saying Utusan Malaysia speaks for the Malay community, claiming instead that the deputy prime minister was using the paper to defy Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia.

The DAP strongman charged that Muhyiddin was “a picture of absurdity” for making his proclamation earlier today and described the statement as the latter’s “second unkind cut” against Najib.

He questioned if by endorsing Utusan Malaysia’s “1 Melayu, 1 Bumi” movement, the country’s administration was running on two separate idealogies — Najib with his 1 Malaysia platform and Muhyiddin with “1 Melayu, 1 Bumi”.

“Utusan Malaysia is not the voice of the Malays as right-thinking and rational Malays like right-thinking and rational Malaysians have been migrating away from Utusan Malaysia particularly to online media.

“But what should really cause consternation is that Utusan Malaysia is at best the voice of Muhyiddin particularly at odds with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“How can Muhyiddin give endorsement to Utusan Malaysia’s call for ‘1 Melayu, 1 Bumi’ when it is clearly an open affront and repudiation of Najib’s 1 Malaysia signature policy?” Lim asked in a statement today.

Government wants to be part of bloggers

The government does not fear bloggers but wants to know their views even if it is constructive criticism, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Umno man chides MCA over Utusan attack

Puad told Loh to regain Chinese support instead of targeting Utusan Malaysia.
MCA has drawn further rebuke from partners Umno over its criticisms of Malay party’s mouthpiece, Utusan Malaysia.

On Friday, MCA deputy publicity chief Loh Seng Kok warned that the “1Melayu, 1 Bumi” movement mooted by the Malay-language daily would create apartheid in Malay-majority Malaysia.

Prior to that, Utusan Malaysia had called on its owners Umno to spearhead a “1Melayu, 1Bumi” movement involving all Malay parties, claiming that the DAP was intent on toppling the country’s Malay leadership.

Perkasa to go ahead with ‘1Bumiputera’ movement

Perkasa will still go ahead with its plans to form a movement to unite all Malay parties under the “1Bumiputera” banner despite the group’s patron Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad describing the idea as disastrous for the country.

The Malay rights group maintained that the community was in dire need of such a movement to defend their political rights, blaming the DAP for uniting the economically-strong Chinese minority to gain ultimate political power.

“We are calling it 1Bumiputera because we want to unite all Bumis. We will launch this to unite the Bumiputeras to defend our political rights. We have no problems about ethnic Bumi ethnic groups having differing political ideologies but there has to be a collective consciousness in the interest of Bumiputeras.

CIMB's investment in Tricubes a 'passive stake'

CIMB bank group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Nazir Razak brother to PM Najib of Malaysia.


CIMB's investment in Tricubes Bhd is on behalf of clients through private equity funds, group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Nazir Razak said today.

Stressing that CIMB did not own the company, he said the investment already existed in 2001 with a 15% stake.

"We are not involved with the management. We have no board representation ... it's a completely passive stake.

"Any suggestion that we are somewhat involved in the business is totally malicious," Nazir told reporters in response to reports that CIMB had an investment in Tricubes.

Tricubes, an IT services provider, was recently awarded the 1Malaysia email project.

He explained that he only knew about the investment after someone showed him a blog that reported on the issue.

In another development, Nazir said the CIMB group is looking for opportunities to enter Laos and the Philippines, going forward.

However, he said there is no urgency to enter both markets, as the group has a strong presence in other Asean countries.

Guan Eng tells Najib to drop 1 Malaysia email a/c, give free wi-fi

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng advised the prime minister today to drop the 1 Malaysia free email account idea and spend the RM50 million on setting up free wi-fi hotspots nationwide instead.

The public will reject the email out of privacy and security concerns, the DAP secretary-general said when asked for his response to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s announcement yesterday that the government will roll out the free email programme to every citizen over 18 years of age from July onwards.

“I don’t think it’ll be very popular because No. 1, they are worried about privacy issues; and No. 2, they can get free email. Gmail, where there is security, enhanced security … you cannot break in, you know,” he told a press conference here today.

Lim reminded the PM that everyone is uneasy with the idea of having “Big Brother” monitoring their every move.

He noted that Internet users likely had more confidence using the free email accounts of service providers such as Google, which notably, quit China when the communist government tried to force its “Big Brother” policy on the service provider.