New Zealand’s ‘clean’ green’ image hurt by milk scare

New Zealand has long marketed itself as “100 per cent pure”, but experts say that image is under threat amid fears of botulism contamination in its baby formula and other milk products.

The crisis gripping dairy giant Fonterra has implications for the entire country because of its importance to the economy and the damage being done to New Zealand’s brand in China, its fastest growing export market, said communications expert Chris Galloway.

“New Zealand’s image and that of Fonterra’s can’t be separated, they are intertwined,” Massey University’s Galloway told AFP. “Fonterra is our largest exporter and represents New Zealand in markets around the world.

“This crisis is a blow to our 100 per cent pure branding and the repercussions might take some time to play out.”

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Kelantan man mowed down in hail of bullets

Police taking the body of Arab-Malaysian Development Bank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi to hospital. He was killed by a gunman in the heart of Kuala Lumpur on July 29, 2013. A man in Kelantan was killed in a hail of gunfire earlier today, bringing to nine the number of gun-related incidents in as many days nationwide.

The almost-daily gun violence gripping the country continued today after a man was peppered with gunshots at a stall in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan early this morning.

Two assailants arrived on a motorcycle before firing a total of 10 shots up-close at unemployed Amirul Tajo Nasir, 40, in the pre-dawn attack and hitting him at least thrice, according to a report on The Star's website today.

Amirul later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian in the afternoon.

The attack brings the count of gun-related incidents to nine in as many days, including the high-profile assassination of Arab Malaysian Bank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi last Monday.

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Strip Namewee of his citizenship, demands Perkasa

Malay rights group Perkasa has demanded that rapper and filmmaker Namewee’s (pic) citizenship be revoked over his criticisms against the government and for allegedly issuing racial comments.

Deputy president Datuk Abdul Rahman Abu Bakar said it had lodged countless police reports against Namewee but the Attorney-General had done nothing.

“We urge the authorities to stop being soft towards Namawee. He has insulted the national anthem, flag and yet nothing was done,” he said today at a press conference to highlight Namewee’s latest YouTube clip.

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