jeraul

2011-09-17T05:49:00.000-07:00

A South African court has blocked the government from buying 11 million female condoms from China, saying they are too small.

The finance ministry had awarded a contract to a firm called Siqamba Medical, which planned to buy the Phoenurse condoms from China, reports AFP, quoting the Beeld newspaper.

A rival firm, Sekunjalo Investments Corporation, turned to the High Court in Pretoria after losing the bid, arguing that their condoms were 20 per cent larger than the Chinese ones.

Judge Sulet Potterill blocked the deal with Siqamba, ruling that the condoms were too small, made from the wrong material, and were not approved by the World Health Organisation, the paper said.

Source: Agencies

Elly Tran Ha, The Hottest Vietnamese Girl

2011-09-04T20:57:00.000-07:00

ELLY TRÂN HÀ | THE HOTTEST VIETNAMESE GIRL

Biography

Name : Elly Kim Hong a.k.a Elly Trân Hà
Real Name : Tran Thi Kim Hong
Nationality : Vietnam
Birthday : June 08, 1987 (22 years old @ 2009)
Birthplace : Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Height : 5'6" (168 cm)
Weight : 104 lbs (47 kg)
Measurements (inches): 35-23-35
Measurements (cm): 88-58-90

Elly Trân Hà grew up in Ho Chi Minh City and like many of us, her progression toward adulthood was more awkward, self-conscious and flat-out stressful than it was natural. According to her, she "developed" early and significantly, which led her to
change her wardrobe to draw less attention to herself and try to proceed as a regular teenager in high school. Always the supporter, Elly Trân Hà's mother pushed her into other activities at school, like singing and public speaking, to give her the confidence that she could do as she pleased without fear or shame.

While her mother's support wound up giving Elly Trân Hà an interest in singing, it did only so much to alleviate her concerns about her body. At a certain point, shame gave way to confidence, especially when she began to consider the ways that Vietnam's pop culture was changing around her.

Elly Trân Hà Invades The Internet
Once conservative by North American standards, Vietnamese web sites were now featuring so-called "hot girls," beauties who were using their own pictures to carve out entertainment careers. Chief among them was Thuy Top (coined by the locals as "The Vietnamese Paris Hilton"), who added two picture sets to her little-known blog and suddenly got MMA modeling opportunities and a television acting role.

With this in mind, Elly Tran Ha chose a similar path when modeling prospects approached her. Legend has it that she had a blog, but the simple truth is that the posting of her picture sets in the fall of 2009 on the popular photo site Flickr created near-instant pandemonium. Though the sets were strictly PG-13 in nature and ranged from classy indoor shots to bright outdoor photos, everyone wanted a piece of Elly Tran Ha's big smile and her formidable clothed figure.

Elly Trân Hà The Singer
Now the unofficial tour guide for Vietnam, Elly Trân Hà was an internet picture fixture, but she was careful to set her limits and expand her horizons. In the weeks following her pop culture invasion, she stated that posing for overtly sexy pictures or stripping all the way down was not part of her game plan. She did not want to be objectified. Instead, she continued modeling, but also pursued opportunities in singing. Now with a modeling deal with a plane company and Vietnamese television talent show victory to show off, the next phase of Elly Trân Hà's journey through the entertainment galaxy is well underway.

Sexiness
A woman like Elly Trân Hà could no doubt increase tourism rates in Vietnam for those men who find her attractive, but depending on who you talk to, she could be as old as 26 or as young as 16! Like some women out there, maybe this means that Elly Trân Hà is sometimes prone to lying about her age, or maybe this means that she sits alone atop the Celebrity Jailbait Throne that was most recently occupied by those notorious Olsen Twins. Oh, and just in case you're wondering, her blood type is A.

Since her pictures went public, there has been a concentrated effort by bloggers, pundits and everyone else with significant time on their hands to unearth more information about who she really is. In true Hollywood tradition, there are just as many rumors as there are facts, starting with the possibility that she has left Vietnam for Philadelphia or that she is working as a model on the MMA circuit. While the former might be true… or just wishful thinking on the part of a lonely blogger, we can tell you that the latter is incorrect. The Vietnamese model in MMA gear who is making the rounds "as Elly Trân Hà" is merely one of her brilliantly named mentors, Thuy Top.

Elly Trân Hà's decision to post pictures of herself to win the internet's latest popularity contest is simple and ingenious. If you've got it, why not flaunt it? No doubt that Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson would concur.

Success
While it remains to be seen whether Elly Trân Hà's decision to let her body do the talking will bring her a career to do the walking, she's not breaking new ground. She's merely following a cultural Vietnamese trend that began in her native country, and she's making the most of it, while leaving a lot of lingering questions scattered about, like is she old enough to know what she's getting herself into? Age questions aside, Elly Tran Ha has career plans that extend beyond just picture posting. If she can market those skills with the same cleverness that she has displayed so far, then who knows what's in store?

Why Is She Famous?
Elly Trân Hà is a Vietnamese model who decided that showing pictures of herself and her "distinct neckline" might help the internet readership of her blog… the blog that no one seems to be able to find. She was right, as she's now gained a surprise following on the interwebs and a network of eager picture-sharers to give her some free publicity. Even with her sudden fame, most people outside of Vietnam don't know the slightest thing about her. Does the mystery surrounding Elly Trân Hà make people more curious? Sadly, yes.

Firefly to blink from budget to full-service under tie-up

2011-08-11T03:31:00.000-07:00

News for today... no more tambang murah hehehhe..

Firefly to blink from budget to full-service under tie-up
By Lee Wei Lian
August 09, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 — Travellers hoping for continued fare wars between Firefly and AirAsia will likely be disappointed after today’s announcement that the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) subsidiary will be redesigned as a full service regional carrier.
This was one of the outcomes of the strategic collaboration inked today between the government’s investment holding company Khazanah which controls MAS and unlisted Tune Air which controls AirAsia.

“Firefly’s resources would be refocused to launch a new regional full service airline operation,” said MAS chairman Tan Sri Mohd Nor Yusof.

The move renders AirAsia as Malaysia’s only major airline operating in the budget or value segment.

MAS had since last year used Firefly to compete against AirAsia, launching competitively priced flights from KL to East Malaysia and adopting the same low cost model such as charging for meals on board.

Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus

2011-08-10T23:10:00.001-07:00

Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus

Curtin University Sarawak Campus is an off-shore campus of Curtin University, a university based in Perth, Western Australia. It provides local and international students with the opportunity to receive higher education in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Curtin's Sarawak campus is located in Miri, Sarawak. It is the first offshore campus of Curtin University of Technology and the first offshore campus set up in East Malaysia

The Sarawak State Government's invited Curtin to establish an international university in Sarawak. Curtin Sarawak's operations in Miri commenced in February 1999. In 2002, the new campus was built.
In November 1999, Curtin Sarawak was awarded the Multimedia Super Corridor status and was renewed in 2006.
The schools and divisions are:
Pre-University
School of Business
Department of Media, Culture & Communication
School of Engineering
Pre-University
Pre-university programs at Curtin's Sarawak campus have been designed to prepare students for university study. It can be divided into two parts which is the commerce and engineering courses.
School of Business
The School offers internationally recognized qualifications, accredited by international as well as national professional associations and governmental agencies.
Department of Media, Culture & Communication
The Department of Media, Culture & Communication was set up in 2009 and took over all teaching and research that was previously under the Department of Mass Communication. Mass Communication was originally set up in 2003, as part of the School of Business, and officially became a Department in 2006.
School of Engineering
The School of Engineering and Science at Curtin Sarawak was established in 2000. It offers a wide range of Engineering and Science courses. These include the four-year courses leading to a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree in Chemical Engineering, Civil and Construction Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering and Electronics and Communication Engineering. The School also conducts three-year Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Life Sciences, Applied Geology and Geophysics, and a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Systems and Networking. The school now offers doctoral and masters programs.
The School draws upon the experience and the knowledge of many local and foreign engineers and professionals to teach its students, so that the courses offered remain practice-oriented and relevant. Academics from the School are active in many areas of research and in consultancy activities through Curtin Consultancy Services.

Australian affiliation

Curtin Sarawak offers identical degrees to those at the Curtin University main campus in Western Australia. Examinations for the degree programmes are set and moderated at Curtin's main campus in Perth to ensure that they meet and fulfill the academic standards. Academics from Perth visit the Curtin Sarawak campus on a regular basis for quality audit and for consultations on various issues ranging from assignments, projects, tasks and other assessments.

Long house of Sarawak

2011-08-10T23:04:00.000-07:00

One of the most memorable experiences Sarawak has to offer is a visit to a longhouse, where you can observe a unique way of life and enjoy legendary Dayak hospitality. These thriving communities, whole villages under one roof, are not relics from the days of tribal warfare - they are the preferred way of life for a large percentage of Sarawak's rural people, particularly the Iban, the Bidayuh and the Orang Ulu.
Nowadays most longhouse dwellers are hard working farmers, and wear practical modern clothing for work and leisure. However, if you visit as part of an organized tour
group, they will take great pride in wearing their traditional costumes and regalia and performing elaborate dances and welcoming rituals for their visitors.
The long covered gallery that runs the length of an Iban longhouse is called the ruai, and this is where you will be greeted. A miring ceremony is frequently conducted to welcome visitors, where offerings of food and drink are presented to the local deities to ensure their good will. After the miring, guests will be invited to sample a glass of tuak, a potent local rice wine, and drink to everybody's good health.

Visitors are then entertained with traditional music, dances and games. After the locals have had their turn, the guests are expected to join in the fun. Anyone who refuses will soon find themselves dragged to their feet by the young ladies of the longhouse and forced to take part in the dancing.

After the entertainment is finished there are a number of options, depending on how adventurous you are. Some tour operators arrange for visitors to eat a traditional longhouse dinner with their host family and sleep on mattresses in the ruai, according to Iban tradition. Others may put their guests up in a simple guesthouse nearby, with more familiar cuisine prepared by the tour guide, who is always an accomplished cook. For lovers of luxury, a few 'longhouse resorts' are now operating, managed by professional hoteliers and serving international cuisine in resort style comfort.

Visitors who stay more than one night can get to see Iban culture at first hand, visiting the rice fields and pepper gardens, and learning how the Iban make use of the rainforest for all of their everyday needs. Some tours can last a week or more, with visits to a number of longhouses and a fair amount of jungle trekking. Second and subsequent evenings are more low-key, with visitors sitting in the ruai, drinking tuak or coffee and chatting with their hosts. The Iban are very sociable people, and many can speak English, so some fascinating conversations are guaranteed.
The journey to and from the longhouse is a very interesting and enjoyable experience. After a ride in an air-conditioned bus, a short trip in a traditional longboat introduces you to the pleasures of upriver travel. These narrow wooden craft are safe and very sturdy, and the Iban are expert boatman.

There are four main areas for visiting Iban longhouses - the Skrang River, the Lemanak River, Batang Ai, and the middle Rejang River. Most tour groups will generally visit the first three, which are half a day away from Kuching, whilst independent travellers usually opt for the Rejang area around the town of Kapit, a half day's travel from Sibu.

A few specialist operators also visit Orang Ulu longhouses deep in Sarawak's interior, where visitors are seldom seen, although these trips require quite a lot of time.

Another interesting possibility is a trek through the beautiful Bario Highlands, staying overnight in remote Kelabit longhouses. Visitors with little time to spare can visit a Bidayuh longhouse on a day trip from Kuching, or an Iban longhouse from Sibu or Miri. However, overnight stays are strongly recommended, to get the most from your visit.

Vanessa Hudgens new hair

2011-08-10T22:59:00.001-07:00

Vanessa Hudgens new hair.. You Like it?? :)

Video Malaysia student robbed at London

2011-08-10T22:35:00.001-07:00

Malaysian student, Asyraf Haziq attacked and robbed randomly in Barking,London. He was on his way to get some food for Iftar. He is now in Royal London Hospital with broken jaw, and broken tooth. He is undergoing operation soon. UMNO London on the way to visit him now. He lost his mobile phone, wallet. He is first year student from KAPLAN College - KU London

1967 Chevy Impala - Supernatural Car

2011-08-03T22:42:00.000-07:00

Chevrolet is known for its products which always look tough, strong, and masculine, yet classy and timeless. It’s really a ride for those of you who are in love with rough and manly car. When Chevrolet released the Chevy Impala in full size design in
1958, it directly became the best selling car ever. The only competitors for the full size design were from Ford Galaxie 500 and Plymouth Fury. Although considered as one of the most expensive passenger cars ever made, the sales were still sky high. The Impala, whose name was originally taken from an antelope from southern Africa, has its characteristics of its triple taillights that are symmetrical. Impala’s fame and reputation as the most popular car from Chevrolet continued to go on to the middle of eighties.

In 1994, the Chevrolet Impala SS was reproduced by using basic design from Caprice Classic look. Today Impala’s design is using a front wheel drive system with midsize platform. The look has been sustained since 2000. Now 1967 Chevy Impala is becoming known again since the movie series “Supernatural” aired in 2005. In the movie, the characters always drive around by using the only car they have, the Impala, which is such a beauty with its shiny black color and its strong look.

Shell Malaysia Exploration (SM-EP) Scholarship (For Degree students only)

2011-08-03T22:38:00.000-07:00

Shell Malaysia Exploration (SM-EP) Scholarship (For Degree students only)

Ms. Henretta Anita Jinggut

Eligibility Criteria

* Sarawakians and Sabahans who are enrolled in Curtin First Year Engineering Degree programme
* Below 23 years old
* Excel in extra-curricular activities
* Combined parents' Basic Salary/Income of not more than RM3, 000 per month
* Full-time Degree students enrolled at Curtin Sarawak Malaysia (CSM)
* Not presently holding other scholarships/loans (including PTPTN)
* No other sibling currently holding Shell Scholarship
* STPM/A'Levels - At least 2B's in any of the core subjects inclusive of General Paper (Pengajian Am)
* Matriculation/Diploma/Foundation Year/Year 1 - Obtain CGPA - 3 and above
* Applicants to liaise directly with Shell for details

Amount Of Award & Duration

Course fees and other expenses as per Shell agreement

Forms Availability / Address

* Students need to send the form by themselves to the address below:

Scholarship Coordinator
Sarawak Shell Berhad
Locked Bag No1
98009 Miri, Sarawak

Website: http://www.shell.com.my

Tel: 085-454477/454027
Fax: 085-454273

E-mail: siti-rahanah.ad@shell.com
E-mail: henrietta.jinggut@shell.com

Offer / Closing Date / Other Remarks

* Please send the application form within 7 days after the release of the STPM / 'A' Level results
* Will be advertised through newspaper early in the year

Scholarship Yayasan Sarawak Tunku Abdul Rahman

2011-08-03T22:35:00.001-07:00

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Scholarship (Yayasan Biasiswa Sarawak Tunku Abdul Rahman)

U.P: Encik Mohamad Adzlie Ibrahim
Encik Ismallia Bohari
Puan Alina Vincent

Eligibility Criteria

* Sarawakian
* Only eligible to students who are enrolled in the following programme: Ref Attachment
* Full-time enrolled students undertaking degree, masters or doctorate programme
* Excellent academic, actively involved in co-curriculum activities, socio-economics * Grade B in each subjects in STPM or CGPA/PNGK 3 (70%) and above for Certificate/Diploma or Matriculation

Amount Of Award & Duration

Short-listed candidates will be called for interview

Forms Availability / Address

* Forms are available at the Loans & Scholarships Counter or download it from www.yayasan.org.my/download2.html
* Students need to send the form by themselves to the address below:

Yayasan Sarawak.

Skim Pinjaman Pelajaran Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Sarawak (HiED)

D/A Pusat Pembangunan Pendidikan Yayasan Sarawak

Lot 4784 Blok 14 salak Land District

Jalan sultan Tengah Semariang

93050 Kuching.

Offer / Closing Date / Other Remarks

* Usually offered in March and closes in July
* The due dates will be informed through local newspaper. E.g. Borneo Post
* Application opens each year until 31st July
* The forms must reach Yayasan by 31st July

Proton Aims For Greater Fuel Efficiency With New Saga FLX 1.3

2011-08-02T19:34:00.000-07:00

Proton Holdings Bhd today launched the new Saga FLX 1.3L, which is expected to be priced between RM38,598 and RM44,998.
In a statement Tuesday, Group Managing Director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said the car will deliver a fuel consumption drop of four per cent in
urban driving environment and 10 per cent on highways with the use of its Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) technology.
“With this new technology, the new enhanced model is expected to provide consumers with greater savings on fuel consumption and smoother drive,” added Syed Zainal.
The launch followed the company’s announcement earlier in June declaring the successful development and integration of CVT technology with its CamPro engine.
– BERNAMA

Captain America’ Crushes ‘Harry Potter’ At Box Office

2011-08-02T19:32:00.001-07:00

Captain America has beaten back the Red Skull, HYRDA, Nazis and various nefarious forces before, and now the shield-slinging star-spangled hero has conquered the box office, as well.
“Captain America: The First Avenger” debuted with an estimated $65.8 million over the weekend to become the #1 movie in North America, according to studio estimates. With Chris Evans in the title role and Hugo Weaving as his arch-nemesis, the Red Skull,
the Marvel movie was the latest chapter in a series of films that began with “Iron Man” and will lead up to next year’s “The Avengers.”
Cap’s debut bested that of his fellow Avenger “Thor” (which opened with $65.7 million) as well as the debuts of previous 2011 superhero movies “Green Lantern” and “X-Men: First Class.” Only 40 percent of the Cap audience chose to see it in 3-D versus the 60 percent who saw “Thor” that way back in May.
Meanwhile the latest “Harry Potter” — which broke several records on its opening weekend — suffered a huge decline during its second weekend of release. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2″ took in $48 million (for a $274.1 million total), which was a 72 percent second-weekend fall, much steeper than that of “The Dark Knight,” “Spider-Man 3″ and the third “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
“Friends With Benefits” was the #3 movie in North America with an $18.5 million opening. Starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis, the movie’s plot is similar to the Ashton Kutcher/ Natalie Portman romantic comedy “No Strings Attached,” which opened with $19.7 million back in January.
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” was #4 with $12 million for a $325.7 million total while dark comedy “Horrible Bosses” was #5 with $11.7 million for an $82.4 million total.

Kuching to take a cue from Paris

2011-08-02T19:29:00.000-07:00

Research to be conducted soon to ensure city has human touch as it continues to grow
KUCHING: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday pledged to allocate funds for research on how to turn Kuching into a ‘city with a soul’.
Speaking at the 23rd Commemoration of Kuching City yesterday, he posed the challenge to the two mayors of Kuching to find the ‘soul’ of Kuching so that it would not become failures like other big cities which lacked a human touch. He said Kuching
should have a ‘soul’ to complement its status as state capital, administrative centre and hub of economic activities.
“Hopefully, we meet again on the 25th anniversary (of Kuching).
Tell me, the two Datuk Bandar (mayors), what is the soul of Kuching. If you need to study on it, I can give you the money,” he said.
Also present were newlyminted DBKU Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai and MBKS mayor James Chan.
Taib said he had been to Paris before and he described it as a city with a soul because the people there made the place very liveable.
“When I went to Paris the first time, I was so impressed with the spirit of manhood. People were greeting each other, making the place feel like a place to live and not only to stay … Paris has got soul.
That is why the song ‘I Love Paris’ is so popular with the French because they can feel Paris has got something special.
“I feel that Kuching too has the potential to be another Paris,” he said.
While he was astonished with population growth of the city from 200,000 to 630,000 at present, Taib said he was concerned with the lack of healthy interaction.
“We have a situation where the people do not even know their neighbours!”
As such, he suggested to developers of new housing projects to organise activities such as combined house-warming parties where the residents could get to know their neighbours and forge friendships.
“In our multi racial community, some people are shy to know each other.
If there is durian season, organise a combined party also, where the people can get together.
“That way there will be greater unity, friendship and eagerness to help one another.” Yesterday’s event saw the launching of the Kuching Festival to coincide with City Day which is celebrated every Aug 1.
Before that, the swearing in of Abang Wahap as the sixth commissioner of DBKU was held. The invited guests included Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing, Urban Development and Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Public Health and Environment Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.
Also there were State Secretary Datuk Amar Morshidi Ghani, State Legislative Assembly speaker Dato Sri Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, assistant ministers and senior government officers.

Unisel V-C quits over sackings

2011-08-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

Unisel V-C quits over sackings

By A. RUBAN
ruban_22@thestar.com.my

SHAH ALAM: Universiti Industri Selangor (Unisel) president and vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Rosti Saruwono has resigned following the sacking of three senior officers by the university's management.

The resignation was said to be a protest against the sacking of Prof Dr Khalifah Othman (Business Faculty Dean), Rokmah Mat (Registrar) and Halid Hasbullah (Marketing director).

Dr Rosti's shocking decision was made known during a staff meeting, which was hurriedly called at 3pm yesterday, forcing lecturers to cancel their classes.

“Yes, it is true. I have tendered my resignation effective today (yesterday).

“The reason is, I am not willing to implement a decision which I deem inappropriate and against the concept of fairness and justice, namely to remove three officers of Unisel without giving reasons and not following due process,” he said in an SMS reply, shortly after his resignation was announced.

According to a source, three deputy vice-chancellors and a vice-president had submitted a memorandum to the state government on May 16, saying that four senior officers, including Dr Rosti, had been involved in corrupt practices.

Following the memorandum, Dr Rosti was called up by the Selangor government to explain the allegations made against him.

At that time, the source said, the state government was also conducting its own internal probe into the matter, which resulted in Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim ordering the sacking of Dr Khalifah, Rokmah and Halid while Dr Rosti was given the green light to stay on.

“Dr Rosti called it unfair and full of malice because the three officers were not given a chance to defend themselves,” the source said.

When asked to comment on allegations that he was probed for corrupt practices, Dr Rosti said via SMS:

“Corrupt practices? Ha! Ha! Ha!”

The Best Mafia War Loot Item

2009-11-29T23:45:00.000-08:00

Attack
● Weapon: Ubijca Assault Rifle [43,18] | [Ep5-Ch2-Vory]
● Armor: Shturmovik [45,28] | [Ep4-Ch2-Vory]
● Vehicle: Zoloto Sports Car [43,22] | [Ep6-Ch3-Both]

Defense
● Weapon: Zmeya carbon Blade [28,44] | [Ep6-Ch2-Mafiya]
● Armor: Executive Overcoat [22,45] | [Ep6-Ch1-Both]
● Vehicle: Konstantin Cargo Carrier [18,44] | [Ep6-Ch2-Vory]

So don't waste your godfather point to buy weapon below the best weapon that you can get by doin the job in Moscow.

Mafia Wars Moscow Loot

2009-11-29T23:43:00.000-08:00

Ubijca Assault Rifle

43 Attack 18 Defense 100-20

Zmeya Carbon Blade

28 Attack & 44 Defense 100-20

Konstantin Cargo Carrier

18 Attack 44 Defense 100-20

Zoloto Sports Car

43 attack, 22 defense 100-15

Executive Overcoat

22 attack, 45 defense 100-15

Armored Briefcase

25 Attack 36 Defense 100-18

Shturmovik

45 Attack 28 Defense 100-20

How to make your Taskbar in Windows 7 looks like Vista

2009-11-26T06:53:00.000-08:00

Probably the biggest thing people have noticed when they use Windows 7 is the Taskbar’s appearance change. Now there are only those supper big icons on the taskbar ! So if I want to change it back to the old style how can I do that?

Well its easier than you think. First right click on the taskbar go to > properties.

Now Check “Use Small icons” under “Taskbar” Tab, and choose “Combine when taskbar is full or Never Combine” Under Taskbar Buttons.

Click Apply when done making the change. And Now you should see something more familiar.

Note: the old quick launch will now out of place. Simply keep all the application pinto the taskbar will now become the quick launch, and remove those programs to rearrange them all to the right.

Here is the beginning of my post. And here is the rest of it.

Dead Sea needs world help to stay alive

2009-11-25T23:29:00.001-08:00

Dead Sea needs world help to stay alive AFP/File – Jordanians stand in a semi-deserted field near the Dead Sea south of Amman on November 9. The Dead Sea …
by Ahmad Khatib Ahmad Khatib – Wed Nov 25, 12:28 pm ET

GHOR HADITHA, Jordan (AFP) – The Dead Sea may soon shrink to a lifeless pond as Middle East political strife blocks vital measures needed to halt the decay of the world's lowest and saltiest body of water, experts say.

The surface level is plunging by a metre (three feet) a year and nothing has yet been done to reverse the decline because of a lack of political cooperation as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The shoreline has receded by more than a kilometre (around a mile) in some places and the world-famous lake, a key tourism destination renowned for the beneficial effect of its minerals, could dry out by 2050, according to some calculations.

"It might be confined into a small pond. It is likely to happen and this is extremely serious. Nobody is doing anything now to save it," said water expert Dureid Mahasneh, a former Jordan Valley Authority chief.

"Saving the Dead Sea is a regional issue, and if you take the heritage, environmental and historical importance, or even the geographical importance, it is an international issue."

Landlocked between Jordan, Israel and the West Bank, the Dead Sea is rapidly vanishing because water which previously flowed into the lake is being diverted and also extracted to service industry and agriculture.

Jordan decided in September to go it alone and build a two-billion-dollar pipeline from the Red Sea to start refilling the Dead Sea without help from proposed partners Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

However, that project is controversial and Mahasneh stressed that Jordan alone is not capable of solving the Dead Sea's problems.

The degradation began in the 1960s when Israel, Jordan and Syria began to divert water from the Jordan River, the Dead Sea's main supplier.

For decades, the three neighbouring countries have taken around 95 percent of the river's flow for agricultural and industrial use. Israel alone diverts more than 60 percent of the river.

The impact on the Dead Sea has been compounded by a drop in groundwater levels as rain water from surrounding mountains dissolved salt deposits that had previously plugged access to underground caverns.

Industrial operations around the shores of the lake also contribute to its problems.

Both Israel and Jordan have set up massive evaporation pools to vaporise Dead Sea water for the production of phosphate, while five-star hotels have sprung up along its shores, where tourists flock for the curative powers of the sea mud and minerals.

The salty lake is currently 67 kilometres (42 miles) long and 18 kilometres (11 miles) wide.

The top of the water was already 395 metres (1,303 feet) under global sea level in the 1960s but the drying out has lowered the surface further to minus 422 metres (1,392 feet), according to Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME).

Mahasneh says climate change is aggravating the crisis. "Climate change affected everything," he said. "It's an umbrella for many problems, including short rainfall.

"Nothing is being seriously done to tackle climate change. Sustainable and integrated solutions are needed."

The World Bank has funded a two-year study of the plan for a pipeline from the Red Sea to replenish the Dead Sea.

The project, agreed in outline by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan in 2005, aims to channel two billion cubic metres (70 billion cubic feet) of water a year via a 200-kilometre (120-mile) canal to produce fresh water and generate electricity as well as raise the Dead Sea.

But some environmentalists say the scheme could harm the Dead Sea further by changing its unique chemistry by introducing Red Sea water.

"We are dealing with at least two sensitive and different ecosystems: the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. We also need to keep an open mind about other possible alternatives," said Munqeth Mehyar, FoEME chair.

Mahasneh supports the plan, saying: "The Dead-Red project is like a salvage plan -- there is no other option. But it won't be an easy task for political and economic reasons."

Jordan's Environment Minister Khaled Irani said: "Let's wait and see the results of the study of the environmental impact."

"We might not go ahead with the project if it is going to create a major mess with the ecosystem, but if we can bring water to the Dead Sea and maintain the same ecological quality of the Dead Sea, why not?"

Friends of the Earth's Mehyar believes saving the Jordan River is key to the Dead Sea.

The waterway is under severe ecological strain because large amounts of raw sewage gush untreated at various locations into the relative trickle left after the diversion of most of the Jordan River.

During the past 50 years, the river's annual flow has dropped from more than 1.3 billion cubic metres (46 billion cubic feet) to around 70 million cubic metres (around 2.5 billion cubic feet), according to FoEME.

"We are working hard to push for rehabilitating the Jordan River by increasing and maintaining its flow in order to save it and save the Dead Sea," Mehyar said.

"The Dead Sea is in danger and that's for sure. I can't claim that we can prevent the level of the Dead Sea from dropping more, but I think we can control the problem and cooperation from all sides is a must."

Most of the springs in the Jordan Valley which flow directly into the Dead Sea are currently dammed, according to water experts.

Jordan, where the population of around six million is expanding by 3.5 percent a year, is a largely desert country that depends greatly on rainfall. It needs every drop of water to meet domestic, agricultural and industrial requirements.

The tiny kingdom, which forecasts it will need 1.6 billion cubic metres (56 billion cubic metres) of water a year by 2015, is one of the 10 driest countries in the world, with desert covering 92 percent of its territory.

"We need to make sure that there is always running water flowing into the Dead Sea," Irani said.

"The Dead Sea is unique in many aspects, not only for Jordan, but also for the Israelis and Palestinians."

One side effect of the lake's falling water volumes is the appearance of large sinkholes along its shores, creating serious problems for farmers and businesses.

"A sinkhole destroyed my farm 10 years ago and forced me to move and work for other farmers," said Izzat Khanazreh, 42, as he puffed on a cigarette, his face tanned by working long hours under a hot sun.

He used to grow vegetables in his farm in Ghor Haditha in the southern Jordan Valley, a bare and sun-baked area around the Dead Sea.

"Nobody compensated me for my loss. My land was full of cracks and it was impossible to do anything about it," said Khanazreh, standing beside a sinkhole about 20 metres (65 feet) wide and 40 metres (130 feet) deep.

There are an estimated 100 sinkholes in Ghor Haditha alone. They can open up at any time and swallow up everything above ground like a devastating earthquake.

"These sinkholes are time bombs. They can appear any time and eat everything up," said Fathi Huweimer, a field researcher with FoEME.

"Farmers do not feel secure and are anticipating more trouble. This problem is because of the degradation of the Dead Sea."

A factory for Dead Sea products in the area has had to relocate after a large sinkhole appeared beneath it, threatening the lives of more than 60 workers, Huweimer said.

Irani said Jordan will highlight the Dead Sea's problems at the Copenhagen summit on climate change next month.

"We will raise those issues in Copenhagen and say that Jordan is heavily affected and urge developed countries to allocate more resources to contribute to saving the Dead Sea," he said.

The Dead Sea may soon shrink to a lifeless pond as Middle East political strife blocks vital measures needed to halt the decay of the world's lowest and saltiest body of water. Environmentalists will plead for help at the Copenhagen summit on climate talks next month. Duration: 01:54

Four Things You Should Never Do While Building Muscle

2009-11-10T22:31:00.000-08:00

If you love sports, then you would cherish bodybuilding as it would give you the necessary strength and stamina to perform well in your sport. No wonder, body building has gained a widespread momentum especially among youth.

A trainer would properly guide you. Seek his assistance. Initially when you start body building, your muscles may require some rest. Give them the rest as it would repair itself and it would improve your strength considerably.

Never overwork your abdominal muscles.

You should give exercise to them only when you are not performing weight lifting exercises. Abdominal muscles are weak and do not strain them as it would lead to unnecessary complications later. If you want to reduce fat, go out and run for several miles. It is the best way.

Don't just eat ANYTHING:

Body building depends mostly on the food you consume. Prefer a low-fat diet with high protein content. Protein is vital for the muscle growth. If you love your body, quit smoking. Don't go for fat rich items as it would not only hamper your body building but also your overall health. Drink water in plenty and avoid alcohol at all costs.

When you require advice

Seek it from a trainer and not from other bodybuilders. They may guide you in the wrong way as they themselves may not be aware of what they are speaking. A professional trainer would help you to get the maximum benefit out of a single exercise and minimize the risk of any possible injuries. Allow him to guide you in the right track.

Never overwork your muscles.

It is the primary rue in bodybuilding. After training allow it to recuperate for at least two days. You are not only giving rest to your muscles but also your internal organs like kidneys and liver. Sufficient rest coupled with effective training is the best way to start developing strong muscles.

Guidelines in Finding A Fitness Club

2009-11-10T22:27:00.000-08:00

You would like to join a fitness club but there are so many choices! And then you will just end up having a headache! Fitness clubs are effective motivators. They should motivate us and not frustrate us. Before you choose on a fitness club, make sure that it suits your needs and goals. And before you do that, you should first learn and decide on what is your priority. By then, you will know what you really
need in a fitness club. Here are some guidelines you can consider in choosing a fitness club that is best for you:

Where is it located?

The location is the first thing that you should consider when finding a fitness club. If the club is far from your home, you will just another excuse not to work out. It is best to find a facility that is near your home.

Are the employees friendly and nice? Will they be able to help you reach your goals?

Make sure that the instructor has the necessary experience to work with you. The instructor should be a certified professional that can work with you safely and effectively. Your instructor should also know if you have physical limitations or you may find an instructor that is well trained to work with you. You can also check the age of the instructor especially if it is one factor for your motivation and learning. The staff should also be helpful, friendly and professional. You can also ask the services they offer and find what is important for you. Some facilities have their own dietician and physical therapists that can offer services for you.

What kind of programs does it offer?

Find time to see what programs are there for you and check if they suit your interests. Do they offer group classes? Choose the facility that offers the classes you really like. You can do a trial class to check it out if you want.

Are the facilities and equipments good and will they be available anytime that is most convenient for you?

Check if the equipments are enough for all members. Otherwise, you will waste your time falling in line and waiting for your turn. Also make sure that the facility is open during the time you are most likely to do work outs and exercises.

Is the entire facility well maintained, clean and safe for you?

Machines and other training facilities should be in clean and in good order. If you see a lot of "out of order" signs, it could be something to think about. Modern equipments are safer and more comfortable to use, so you may also want to consider that. Are the floors cleaned regularly to avoid accidents? Is there enough room for everyone? Also check if the facility is located in a place away from danger, consider also if the location is well lit.

Are the members of the club friendly and can they be your friends?

The fitness club is also a venue for social interaction. Take time to drop by and meet the members of the club before you enroll. Other members can be your buddies in the near future and should be considered.

What is the schedule of classes and will they be convenient for you?

Find out what classes are offered at a specific time and consider if you will be available at the schedules given.

How much would it cost you?

It is important to know the monthly membership fee and what it covers. Some fitness clubs have hidden charges and you should be keen in checking that. Check if they have promotions or discounts and do they offer services at an extra fee. It is also important to know how long the club has been and how often they increase rates.

How is it different from other fitness clubs?

Don't just stick into one fitness club. Try to visit as many facilities as you can and make a comparison. Then you can just narrow down your choices to the facilities that met your needs and priorities.

What do people say about it?

Take your time to gather feedback from other members. Ask them what they can say about the club and let them tell you about the experiences with the facility.

Choosing a fitness club is just like shopping on the best shirt for you. Do not be pressured and do not try to contact them right away. You can take your time to review and gather enough information if you are still not sure which one to choose. Once you have made your choice, enjoy and make the most out of it.

The Star will sing for you

2009-09-29T20:05:00.000-07:00

THE STARS WILL SING FOR YOU
The songs may be hits, but the money is in the shows
2009/09/20

It's the festive season and you are throwing a dinner party for your friends and family. Being in a generous and expansive mood, you want top entertainment. SHUIB TAIB goes undercover to "book" the big names for your party.
FOR an artiste, it is vital to have a hit album. Your songs get played on the radio, you get invited to perform on television, and you get royalty from album sales. It's life changing.

Imagine having one hit album in a huge market like America. Your life will transform overnight. You can even retire early.

Sadly, that is not possible in a country with a proliferation of pirated CDs. Here in Malaysia, album sales have never touched the one million mark. Therefore, artistes need to secure singing engagements.

But the situation isn't all that bad. Once your song becomes a hit, you will most likely be invited to perform at big events and corporate functions and that is where you make money.

For the late Sudirman Arshad, a top entertainer during his heyday, the weekends were almost always reserved for shows.

Sudir performed almost everywhere and earned good money.

But he worked very hard too. When he performed for American Express, Sudir not only prepared the right songs, he even prepared jokes suited for the event.

"No wonder I see dollar signs in your eyes," he once told an American Express staff at one of his shows.

Indeed, an entertainer extraordinaire like him could earn a lot from one show.

Between the late 1980s and early 1990s, Sudir was making between RM25,000 and RM30,000 from one corporate dinner performance.

On special occasions like the Merdeka celebrations or New Year, his fees would double or triple.

But what about "lesser" artistes?

I recall a singer, Wann, who was famous in the late 1980s.
Wann had a different singing style -- she had a tendency to sound "constipated" -- yet, she was a saleable artiste.

Wann averaged between 20 and 25 shows per month, with payments between RM2,000 and RM3,000 per show.

That translated into more than RM60,000 per month.

Then again, not all artistes enjoy a long career. Some are a flash in the pan, which is why it makes sense for them to charge high fees while they are popular.

Also, as public figures, artistes need to always look their best. They need to be seen in expensive clothes, chauffeur-driven in big cars, and live in mansions. In short, their lifestyle reflects their popularity.

When our country enjoyed economic growth in the 1990s, so did our artistes.

DATUK SITI NURHALIZA
* RM45,000 for a 30-minute show
* RM70,000 for a one-hour show

SINCE winning the Bintang HMI more than a decade ago, Siti has remained as one of the strongest, most versatile and richest artistes the industry has ever known. Her vocal prowess is legendary. Her awards speak for themselves. Her influence is huge.

Her popularity is not only felt in Malaysia, but also in Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei. She is also the first Southeast Asian artiste to have held a solo concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Siti's career defies showbiz logic, if we could call it that. Married artistes have a tough time keeping their fans but not in the case of Siti.

Siti does not accept many single singing engagements now that she is married, but when she was single, she was known to have five shows a week.

"That is how I get my vocal practice because I do serious singing almost every day," she once said.

Having released her latest album Tahajjud Cinta, Siti -- who is also adept at tackling irama Malaysia, pop, soft rock, pop rock, R&B and dance-pop as well as English numbers -- is expected to dominate the airwaves, too.

She has released 14 studio albums, nine video albums, seven concert albums, DVDs, compilations (both solo and otherwise) and live albums, making her the most active and saleable local artiste.

DATUK SHEILA MAJID
* RM35,000 for a 30-minute show
* RM55,000 for a one-hour show

WITH her trademark pop music mixed with jazz and R&B, Sheila is among the few who broke into the impenetrable Indonesian market.

The release of her album Emosi in Indonesia only further endeared her to the fans there.

Her popularity in Indonesia was boosted when she went on a nationwide tour there in 1988 that received overwhelming response.

From Indonesia Sheila spread her wings to Japan where she performed at the Tokyo Music Festival in 1989.

She left such an impression at the Okinawa Music Pageant in 1990 that she was invited back to perform in Japan by popular demand that very same year.

Sheila can also look back on her successful stint at London's Ronnie Scotts, where her idols like Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder had performed.

On the home front, Sheila, who is married to musician Acis (of Gersang fame), performed before packed audiences in Kuala Lumpur three times, the first in 1990.

ANUAR ZAIN
* RM25,000 for a 30-minute show
* RM55,000 for a one-hour show

ANUAR, 39, began singing when he was in school. Fans would remember him as one half of the "Kain Pelikat" duo with Elina.

After years of silence, Anuar made a comeback when he released his eponymous album in 1998. Things have been looking up since then.

In 2000, Anuar was named Best New Artiste at the Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) awards.

Keabadian Cinta, the hit song from his second album won Best Song at the AIM again the following year. Anuar began to get more accolades.

He has somewhat "arrived". Anuar now has his own Secretaries' Day show, and people pay hundreds to see him perform live.

The string of awards that he has won has only strengthened his position as one of the top male singers in the country.

Her discography includes 10 full studio albums, three of which are full English albums. Ning's singing stints have taken her to Britain, Italy, France, China, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Monte Carlo (Monaco), Switzerland and United States.

Ning is also an adept actress, having worked on several movies. They include Gemilang, Maria Mariana 2, Bara, Mimpi Moon, Malaikat Di Jendela, Lady Boss, Diva and Yasmin Ahmad's Muallaf.

Like most local stars who have survived the test of time and economic recession, Ning has also won many awards.

Due to her versatility, Ning, who is the new face of Olay Regenerist, is also highly in demand at corporate events.

JACLYN VICTOR
* RM18,000 for a 30-minute show
* RM30,000 for a one-hour show

THE singer-actress popularly known as Jac won the inaugural Malaysian Idol and Ikon Malaysia. As winner of Malaysian Idol, she won a recording contract with Sony BMG Entertainment. This high-octave singer represented Malaysia in the first Asian Idol and Ikon Asean.

Jac was 9 when her father died. To help support her three younger siblings, Jac started singing at clubs and hotel lounges when she turned 18.

It was Malaysian Idol that made her a household name. Jac impressed judges and viewers week after week with her renditions of Alicia Keys' If I Ain't Got You, Chaka Khan's I Feel For You and Karyn White's Superwoman.

By the time she entered the finals, it was obvious that she was the clear winner. In the finals, Jac performed the ballad Gemilang (Glory), the song written for the winner of Malaysian Idol, which would appear on her debut album Gemilang.

Gemilang brought more glory to Jac when it won Best Song and Best Performance awards at RTM's Hits 1 in 2006. At TV3's Juara Lagu the same year, Gemilang was Best Ballad and Song Of The Year.

At the Anugerah Planet Muzik (Singapore) in 2006, Jac was named Best Female Artiste. And, at the 13th Anugerah Industri Muzik also in 2006, Jac was Best New Artiste, won Best Arrangement in a Song, Best Pop Album and Album of the Year awards.

She also emerged champion at the Asian Music Festival in Shanghai in 2005, again with Gemilang.

Mafia War Autoplayer

2009-09-29T00:38:00.000-07:00

This is a free auto-play script which I have tested before and it works. I don't recommend you to use auto-play scripts at all as I don't use anymore, Up to you!!! Anyway, I briefly name the steps as follows:
1- You must use Mozilla Firefox browser.
2- You must install Greasemonkey add-on in Firefox. To install Greasemonkey:
2.1- Go to Tools menu -> Add-ons.
2.2- Search for Greasemonkey in the search box and then press Add to Firefox button.
3- Go to this link and install the script.
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/43573

NOTE1: YOU MUST BE AWARE ABOUT WHAT SCRIPT YOU INSTALL ON YOUR COMPUTER BECAUSE SCRIPTS CAN ACCESS TO THE PRIVATE INFORMATION ON YOUR COMPUTER SUCH AS USER-NAMES AND PASSWORDS WHICH YOU SAVED ON THE COMPUTER AND SO ON. PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!!!!

NOTE2: THERE IS A RISK THAT YOUR ACCOUNT MIGHT BE BANNED BY ZYNGA OR FB.

Furthermore, there are more information available on the following link that can be helpful about Greasemonkey add-on and the script installation:
http://userscripts.org/about/installing

Happy Playing ;)

Women Think About Sex At Work 34 Times A Day

2009-09-08T21:26:00.000-07:00

Women Think About Sex At Work 34 Times A Day

WOMEN think about sex up to 34 times in an average working day, according to a survey. That works out at the equivalent of once every 14 minutes. The amount of time spent fantasising is perhaps less surprising given that one in three women complained she does not get enough action between the sheets.

More than 1000 women were quizzed for the survey to reveal the level of sexual satisfaction. Nearly half said they were dissatisfied with their sex life, prompting them to think about sex during their working day. And it seems that lust is not just a fleeting thought, with seven in 10 women finding up to an hour a day for their naughty fantasies.

Apart from current partners, celebrities were the most common fantasy figures, closely followed by strangers who women have caught a glimpse of and former lovers. And 53 per cent admitted to a crush on someone at work, while 36 per cent said every girl should have an "office object of affection" to while away the hours at work. More than one in three single women confessed to having someone they can call for no-strings-attached sex.

Mafia War Games : Tip For Not Being Robbed

2009-09-04T00:46:00.000-07:00

If you're reading this, you've probably been robbed... and are probably annoyed because you have to pay for repairs all the time. Additionally, you make less money on properties until they are repaired, which is no fun either.

I am NOT a whiz here, just sharing my experiences. Here are the lil' tips for not being robbed again and again :

1. Your mafia size should be at least the equivalent of your level.

Unlike defending fights, the amount of mafia members that can "help out" is equal to your level. So, if you don't want to get robbed and are level 70, you should have at least 70 people in your mafia. By having less mafia members then your level, you become a big target.

2. Make sure your mafia is well equipped.

Mafia members are only as strong as the weapons and armor you give them. Make sure every mafia member has a decent weapon, armor,
and vehicle to use. Some clans feed their mafia family very well, so they are really strong and can't be robbed!

3. Level Up!

I'm not talking about leveling up to put more points in defense or get more mafia members. Getting out of the low levels early is important for property health - players at higher levels do not rob as often, if at all. Why? Because it is not worth the stamina. Fighting yields more experience and has a chance to drop the best weapons (TNT), vehicles (Humvees), and job items (like Blackmail Photos) that the high level players need.

The $ 650,000-750,000 that is standard for robbing a casino pales in comparison to the amount of cash the "Boss" jobs produce. High level players do jobs for money rather than rob. On that note, if you are power leveling, you may find it hard to keep your mafia size equal to your level. The solution is simple - if you can't keep your mafia size equal to your level, just don't buy property (aside from Mafia Mike's) until you are around level 150. Players around level 20-80 rob much more frequently then high level players.

4. Don't rob other players.

As noted in point #3, high level players do not like to rob. The only reason to rob is to get revenge for their low level buddies. So, if you don't piss anyone off (i.e. by robbing them), you are much less likely to get robbed in return.

5. Win a lot of fights.

In Mafia Wars, the best defense is a good offense. When robbing someone, you can only see a few statistics - number of mafia members, whether the property is protected. Since a player can't actually see your defense rating, a high level of defense does little to deter attacks. What they can see however, is your win to loss ratio on fights. I know I'm a lot less likely to try to fight or rob someone that has won 10,000 fights and only lost 1,000! However, when I see someone who has lost many more fights then they have won, I know it's an easy target.

6. Don't put people on the hitlist.

If you WANT to get robbed, be sure to put someone on the hitlist! Not only will the person you put a hit out on rob you repeatedly, but so will his friends. Additionally, when someone posts a hit, their name is shown on the hitlist as well. Some bored higher level players get entertainment out of robbing and attacking people who put out hits rather than attacking for the reward money! Avoid putting your name out there and you won't get robbed (or attacked) as much.

7. Protect your property.

Protecting your property is not as expensive as you might think - it only needs to be done once if you never get robbed! If you followed steps 1-5 and protect your property, the your odds of getting robbed are slim-to-none. If you never have to pay for repairs, you'll save a lot of money!

Summary

If you are getting robbed constantly in this game, just add more people to your mafia, win a lot of fights (if your attack rating is low find a whipping boy), don't rob other players, don't put out hits, and protect your property. If all else fails, level to 150 as fast as you can- people at that level don't rob as much. Do this and I guarantee you your robbery rates will go way down!

As for me, I don't like being robbed. Sometimes mafias don't need any reason to rob others. So after I obtain my achievement by selling 50 Mega Casinos, I just sell all of them and satisfy by owning lots of Mafia Mike's. You can't rob me!

PS : Credit goes to the original writer!

Mafia Wars Games : Reward Point

2009-09-04T00:36:00.000-07:00

Mafia Wars Rewards points allow players to obtain favors from the Godfather, like more energy. These points lead to advanced game play. Here is how to obtain them easily.

Mafia Wars for Facebook has an interesting spin on the Godfather. Reward points that can be earned through various aspects of the game. Reward points are given by the Godfather as players level up to the next level, but not on every level. Reward

points can also be obtained by doing favors for the Godfather as he indicates on this page in the game.

Reward points can be traded in for different items. Often there will be a special weapon or gift located on the homepage that can only be obtained using reward points. These gifts usually carry more defense and attack points than typical inventory weapons and so are much more valuable to have. Other items that can be bought with Reward points include:

~ Full Health Refills
~ Full Stamina Refills
~ Full Energy Refills
~ “X” Amount of Players added to Family
~ “X” Amount of Cash
~ Surprise Gift

Occasionally there might be more gifts to choose from. Of all the rewards, the Energy refill can be the most beneficial in advancing in game play. This refill allows more jobs to be completed and in turn more levels to be completed.

Obtaining Rewards Points
Waiting to get Rewards points from the Godfather is a slow process, however, for the more serious gamers there are alternative methods. These methods include:

* Purchasing Reward Points: Reward points can be purchased in varying amounts starting at $5 for 10 points. This money goes to run Zynga, the company that runs the game on Facebook.

* Reward Points Free Offers: Underneath the “Purchase Points” section on the Godfather page there is a listing that is sortable. Click on “Free” and all of the free offers that result in added Reward points appear. For example, one coupon website gives free Rewards points just for downloading and installing their toolbar. The toolbar can be removed without affecting Reward points once they are in your game. There are a lot more free offers that give points.

* Reward Points for Purchases or Trial Offers: These yield the most reward points. Credit reporting companies, identity protections companies and more offer free reward points for trying their service. They offer a one month, no obligation free trial. Once the application is completed and the credit card information is verified, the reward points are credited. Because these are trial offers, there are no fees as long as the service is cancelled within the time frame in the details.

Obtaining Rewards points is not difficult but it does take a little time. To seriously move up in game play getting more points is the most vital aspect as it allows more jobs to be completed. Earning favors from the Godfather can be the result of hard work or it can be from cold, hard cash, either way the results are more completed jobs and more levels climbed in the Family.

PS : Credit goes to Sharon Chapman!

....

Mafia Wars Games : Hard Labor Day Loot

2009-09-04T00:31:00.000-07:00

Surprise from Zynga.
Preview all the items we've hidden in the game for the coming Labor Day weekend. From Friday to Monday, take part in Mafia Wars: Hard Labor Day.

Be ready guys... Make sure you play Mafia Wars on this weekend..

Proton Exora MPV

2009-09-04T00:19:00.000-07:00

Proton EXORA MPV - The Malaysia’s first MPV Proton Exora launched on April 15 2009. After so long waiting this Malaysian made MPV Proton Exora, with so many leaked Proton Exora pictures and rumors, now answered. Here you are, we bring you the most wanted picture first, the back of Proton Exora. Looking at the previous leaked pictures, it is so different and this one really looks cool! We are at the EON Glenmarie during launching of Proton Exora. We are really surprised with what Proton
offers compare to the price which is around RM69k to RM75k.
Overall, the Proton Exora exterior is absolutely great and nothing else to say, Proton Exora is going to be the most desireable MPV in Malaysia. I personally proud of what Proton has made to produce our first MPV. The quality of the Proton Exora interior, nothing feels cheap. Meaning that the interior of this 7 seater MPV is nice and well designed. Especially the steering wheel which look like Honda’s steering. The 5 spoke sport rims really satisfy the eyes of observer which looks fit to the Proton Exora MPV.
From bonnet to bumper, your elegant cruising machine Proton Exora is fitted with only the best in aesthetics. Take a glance at its stylish body featuring a sporty winged grille, plus integrated head lamps and fender design. Look around some more and you’ll soon see that aerodynamics was not Proton only concern. Sophistication mattered too.
PROTON EXORA

Proton Exora Carries up to 7 adults comfortably in plush leather seats*. For more room, the 2nd and 3rd rows can be arranged and folded in 6 different ways, including completely flat.

Surprisingly, the 2nd and third row of Proton Exora fit 5 adults with comfortable space. I have tried sitting at the back and i feel that there is no problem for me to sit there for a long journey because Proton Exora can fit me without feeling uncomfortable. Amazing for an MPV below RM80k! I would say the space for third row is better than Rondo and Grand Livina. Proton Exora is really for 2 adults, not just 2 small kids.
Proton Exora comes with dual blower and individual air-cond outlets at every row, built-in entertainment system* and 10 cup holders. Interior finishing of Proton Exora is very nice.

ALL-ROUND PROTECTION : High tensile steel cage and hydro forming sub-frame technology for a safe, lightweight body that is designed to meet European impact standards. Dual airbags, smart anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution system (EBD) come standard.

SOLID PERFORMANCE : A CAMPRO CPS engine with 125hp and 150Nm of torque powers the Proton Exora economically, while Lotus driving dynamics provide agility. Sound absorption technology ensures peaceful journeys.

INTELLIGENT ELECTRONICS Access all essential electronic functions via an integrated Electronic Control module. Enjoy conveniences like signalling lane change with a swift touch of a switch, or even programming the speed of your front wipers.
Proton Exora Front bumper adds to a tough and sturdy image while its front grille carries a unique wing design.

Proton Exora Side mirrors with LED turning signal for better visibility.

A trendy LED tail lamp gives a balanced look to Proton Exora’s overall rear design. LED lights also have a longer life span compared to normal bulbs.

Wraparound bumper - clean and sleek look.

Very Sporty rear spoiler of Proton Exora
The third and second row of Proton Exora can be arranged in so many formation due to its ability to be folded and really carries the name of Multi purpose Vehicle with the function to fit big and many stuff there in Proton Exora. At third row, you will not have to sit like on the floor because it is quite high of seat height. The leg room is good for a person around 178cm high. At front row, no complain at all.. Spacious. Same with the second row seat.
he meter panel is quite simple.

Step inside the Proton Exora and you’ll realise why Proton Exora can easily be your family’s living room on the road. Be greeted by sleek trimmings, high-quality finishes and all-round comfort.

Thoughtfully crafted Proton Exora ergonomic seats for first-class comfort — perfect even for long-distance family road trips.

Boldly designed illuminated black fascia Proton Exora meter display. It gradually lights up when the Proton Exora comes to life.

Proton Exora Design with practicality and convenience in mind. Power window controls are alongside pockets and bottle holders.
The Proton Exora is powered by CAMPRO CPS 1.6 litre engine. Proton Exora is enough to bring this MPV with 7 passenger inside anywhere. Reading so many Proton Exora test drive review recently, they were all satisfy with the performance of this CAMPRO CPS under the hood of Proton Exora. But Proton Exora will not beat the Nissan Grand Livina’s 1.6 CVTC responsive engine due to the weight of Proton Exora is more than Livina eventhough both engine have same 1600 cc displacement. However, the performance of Proton Exora is acceptable and you will have no problem with Proton Exora to bring a body of a quite big MPV. Anyway, this is an MPV, not a racing sports car.

The Proton Exora center panel on dashboard is pretty nice. Looks simple yet elegant. the gated auto gear which only have on high end cars available in Proton Exora is easy to reach.
Proton Exora ,Very spacious MPV. Proton Exora is what you need if you have a big family. Proton Exora really can fit 7 adults. Enough to bring other 6 members of your family happily anywhere. About fuel consumption of Proton Exora? For now there is no data provided by Proton in terms of km/l or litre per 100km. Basically Proton Exora will be slightly fuel consuming than the Proton Gen2 CPS with the same 1.6 litre campro cps engine. But yet still among the best fuel consumption in its class as an MPV.

Info credit to Kereta Info

Michael Jackson Dies at 50

2009-06-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

According to multiple reports, Michael Jackson had a heart attack Thursday, June 25 in his home in Los Angeles. Paramedics were called to the house, and they arrived shortly before 12:30 p.m. Michael wasn’t breathing, so the paramedics began performing CPR. He was then taken, by ambulance, to UCLA Medical Center.

Around six p.m. tonight, TMZ confirmed Michael Jackson’s death. They claim Michael s
uffered cardiac arrest, and that the CPR performed on Michael at his home was unsuccessful. Michael’s body was taken to UCLA, where he was pronounced dead:

We’ve just learned Michael Jackson has died. He was 50.

Michael suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. We’re told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back.

A source tells us Jackson was dead when paramedics arrived.

LaToya ran in the hospital sobbing, after Jackson was pronounced dead.

Michael is survived by three children: Michael Joseph Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II.

Jackson had 13 number one hits during his solo career.

Michael Jackson was one of the biggest celebrities in the world. He sold millions of albums, entertained millions - if not billions - of people, and inspired countless others. He is survived by his three children: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., 11, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, 10, (both with second wife Deborah Rowe), and Prince Michael Jackson II, 6. It was known that he was in poor health in the past few years, but it’s shocking and terribly sad that he died so young. Prayers to his family, his kids, and his fans. Rest in peace, King of Pop.

Farrah Fawcett Dies

2009-06-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

Musim celebrity meninggal dunia....

Actress Farrah Fawcett, the Charlie's Angels television star whose big smile and feathered blonde mane made her one of the reigning sex symbols of the 1970s, has died after a long battle with cancer.

She was 62.

Fawcett, first vaulted to stardom by an alluring poster of her in a red swimsuit, was diagnosed with anal cancer in late 2006. It spread to her liver in 2007, proving
resistant to numerous medical treatments in Germany and California.

"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," Fawcett's long-time companion, actor Ryan O'Neal, said in a statement.

"Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."

Fawcett's death in a Los Angeles hospital came just six weeks after the TV broadcast in May of a video diary she made chronicling her battle with cancer and her final months.

Called Farrah's Story, the documentary was effectively a self-penned obituary by the actress, who was bedridden and had lost her famous hair by the time it was shown.

O'Neal said she had wanted to tell her story on her own terms.

FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES

Fawcett's close friend Alana Stewart, ex-wife of rocker Rod Stewart, told Entertainment Tonight after leaving the hospital on Thursday; "I just lost my best friend. Her death was very peaceful."

Jaclyn Smith, Fawcett's co-star in 1970s television show Charlie's Angels, said: "Farrah had courage, she had strength and she had faith. And now she has peace as she rests with the real angels."

Actress Cheryl Ladd, who replaced Fawcett on Charlie's Angels, said in a statement: "I'm terribly sad about Farrah's passing. She was incredibly brave, and God will be welcoming her with open arms."

John Forsythe, who co-starred with Fawcett in Charlie's Angels, also expressed his sorrow: "Though I did not know her well, Farrah left an indelible mark on me and the public during her one-year reign on Charlie's Angels. She put up a gallant fight against her unforgiving disease, and I send my deepest sympathies and prayers to her family and friends."

Actor Lee Majors, who was married to Fawcett from 1973 to 1982, told celebrity news outlet Entertainment Tonight: "My wife, Faith, and I were saddened to hear of Farrah's passing. She fought a tremendous
battle against a terrible disease. She was an angel on Earth and now an angel forever."
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Oscar winner Robert Duvall, who co-starred with Fawcett in 1997 movie "The Apostle," said she would be missed: "Farrah had an outstanding talent, better than most feature film actresses that I've seen. She
was great to work with and will be missed."

ANGEL CULTURE

Fawcett, born February 2, 1947, in Corpus Christi, Texas, was an art student in college before she began modelling, appearing in shampoo ads.

She started guest-starring on TV in the late 1960s and appeared on the television hit The Six Million Dollar Man after marrying the show's star, Lee Majors, in 1974. The couple divorced in the early 1980s.

Fawcett's career took off thanks to a poster of her posing flirtatiously with a brilliant smile in a red one-piece bathing suit. It sold millions of copies and led to her being cast in 1976 in Charlie's Angels, an action show about three beautiful, strong women private detectives.

As the tanned and glamorous Jill Munroe - part of a trio that included Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson - Fawcett was the hit show's most talked-about star. She left Charlie's Angels after only one season but lawsuit settlements brought her back to guest-star in subsequent years.

Fawcett's face appeared on T-shirts, posters and dolls. She came to epitomise the glamorous California lifestyle and inspired a worldwide craze for blown-out, feathered-back hair.

The New York Times once described that hair as "a work of art ... emblematic of women in the first stage of liberation - strong, confident and joyous."

"Her hair needed its own phone line," Charlie's Angels co-star Smith recalled later.

In late 2008, Fawcett shaved her own hair when it began falling out because of her cancer treatments.

SERIOUS ROLES

While Fawcett's early career was marked by lightweight roles, the actress sought to play down her sex symbol image in more challenging dramas in the '80s.

She earned critical acclaim for her performance as a battered wife in 1984's The Burning Bed, for which she received the first of three Emmy nominations.

The off-Broadway play and subsequent film Extremities, in which Fawcett played a woman who takes revenge on a would-be attacker, earned one of her six Golden Globe nominations.

Fawcett posed for Playboy magazine in 1995, the same year she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

She had one son, Redmond, with O'Neal. Redmond O'Neal, now 24, was arrested on several occasions in 2008 and 2009 for heroin and methamphetamine offenses leading to time in jail.

In the last few years, Fawcett appeared frequently on entertainment TV, where she shared details of her battle with cancer.

But she was outraged when news of her deteriorating condition was leaked to tabloid newspapers.

A Los Angeles hospital employee was charged in 2008 with stealing and selling Fawcett's medical records, leading to a new California law imposing tighter controls on medical files and stiffer penalties for privacy breaches.

- Reuters

New flyover in Kuching City

2009-06-11T22:17:00.000-07:00

New flyover in Kuching City.... When they want to build flyover at Petrajaya???

KUCHING: Another flyover will be built in Kuching, this time at the Jalan Tun Jugah - Jalan Song junction in the direction of the airport to Kuching and vice versa.

Global Upline Sdn Bhd, who had recently completed the Kenyalang Interchange and the new Airport Road, will undertake the work as continuation of the overall road upgrading along Jalan Tun Jugah. The whole project is estimated to cost RM75 million.

Apart from the flyover, which will be a dual-carriageway, the existing 2.1km stretch of Jalan Tun Jugah between Kenyalang Interchange and Simpang Tiga will be widened to three- and four-lane carriageway in each direction.

Preparatory work will commence middle of this month, while work at the flyover will start immediately after the Rulers Conference in Kuching at the end of July.

Global Upline advisor Tan Sri Ting Pek Khing said the project will take six to eight months to complete.

“(During the construction period) motorists are advised to avoid using Jalan Tun Jugah-Jalan Song intersection, especially during rush hours, otherwise there will be traffic jam.

“Just give us six months, then the cars can (use the) fly over,” he told reporters yesterday, after briefing Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on the project at Four Points by Sheraton hotel.

Taib, in his brief comments, said he was confident that Global Upline could complete the project in the soonest time possible. He also said the project, once completed, would improve the flow of traffic there.

According to a statement released by Global Upline, Jalan Tun Jugah is the main gateway to Kuching city as it formed part of the Sarawak first trunk road linking the city with other major towns in the state, as well as the gateway to the ‘outside world’ as it is the main access road to the Kuching International Airport (KIA).

Despite the upgrading of Jalan Tun Jugah-Jalan Song junction from the old roundabout into a signalised junction some years ago, it was never able to cope with the traffic volumes as it still experienced long delays in all the four directions during rush hours, it added.

“With the recent completion of Kenyalang Interchange, it becomes very apparent that the section of Jalan Tun Jugah between that Interchange and Jalan Upland is grossly under capacity, especially at its signalised junction with Jalan Song, with traffic jam the norm even during non-rush hours.

“During the morning and rush hours, delays of up to 20 minutes in all four lanes are common. It is obvious that traffic capacity at the junction is incompatible with other sections of the road and needs urgent improvement,” it said.

Although the contract period for the project is 12 months, Global Upline said it would endeavour to complete work in shortest time possible and to minimise any obstruction during the construction period.

On another development, Ting said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be in Kuching to declare open the KIA runway and official opening of Four Points by Sheraton hotel next Wednesday (June 17).

Both projects were undertaken by Global Upline.

VERY VERY URGENT - PLEASE READ

2009-05-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

THIS IS NO JOKE

IF A PERSON CALLED SIMON ASHTON ( SIMON25@HOTMAIL.CO.UK ) CONTACTS YOU THROUGH EMAIL DON'T OPEN THE MESSAGE. DELETE IT BECAUSE HE OR SHE IS A HACKER!!

TELL EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY ON YOUR LIST ADDS HIM THEN YOU WILL GET HIM ON YOUR LIST. HE WILL FIGURE OUT YOUR ID COMPUTER ADDRESS, SO COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE EVEN IF YOU DONT CARE FOR THEM AND FAST BECAUSE IF HE HACKS THEIR EMAIL HE HACKS YOUR MAIL TOO!!!!!...

Anyone-using Internet mail such as Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL and so on. This information arrived this morning, Direct from both Microsoft and Norton. Please send it to everybody you know who has access to the Internet. You may receive an apparently harmless e-mail titled 'Mail Server Report'

If you open either file, a message will appear on your screen saying: 'It is too late now, your life is no longer beautiful.'

Subsequently you will LOSE EVERYTHING IN YOUR PC,
And the person who sent it to you will gain access to your name, e-mail and password.

This is a new virus which started to circulate on Saturday afternoon. AOL has already confirmed the severity, and the anti virus software's are not capable of destroying it .

The virus has been created by a hacker who calls himself 'life owner'.

PLEASE SEND A COPY OF THIS E-MAIL TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS, And ask them to
PASS IT ON IMMEDIATELY!

Mafia War Cheat, Weapons, Armours and Vehicles

2009-05-07T19:53:00.001-07:00

Weapons, Armours and Vehicles

Street Thug (lvls 1 - 4)
Beat Up Rival Gangster = .22 Pistol [2, 0 weapon]
Rob a Pimp = 9mm Semi-Automatic [3, 2 weapon]

Associate (lvls 5 - 8)
Collect Protection Money = Butterfly Knife [2, 1 weapon]
Rough Up Dealers = Brass Knuckles [2, 2 weapon]
Take Out a Rogue Cop = .45 Revolver [3, 2 weapon]
Perform a Hit = Tactical Shotgun [3, 2 weapon]

Soldier (lvls 9 - 12)
Destroy Enemy Mob Hideout = C4 [5, 2 weapon]
Kill a Protected Snitch = Stab-Proof Vest [2, 5 armor]
Bust a Made Man Out of Prison = Automatic Rifle [4, 4 weapon], Shamrock Medallion [1, 7 armor]
Fight a Haitian Gang = Firebomb [4, 2 weapon], Semi-Automatic Shotgun [5, 4 weapon]
Clip the Irish Mob's Local Enforcer = Automatic Rifle [4, 4 weapon], Shamrock Medallion [1, 7 armor]
Steal a Tanker Truck = Firebomb [4, 2 weapon], Semi-Automatic Shotgun [5, 4 weapon]

Enforcer (lvls 13 - 17)
Smuggle Across the Border = Armoured Truck [8, 4 vehicle]
Rob an Electronics Store = Computer Set-Up, Concealable Camera, Untraceable Cell Phone (* special *)

Hitman (lvls 18 - 24)
Repel the Yakuza = Grenade Launcher [14, 10 weapon]
Disrupt Rival Smuggling Ring = .50 Caliber Rifle [16, 11 weapon]
Invade Tong-controlled Neighborhood = Armored Car [14, 15 vehicle]
Sell Guns to the Russian Mob = RPG Launcher [20, 12 weapon]
Protect your City against a Rival Family = Bodyguards [8, 25 armor]
Assassinate a Political Figure = Night Vision Goggles [5, 16 armor]
Exterminate a Rival Family = Napalm [25, 9 weapon]
Obtain Compromising Photos = Blackmail Photos (* special *)

Capo (lvls 25 - 34)
Steal an Air Freight Delivery = Prop Plane [5, 20 vehicle]
Run a Biker Gang Out of Town = Harley Davidson "Fat Boy" Motorcycle [18, 6 vehicle]
Steal Bank Records = Illegal Transaction Records (* special *)

Consigliere (lvls 35 - 59)
Influence a Harbor Official = Luxury Yacht [10, 20 vehicle]
Ransom a Businessman's Kids = Porche 911 [20, 14 vehicle]
Fix the Big Game = Bookie's Holdout Pistol [24, 12 weapon]

Underboss (lvls 60 - 99)
Break Into the Armory = Humvee [26, 22 vehicle]
Rip Off the Armenian Mob = AR-15 Assault Rifle [32, 10 weapon]
Take Over an Identity Theft Ring = Falsified Documents [2, 30 armor]

Boss (lvls 100+)
Buy Off a Federal Agent = Federal Agent [15, 25 armor]
Make a Deal with the Mexican Cartel = Private Jet [12, 38 vehicle]
Blackmail the District Attorney = Police Cruiser [22, 28 vehicle]
Shake Down a City Council Member = Armoured Limosine [16, 36 vehicle]

Mafia War, Rewards for mastering the Tiers (Cheat)

2009-05-07T19:51:00.000-07:00

Rewards for mastering the Tiers

Street Thug (lvls 1 - 4)
You have mastered all of the level 3 “Street Thug” jobs earning the title of “Master Street Thug”.
A Pistol Bayonet has been added to your inventory, giving you +4% damage dealt in fights.

Associate (lvls 5 - 8)
You have mastered all of the level 3 “Associate” jobs earning the title of “Master Associate”.
A Bugatti has been added to your inventory, giving you -7% damage received in fights.

Soldier (lvls 9 - 12)
You have mastered all of the level 3 “Soldier” jobs earning the title of “Master Soldier”.
A Golden Skull has been added to your inventory, giving you a 30 second reduction on your health regen timer.

Enforcer (lvls 13 - 17)
You have mastered all of the level 3 “Enforcer” jobs earning the title of “Master Enforcer”.
A Money Plate has been added to your inventory, giving you a 5% discount on property purchases.

Hitman (lvls 18 - 24)
You have mastered all of the level 3 “Hitman” jobs earning the title of “Master Hitman”.
A Chainsaw Bayonet has been added to your inventory, giving you a 30 second reduction on your stanima regen timer.

Capo (lvls 25 - 34)
You have mastered all of the level 3 “Capo” jobs earning the title of “Master Capo”.
A State Senator has been added to your inventory, giving you a 5% discount on property repairs.

Consigliere (lvls 35 - 59)
You have mastered all of the level 3 “Consigliere” jobs earning the title of “Master Consigliere”.
A Helicopter has been added to your inventory, giving you a 30 second reduction on your energy regen timer.

Underboss (lvls 60 - 99)
You have mastered all of the level 3 "Underboss" jobs earning the title of "Master Underboss".
A Private Island has been added to your inventory, giving you a 5% bonus on job experience.

Boss (lvls 100+)
You have mastered all of the level 3 "Boss" jobs earning the title of "Master Boss".
A Golden Throne has been added to your inventory, giving you 2x the energy regenerated per regen period

Mafia War, Special Collection Rewards (Cheat)

2009-05-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Special Collection Rewards

Diamond Flush Collection (Street Thug Tier) = +1 Energy
Heart Flush Collection (Associate Tier) = +5 Health
Club Flush Collection (Soldier Tier) = +3 Attack
Poker Chips collection (Soldier Tier) = +2 Attack
Sculptures collection (Soldier Tier) = +3 Defense
Spade Flush Collection (Enforcer Tier) = +2 Stamina
Cigars Collection (Enforcer Tier) = +2 Energy
Ties Collection (Hitman Tier) = +6 Defense
Rings Collection (Hitman Tier) = +5 Defense
Cufflinks Collection (Capo Tier) = +10 Health
Paintings Collection (Capo Tier) = +6 Energy
Horses Collection (Consigliere Tier) = +7 Energy

Info about KWSP

2009-05-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) also known in Malay as Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja.

The Malaysian EPF was formally founded after the enactment of the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991 (Act 452), which grants employees retirement benefits via a body that is intended to manage their savings.As of 31 December, 2006, a total of 11.4 million members have registered to the EPF, of which 5.4 million are active and contributing members, and 416,000 are active employers.

The EPF is intended to help employees from both private and non-pensionable public sectors save a fraction of their salary in a lifetime banking scheme, to be used in an event that the employee is temporarily or no longer fit to work. The EPF primarily applies to retirement, but sickness, disabilities or unemployment are also covered. The EPF also provides a framework for employers to meet legal and moral obligations to their employees.

Legally, the EPF is only obligated to provide 2.5% dividends (as per Section 27 of the Employees Provident Fund Act 1991).

The EPF claims that the lowered dividend is the result of its decision to invest in low-risk fixed revenue instruments, which produce lower returns but maintains the principal value of its members' contributions. This is due to the EPF primarily aimed at providing a stable financial security of its members.

In addition, the EPF further elaborates dividend rates and their performances are calculated and influenced based on the full distribution of net EPF revenue, depending on the return on investments that in turn is based on asset allocation.

The EPF also attributes the declining interest market rate since 1996 to the interest market rate. Because 75% of investment funds are concentrated towards bodies closely linked to trends in the interest market rate, including Malaysian Government Securities, loans or bonds, and money market instruments, low interest rates for the past few years had an adverse effect on returns for EPF investments.

In April 2007, criticism was raised at a proposed amendment of EPF guidelines (the EPF Bill (Amendment) 2007) that cuts monthly contributions of members above 55 years by 50% (6.2% from 11% for employees, and 5.7% from 12% for employers).The change was described as a disadvantage to tens and thousands of members compared to those under the pension scheme as the former is not given free medical treatment after retirement, and was described as a form of discrimination towards senior members. Under the proposal, an employer of foreign workers may also optionally contribute RM5 monthly per head, raising concerns of employers' preferences towards foreign employees. The government responded by claiming that the proposal may be studied, and later states that members can contribute at any amount above the slashed contributed amount.The EPF guideline for employers of foreign workers remains unchanged, citing that the policy has been implemented before in 1998.

Withdrawal

As a retirement plan, money accumulated in an EPF savings can only be withdrawn when members reach 50 years old, during which they may withdraw only 30% of their EPF; members who are 55 years old or older may withdraw all of their EPF.When a member dies beforehand, the EPF fund is withdrawn in favour of a nominated individual.Withdrawals are also possible when a member will emigrate,[11] becomes disabled, or requires essential medical treatment.Members above 55 years old can choose not to withdraw EPF savings immediately and withdraw only later, and, under existing guidelines, employers may continue to contribute 12% of the members' salaries at their own discretion.

Accounts

Effective 1 January, 2007, a member's EPF savings consists of two accounts that vary by their share of savings and withdrawal flexibilities. The first account, dubbed "Account I", stores 70% of the members' monthly contribution, while the second account, dubbed "Account II", stores 30%. Account I restricts withdrawals to the moment the member reaches an age of 55 years old, is incapacitated, leaves the country or passes away. Withdrawal of savings from Account II however, is permitted for down payments or loan settlements for a member's first house, finances for education and medical expenses, investments, and the time when the member reaches 50 years of age.

As of November 30, 2006 , the size of the EPF stood "in excess" of 260 billion ringgit.[2]

[edit] Savings and investments

As of 2007, the EPF functions by procuring at least 11% of each member's monthly salary and storing it in a savings account, while the member's employer is obligated to additionally fund at least 12% of employee's salary to the savings at the same time.[1]

While in savings, a member's EPF may be used as investments for companies deemed profitable and permissible by the organisation, from which dividends are banked to respective members' accounts. Alternately, members may use their EPF savings in their own investments, although such activities are not covered by the EPF and the members are to bear any losses made.[1]

Compared to those declared by several other agenda, the EPF declares an annual dividend on funds collected which has been progressively declining since 1987:

Father Throws 10 Month-Old in Boiling Water on a Dare

2009-05-04T17:50:00.001-07:00

Father Throws 10 Month-Old in Boiling Water on a Dare

A 10 month-old Taiwanese girl was severely burned at the hand of her father last week in Taiwan.
Mr. Huang, a 47 year-old alcoholic noodle factory owner, had beenout all night drinking with some friends. When he returned home, veryintoxicated, his girlfriend and the baby’s mother, Ms. Lin, wasextremely angry and they began to argue.

Lin was holding their baby in her arms and at one point in theargument, dared Huang to throw their daughter into a gigantic wok ofboiling water.
Huang, furious and angry, jumped over and snatched his daughter from Lin and dumped her into the boiling water.

Lin in shock, managed to pull the baby out of the boiling water, but it was too late as 90% of the babies body was scalded.
She tried to cool the baby by running cold water on her and removingher clothing, but it only added to the babies pain as parts of her skinfell off.
Lin ran with the baby to her house, where her brother rushed them to the hospital.

A doctor described the baby’s pain as ‘being slashed by a thousand knives’, and almost 10 times worse than labor pains.
When the police arrived at the noodle factory to arrest Huang, theyfound him standing there cooking noodles as if nothing had occured.
Huang later told the police that he “didn’t mean to put the baby inthe boiling water. I really regret what I did after having a drop toomuch.’
Initially the baby’s condition looked to be improving, but Monday night, she took a turn for the worse.

3 days later, the 10 month-old girl died from multiple organ failure.“We respected the mother’s wish not to defibrillate or performcardiopulmonary resuscitation and we gave the baby all the medicationwe could, including antibiotics. Unfortunately, the girl left us at10:05am,” Changhua Christian Hospital emergency room supervisor ChouChih-chung (周志中 said.
“It was just too painful for her,” the mother said.

No More, Perodua Kancil ....

2009-05-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

RAWANG, May 4 — Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua (Perodua) is preparing to phase out its first and oldest model, Kancil, next month after 16 years on the road.

Managing Director Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar said Perodua would stop production of the popular 660cc Kancil and would replace it with the Viva.

“Right now we are in the final month of the production of the Kancil. After 16 years (and) after 750,000 Kancils on the road, we are ready to phase it out.”

“We would probably launch the Viva 660 basic to replace the Kancil around July,” he told Bernama in an interview recently at the manufacturing plant here.

The Kancil was the first model manufactured by Perodua, introduced shortly after the company’s incorporation in 1994.

The first batch of Kancils was launched on August 29, 1994, with a manufacturing capacity of 45,000 units per annum.

“For April this year, almost 1,000 units of the Kancil have been registered and we are now down to the final 1,000 to be sold in May or early June the latest”, he said.

Since its maiden launch, the Kancil has been through several processes of modifications, upgrades and facelifts.

As for the basic Viva, he said the price would be cheaper compared to the current Viva.

Perodua expects to sell a RM25,000 entry level car.

Currently, he said the cheapest Viva is about RM28,000.

“We are doing all these to prepare for our big launch in November of our Multi-Purpose Vehicle. Our mass production will start sometime end-September. So we do this in preparing for this new line for the MPV,” Syed Abdull said.

The new Perodua MPV is internally codenamed Perodua D46T and is expected to be priced between RM60,000 and RM65,000, he said.

The new Perodua D46T will be based on the Toyota Passo Sette, also known as the Daihatsu Boon Luminas.

It measures 4,180mm long, 1,695mm wide and is 1,620mm tall, with a long 2,750mm wheelbase to maximise the interior space (2,550mm long). – Bernama

Sin Chew Daily : Bye Bye 30%

2009-04-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

Sin Chew Daily : Bye Bye 30%

Farewell, 30%!
Posted by admin
Tuesday, 28 April 2009 21:50

Without this "30%," perhaps Malaysian companies could emerge more energetic, the ecomomy could grow faster, the Malays could be more competitive, and non-Malays could be less dejected and unsatisfied.

By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by CHONG CIEW JU/Sin Chew Daily

Don't know since when Malaysia has become a country of "30%."

To set up a company, we must have 30% bumiputra equity; to list a company on the stock market, we must have 30% bumiputra equity; and to bid for a government project, we also must have 30% bumiputra equity.

All these are done in the name of the New Economic Policy (NEP).

Having said that, "reserved 30% bumiputra equity" has never actually been gazetted in the 1971 New Economic Policy.

The objectives of the NEP were: to eliminate poverty regardless of race; and to restructure the society and do away with the identification of race according to economic activity.

There is no problem with the policy itself, and the guiding principle is absolutely correct.

But, in the executive orders that follow, the very crude '30%" has been universally employed to achieve the targets of NEP.

Government officials hold dearly to the "30%" to slice up the economy. They pick up their parangs, axes and electric saws and chop up the companies into pieces.

Politicians and those with good relations with the government are fast grabbing this "30%" bounty. Without having to put in the slightest effort or making any real contribution at all, they unashamedly share the 30% benefits.

"Without the bondage of this "30%," Malaysia could absolutely be a more united, harmonious and progressive country."
As such, many companies which are vibrant, innovative and with great prospects are either nibbed in the bud or left struggling for mere survival.

In order to achieve the 30% target, the country has paid a hefty price over the past few decades.

Many local and foreign investors would rather dump their money elsewhere than to have their 30% plundered. Many companies choose not to expand their businesses lest they are put into the restructuring list, while others have to reluctantly swallow the 30% equity arrangement, making compromises in their company equity, management and vibrancy.

The majority of the Malay community has not really benefited from the 30% bumiputra equity policy, which benifits only a handful of privileged individuals, allowing these privileged few to take the lion's share of the benefits. This has further widened the gap between the haves and haves-not within the Malay community itself while creating entrenched class confrontation.

Without this "30%," perhaps Malaysian companies could emerge more energetic, the ecomomy could grow faster, the Malays could be more competitive, and non-Malays could be less dejected and unsatisfied.

Without the bondage of this "30%," Malaysia could absolutely be a more united, harmonious and progressive country.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has started to lift this bondage which has enslaved Malaysians for nearly four decades, allowing Malaysians to feel instantly invigorated and relieved.

But to be truly emancipated, more "30%" needs to be lifted. Besides, we must also keep an eye on non-compliance in our bureaucratic system as well as backlash from the vested interests.

Father tries to cash in on daughter's fame

2009-04-20T23:06:00.000-07:00

Father tries to cash in on daughter's fame
By Mazher Mahmood, 19/04/2009

THE poverty-stricken father of Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubina Ali plans to become a millionaire himself-by SELLING his nine-year-old daughter.

In a bid to escape India's real-life slums, Rafiq Qureshi put angel-faced darling of the Oscars Rubina up for adoption, demanding millions of rupees worth £200,000.

As he offered the shocking deal to the News of the World's undercover fake sheik this week, Rafiq declared: "I have to consider what's best for me, my family and Rubina's future."

Rafiq tried to blame Hollywood bosses for forcing him to put his daughter up for SALE.

As he tried to fix the illegal adoption deal, real-life slum dweller Rafiq declared: "We've got nothing out of this film."

Then, almost embarrassed to speak it out loud, he whispered to an accomplice the price tag he has put on his innocent young daughter: "It's £200,000!"

That was an astonishing FOURFOLD increase on his opening demand. But Rafiq's equally demanding brother Mohiuddin insisted: "The child is special now. This is NOT an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child!"

BUY MY DAUGHTER: Father Rafiq (centre) and uncle Rajan More (left) pose with Rubina and our undercover team
Dad Rafiq is desperate to cash in on their nine-year-old's success in the blockbuster film by selling her to the highest bidder

He sees it as his family's escape route from the notorious Bandra slum sprawl of Mumbai.

Rafiq revealed his scheme to undercover News of the World reporters posing as a wealthy family from Dubai.

Slumdog Millionaire star Rubina Ali's dad puts his daughter up for sale

Riches
We travelled to Mumbai to expose the illegal sale after a tip-off from a concerned close family friend and former neighbour.

Shockingly, this sort of transaction is far from unusual in an impoverished nation where human life comes cheap and children are often treated as a commodity.

Rubina won the hearts of film-lovers around the world playing young Latika in British director Danny Boyle's movie that picked up eight Oscars and a pile of other glittering awards. It tells the rags to riches story of a young man from the slums who wins the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Filmed in Mumbai's seething pauper ghetto it depicts starkly true scenes of poverty and child cruelty, where young orphans are blinded and crippled by Fagin-like thugs and forced to beg on the streets. And with a staggering 11 million children abandoned in India every year, there is no shortage of young prey.

Our informant, now a city tour guide, told us: "Rubina's family are furious that despite the film doing so well and their pretty daughter becoming so famous, they are still living in such rough conditions.

"They were approached by one wealthy Middle Eastern family who saw their plight in an item on Al Jazeera TV. The couple expressed an interest in adopting young Rubina and her parents' eyes lit up.

"Dad Rafiq is streetwise and knows that soon his daughter's success will be forgotten and her moment of fame will be over. He has a family to feed and simply can't afford it. He is keen to find a rich family to bring up Rubina but only if they are willing to help the whole family to get out of the slums.

"The Middle East family were moved to tears by the plight of the young orphans shown in the film and fell in love with Rubina.

"Just as Western stars like Madonna do, they want to adopt children from poor areas and give them a better life.

"This family wanted to take Rubina abroad. They agreed to come to Mumbai to discuss the adoption in May.

"But the approach has made Rafiq very greedy and he has said that he will consider the highest offer for his child. But they realise that the money will soon stop coming in and Rafiq is open to all offers."

Our investigator made contact with Rafiq and said we had heard he was considering having Rubina adopted. He told Rafiq he was acting for a wealthy Arab sheik who wanted to take the youngster to live with him 2,000 miles away in Dubai.

Rafiq replied: "Yes, we are considering Rubina's future.

SECRET SHAME: Rubina Ali is held aloft at Mumbai celebrations by dad now trying to sell her
"Why don't you speak to my brother-in-law, Rajan, and he will discuss it with you? I will ask him to call you."

After contacting us, Rubina's uncle Rajan More - who speaks good English - confirmed: "Yes, we are interested in securing our girl's future.

"Rubina's life is miserable and she lives here with her stepmother. Most of the time she stays with me because she is not happy at her parents' home.

"Obviously if you wanted to adopt we could discuss this, but her parents would also expect some proper compensation in return. We are talking of around £50,000 for this to happen." In another phone call, father Rafiq coolly confirmed: "Whatever you have discussed with Rajan, I agree with. Whatever money is agreed by Rajan, I will accept.

"We can discuss everything about this deal when we meet. There's a lot of interest in Rubina, she's become very famous."

Without querying the background, intentions, or even the names of Rubina's prospective new parents, Rafiq arranged to meet us.

Purifying Charity (Zakat)

2009-04-13T23:15:00.001-07:00

Conditions for Obligation

* Free, adult, sane Muslims.

* Possession of Nisab, and the passage of one, uninterrupted lunar year over it (uninterrupted in the sense that at no point during that period does the amount of money drop to zero. However, if it drops below the Nisab without disappearing completely, the year is not considered to be interrupted as long as the amount is over the Nisab at the period-end.)

* Zakat is due on : gold, silver, cash, gold or silver jewelry, produce, livestock, trade-goods.

* Non-zakatable items : house one lives in, cars one uses, clothes one wears, household furniture, weapons one uses, jewels or other jewelry besides gold and silver unless acquired for trade, interest (riba) - it must be disposed of.

Zakat on Gold, Silver and Cash

* Nisab for gold is 20 mithqal = 2.81 troy oz.= 87.48g

* Nisab for silver is 200 dirhams = 19.69 troy oz = 612.36g (~$)

* 2.5% on the amount present at lunar year-end.

* Gold and silver jewelry is zakatable, as are gold and silver utensils.

* Loans to others are zakatable provided they are guaranteed.

Zakat on Trade-Goods

* Zakat due on any trade-goods (including raw materials) if their value reaches the nisab value of gold or silver. The year need not be uninterrupted.

* Value of goods is added to value of gold and silver for purposes of nisab.

* Shares and bonds are zakatable on the income from investment if the company deals with land and immovable property the income and current share-price in other cases

* Machinery, land, fixtures and fittings are exempt fom zakat.

Zakat on Other Items
Produce: 10%
Animals.

Payment of Zakat
- Intention is essetial

May only be given to the following categories:

* faqir : poor; one who has some money, but not sufficient for his basic needs

* miskin : destitute; one who has nothing

* `amil `alayha : zakat collector, appointed by the Caliph

* mu'allafah qulubuhum : 'those whose hearts are to be reconciled'

* fi'r-riqab : to slaves to purchase their freedom

* gharim : one in debt for a legitimate reason

* fi sabilillah : in the path of Allah = mujaahidin.

* ibnu's-sabil : wayfarer; one stranded away from home, with no money available to him.

May be given to any or all of these categories. It is preferred to give to one's needy relatives for whom one is not financially responsible Islamically. It is disliked to give too much or too little to any one individual.

May not be given to:

* non-Muslims

* well-off or rich people

* father, grandfather, etc.

* son, grandson, etc.

* wife or husband

* Banu Hashim (family of the Prophet-saw) and their freed slaves

* an employee or laborer as wages

* an institution

It is disliked to transfer zakat funds to another country, unless there is a legitimate need.

Etiquettes of Paying Zakat

1. Understand the rationale
- test of love for Allah
- ridding oneself of miserliness
- thankfulness to Allah

2. Pay it in secret, preferably.

3. Do not ruin it by reminder and injury.

4. Do not consider it to be big.

5. Spend the best of your wealth.

6. Seek out the most pious, knowledgeable and dignified people

Thailand declares emergency, cancels Asian summit

2009-04-11T02:51:00.000-07:00

Thailand declares emergency, cancels Asian summit

PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) ¡ª Thailand has declared a state of emergency in the town where a summit of Asian leaders was supposed to be held after protesters stormed the venue. The meeting has been canceled.

The decree also covers the area surrounding Pattaya. It gives the military the right to restore order, allows authorities to suspend civil liberties, bans public gatherings of more than five people and bars the media from reporting news that "causes panic."

Thai Prime Abhisit Vejjajiva declared the emergency Saturday after protesters demanding his ouster smashed the glass doors of the summit venue and swarmed the building.

Government spokesman Supachai Jaisamuth said the situation was "too violent" for the meeting to take place.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) ¡ª A Thai government officials say a summit of Asian leaders has been canceled for security reasons.

The announcement Saturday came after more than 1,000 anti-government protesters smashed through glass doors to storm into the convention hall where some of the meetings were scheduled to take place.

Government spokesman Supachai Jaisamuth said the situation was "too violent" for the meeting to take place.

The protesters are calling for the resignation of Thai Prime Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) ¡ª Thailand has declared a state of emergency in the town where a summit of Asian leaders was supposed to be held after protesters stormed the venue. The meeting has been canceled.

The decree also covers the area surrounding Pattaya. It gives the military the right to restore order, allows authorities to suspend civil liberties, bans public gatherings of more than five people and bars the media from reporting news that "causes panic."

Thai Prime Abhisit Vejjajiva declared the emergency Saturday after protesters demanding his ouster smashed the glass doors of the summit venue and swarmed the building.

Government spokesman Supachai Jaisamuth said the situation was "too violent" for the meeting to take place.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PATTAYA, Thailand (AP) ¡ª A Thai government officials say a summit of Asian leaders has been canceled for security reasons.

The announcement Saturday came after more than 1,000 anti-government protesters smashed through glass doors to storm into the convention hall where some of the meetings were scheduled to take place.

Government spokesman Supachai Jaisamuth said the situation was "too violent" for the meeting to take place.

The protesters are calling for the resignation of Thai Prime Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Full List of Najib Cabinet

2009-04-09T01:46:00.000-07:00

FULL LIST

Prime Minister

Najib Abdul Razak

Deputy Prime Minister

Muhyiddin Yassin

Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department

Dr Koh Tsu Koon - Unity Affairs and Performance Management

Nazri Abdul Aziz - Minister in charge of law and Parliament

Nor Mohamed Yaakop - Economic Planning Unit

Major Gen Jamil Khir Baharom - Islamic Affairs

Deputies: Liew Vui Keong, Senator Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, SK Devamany, Ahmad Maslan and Senator T Murugiah

Finance Ministry

Najib Abdul Razak (1)
Ahmad Husni Hanadzlan (2)

Deputies: Chor Chee Heong, Senator Dr Awang Adek Hussien

Education Ministry

Muhyiddin Yassin

Deputy: Wee Ka Siong, Puad Zarkashi

Transport Ministry

Ong Tee Keat

Deputies: Abdul Rahim Bakri, Robert Lau Hoi Chew

Agricultural Development and Commodities

Bernard Dompok

Deputy: Hamzah Zainuddin

Home Affairs

Hishammuddin Hussien

Deputies: Abu Seman Yusop, Jelaing Mersat

Information, Communication, Arts and Culture

Rais Yatim

Deputies: Joseph Salang Gandum, Senator Heng Seai Kie

Energy, Green Technology and Water

Peter Chin Fah Kui

Deputy: Noriah Kasnon

Rural Development and Territories

Shafie Apdal

Deputies: Hassan Malek, Joseph Entulu Belaun

Higher Education

Khaled Nordin

Deputies: Dr Hou Kok Chung, Saifuddin Abdullah

International Trade and Industry

Mustapa Mohamad

Deputies: Mukhriz Mahathir, Jacob Dungau Sagan

Science, Technology and Innovation

Dr Maximus Ongkili

Deputy: Fadillah Yusof

Tourism

Ng Yen Yen

Deputy: Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib

Agriculture

Noh Omar

Deputies: Johari Baharom, Rohani Abdul Karim

Defence

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Deputy: Abdul Latif Ahmad

Works

Shaziman Abu Mansor

Deputies: Yong Khoon Seng

Health

Liow Tiong Lai

Deputy: Rosnah Rashid Shilin

Youth and Sports

Ahmad Shabery Cheek

Deputies: Razali Ibrahim, Wee Jeck Seng

Human Resource

Dr S Subramaniam

Deputy: Maznah Mazlan

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs

Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Deputy: Tan Lian Hoe

Housing and Local Government

Kong Cho Ha

Deputy: Lajim Ukin

Women, Family and Society Development

Senator Sharizat Abdul Jalil

Deputy: Senator Chew Mei Fun

Foreign

Anifah Aman

Deputies: Senator A Kohilan Pillay, Senator Lee Chee Leong

Federal Territories

Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin

Deputy: M Saravanan

Najib names his new cabinet

2009-04-09T01:44:00.000-07:00

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today announced his much-awaited cabinet which saw many old faces retained and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin being left out of the line-up.

The cabinet has been slashed from 32 ministers to 28 but the number of deputy ministers increased from 38 to 40.

At the same time, the number of ministries have been reduced from 28 to 25, with the merger of a few portfolios.
Najib made his announcement at 3pm and he was flanked by his new deputy Muhyiddin Yassin, who was also named education minister.

In a brief 15-minute statement before reading out his list, Najib said the cabinet reflected the government's aim to focus on people-first paradigm.

He said two ministries have been merged and one new ministry formed. A separate portfolio has also been created to oversee national unity under the PM's Department.

The new premier also added that he would personally evaluate the performance of each minister every six months.

Key ministers dropped

The following are ministers dropped by Najib:

Syed Hamid Albar (Home Affairs), Muhammad Muhd Taib (Rural and Regional Development), Azalina Othman Said (Tourism), Ong Ka Chuan (Housing and Local Government), Senator Amirshah A Aziz (Minister in the PM's Department), Mohd Zin Mohamed (Works), Douglas Uggah Embas (Natural Resources and Environment) and Zulhasnan Rafique (Federal Territories).

Shahrir Samad who had tendered his resignation as domestic trade and consumer affairs minister last week was not considered in this line-up.

Also not included in the new line-up was Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, but his rival Mukhriz Mahathir has been named a deputy minister.

Khairy is the only head of the three Umno wings not appointed minister.

Sabah has increased its representation in the cabinet from three ministers in the previous cabinet to four.

Mat Rempit : Brutalised in Bangsar

2009-03-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

VIOLENT crime in progress: These pictures tell how 14 Mat Rempit ganged up to beat and rob five women during an early morning fuel stop in Bangsar.

A CCTV surveillance camera captured the attack on the three sisters and two of their cousins at the Shell petrol station in Jalan Bangsar.

Traumatised, they have vowed never to go to a petrol station again after dark.

Twelve young thugs, on six motorcycles, were said to be 'hovering around the station' while a pair on another motorcycle filled up as the women drove in about3.30am on Saturday.

They were on their way home after a function in Puchong. Sisters Uma Munusamy, 33, Chittra, 32, and Latha, 31, were to drop off cousins Ragas Letchumanan, 28, and Komala, 20, at their Bangsar home when they decided to stop for fuel.

They drove up to a pump at the station. Latha went to the window counter to pay, while Chittra, who was driving, got out to fill up. That was when the Mat Rempit, who had been noisy and boisterous, moved in, as if acting on cue.

One thug attacked Latha, splashing a can of 'Red Bull' energy drink on her face.. The sweet-sour liquid stung her eyes, temporarily blinding her as the thug pushed her down, hit her with the drink can and snatched her gold chain and handphone.

Another three dashed to the car to attack the others.

'We were in fear.. We thought that we had been splashed with acid, as the liquid they threw on our faces really stung,' said Uma, recalling the attack.

The women screamed for help, but none arrived. The petrol station workers were safe and sound, inside the premises, where the doors had been locked at midnight.

'The workers just stood there, watching,' said Latha.

At the car, the Mat Rempit ordered the girls to hand over their valuables and handphones.

One of them just couldn't wait. He yanked Uma's gold bracelet off one wrist and at the same time snatched the handphone she held in the other hand.

Despite fearing for their lives, the girls put up a fight, trying to prevent the robbers from getting away with their belongings. The scuffles only led to injuries, but fortunately, minor ones.

Ragas was hit on the head several times, while Chittra sustained injuries on her neck and right arm, besides suffering an injury to the lower lip... She was then beaten up with a soda can.

'The whole incident really traumatised us but what was worse was the fact the workers did not even bother to help,' said Uma.

This is one nightmare they do not ever want to experience again. And, for them at least, no more filling up fuel at night, or stopping anywhere either during the wee hours. Their total loss: RM3,000 in cash and valuables.

The five made a report at the Brickfields police station soon after recovering from the shock of the attack. Police said they are investigating, and have yet to identify the culprits.

The women also expressed their frustration over the Mat Rempit menace. 'So much has been said, so much anger and frustration has been expressed over these motorcycle thugs... but yet they seem to be having a free run,' said Chittra.

Their only hope is that justice will be done, that the CCTV images captured by the surveillance camera will lead to arrests and conviction.

Najib declared Umno president

2009-03-26T00:21:00.000-07:00

Thursday March 26, 2009
Najib declared Umno president

Umno members must realise that of late the party’s glory has dimmed, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in his keynote address at the 59th Umno General Assembly on Thursday.
Other developments:
* Najib declared Umno president.
* Polling begins for party elections.

Car agent ran away with Jackie Chan's money!

2009-03-19T21:41:00.001-07:00

International superstar Jackie Chan has been cheated of HK$3 million (S$600,000) from selling his luxurious car.
A police report was filed by his assistant at the Kowloon police station last Saturday when he did not receive the sales proceed of the Bentley sports car and suspected that the agent has ran away with the money.
The car collector bought the Bentley in 2008 and had only drove it several times. Since the car was underutilized, Chan made a painful decision to sell the car through an agent at a final price of HK$3 million (S$600,000). The agent could not be contacted anymore after closing the deal and Chan never got his money back.

When approached by Hong Kong reporters, Chan confirmed the case but declined to reveal details. He said: "I am in China filming a new movie now. I guess I can only get a clearer picture when I return to Hong Kong at the end of this month." He hung up shortly after the comment.

Police also confirmed they have received the complaint but will be handling it as a case of disputes for the time being.

Why Do many Women fall for married man

2009-03-17T18:09:00.000-07:00

Do married men get hit on because of the lure of the forbidden?

He’s handsome, he’s witty, he’s successful… and he’s married! But will that stop other women from hitting on him? The answer is ‘No’, or so say a lot of women. But, what is it that increases the desirability quotient of a married man? His status clearly says he’s ‘taken’, then why do so many women still fall for him?

Safe to play with!
“From what I have seen, women think married men are safer then single men. They can have all the fun with them and yet not feel stuck in a committed relationship
,” says legal consultant Prachi Malik. “Also, these women get all the advantages of being in a relationship without having to do his laundry, manage household chores, deal with his mood swings or have sex when he wants to. Those things are left for the wife to do,” she quips.

It’s a game

Some women also see it as a game of competition. Airhostess Stuti Behl shares her experience. “I once had a friend who was constantly hitting on a married man at her workplace. The day he started returning her glances, she felt so kicked. I saw her completely changed. She pursued it more seriously and then few months down the line dumped him. It was a kind of thrill that she got out of that relationship.”

Ego-booster!

Explains psychologist Samir Parikh, “It’s pure attraction for some. But, for some women who are low on self-esteem, it’s a way of feeling self-assured. It’s an achievement for them, a sort of an approval or validation that they are desirable to a man who has a woman to his disposal 24X7.”

Merely the fact that he has been taken make some women more tempted to pursue him. Marketing Manager Prashant Vig adds, “Men feel similarly with married women. It’s about tasting the forbidden fruit. It’s always difficult to resist that temptation.”

Some men invite such offers to get rid of boredom in their life. Agrees model Amanpreet Wahi, “Most of the married men around me who have extra-marital affairs shower their girlfriends with the best of gifts and treats. It’s like a desperate attempt to have something fresh in their lives.”

Experience counts!

These men are also seen as sexually skilled since they are able to satisfy their wife’s sexual expectations. Says call centre executive Pooja Sinha (name changed), “This was the reason I felt terribly attracted to this guy at my workplace. We did have a short fling but then I couldn’t bear his constant blabbering about his wife. He was great in bed but I gave up on him.”

Warns relationship expert R K Mehra, “Women and men both should be wary of forming such relationships. It can prove to be highly risky for their mental health. Some try to get adventurous and end up losing their self-respect.”

Remember, you’re playing with fire!

Pics Shigeo Tokuda

2009-03-16T22:32:00.000-07:00

PICTURES! Here are photos of 73-year old Shigeo Tokuda who is proving that at John McCain’s age, you can do a lot. A whole lot. Tokuda is a star of 200 films from Rudy Productions in Japan.

And not just any films. THOSE type of films. Oh yes, AARP just got sexy.

Japan has the world’s highest population over 65. And to meet their demand (apparently there is a demand for this), there is a new genre in these “films” - seniors.
Shigeo Tokuda is now the, um, poster child of the industry, profiled today in CNN. In fact CNN tried to edit a few dozen DVDs to show some appropriate material on their site - they weren’t very successful.

Ironically, Tokuda the “film star” is much different that the man himself. He’s been marreid to the same wife for 44 years and have a child.

And then, this quote: “I don’t know how long I can keep living, but I want to enjoy the rest of it.”

So, if retirement is beating up men and women, and Saturday night bingo ain’t cutting it, you now have another option.

Brunei drops claim over Limbang

2009-03-16T17:51:00.000-07:00

Brunei drops claim over Limbang

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN:Brunei has dropped territorial claim over Sarawak's Limbang district following a dispute settlement with Malaysia, said Prime Minister Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Abdullah and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei formalised the solution to the longstanding Malaysia-Brunei boundary issues on Monday by signing the landmark Letters of Exchange here.

The historic occasion, which took place at Istana Nurul Iman, was witnessed by both countries’ delegations including Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and Brunei’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Second Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Pehin Datuk Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng.

The outstanding border issues, which include the border demarcation in Limbang, and maritime matters such as the dispute over an oil field and the exclusive economic zone off the Borneo coast, have been intently pursued for the last six years by officials from both countries which met 39 times before the solution was accepted.

Abdullah earlier had a four-eye meeting with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, reported Bernama.

Female Vampire (16th Century) Unearthed in Venice

2009-03-15T23:33:00.000-07:00

This photo released by forensic archaeologist and anthropologist
Matteo Borrini of Florence University, Italy, Friday March 13, 2009
, shows the 16th-century remains of a woman with a brick stuck
between her jaws unearthed in 2006 in an archaeological dig near
Venice, northern Italy. (AP Photo/Matteo Borrini of Florence University)

ROME (AP) - An archaeological dig near Venice has unearthed the 16th-century remains of a woman with a brick stuck between her jaws _ evidence, experts say, that she was believed to be a vampire. The unusual burial is thought to be the result of an ancient vampire-slaying ritual. It suggests the legend of the mythical bloodsucking creatures was tied to medieval ignorance of how diseases spread and what happens to bodies after death, experts said.
The well-preserved skeleton was found in 2006 on the Lazzaretto Nuovo island, north of the lagoon city, amid other corpses buried in a mass grave during an epidemic of plague that hit Venice in 1576.

"Vampires don't exist, but studies show people at the time believed they did," said Matteo Borrini, a forensic archaeologist and anthropologist at Florence University who studied the case over the last two years. "For the first time we have found evidence of an exorcism against a vampire."

Medieval texts show the belief in vampires was fueled by the disturbing appearance of decomposing bodies, Borrini told The Associated Press by telephone.

During epidemics, mass graves were often reopened to bury fresh corpses and diggers would chance upon older bodies that were bloated, with blood seeping out of their mouth and with an inexplicable hole in the shroud used to cover their face.

"These characteristics are all tied to the decomposition of bodies," Borrini said. "But they saw a fat, dead person, full of blood and with a hole in the shroud, so they would say: 'This guy is alive, he's drinking blood and eating his shroud.'"

Modern forensic science shows the bloating is caused by a buildup of gases, while fluid seeping from the mouth is pushed up by decomposing organs, Borrini said. The shroud would have been consumed by bacteria found in the mouth area, he said.

At the time however, what passed for scientific texts taught that "shroud-eaters" were vampires who fed on the cloth and cast a spell that would spread the plague in order to increase their ranks.

To kill the undead creatures, the stake-in-the-heart method popularized by later literature was not enough: A stone or brick had to be forced into the vampire's mouth so that it would starve to death, Borrini said.

That's what is believed to have happened to the woman found on the Lazzaretto island, which was used as a quarantine zone by Venice. Aged around 60, she died of the plague during the epidemic that also claimed the life of the painter Titian.

Much later, someone jammed the brick into her mouth when the grave was reopened. Borrini said that marks and breaks left by blunt instruments on several among more than 100 skeletons found by the archaeologists show that the grave was reused in a later epidemic.

Such a reconstruction of events is plausible, as is the link to the superstitions about "shroud-eaters," said Piero Mannucci, the vice president of the Italian Society of Anthropology and Ethnology.

"Maybe a priest or a gravedigger put the brick in her mouth, which is what was normally done in such cases," Mannucci said.

The anthropologist, who did not take part in Borrini's research, said that at a time when bacteria were unknown, such superstitions were a way for the terrified population to explain the waves of plague epidemics that killed millions during the Middle Ages. Jews were also often accused of spreading the disease.

Borrini said the discovery shows that vampires in popular culture were originally quite different from the elegant, aristocratic blood-drinker depicted in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula" and in countless Hollywood revisitations.

"The real vampire of tradition was different," he said. "It was just a decomposing body."

(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
By ARIEL DAVID
Associated Press Writer

ROME (AP) - An archaeological dig near Venice has unearthed the 16th-century remains of a woman with a brick stuck between her jaws _ evidence, experts say, that she was believed to be a vampire. The unusual burial is thought to be the result of an ancient vampire-slaying ritual. It suggests the legend of the mythical bloodsucking creatures was tied to medieval ignorance of how diseases spread and what happens to bodies after death, experts said.

The well-preserved skeleton was found in 2006 on the Lazzaretto Nuovo island, north of the lagoon city, amid other corpses buried in a mass grave during an epidemic of plague that hit Venice in 1576.

"Vampires don't exist, but studies show people at the time believed they did," said Matteo Borrini, a forensic archaeologist and anthropologist at Florence University who studied the case over the last two years. "For the first time we have found evidence of an exorcism against a vampire."

Medieval texts show the belief in vampires was fueled by the disturbing appearance of decomposing bodies, Borrini told The Associated Press by telephone.

During epidemics, mass graves were often reopened to bury fresh corpses and diggers would chance upon older bodies that were bloated, with blood seeping out of their mouth and with an inexplicable hole in the shroud used to cover their face.

"These characteristics are all tied to the decomposition of bodies," Borrini said. "But they saw a fat, dead person, full of blood and with a hole in the shroud, so they would say: 'This guy is alive, he's drinking blood and eating his shroud.'"

Modern forensic science shows the bloating is caused by a buildup of gases, while fluid seeping from the mouth is pushed up by decomposing organs, Borrini said. The shroud would have been consumed by bacteria found in the mouth area, he said.

At the time however, what passed for scientific texts taught that "shroud-eaters" were vampires who fed on the cloth and cast a spell that would spread the plague in order to increase their ranks.

To kill the undead creatures, the stake-in-the-heart method popularized by later literature was not enough: A stone or brick had to be forced into the vampire's mouth so that it would starve to death, Borrini said.

That's what is believed to have happened to the woman found on the Lazzaretto island, which was used as a quarantine zone by Venice. Aged around 60, she died of the plague during the epidemic that also claimed the life of the painter Titian.

Much later, someone jammed the brick into her mouth when the grave was reopened. Borrini said that marks and breaks left by blunt instruments on several among more than 100 skeletons found by the archaeologists show that the grave was reused in a later epidemic.

Such a reconstruction of events is plausible, as is the link to the superstitions about "shroud-eaters," said Piero Mannucci, the vice president of the Italian Society of Anthropology and Ethnology.

"Maybe a priest or a gravedigger put the brick in her mouth, which is what was normally done in such cases," Mannucci said.

The anthropologist, who did not take part in Borrini's research, said that at a time when bacteria were unknown, such superstitions were a way for the terrified population to explain the waves of plague epidemics that killed millions during the Middle Ages. Jews were also often accused of spreading the disease.

Borrini said the discovery shows that vampires in popular culture were originally quite different from the elegant, aristocratic blood-drinker depicted in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula" and in countless Hollywood revisitations.

"The real vampire of tradition was different," he said. "It was just a decomposing body."

TOP TEN THINGS THAT SOUND DIRTY, BUT IN A LAW FIRM, ARE NOT

2009-03-05T17:15:00.000-08:00

TOP TEN THINGS THAT SOUND DIRTY, BUT IN A LAW FIRM, ARE NOT:

10. Have you looked through her briefs?
9. He is one hard judge.
8. Counsellor, let's do it in chambers.
7. Her attorney withdrew at the last minute.
6 Is it a penal offence?
5. Better
leave the handcuffs on.
4. For $200 an hour, she better be good!
3. Can you get him to drop his suit?
2. The judge gave her the stiffest one he could.
And the number 1 thing that sounds dirty but in law isn't
1. Think you can get me off?

----------- ------------------ --------------

TOP TEN THINGS THAT SOUND DIRTY, BUT IN THE OFFICE, ARE NOT:

10. I need to whip it out by 5.
9. Mind if I use your laptop?
8. Just stick it in my box.
7. If I have to lick one more, I'll gag!
6. I want it on my desk, NOW!!!!!
5. HMMMMM, I think it's out of fluid!
4. My equipment is so old; it takes forever to finish.
3. It's an entry-level position.
2. When do you think you'll be getting off today?
And the number 1 thing that sounds dirty but at the office isn't
1. It's not fair. I do all the work while he just sits there!!!

------------
--------- --------------

TOP TEN THINGS THAT SOUND DIRTY, BUT IN GOLF, ARE NOT:

10. Damn, my shaft is bent.
9. After 18 holes, I can barely walk.
8. You really whacked the hell out of that sucker.
7. Look at the size of his putter.
6. Keep your head down and spread your legs a bit more.
5. Mind if I join your threesome?
4. Stand with your back turned and drop it.
3. My hands are so sweaty I can't get a good grip!
2. Nice stroke, but your follow-through leaves a lot to be desired.
And the number 1 thing that sounds dirty but in golf isn't
1. Hold up! I need to wash my balls first!

SMK Oya, Dalat Bullying Incident

2009-03-02T16:21:00.000-08:00

Students in a secondary school in Dalat, a small town in the Mukah division of Sarawak, have taken bullying in school to new heights by posting their antics on YouTube, the video-sharing website on the Internet.
When you go to search the video in youtube, you will see this alert "This video has been removed due to terms of use violation." May be because student who are upload the video fear to be acted by the police .

KUCHING, March 1 (Bernama) -- Police will record statements from the 10 students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Oya in Dalat here for allegedly assaulting a Form three student of the school, which recording was uploaded into YouTube, when they return to the school tomorrow.

Dalat district police chief DSP Marin Koo said the students were suspended since Feb 23 after the victim lodged a police report on the alleged the incident.

"The affected students will return to school with their parents tomorrow, following which we will take them to the Dalat police station to have their statements recorded," he told Bernama when contacted today.

He said police hoped to find the student who recorded the incident as he witnessed the incident.

Meanwhile, Sarawak education director Dr Julaihi Bujang said the department has instructed its officers in Kuching and Mukah to investigate the matter before deciding on the next course of action.

The three-minute video clip of the assault showed a younger boy being kicked, slapped and repeatedly punched, including hit with a kettle, by a group of students, in a hostel at the school.

The victim, who is in Form Three, lodged a police report on Feb 23 claiming that 10 students assaulted him at the school hostel.

-- BERNAMA

Why Your Adsense Is Not Making Money

2009-02-25T19:53:00.000-08:00

Article by Costa
First let me emphasize the fact that I am not an Adsense guru, so I cannot and will not teach you about making money from Adsense. I admit to this fact as I feel there is nothing to be shameful about my ignorance. If you have read my previous article, I wrote that we have to admit to our weakness and in admitting, we will strive harder to learn and improve ourselves.
What truly shameful is the fact that lots of people, whether through sheer arrogance or otherwise, go around starting blogs that purportedly teaches you to make thousands of dollars from Adsense but in reality, making peanuts themselves.

It has always been my opinion that if we want to learn, we have to learn from the best and if we were to teach, we should be the best or at least be among the best. You have to be responsible enough to realize that whatever you teach might inadvertantly effect the lives of others who believes in what you are teaching. More so when you want to teach others how to make money blogging or how to make money from Adsense as this is a very hot and popular topic searched by almost all bloggers interested to make a decent side income.

In my quest to make money from Adsense or at the least be good in making money through this venue, I have come to learn that making decent money with Adsense can be quite complicated. To be really good in it, we have to understand the complexity of How The Adsense Algorithm Works, Keyword Research,Search Engine Optimization , The Design of our Blogs, right down to the way we structure our posts to attract the best paying Ads. It is these knowledge that separate the guy who makes $50 dollars a day from his Adsense blog from the guy who makes 50 cents even though their click trough rate are the same or maybe even higher for the guy making the 50 cents.

There are tons of blogs and ebooks out there that claims to tell you the secrets to making lots of money from Adsense. Believe me, what they tell you is general knowledge and all this info can be obtained when you sign up for Adsense. Insofar, I haven’t come across a blog or an ebook that reveals to you the real inner secrets to really make money from your Adsense Ads other than the one by Grizz. If you follow and implement what those guys tell you, rest assured you will be earning the 2 or 3 cent clicks.

Like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I cannot and will not be teaching you about making money from Adsense. BUT, I know someone who can and will. He is Grizzly. I have recommended this guy countless times, in my old blog which I have since turned into a Adsense niche blog, and here in this new blog. His Make Money From Adsense For Beginners has been a treasure trove for me.

Today, I recommend him again. Grizzly has just started a new blog,How To Make Money From Adsense Today , where he will again take beginners by the hand in every step they will be making to become a good Adsense earner.

In today’s blogosphere, where every guru are closing their doors to the public and charging fees if you want to learn their secret, Grizz remains as a white knight of sorts. He makes more money than most of the A-listers who teaches you craps, yet he remains humble and generous. He lets you in into everything he knows and if ever there is a guy whom you want to learn how to Make Money From Adsense from, this is the guy. You really don’t have to look any further.

How To Start A Small Internet Marketing Business in Malaysia

2009-02-25T19:46:00.000-08:00

To start a small Internet Marketing business, be it in Malaysia or any other country for that matter, it is best that we invest some money to buy a good domain name and good hosting company to host our domain or domains. A good domain name would be a name with the keywords that you intend to use for your Internet Marketing Business.Since domains with good keywords are hard to come by these days the best alternative would be a domain with a synonymous word. For example of you can’t get groomacat dot com for your site that you intend to sell or write about cat grooming materials, then felinegrooming dot com is a good alternative. Google bots are so smart these days that they can tell the two words have the same meaning. As far as possible, get a dot com and nothing else.A better way would be to buy pre-owned domains. Pre-owned domains are domains that have expired because the previous owners gave it up. Lots of these pre-owned domains are pretty good with ready backlinks and some even have ready search traffic because many of them are still indexed by Google. If you can get a domain that is at least 3 years old, indexed and with lots of relevant backlinks, then you are set to go the minute you put up your site. You will get immediate traffic. The best place that I go whenever I want to buy a pre-owned is Freshdrop.Next comes the hosting company that you want your domain hosted. At present I am using 3 hosting companies but the one I would recommend would be Hostprise. I bought a reseller’s account from them recently and if compared to Hostgator’s reseller package, the one offered by Hostprise is much better value for money.Starting off with a re-seller’s package will save you lots of heartaches later on when your business starts to grow. A re-seller’s account lets you host as many sites as you want in individual accounts, each with their own administrative cPanel. That way, should one of your sites get hacked or if you downloaded some bad scripts to one of your sites, the other sites will not be effected. If you have only one account with one cPanel and all your domains added on, then your whole structure will go down together with one bad site. Once you have your domain set up with a good hosting company, you are ready to go. Now comes the tedious part of getting your sites off the track. For a new domain, you will need a day or two to build up the proper infrastructure. Then you need to wait at least 3 to 6 months to see the first result. That’s the way it is if you want to build a Small Internet Marketing Business In Malaysia or anywhere in the world. I have not learned about any shortcuts to this thus far.

If You are Beginner in Business, it is Essential to Learn Adsense Secrets

2009-02-25T19:37:00.001-08:00

Professionals have their own adsense secrets to success. Some of them have the same while others have unique strategies.

If you will make a research on the web about Adsense secrets, you will only be guided by the different websites with their ads and they will most likely sell the answers to you. Since you are hoping to get answers to all your questions, you will do anything just to know their secret.

You may think of buying any solution that you are presented but understand that almost all the people who want to share their adsense secret are the same.

Now before you make any move, it will be helpful if you do some research on the different search engines. There may be a hundreds of forums that will be displayed on your search. It can be a good way to get valuable information that you can use on your site.

Reading articles written by professional internet marketers are also a good source. Some of the marketers share their own
experiences and adsense secrets to help the beginners who wish to succeed in the field of marketing. You can read through hundreds of articles and you can surely get something out of reading them.

Visit now - Picmoney.com

Although most of the answers that you can get will ask you to do a little bit of work, it will be worth the try if you really want to succeed. Everyone in the marketing field increased their profits without trying the different strategies.

The web service is a good source for adsense secrets. You can use good keywords to find advices and tips. You can use keywords in the search engines such as: adsense tips, increase adsense income, adsense experiments and adsense adsense tricks. You will be shown with a lot of good information that you can choose from.

If there are different strategies shown, you can choose one which you think will best work for you. But if you can use two or more at the same time, chances are you will be getting good results in a few days. However, these strategies need dedication and perseverance.

You also need to have your own sense of style to be applied on the adsense secrets.

The internet will be the best resource and its all in just one click and you are in for success. You just have to be patient in making your search.

If you want to increase the traffic of your site, you will obviously increase your income. The real adsense secret is to be on top of the search engines or have more and more visitors on your site.

In order to increase traffic to your site, you can have a fresh content into your site. It is necessary to post different articles every other time so that the visitors and readers will visit your site more often. Just make sure that the articles are relevant to the theme of your site.

You can find a lot of good authors who will offer services at a low cost provided that their names will be displayed in the author resource box.

The real adsense secret is to have a good site that your readers can benefit a lot while doing the same for you. it is important that you know your customers and you know what they exactly need.

“));

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Old Car For New

2009-02-23T18:16:00.000-08:00

Carrot to spur motor industry: Govt to consider dangling RM5,000 discount if you sell your old car to buy a new one

ALOR SETAR: Sell off your old car and buy a new one at RM5,000 discount — that can be a reality if the proposal by the International Trade and Industry Ministry is accepted by the Finance Ministry.

Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the proposal, which would encourage consumers to buy new cars, had been submitted for consideration in the mini budget, to be unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on March 10.

He said the incentive was to spur the country’s automotive industry in the wake of the global economic slowdown.
If the proposal was accepted, owners would be able to sell off their cars of 15 years or older and buy new ones at discounted prices.

“The RM5,000 incentive can be in the form of reduction in excise duties and sales tax or other mechanisms,” he told reporters after meeting Umno leaders here.

He said at the moment there were more than one million cars aged 15 years and above in the country.

The proposal would benefit consumers as they would have the incentive to buy new cars; the automobile companies, as there would be demand for new car models; and the government in the form of motor vehicle tax collection, he added.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said the ministry had applied for an additional allocation of RM5 billion under the mini budget to spur growth in the industrial and manufacturing sector.

Muhyiddin said the allocation was to provide soft loans and additional grants for the small-and-medium enterprise (SME) as well as various investment incentives.

He said at the moment, there were some 556,000 SMEs in the country, many of which were affected by declining demand, forcing some of them to retrench workers.

He said so far, the SME sector had retrenched about 2,000 workers.

“We are also planning to provide grants for companies to train their workers. This is one of the measures to avoid retrenchment,” he said.

The ministry also planned to provide soft loans with a low interest of two per cent to companies intending to expand their operations, he added.

Muhyiddin said the ministry would also suggest a two per cent corporate tax cut — from 25 per cent to 23 per cent — as an incentive for companies to continue their operations in this time of economic slowdown.
- Bernama

ana Winner Of The Reality TV Programme Mystarz's

2009-02-22T19:27:00.000-08:00

Pics credit to Bloghiburan.com

Realiti Mystarz's programme season to 2 has anchored his curtain yesterday. 14 participant in early plan, and only 4 remainder to fill slot grand final and finalist busk yesterday was Wana , Cassie, Hairi And Nashrin.
Concert final Mystarz LG this are being held in PWTC and aired live last night in station tv TV3.

Jeraul blogspot crew want congratulate to Noriezuana Syed Shafudin or his friendly name Wana, 22 years old girl which originated from Skudai, Johore because have won Mystarz LG for this season. Wana has successfully brought away as much as cash money RM100.000, a LG LCD TV 42 inches, and also recording contract with Warner (M) Sdn Bhd .
Wana has giving performance more successfully. No matter ballad genre or pop rock, she successfully brought its nicely. His vowel is steady and her showmanshipn also the best.

First runner up also drops to Wan Nashrinie Zafri @ Nashrin, young man 19 years which originated from Penang. Nashrin has successfully gain a LG LCD TV 32 inches, and also goods of LG.

Meanwhile, Cassie which won third place bring home LG RENOIR's mobile phone, while Hairi in 4th won LG ART COOL's air conditioner. For your information, decision refereed by jury professional namely Hattan, Liza Hanim, and also invitation jury namely Ajai. Decision fully judged with 70% from jury and also 30% from vote.

Elizabeth Wong’s sex clips now on sale over internet

2009-02-18T21:47:00.000-08:00

Source Wayangparty.com
The ex boyfriend of Selangor State Exco member Elizabeth Wong had already sold nude photos of her as well as a short clip of them having sex to a private website.

According to reliable news, this Malay man was infatuated with Wong and his aim of fliming his rendezvous with her was to threaten her not to leave him.

The man told a PKR leader last year that he had in possession nude photos of Wong. The leader was shocked and advised Wong to settle her relationship problems quickly.

There were also rumors that the man had a violent tendency and had beaten Wong twice causing her grievous hurt. The two had a tumultuous relationship, separating and patching up several times till Wong made up her mind finally to leave him.

Elizabeth Wong has been missing since she announced her resignation from all her official posts. She did not return home to rest after recording her statement at the police station. Her Indian neighbors revealed that they had not seen her entering her residence for two days.

Elizabeth Wong Nude Photo??

2009-02-18T21:44:00.000-08:00

Currently making the rounds on the internet are nude photos taken of Selangor Executive Councilor Elizabeth Wong. With her glasses still on, the compromising photos could have been taken even as she was taking an afternoon nap. Also, the photos certainly can’t be compared to Edison Chen’s photos or more recently, Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek’s leaked video.

As of today, she had offered her resignation to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who did not immediately accept her resignation and asked her to take a leave of absence to allow the dust to settle on this unfortunate event.
In an emotionally-charged news conference, Elizabeth Wong - a well known human rights activist and member of Mr Anwar’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) - did not deny that the pictures in question were of her. Also, she mentioned at 1 of the alleged Elizabeth Wong nude photosthe conference “I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and a single person. I have broken no laws,” the 37-year-old said.

The hunt also goes on for the culprit - the photographer who took the photos using a handphone - believed to be the former boyfriend of Elizabeth Wong. And according to the Malay Mail, police are currently looking for Hilmi Malek, 32, for questioning in connection with the Elizabeth Wong nude photographs scandal.

Clearly, Elizabeth Wong is the victim here and deserves to be sympathized while the real culprit should be caught and made to answer for his cruel callous actions.

Perak MB and exco ‘suspended’

2009-02-18T21:41:00.000-08:00

IPOH: Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and all six state executive council members have been suspended and barred from the state assembly for showing contempt for the House.

While Dr Zambry’s suspension is for 18 months, the others have been suspended for 12 months each.
State Legislative Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar, who headed the Committee of Special Privileges which summoned the seven to answer to a complaint, made the order on grounds that they had failed to give any explanation yesterday.

The complaint of contempt for the House by the seven was made by Canning assemblyman Wong Kah Woh following which the notices to appear before the committee was made last Saturday.

“Dr Zambry and the six exco members have failed and did not give any explanation to the committee.

“They failed to offer any explanation on their actions of contempt for the House and hence have been found guilty as charged.

“I have decided that Dr Zambry is, with immediate effect, suspended and barred from attending State Assembly sessions for 18 months while the six exco members are barred for 12 months,” said Sivakumar in a statement here yesterday.

The sole Barisan Nasional representative in the seven-member committee, Datuk Hasbullah Osman, was absent from the inquiry that started at 2.55pm.

A cheerful Dr Zambry and the exco entered the meeting room for about 30 minutes and exited later without speaking to the press.
Wong, who presented his case before the committee, said he stated that Dr Zambry and the six exco members had shown contempt for the House when they were sworn into the assembly through unconstitutional means.

The committee later convened its closed-door meeting until 5.05pm. At 6.20pm when Sivakumar was leaving, he was asked whether he had powers to bar assemblymen without bringing the matter to the House.

He said: “I will notify the House.”

Elizabeth Wong offers to quit her posts ‘to protect party’

2009-02-18T21:38:00.000-08:00

Reports by FLORENCE A. SAMY, WANI MUTHIAH, CHRISTINA TAN, ELAN PERUMAL, LEE YUK PENG, SIM LEOI LEOI, STEVEN DANIEL, MARTIN CARVALHO, WONG WEI HWANG and M. SHAMINEE
PETALING JAYA: Embattled Elizabeth Wong has offered to resign as Bukit Lanjan assemblyman and Selangor executive council member.

At an emotionally-charged press conference where she broke down while speaking, Wong said the option was in the best interests of her party.
However, the 39-year-old activist said she had done nothing wrong.
“I wish to state that I am not ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single person.

“I have broken no law. I stand by the fundamental principle in a democracy that everyone has a right to privacy,” she said at the PKR headquarters here yesterday.

Remaining calm at first, Wong, who is Selangor Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Committee chairman, could not hold back her tears as she spoke to a room packed with reporters and supporters.

Wong, who is also the PKR Wanita information chief, said she tendered her resignation to Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Khalid Ibrahim yesterday morning.

Khalid later issued a statement saying he had asked her to go on leave instead.

Wong said she decided to resign as she believed the attacks would continue with greater intensity.
She said “PKR’s rivals” would continue to “manipulate the situation”.

“Although the smear campaign directed towards me has caused me a lot of anguish, I am aware that the real objective is to discredit PKR,” she said.

Wong said the events of the past two days had shown an “insidious and underhanded attempt by certain quarters to smear my reputation”.

“My personal life and privacy have been violated. People have conspired to undermine my credibility as Selangor state exco member and Keadilan leader,” she said yesterday.

In between sobs, Wong said she had received overwhelming support from her family, constituents, Pakatan Rakyat colleagues, friends and the public but offered to resign in the interest of her party.

“I am very grateful to those who have placed their trust in me and my party and I thank them for the opportunity to serve,” she said before removing her glasses and wiping away tears that kept streaming down her cheeks.

Wong expressed her “eternal gratitude” to all, including the Mentri Besar, and apologised if she had offended or let anyone down.

She said she would discuss with Khalid on arranging for a proper handover of her responsibilities.

Also present at the press conference were Selangor executive council members, PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah, leaders of the PKR and PAS women’s wings Zuraidah Kamaruddin and Nuridah Salleh, respectively, and human rights activist Irene Fernandez.

Several supporters wept during the press conference.

When Wong announced her decision to quit, some supporters who had came with banners and flowers instantly shouted: “No! No! You are the victim. Don’t resign!”

Several supporters hugged her after the press conference.

Probably my last message to Malaysians

2009-02-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

Got this article from Raja Petra Blogs...
This country needs major political, economic and social reforms. The next two years are going to be most trying years indeed. And expect a snap general election within 18 months of Najib taking over if he does take over on 1 April 2009.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Tomorrow, I will probably be detained under the Internal Security Act. Anyhow, before we talk about that, let me start by giving you my prediction for the two by-elections scheduled for early April.

In 2004, BN won the Bukit Selambau state seat with a majority of 7,695 votes and in 2008 they lost it with a majority of 2,362 votes. (See the chart below). In the coming by-election, I forecast a voter turnout of around 26,000 and a majority of 3,500-4,500 for the opposition.

For the Bukit Gantang parliament seat, in 2004 Barisan Nasional won with a majority of 8,888 and in 2008 it lost with a majority of 1,566. (See chart below). This time around, the voter turnout will be roughly 42,000 and the opposition will win that seat with a majority of 5,000-8,000 votes.

Okay, I am forecasting this even before I know who the candidates are. Well, I have no choice. On Tuesday, 17 February 2009, the Federal Court is due to hear the appeal against my release from Internal Security Act detention and I really do not know what the outcome is going to be. Chances are, I have but 24 hours left as a free man and if I do not write this article today I never will.

On 7 November 2008, the Shah Alam High Court ordered my release from detention. The government has appealed this decision although it did not see the need to appeal the decision of the Shah Alam High Court acquitting Abdul Razak Baginda of the charge of murder without his defence being called.

I was in court last week to witness the performance of the three judges and what I saw did not give me much confidence. First of all, we asked for a quorum of seven judges, or at least five. But the court turned us down and fixed a quorum of only three judges. And two of the three judges appear to be hostile towards us from the word ‘go’. It looks like my fate has been sealed even before the case goes to court.

Anyway, I know for a fact that it was not Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who ordered my detention. He was not even aware I had been detained. The order came from Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and since I am bent on making sure he never becomes Prime Minister on 1 April 2009 I really do not blame him for wanting to get me out of the way.

My friends and family want me to leave the country and to seek political asylum in another country. They feel I can still continue with the struggle in a foreign land. But I am against that as much as my wife pleads that I consider this. I am no quitter and I do not run. I shall stay and fight till the very end even if that is the last thing I do.

If I have to lose my freedom so be it. That is the price we pay for opposing the powers-that-be. But I shall not go quietly or make any deals to secure my release with those who walk in the corridors of power.

I was given an option. Take the money and become rich or go to jail. I refused the money and instead chose jail. This is my choice and no one can convince me to do otherwise. No doubt I will have to pay for this and it will be a heavy price that I shall have to pay. But this is the price of the struggle and the price does not come cheap.

I shall not submit. I shall resist till the end. I stand on right and I oppose what is wrong. Amar makruf, nahi munkar, as Islam would say. We must uphold right and oppose wrong. That is not only the Islamic way but also the way of all religions. And even atheists believe in this, so you need not believe in God to subscribe to the concept of amar makruf, nahi munkar.

Over thousands of years countless people have met their deaths just because they stood on the side of right. What I have chosen to do has been done by so many who are now nameless and faceless. So it is nothing so special that I do which has not been done before.

My resistance will continue. But I will have to continue my resistance behind the barbwire fences of the Kamunting Detention Centre. It will now be up to you, those who are free, to continue where I left off.

My resistance, however, will have to take on a new form. I will no longer be able to write or speak at ceramahs. My voice has now been silenced. But I can still speak the words of silence, which will be my new form of resistance.

I shall no longer open my mouth or utter one word during my detention. I shall maintain the silence of a mute person. I shall not sign any documents of the so many documents that they make you sign when under detention. My signature is not going to be placed on a single shred of paper.

By doing so would mean none of my family members or lawyers would have access to me. Yes, that is the price I shall pay for ‘not cooperating’. I know this and I am prepared for it.

I shall refuse all medical treatment and visits to the hospital. I shall refuse to accept any food and water supplied by the Kamunting authorities. I shall refuse to leave my cell or to meet any of the prison authorities. In short, I shall shut myself out from the world and keep to my own world of my eight feet square cell.

This action will mean I shall survive at the most seven to eight days. By the end of that period I shall be dead. I am prepared for that. They plan to imprison my body for the rest of my life. But I shall release my spirit from my body and will again be free. They can keep my body and they can do whatever they want with it. But they will never be able to keep my spirit. I shall separate my spirit from my body and deny them the pleasure of incarcerating me.

This is a decision I have taken and no one can make me change my mind. And this is probably the last article of mine that you shall read if they send me to Kamunting tomorrow. Keep the struggle going. I shall no longer be able to join you in that struggle. The work is far from finished. This country needs major political, economic and social reforms. The next two years are going to be most trying years indeed. And expect a snap general election within 18 months of Najib taking over if he does take over on 1 April 2009.

I lay down my life for this nation of ours called Malaysia. I will sacrifice myself for the sake of the struggle. There is very little left I can give at this point of time other than my life. For those who stood by me all these years, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I go with a heavy heart. But my heart is heavy only because I have but one life to give.

Death is not the end. Death is but the beginning. It is the beginning of a new journey that none of us can escape and will one day embark upon. It is not something to be sad about. It is something to rejoice.

Please continue your struggle to make Malaysia a better place for our future generation. This country belongs to them and it is for them that we struggle. For some of us, our time is already almost up. We do not have many years left. Many have gone before us. Many friends who started out with us in 1998 are no longer around. But they left this world in the hope that one day Malaysia will be the country that we dream it would be. And that, too, must be our dream.

I pray and hope that the Putrajaya Federal Court will uphold the decision of the Shah Alam High Court to free me from ISA detention. But if it reverses that decision then we must be prepared for that as well. And if the Federal Court does what I fear it will do, goodbye Malaysians, my comrade-in-arms. We shall meet again, one day, although not in this world but the next.

Afterlife - Avenged Sevenfold

2009-02-12T21:51:00.001-08:00

Song :- Afterlife - Avenged Sevenfold
Artist :- Avenged Sevenfold
Click the link below for download this song mp3
Klik pada link lagu dibawah untuk muat turun lagu percuma

Download Song

Lyrics / Lirik Afterlife by Avenged Sevenfold

Like walking into a dream, so unlike what you've seen
so unsure but it seems, ’cause we’ve been waiting for you
Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste
of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway

I see a distant light, but girl this can't be right
Such a surreal place to see so how did this come to be
Arrived too early

And when I think of all the places I just don't belong
I've come to grips with life and realize this is going too far

I don't belong here, we gotta move on dear escape from this afterlife
’Cause this time I'm right to move on and on, far away from here

A place of hope and no pain, perfect skies with no rain
Can leave this place but refrain, ’cause we've been waiting for you
Fallen into this place, just giving you a small taste
of your afterlife here so stay, you'll be back here soon anyway

This peace on earth's not right (with my back against the wall)
No pain or sign of time (I’m much too young to fall)
So out of place don't wanna stay, I feel wrong and that's my sign
I've made up my mind

Gave me your hand but realize I just wanna say goodbye
Please understand I have to leave and carry on my own life

I don't belong here, I gotta move on dear escape from this afterlife
’Cause this time I'm ready to move on and on, far away from here
Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you
This place full of peace and light, and I’d hope you might
take me back inside when the time is right

Loved ones back home all crying ’cause they're already missing me
I pray by the grace of God that there's somebody listening
Give me a chance to be that person I wanna be
(I am unbroken; I’m choking on this ecstasy)
Oh Lord I'll try so hard but you gotta let go of me
(Unbreak me, unchain me, I need another chance to live)

*Solo*
(Screaming)
(Laughing)

I don't belong here, I gotta move on dear escape from this afterlife
’Cause this time I'm ready to move on and on, far away from here
Got nothing against you and surely I'll miss you
This place full of peace and light, and I’d hope you might
take me back inside when the time is right

Kedah Sultan wants to know if Arumugam was forced to quit

2009-02-10T16:42:00.000-08:00

Kedah Sultan wants to know if Arumugam was forced to quit
By SIRA HABIBU

ALOR STAR: Many people, including the Kedah Sultan, are looking for former Bukit Selambau assemblyman V. Arumugam who has gone missing since Feb 4.

The Kedah Sultan’s confidential secretary Datuk Wira Syed Unan Mashri Syed Abdullah said the Sultan had asked his office to summon Arumugam to the palace following speculation that the elected representative wanted to quit both the State Exco post and Bukit Selambau state seat.

“We were unable to contact him. However, we received Arumugam’s letter stating his intention to quit,” he said.

It is learnt that the Sultan wanted to hear from Arumugam if he had been coerced into making the decision to vacate the state seat.

Arumugam is believed to have flown to Chennai, India, on Monday night after purportedly signing the letter of resignation and a statutory declaration to vacate both the executive council and state assembly posts.

A middleman sent the letter and statutory declaration to Speaker Datuk Dr Abdul Isa Ismail at 5pm on Monday.

In the statutory declaration, Arumugam, who joined PKR after winning the seat in the March 8 general election, purportedly stated that he was quitting the posts because he was being harassed by Barisan Nasional members who wanted him to leave Pakatan Rakyat.

Arumugam’s disappearance has fuelled speculation that he was forced to vacate his Bukit Selambau state seat.

Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak was also unable to contact Arumugam.

However, Kedah Pakatan Rakyat chief Ahmad Kasim said Arumugam was on vacation overseas after his alleged scandal became public knowledge.

“He (Arumugam) is feeling stressed,” he said yesterday. Former Merbok PKR strategy director Zamil Ibrahim alleged that PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was hiding Arumugam. Zamil, who introduced Arumugam to the political arena, resigned from PKR in August last year

Mobile Payment in Malaysia... good potential..

2009-02-10T00:19:00.000-08:00

Mobile payment is the collection of money from a consumer via a mobile device such as their mobile phone, SmartPhone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or other such device. In other words, this is a concept of making payment transactions just through a mobile device to pay for goods and services
There are four primary models for mobile payments:
Premium SMS based transactional payments
Direct Mobile Billing
Mobile web payments (WAP)
Contactless NFC (Near Field Communication)

In Malaysia, mobile payment is effective providing customers with admission or money off vouchers which can be unique coded or designed to allow viral spread. The mobile channel can be effectively used as a self-funding and revenue generating medium. This service covers all mobile operators on Malaysia such as Mobile Wallet.
Mobile Wallet is a mobile enabled application and payment service provider which enables its network of users/subscribers to make convenient payments to any designated affiliates or Mobile Wallet’s appointed network of merchants to accept MW points as mobile based payment gateway.

Indeed, mobile payment services have its own potential. Consumers are more comfortable with low-value transactions over such non-traditional means. Common applications will include payment for transportation, parking, restaurants, convenience stores, retail outlets, e-tickets to name a few - typically for low-value items. This helps especially when consumers are in need of cash but doesn’t have any in hand and provides users the convenience to pay anyone, anytime and anywhere.

References:

Malaysia Online Payment
www.netbuilder.com.my
http://www.mobile-money.com/
http://www.mobilewallet2u.com/

Hee Yit Fong get her Camry

2009-02-10T00:15:00.000-08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (The Malaysian Insider)- For the past few days, will-she-won’t-she speculation has been swirling around Jelapang assemblywoman Hee Yit Fong. No, not over whether she will or won’t jump, that’s been established.

The wondering is over as Umno sources today confirm that she is among seven state representatives named to the Perak Executive Council as a reward from Barisan Nasional for delivering the Perak government.

Hee, possibly the most hated woman in Malaysia right now, has been the subject of ridicule and abuse in and around her Ipoh hometown as well as in cyberspace, far more than the other three state representatives who switched allegiance from Pakatan Rakyat to Barisan Nasional.
She was the deputy state speaker in the Pakatan Rakyat government and had been in DAP for some 20 years.
The clerk-turned-politician was said to have been upset with the state party leadership and because she did not get a new official car when the Pakatan Rakyat government bought Toyota Camrys to replace an ageing fleet of Proton Perdanas.

Two of the new exco members will be Chinese, the sources say, with the other being Chenderiang state assemblyman Dr Mah Hang Soon, who is also MCA Youth deputy chief.

Three more will be decided later, possibly after the first seven are sworn in tomorrow by Sultan Azlan Shah. The swearing in ceremony is expected to take place at 10am tomorrow at the Istana Iskandariah in Perak’s royal town of Kuala Kangsar.

Another woman who has been appointed to the exco is Sungai Rapat’s Hamidah Osman, who was rumoured to be upset over losing the menteri besar post to Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Umno sources have denied she was upset, saying she is supportive of the 47-year-old BN menteri besar.

The tricky task of determining of the executive line-up is one of the first tests that Zambry has to pass, apart from handling a hostile Perak electorate upset over the manner in which the state government changed hands.

“To head off dissatisfaction, he (Zambry) explained that there are only 10 exco positions but 31 candidates,” a source told The Malaysian Insider.

“He emphasised to them that the major thrust has to be to win the hearts of the people, not Camrys and houses. He also told them to speak their minds and not just be yes-men, which they found refreshing.”

Several names were nominated for each portfolio, based on their skills and abilities.

Discussions were held with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is widely credited forwith masterminding the Perak takeover, until the early hours of this morning.

UK'S New Visa Rules..Malaysia Selamat!

2009-02-09T16:55:00.000-08:00

Countries face new UK visa rules
Fingerprint being scanned
South Africans will now need to provide fingerprints to enter the UK

South Africans visiting the United Kingdom will need a visa, under new rules issued by the Home Office.

Bolivia, Lesotho, Swaziland and Venezuela also failed a test of the threat posed by their citizens in terms of security, immigration and crime.

Nationals from the five countries will now need to provide fingerprints and pay a fee to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK.

The South African government said it respected the Home Office's decision.

In 2007, 419,000 people legally visited the UK from South Africa, including 168,000 tourists and 46,200 business visitors, while nearly 3,000 were given work permits.

They are the fifth largest group of visitors to Britain behind citizens of the US, Australia, Canada and Japan.

But a government review of visas has resulted in the five countries being added to a list that already covers three quarters of the world's population, all of whom must apply for visas before travelling.

Fingerprint visas

"The government said it would get tough and we meant it," said immigration minister Phil Woolas.

"Fingerprint visas make up one part of Britain's triple ring of security, alongside high-tech watch-list checks at the border and ID cards for foreign nationals."

First-time visitors to the UK from South Africa will need to apply for visas from 3 March 2009, with the full visa regime coming into effect by mid-2009, the government said.

Visitor visas lasting up to six months will cost £65, and work visas £205.

Six months ago South Africa and 10 other countries were warned to improve their passport security systems or face tougher visa requirements.

Six of these - Botswana, Brazil, Malaysia, Mauritius, Namibia, and Trinidad and Tobago - were adjudged to have improved sufficiently to escape the new rules.

Perak New Menteri Besar??

2009-02-05T20:17:00.000-08:00

PETALING JAYA, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- The new Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, 47, a second term Pangkor assemblyman is a prominent political figure in Perak and has contributed to the development of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in the state.
Starting off his career in politics as Pangkor Umno Youth chief in 1992 and later as head of the Perak Umno Youth, Zambry has been responsible in developing the state's ICT development during his tenure as Perak State Executive Council (Exco) member
tasked with multimedia.
Zambry, after winning his first state seat in Pangkor in the March 2004 General Election, served as Chairman of Education, Human Resources and Multimedia Committee from 2004 until Sept 26, 2006. During a minor resuffle, he became Chairman of Higher Education, Science and Technology and Innovation Committee and wielded with more authority to further develop ICT in Perak.
Born in Pulau Pangkor on March 22, 1962, the Lumut Umno division chief graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in economics from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 1987 and four years later a Master’s degree in Islamic thinking from the same university.
The former Umno Youth executive council member also obtained a Master’s degree in political philosophy and religious comparison in 1992 and three years later a doctorate with distinction in comtemporary politics from Temple University, United States.
An active writer, Zambry has won several awards in writing competitions during his student days. Among them were the National Day Essay Writing Award in 1982 and National Award for Religious Writing in 1986. He also has also written several books including “Umno dan Jiwa Merdeka” (1998), “Pemuda Umno Menebus Maruah, Menuju Arah” (2000) and “Islam Malaysia & Amerika” (2002).
He has also edited several publications including “Pendidikan dan Pembangunan” by Nurin Enterprise in 1989, “Business Administration in Islam” by Hizbi in 1991 and “Imbas Gemilang KBS 98” for the Youth and Sports Ministry. In 2005, the father of five — three girls and two boys — was conferred the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Honorary Lt Commander award by Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail who was then the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and became the first Malaysian politican to be given such an award.

Zambry Promises To Return Calm And Harmony To Perak

IPOH, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Perak Menteri Besar designate Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir has promised to return calm and harmony to the state.
Zambry, who thanked the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, for consenting the appointment and having the confidence in him to hold the post, regarded the new responsibility as a trust to be shouldered with good leadership.
"I will uphold the trust to the best of my ability. I also thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also the Perak Umno liaison chief, and my colleagues in Barisan Nasional (BN) for their support," he told reporters here on Thursday night.
Zambry, who is the Pangkor assemblyman, hoped his appointment as Menteri Besar would not become an issue or create a difficult situation in Perak.
Earlier in Kuala Lumpur, the prime minister announced that the Sultan of Perak had consented the appointment of Zambry as Perak's next Menteri Besar.
Abdullah also said that Zambry would be sworn in as the 11th Menteri Besar at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar at 3.30pm on Friday.
Zambry's appointment was made after Sultan Azlan Shah ordered that Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and his state executive councillors to resign from their posts with immediate effect after the Sultan met with all the 28 BN state assemblymen and three Independent assemblymen who had declared their support for BN.
The Sultan was convinced that Mohammad Nizar had ceased to receive the support of the majority of the Perak state assemblymen.

How to Verify Paypal Account with Visa Prepaid Debit Card

2009-02-05T20:11:00.000-08:00

Still Paypal Unverified? you need to verify your paypal now with a credit card or visa prepaid debit card in your Paypal account to enjoy more benefits for paypal fund withdrawal or use it to accept credit card payment online.

As far as I know, There are some people feel unsecure to verify their paypal account using credit card and they prefer to use visa prepaid debit card instead.

One common problem is people able to verify paypal account with credit card but fail to verify paypal account using a visa prepaid debit card. are you facing the same problem?

Fact, The process of verifying boths type of cards are actually the same. but please make
sure you have credit limit available in your credit card or debit card account.

A new visa prepaid debit card have no credit limit available in the account until you putting some money in your account before you can use to verify your paypal account, said at least RM250. while credit card already have its credit limit available given by bank, hence you can use it directly to verify your paypal account

Here is the step by step guide to setting up and verify your paypal account:

Step 1: Register a Free Paypal Account. Fill up all necessary information that require in the form including your credit card or visa prepaid debit card information and submit.

Step 2: After all, you should activate your Paypal account using the link that Paypal has sends to you via email. The email message should look like this. Click the link to confirm your email address!

Step 3: NEXT, Login to your Paypal Account. And verify you paypal account.

When you create your account, your status is unverified. why verified? 1) You can send unlimited fund when verified but unverified there are some limit. 2) You can withdraw Paypal fund when verified. Unverified cannot withdraw it to cash.

Step 4: You will be redirect to another pages like below. Click “Get Verified”.

You are almost done to verify your paypal account, Now you must wait for your next credit card or visa prepaid debit card statement to get the “6 digits Expanded Use Number“. They will appear in your next card statement and you will see Paypal charged USD1.95 in your card account.

Once you received the number from your statement. Return to the same page and enter the “Expanded number” to get you paypal verified. Once you have done, Paypal will credit back the USD1.95 into your Paypal account… you are done!

International Student Admission into Undergraduate Degree Programs July 2009

2009-02-05T20:03:00.000-08:00

International Student Admission into Undergraduate Degree Programs July 2009

The Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) welcomes applications from foreign students to study at the university in a wide range of undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree) programs. Interested applicants should have successfully completed a minimum of 12 years of primary and secondary schools with a Higher School Certificate (HSC) qualification or its equivalents. In addition, students who
have obtained a high school/college diploma or its equivalent may also apply. Applications should be submitted to the International Student Admission Unit, Undergraduate Studies Division, using the
UNIMAS International Undergraduate Application Form. Fees schedule and other related information concerning application and admission can be obtained from this website. The University currently offers a limited number of places for admission into the following undergraduate degree programs to international students:

Faculty of Cognitive Science and Human Development

Cognitive Science

Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Aquatic Resource Science and Management

Animal Resource Science and Management
Plant Resource Science and Management
Resource Chemistry
Resource Biotechnology

Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology

Software Engineering
Network Computing
Information Systems
Computational Science
Multimedia Computing

Faculty of Economics and Business

International Economics
Industrial Economics
Marketing
Finance

Faculty of Social Sciences

Communication Studies
Industrial Relations and Labour Studies
International Studies
Development Planning and Management
Social Work Studies
Politics and Government Studies

Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts

Music
Fine Arts
Design Technology
Arts Management
Cinematography

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Nursing

(Note: Medical and Engineering degree programs are presently not available for offer to international students)

Entry Requirements

Application Form

Application for Postgraduate Studies by Coursework

2009-02-05T20:01:00.000-08:00

Application for postgraduate studies by Coursework is open
as of 2nd February 2009 until 6th May 2009.

Further details, please contact:
Associate Professor Dr. Ernest Cyril De Run
Deputy Dean of Centre for Graduate Studies
( drernest@feb.unimas.my )

COURSEWORK DEGREES (MASTER)

Our coursework programmes are designed to extend knowledge and skills gained from the first degree and to develop new professional skills in graduates. The programmes involve lectures, seminars and project work. A minimum of 42 credits (CMBA - 44 credits) of study and a final Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 3.0 is required for the award of the Master degree.

Each coursework programme consists of a combination of compulsory subjects, electives and a research project. Each subject carries a weightage of 2 to 3-credit points, and assessments are through take home assignments, tests and end of semester examinations. Students' progress and performance in the research project are assessed through oral presentations and written reports.
And here is the rest of it.

Tun Jugah’s Food Gallery to hold watermelon Fiesta Feb 28

2009-02-05T16:42:00.000-08:00

Event info to all Sarawakian...

KUCHING: The Food Gallery at Tun Jugah Shopping Complex here will hold a Watermelon Fiesta on Feb 28.

The competition, which is open to the public, promises winners attractive prizes worth around RM1,600.

Manager Justin Kueh said during a press conference yesterday that The Food Gallery is holding the fiesta to promote the consumption of fresh and healthy fruit juices.

“Admission is open to anyone of all ages in a team of two persons. The competition is limited to the first 20 teams to register with us,” he said.

All patrons (except staff and management of Tun Jugah, retail outlets and office tenants, sponsors and media partners) at The Food Gallery need only purchase any two glasses of juice – watermelon, apple, orange, carrot, etc – in a single receipt to qualify.

The receipt needs to be attached to entry forms available at The Food Gallery counter or juice bar between now and Feb 22.

Kueh said the unique and challenging Watermelon Fiesta comprises of two rounds.

“In the first round, all teams will have to roll the watermelons from The Food Gallery to the outside area around Level 3 and back to The Food Gallery.

“The top 10 teams will be eligible to take part in the second round. In this final round, they need to eat one whole watermelon and spit the seeds into a plate and teams with the most seeds will be the winners,” he said.

Prizes comprising electrical appliances are sponsored by Ming Fah Enterprise valued at RM1,500, while participants will be given ‘Be Our Guest’ or BOG meal vouchers sponsored by The Food Gallery.

The first prize is an Electrolux juicer valued at RM599, second prize Sharp microwave oven (RM399), third prize Morgan induction cooker (RM299), fourth prize Philip blender (RM199) and fifth prize Morgan coffee maker (RM99).

Sixth to 10th prize winners will receive BOG vouchers worth RM10 each.

For more information, contact Kueh at 082-256939 or the Advertising and Promotion Department at 082-253308.

Used condoms as cheap hair bands

2009-02-04T19:29:00.000-08:00

China recycling used condoms as cheap hair bands: report

These Hair bands were made from used condoms and threads.. That was so disgusting, I would not want to use them!!

BEIJING: Used condoms are being recycled into hair bands in southern China , threatening to spread sexually-transmittable diseases they were originally meant to prevent, state media reported Tuesday.

In the latest example of potentially harmful Chinese-made products, rubber hair bands have been found in local markets and beauty salons in Dongguan and Guangzhou cities in southern Guangdong province, China Daily newspaper said.

'These cheap and colourful rubber bands and hair ties sell well ... threatening the health of local people,' it said.

Despite being recycled, the hair bands could still contain bacteria and viruses, it said.

'People could be infected with AIDS, (genital) warts or other diseases if they hold the rubber bands or strings in their mouths while waving their hair into plaits or buns,' the paper quoted a local dermatologist who gave only his surname, Dong, as saying.

A bag of ten of the recycled bands sells for just 25 fen (three US cents), much cheaper than others on the market, accounting for their popularity, the paper said.

A government official was quoted as saying recycling condoms was illegal.

China 's manufacturing industry has been repeatedly tarnished this year by a string of scandals involving shoddy or dangerous goods made for both domestic and foreign markets.

In response, it launched a public relations blitz this summer aimed at playing up efforts to strengthen monitoring systems. - AFP/ac

Aishwarya and Akshay Kumar awarded Padma Shree

2009-01-27T19:58:00.001-08:00

The 60th year of the Indian republic made Bollywood proud when two leading stars of Bollywood were awarded top civilian honours. Today, the Government of India awarded Padma Shree to Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has popularized Indian cinema across the globe and has given much to Indian entertainment industry and though Akshay Kumar has done mainly commercial cinema yet his success and hits cannot be ignored. To be known that a few days ago, Akshay had been given the popular choice best actor award, which he refused.

The other Bollywood recipient of the prestigious Padma Shree is none other than the legendary Helen.

Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy

2009-01-27T19:26:00.000-08:00

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.

Now it gets really weird.

Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln , was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.

Now hang on to your seat.

Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called ' Lincoln' made by 'Ford.'

Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

And here's the kicker...

A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.

Creepy huh?

Other interesting facts:

Apparently Lincoln had a dream several days before the assassination that he had been killed.
He told his wife that he had seen himself in a casket.
Also, Lincoln's son Tad had a pet turkey named Jack. Tad asked his father not to kill the turkey for Thanksgiving.
Although Harry S Truman started the official tradition, Lincoln was the first to "pardon" a Thanksgiving turkey.
Now what would be real interesting is if Kennedy had a pet named Abe or had pardoned someone by that name.

Intel close factory in Malaysia

2009-01-22T16:35:00.000-08:00

Intel said on Wednesday it would close factories in Malaysia and the Philippines and scale back US operations as part of a restructuring that affects as many as 6000 employees. The announcement comes a day after the world's largest maker of microprocessors used in personal computers slashed prices on several of its processors, and a week after it reported a decline in fourth-quarter revenue amid slower global demand. Intel said it would close two assembly test centres in Penang, Malaysia, and one in Cavite, Philippines. It will halt production at a wafer factory in Hillsboro, Oregon, and stop some operations at a factory in Santa Clara, California.
The actions will affect 5000 to 6000 jobs, but not all positions would be cut, Intel said in a statement. The chipmaker said it would offer some workers positions at other facilities, adding that the restructuring would take place between now and the end of 2009.
"It's not a surprise given that their first quarter is probably going to be challenging, and they're trying to do what they can to cut costs in places that make sense," said Taunya Sell, an analyst at Ragen Mackenzie, a division of Wells Fargo.
Intel's shares rose about 1% to $US13.40 in after-hours trading, after rising 3.1% to close at $US13.26 on the Nasdaq stock market.
Last week, Intel said its fourth-quarter revenue fell 23% from a year earlier and profit tumbled 90%. It also held back on giving detailed quarterly forecasts, citing economic uncertainty.
Analysts have been wary about Intel's outlook for the year as chip sales slide. PC makers and other technology companies have been trimming inventory and cutting back on purchases.

Intel also faces competition from new, cheaper chips made by Advanced Micro Devices.

On Tuesday, Intel said it was lowering prices on some of its processors, including price cuts of up to 40% on some of its higher-powered, faster quad-core chips.

AMD said earlier this month that it expected to post additional restructuring charges for fiscal 2008 and 2009.Reuter

IKHLAS Saving Takaful

2009-01-20T22:45:00.000-08:00

Ikhlas Savings Takaful

Introduction

IKHLAS SAVINGS TAKAFUL is an investment type plan that participates in profit, which will be distributed back to participants. This is an ideal plan which comprises the elements of savings and returns on investment with individual protection. This plan is designed to optimize the returns on investment to the participants.

What does IKHLAS Savings Takaful cover?

This plan utilises two key elements that will together meet or satisfy the obligation under the IKHLAS SAVINGS TAKAFUL:

• Level Term Cover
• Investment Account

IKHLAS SAVINGS TAKAFUL provides the following benefits:

DEATH AND TOTAL & PERMANENT DISABILITY BENEFIT
This benefit provides protection against death and total permanent disablement of the participant prior to the certificate maturity. The Sum Covered (SC) plus the
accumulated amount in the Personal Investment Account (PIA) are payable to the participant, participant’s beneficiary(ies) or next of kin.

Note: The above benefits exclude pre-existing conditions.

MATURITY BENEFIT
Upon maturity of the certificate, participant will receive a lump sum payment from the investment income and accumulated amount in the PIA and net surplus from Ta’awuni Account Pool in the Risk Fund.

CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT
Flexible contribution amount depending on the entry age and term of the certificate.

Why IKHLAS Saving Takaful?

PARTIAL CASH WITHDRAWAL
Partial cash withdrawals from the PIA are allowed after the certificate has been inforced for a minimum number of five (5) years. Only three (3) withdrawals are allowed during the lifetime of the certificate. Each withdrawal must satisfy a minimum gap period of two (2) years between withdrawals. A transaction fee of RM15 is chargeable from the PIA for each withdrawal.

TOP-UP OPTION
Top-up contribution is allowed from the commencement of the certificate. The amount of top-up shall be subject to a minimum of RM50.00 per top-up. This top-up amount shall be solely allocated to the PIA which will earn profit.

RIDER ATTACHEMENT OPTION
Participant can opt for any rider product to be attached to the basic certificate.

BETTER INVESTMENT RETURN
The Takaful IKHLAS Model allows the Company to optimise investment returns to the participants (please contact us for further info).

For your takaful solutions within Malaysia, please contact Ahmad Sanusi (mobile: +6019 234 8786 email: sanusi.my@gmail.com)

An Introduction to Takaful – An Alternative to Insurance

2009-01-20T22:41:00.000-08:00

An Introduction to Takaful – An Alternative to Insurance

Islamic finance has developed mainly in two directions namely Islamic banking and Islamic insurance (Takaful). While information about Islamic banking is being increasingly disseminated, features, models and structures of Takaful are little known particularly in Pakistan. Purpose of this brief article is to describe main features and models of Takaful system operating in various parts of the world.

All human beings are invariably exposed to the possibility of meeting catastrophes and disasters giving rise to misfortunes and sufferings such as death, loss of limbs, accident, destruction of business or wealth, etc. Notwithstanding the belief of all Muslims in Qadha-o-Qadr, Islam provides that one must find ways and means to avoid such catastrophes and disasters wherever possible, and to minimize his or his family's financial losses should such events occur. One possible way out is to buy an insurance cover as in the conventional system.

Different views have been expressed about the status of conventional insurance from the point of view of Islam. An overwhelming majority of the Shariah scholars believe that it is unlawful due to involvement of Riba (interest), Maisir (gambling) and Gharar (uncertainty).@ Takaful, the Islamic alternative to insurance, is based on the concept of social solidarity, cooperation and mutual indemnification of losses of members. It is a pact among a group of persons who agree to jointly indemnify the loss or damage that may inflict upon any of them, out of the fund they donate collectively. The Takaful contract so agreed usually involves the concepts of Mudarabah, Tabarru´ (to donate for benefit of others) and mutual sharing of losses with the overall objective of eliminating the element of uncertainty.

Takaful is not a new concept in Islamic commercial law. The contemporary jurists acknowledge that the foundation of shared responsibility or Takaful was laid down in the system of ‘Aaqilah’, which was an arrangement of mutual help or indemnification customary in some tribes at the time of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). In case of any natural calamity, every body used to contribute something until the loss was indemnified. Similarly, the idea of Aaqilah in respect of blood money or any disaster was based on the concept of Takaful wherein payments by the whole tribe distributed the financial burden among the entire tribe. Islam accepted this principle of reciprocal compensation and joint responsibility.

The contract of Takaful provides solidarity in respect of any tragedy in human life and loss to the business or property. The policyholders (Takaful partners) pay subscription to assist and indemnify each other and share the profits earned from business conducted by the Company with the subscribed funds. Takaful companies normally divide the contributions into two parts, i.e., donations for meeting mortality liability or losses of the fellow policyholders and the other part for investment. Accordingly, the clause of Tabarru´ is incorporated in the contract. How much of the contribution is meant for mortality liability and how much for investment account is based on a sound technical basis of mortality tables and other actuarial requirements. Both the accounts are invested and returns thereof distributed on Mudarabah principle between the participants and the Takaful operators. The profit attributable to the participants is credited into the two accounts separately. To describe from another angle, a Takaful contract may comprise clauses for either protection or savings/investments or both the benefits of protection as well as savings and investment. The protection part of Takaful works on the donation principle according to which individual rights are given up to indemnify the losses reciprocally. In the Savings part, individual rights remain intact under Mudarabah principle and the contributions along with profit (net of expenses) are paid to the policyholders at the end of policy term or before, if required by him.

The distinction between the conventional insurance and Takaful business is more visible with respect to investment of funds. While insurance companies invest their funds in interest-based avenues and without any regard for the concept of Halal-o-Haram, Takaful companies undertake only Shariah compliant business and the profits are distributed in accordance with the pre-agreed ratios in the Takaful Agreement. Likewise they share in any surplus or loss from the pool collectively. Takaful system has a built-in mechanism to counter any over-pricing policies of the insurance companies because whatever may be the premium charged, the surplus would normally go back to the participants in proportion to their contributions.

The terms ‘Family Takaful’, ‘Takaful Ta´awani’ or just ‘Takaful’ are generally used for family solidarity in place of conventional life insurances. Other products available in various countries are General Takaful, Education/Medical Takaful, etc. Based on the nature of relationship between the company and the participants, there are various models like Wakalah (agency) Model, Mudarabah Model and the combination of agency and Mudarabah models. In the Sudanese Takaful Model that is preferable to majority of the contemporary Shariah experts, every policyholder is also the shareholder of the Takaful Company. There is a Board that runs the business on behalf of all the participants and there is no separate entity managing the business. The legal framework in other Islamic countries normally does not allow this arrangement and Takaful companies work as separate entities on the basis of Mudarabah (as in Malaysia) and on the basis of Wakalah (as in the Middle East region). In Mudarabah model that is practised mainly in the Asia Pacific region, the policyholders get profit on their part of funds only if Takaful Company earns profit. The sharing basis is determined in advance and is a function of the developmental stage and earnings of the Company. The Shariah committee approves the sharing ratio for each year in advance. Most of the expenses are charged to the shareholders.

In Wakalah Model, the surplus of policyholders’ funds investments – net of the management fee or expenses - goes to the policyholders. The shareholders charge Wakalah fee from contributions that covers most of the expenses of business. The fee rate is fixed annually in advance in consultation with Shariah committee of the company. In order to give incentive for good governance, management fee is related to the level of performance.

The Takaful business has proved its viability in a period of only two decades. It has been growing at the rate of 10-20% p.a. compared to the global average growth of insurance 5% p.a. A large number of Takaful Companies exist in the Middle East, Far East, Iran, Turkey, and Sudan and even in some non-Islamic countries. There are over 60 companies offering Takaful services (including Windows- 5%) in 23 countries around the world. Malaysia has developed Re-Takaful business as well. Takaful products are available to meet the needs of all sectors of the economy, both at individual as well as corporate levels to cater for short and long term financial needs of various groups of the society.

A Convention of D-8 countries was held in Kuala Lumpur in November, 2002 on “The Emergence of Takaful in the Wake of Globalization”. It is worth noting that among D-8 countries it is only Pakistan where Takaful business has not been introduced so far. Islamic banks and financial institutions require Takaful services for their operations. Although, the insurance business in Pakistan falls in the jurisdiction of the Securities & Exchange Commission, Pakistan, institutions operating Islamic banking would have to deal with insurance. As such, the Central Bank should desire that Takaful business be introduced in the country at the earliest. In the revised Insurance Act, the Government of Pakistan has added the provisions for Takaful companies in the country. As reported in the press, Pak Kuwait Investment Corporation has recently been allowed by the SEC to establish a Takaful Company in Pakistan under the name of “First Takaful Insurance Company Limited” with authorized capital of Rs 100 million.

By: Muhammad Ayub

Insurance in emerging markets: overview and prospects for Islamic insurance

2009-01-20T22:40:00.000-08:00

Insurance in emerging markets: overview and prospects for Islamic insurance

Swiss Re’s new sigma study explores the latest developments in the insurance sector of the emerging market economies, with a special focus on the growing market for takaful, a form of Islamic insurance.

The first half of the study covers the latest developments in the insurance industry in the emerging markets. The second half is devoted to a discussion of takaful, a form of financial protection based on mutual assistance and joint risk bearing that is widely accepted by Islamic scholars.

Non-life insurance in the emerging markets
In real terms, emerging market premiums in the non-life sector grew by 11.6% in 2007. Premium volume in 2007 amounted to USD 199bn. South and East Asia (+13%), Eastern Europe (+12%) and the Middle East (+12%) grew the fastest. According to Daniel Staib, one of the study’s co-authors, “The non-life sector benefited from the strong economic environment and the introduction of new compulsory lines in the Middle East.” Staib adds, “The motor and property businesses continued to dominate the emerging markets insurance landscape in 2007, with motor insurance outperforming the non-life market as a whole.”

Life insurance in the emerging markets
Growth in the life market slowed from 18% to 14% in 2007. Premium volume in 2007 amounted to USD 223bn. Co-author Prudence Ho notes, “The strong performance of the stock markets in the first three quarters of 2007 led to increased sales of investment-linked life products. The launch of new products and the increasing market share of bancassurance, the provision of insurance services by banks, also contributed significantly to the sector’s results.”

Most of the regions decelerated only marginally from their record high levels of the previous year. In South and East Asia, Indonesia (+57%) grew the fastest in 2007. In India, the second-largest market, growth of new business fell from 145.7% in 2006 to just 9.6% in 2007.

Insurance trends and the outlook for the emerging markets
One of the recent developments in the insurance sector of emerging markets is the decision by some regulators to push for the introduction of more stringent capital requirements. Another development is the expansion of microinsurance, which extends coverage to low-income individuals. Finally, bancassurance has continued to grow in importance as a distribution channel.

The financial crisis in industrialised countries has clouded the near-term economic outlook. Demand for products exported from emerging economies will shrink. Commodity prices have already fallen significantly and are expected to continue their slide, leading to lower inflation. Daniel Staib notes, “Insurance in the emerging markets is expected to grow at a slower pace in 2008 and 2009, but its longer term growth prospects remain positive.” He adds, “Factoring in these considerations, average annual growth is likely to drop from the 2002 to 2007 levels of 11.4% in life and 10.6% in non-life to 7-10% in life and 3-8% in non-life between 2008 and 2013.”

Islamic insurance – the growth of takaful as a solution
Various Islamic insurance models that comply with the shariah, the body of Islamic religious law, have been adopted in Muslim countries. Takaful, the focus of the sigma study, is the most accepted model.

Takaful is a system based on the principle of mutual assistance (ta’awun) and voluntary contribution (tabarru), where risk is shared collectively and voluntarily by a group of participants. Through payment of a voluntary donation and the clear definition of the type of loss, impermissible elements such as uncertainty (gharar) and excessive risk taking (maisir) are removed from the contract.

Takaful involves:

* the creation of a shariah supervisory board that oversees insurance operations and compliance with the shariah;
* the separation of shareholder funds from policyholder funds;
* the commitment to distribute technical profits to policyholders;
* the avoidance of investment in non-shariah-compliant assets.

Islamic insurance – future prospects
Between 2004 and 2007, the average annual growth rate for takaful was estimated at 25% (adjusted for inflation) versus 10.2% of that in the conventional market. Although takaful premiums of approximately USD 1.7bn were written in 2007, the global takaful market could reach USD 7bn by 2015. The 1.5bn Muslims around the world represent a growing client segment for the insurance sector.

For this sigma, five markets were analysed in detail: Bahrain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The two takaful markets with the largest growth potential are Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

According to Prudence Ho, “Takaful is set to grow because populations of Muslim countries are rapidly growing and because shariah scholars agree that Muslims should refrain from buying conventional insurance if a takaful operator is selling the same product and offering similar benefits and services.” She adds, “Many companies – global, regional and local – have set up new takaful operations over the past five years and retakaful capacity is also expanding continuously.”

Regarding the challenges facing takaful, Daniel Staib explains, “For takaful to prosper, staff with insurance and shariah expertise, shariah scholars, and solutions for coping with large risks are needed.” He adds, “Further standardisation of the operating models and regulations are required. Improving the general public’s awareness of takaful products is also key. ”

Both authors agree that if companies – with the support of regulators – rise to this challenge, the international takaful industry is well positioned to realise its full potential and attract customers from over the world, regardless of their religious affiliation.

This publication can be downloaded in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. Japanese and Chinese (simplified) will follow shortly.

(Swiss Re)

Final Result Anugerah Juara Lagu 23 TV3 (AJL 23)

2009-01-18T22:23:00.000-08:00

Salam & hello to all my dearest reader, here you are the Final Result of Anugerah Juara Lagu 23 TV3 (AJL 23)

The winner goes to :-
Kategori vokal terbaik : Faizal Tahir , Sampai Syurga
Kategori persembahan terbaik : Faizal Tahir , Sampai Syurga
Kategori etnik kreatif : Farawahida, Persoalan Cinta (Zulfekar)
Kategori pop rock : Meet Uncle Hussein, Lagu Untukmu
Kategori balada : Faizal Tahir , Sampai Syurga

Juara Anugerah Juara Lagu AJL 23 : Lagu Untukmu from kumpulan Meet Uncle Hussein.

10 Proven Tricks To Build Up Your Emergency Fund

2009-01-15T20:59:00.000-08:00

Summary - The keyword is fluid & 6 months salary

If you read financial related blogs, almost every one of them will advise you the same thing - Start your emergency fund. Technically this fund will serve as a safety net should anything happen to you. You never know.

For example, you are sacked from your job. With your emergency fund, you will be able to support your family and still pay all those monthly bills while searching for other jobs. Imagine not having one, you car will be taken from you, maybe even your house. How on earth will you be able to focus on job hunting with all those problems?

So start your emergency fund, Recommended value should be around 6 - 9 months of your monthly expenditure. Let me repeat, “expenditure” not your salary.

These tips may help in establishing your emergency fund.
1) Eliminate bad habit that cost money

Bad habits that cost money are like smoking, drinking, partying every other night etc. Look into your daily activities and identify which unimportant activities is draining your money. List them down and decide right now whether that habit is good or bad. If it’s bad, put a stop to it.

How to get out of a bad habit? Aha.. That will require an entry of its own.
2) Pretend everything cost $5 extra

If you buy your monthly groceries, and it total up to $120, Take out $125 instead. Pay up for the groceries, but the remainder $5 is to be put into your emergency fund. Do this to every purchases you do. Call it your personal tax if you want.

You will spend less for sure, and you are saving more. What harm can it do?
3) Budget and rebudget

Now you should have cut all the unnecessary expenditure. Make a budget for the month. Here is how you can do that.

Record everything you bought and spent up to the cents. This is the time consuming part, just bear with it for about 3 months. You just want to have a clear picture of how you are spending your money.

Once you have recorded every expenditure of the day, write it down in your Excel file and tally it with your actual balance in hand. If it is tally, that means you are monitoring your finance well. If not, that can only mean that there are some money lost without you knowing it. Figure this out first.

By the end of the month, you should know how much exactly are you spending on food, entertainment, bills etc.

Assuming you are spending $2000 for the whole month. Take 10% out and that would be $200. Now check back your budget. Where can you squeeze out that $200.

Certainly things like phone bills, entertainment, electricity can be cut easily. Remember this is only temporary. Once you have achieved your emergency fund target, you can do what ever you want :)
4) Snowball saving

Remember the snowball technique? That technique was actually used for eliminating debt fast. However we can adjust the technique so that we can now save faster. Always pay the minimum amount of any bills and just put the extra money to your saving.

It would help to get yourself a piggy bank. When you cannot see your money, you will be more likely to forget about it. Rule of thumb - Never pick up the piggy bank to weight them. You will be tempted to count the money inside.
5) Create multiple bank accounts

I would suggest 3 accounts. One is for rainy days, another is for death or 911 cases and the third one is to be forgotten.

One of the advantages of keeping separate accounts is that you will always see the total amount saved as low. This will hinder any temptation to use it. Imagine you are saving about $80 per month in one account. Will you withdraw that money for your entertainment when you know how hard it is to save that amount of money.
6) Use online banking.

If you can, please use online banking. It is very easy to do and you can transfer all your money to another account without touching the money.

You see when we always have that feeling of a think wallet, we will know subconciously that we have a lot of money. Anything happened, however minor, we will straight away withdraw the money since we know it’s there.
7) Play “Kutu”

“Kutu” is the name of the game played here in Malaysia. It is pronounced as Koo Too. A group of 10 people will sit down and agree to pay $100 per month for 10 months. They will then set up a schedule on when to receive the money. For example, January is for Joe, February is for Tina.

When it is January, one person will collect $100 from everyone and surrender the money to Joe. The next month, they will collect all the money and surrender it to Tina. This will go on until all 10 people have received their share of money.

One thing that must be clear. All the 10 people must be very trustworthy. The system will be a mess if somebody start avoiding payment etc.
8] The Lost Key strategy

This is another favorite of mine. Surrender your ATM card to your spouse. But do not give her the pin number. This way, both of you cannot use the card to withdraw money. The money will be safe.

You just need to explain to your spouse that the reason you didn’t give her the pin number is due to safety reason. Not because you didn’t trust her. You don’t want this saving exercise to ruin your relationship now do you? :)
9) $1 doesn’t have any value

An item cost about $7, and you pay with $10 bill. Convince yourself that the $3 change (which is in $1 bill) have no value.

But of course do not throw away that $1 bill, just put it into your piggy bank. Believe me, you will achieve your target in no time.
10) Personal loan

This should be used only as your last resort. If you are having trouble committing to your saving habits. Apply for a personal loan with low interest and put all the money in your account as an emergency fund.

The advantages

* Your emergency fund is ready
* People will harass you daily if you didn’t pay
* You can even make money if you choose carefully

The disadvantages

* You are losing money from paying interest

Conclusion

Emergency fund is a must. If you don’t have one, start working on one. Just make sure it amounts to 6 months of your salary and the saving is fluid (You can take out the money anytime you want)

Making Profit On The Internet – Google Adsense

2009-01-15T00:05:00.000-08:00

Some good info for make money online. I found this article in internet...share if you care...

Author: SONAM GOYAL

There are so many ways to make profit on the Internet that you would need a complete e-book for it, and not a tiny article as this one. But lack of space should never deter one from sharing some good news. Let
us see how the Internet can be used to make some good cash online. One totally fail-proof method to draw profits from the Net is to use pay-per-click to generate adsense income. This method is so simple to
understand and easy to operate that absolutely anyone can do it.

In order to get a good and continuous income flow from the adsense ads, you will need to use a form of traffic arbitrage in combination of some good but low cost keywords and the bid on the different pay-per-click search engines like Google. In order to have the system fail proof you will have to work initially to plug in any imbalances that may exist. You must take care about the following:

1. Keywords: You will need to choose exceptionally
apt keywords, which will be high paying. For this you should be tuned in on what is the right combination and you should be able to attract the right type of crowd to your website. You will payment for PPC
should be justified vis-à-vis the adsense ad, or you will not make money. Your keywords should attract sufficient traffic to attract enough traffic for you to make a neat income.

2. Content: You have to ensure that the ads and the
content are highly relevant to the visitors or you will not attract them to click on your ad. You should be aware that when you are buying keywords you are actually purchasing a pass for your traffic. Hence,
unless the content and the ad are complementary, you will not be able to raise any profit. This is one element that is taken for granted by most first-timers causing them loses where they could have made profit.

3. Cheaper keywords: Google is the best today true.
But they are not the only ones in the market. If you are functioning on a shoestring budget, you can definitely try out some other search engines. Some of the choices you can have are Brainfox, findwhat, etc.
Try them out.

4. Track your ads: It is extremely wise to keep a
check on how your money flows by tracking your advertising. In order to repair damages in time, you will need to know where and when you are hitting the wrong buttons. This information will be available for you only when you keep track of your ads with continuous tracking. For this purpose you may use the services of professional tracking agencies. This may be a bit costly but it is worth the effort. Another way to keep track is to set up a separate landing-page for each of your sources. In this way your own website can give you the requisite statistics and you can see clearly which search engine gives you the best results. This method can be very good if set up correctly. You will have to ensure that the feeder articles (pages) which propagate free traffic combine well with the PPC traffic so you can get a low per-visitor cost in the long run.

5. SEO: You must have feeder pages set up so you come up high on the organic searches. When the organic searches rank you high you are likely to attract heavy free traffic. What is he best part
here is that as you move up on rank in the organic search, the ppc also will move up and hence earn you better profit.

Earning profit with adsense is a piece of cake once you have all things set in place. It is very important though, to achieve the right balance
between the use of keywords and the ppc. In order to be on the safe side, a periodic if not regular tracking should be done and according to the findings, the required fine tunings should be done. Unless this is done, you will not be able to stop the losses when they occur, nor will be able to raise your profits when the market is ripe for it.

Top Keyword Adsense

2009-01-14T23:33:00.000-08:00

Top Keyword Adsense profit..

Daftarnya kata kunci mahal:
Max CPC ($) Avg CPC ($) Keyword
520.52 97.44 domains yahoo
418.63 79.81 domain name yahoo
145.71 68.91 dc hair laser removal washington
119.63 66.15 law lemon wisconsin
135.94 51.14 hair removal washington dc
493.73 41.97 domain registration yahoo
262.02 40.36 benchmark lending
438.23 38.05 domain yahoo
330.50 37.86 yahoo web hosting
121.86 37.29 hair laser removal virginia
121.27 36.59 peritoneal mesothelioma
46.38 36.55 ca lemon law
81.58 34.13 best buy gift card
96.87 31.10 adverse credit remortgage
234.33 30.98 mesothelioma information
48.68 29.77 law lemon ohio
54.31 29.34 att call conference
83.22 29.10 insurance medical temporary
82.33 28.95 illinois law lemon
82.33 28.78 mesothelioma symptoms
60.86 28.51 angeles drug los rehab
36.88 28.26 personal injury solicitor
101.30 28.23 att go
61.47 28.03 accident car florida lawyer
159.00 27.11 google affiliate
90.48 27.11 at t wireless
172.60 26.31 100 home equity loan
46.72 26.28 mcsa boot camp
40.18 26.19 anti spam appliance
93.12 26.17 adverse remortgage
37.33 26.00 chicago hair laser removal
53.70 25.98 att conference
101.26 25.84 at and t
102.52 25.45 laser hair removal maryland
123.04 25.15 mesothelioma
74.66 24.88 buy gift card
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112.22 24.30 event management security
129.13 24.15 canada personals yahoo
62.11 24.15 orlando criminal attorney
41.59 23.78 uk homeowner loans
48.65 23.71 vioxx lawsuit
27.80 23.55 compare life assurance
73.41 23.34 criminal defense federal lawyer
141.00 23.29 american singles
73.70 23.09 federal criminal defense attorney
34.61 23.07 laser hair removal manhattan
102.69 23.03 att prepaid wireless
170.89 23.00 fortis health insurance temporary
39.31 22.93 miami personal injury lawyer
37.79 22.75 hair removal chicago
69.09 22.74 at and t cell phones
37.59 22.61 refinance with bad credit
103.19 22.47 malignant mesothelioma
63.95 22.45 lease management software
169.05 22.34 primary pulmonary hypertension
37.77 22.27 miami personal injury attorney
53.88 22.24 anti spam lotus notes
31.56 22.23 life insurance quotes
105.05 21.91 egg credit
39.25 21.80 anti spam exchange server
65.98 21.77 lemon law
193.39 21.67 google adsense
33.09 21.67 best consolidation loan student
34.22 21.63 refinance with poor credit
77.44 21.49 employee leasing
34.61 21.36 student loan consolidation center
40.45 21.35 buyer mortgage note
57.49 21.34 federal student loan consolidation
55.24 21.33 symptoms of mesothelioma
30.51 21.31 city hair laser new removal york
133.02 21.20 att wireless com
30.03 21.15 san diego dui lawyer
66.79 21.14 indiana law lemon
58.27 21.10 law lemon michigan
70.76 20.80 angeles criminal defense los
27.42 20.80 refinancing with poor credit
106.26 20.64 home equity loan
41.31 20.64 action class lawsuit vioxx
32.65 20.49 term life assurance
42.74 20.47 e loan
63.54 20.46 celebrex lawyer
71.38 20.37 vasectomy reversal
56.24 20.36 mortgage rates refinancing
47.61 20.28 attorney law lemon
36.13 20.28 consolidate student loans
36.88 20.17 home equity loans
50.75 20.11 mesothilioma
43.02 19.99 new york personal injury lawyer
27.42 19.98 home equity loan rates
32.22 19.97 auto insurance quotes
64.02 19.93 georgia law lemon
37.31 19.90 homeowner loans
27.03 19.73 equity loan rates
61.52 19.68 administration lease software
100.26 19.63 egg credit card
31.75 19.58 student consolidation loans
65.83 19.55 microsoft anti spam

The Benefit And Advantages Of Ebooks

2009-01-14T22:37:00.000-08:00

The Benefit And Advantages Of Ebooks

An ebook is a book in electronic format. It is downloaded to a computer, PC, Mac, laptop, PDA or any other kind of computer, and is read on the screen. It can have numbered pages, table of contents, pictures and graphics, exactly like a printed book.

Ebooks present many benefits and advantages, and this article shows some of them.

It is very simple and easy to purchase and download ebooks through the Internet. It is exactly like purchasing any other product. The only difference is that after payment you will either be directed to a download page or receive the download link in an email. All you have to do is click on the link and the ebook will automatically download to your computer, to a folder of your own choice.

After download you don't have to be connected to the Internet in order to read the ebook. You can stay offline. If you wish to have it printed, it is very easy. Just click on the print button in the ebook, to print it with your home printer.

So what are the benefits and advantages of ebooks?

1. Ebooks are delivered almost instantaneously. You can purchase, download and start reading them within minutes, without leaving your chair. You don't have to go to a bookstore to buy them, neither wait for them for days, weeks and sometimes more to arrive in the mail.

2. No trees are required to manufacture paper for the pages of ebooks.

3. When you need certain information, you can get it immediately, by downloading an ebook.

4. Many ebooks are sold nowadays with bonuses, which you usually do not get with a printed book. This adds value to your purchase.

5. Ebooks take up less space. You practically don't need any space to store them. You don't need a library or a room for them. You can store hundreds and thousands of ebooks in your computer.

6. Ebooks are portable. You can carry a whole library of hundreds of books with you, on CD, in a laptop, notebook or any ebook reader, without worrying about their weight.

7. With today technology you can read ebooks anywhere, on the bus, train, airplane and while standing in line.

8. Ebooks are more safely stored and carried from one place to another, than ordinary books. They also withstand time more than books.

9. Ebooks can show links, for easy access to more information and related websites.

10. Ebooks are searchable. You can easily search for any information in an ebook, instead of turning page after page.

11. Ebooks can be interactive and contain audio, video and animations, which can enhance the message that the author is trying to convey.

12. As ebooks are delivered through the Internet, there are no packing and shipping expenses.

13. Ebooks can be printable, so that if you wish to read an ebook in the traditional way, you can very inexpensively print it with your home printer or at any printing shop.

14. Fonts in ebooks can be resized, making it easier to read for people with disabilities. With an additional software it is possible to turn some of the ebooks into audio books.

15. Ebooks are very easy to to sell and distribute.

16. It is very simple and easy to purchase and download an ebook. People living in big modernized cities, in a remote village in a far away country or on a small island, can equally access an ebook. It takes them the same amount of time to purchase and download an ebook, provided they have an Internet connection.

17. It is possible to purchase an ebook 24 hours a day, every day of the year, from the comfort of your own house or office. You can purchase and download an ebook, even if you are on a vacation, if you have a laptop and wireless Internet connection.

18. People are already spending a lot of time in front of their computers, so why not read and ebook, instead of doing something else?

Nowadays one can find ebooks about every possible subject, fiction and nonfiction, free and not free.

Considering non-fiction ebooks, such ebooks disseminate knowledge not pages, which means that it is not correct to evaluate the price of an ebook according to the number of its pages. The price should be determined by the information it contains, its usefulness and relevancy, and on how much it gives you in terms of practical knowledge, inspiration, motivation, tips and advice, and also by the uniqueness of the information it contains.

© Copyright Remez Sasson
Website: http://www.SuccessConsciousness.com
Books: http://www.successconsciousness.com/ebooks_and_books.html

Auto Insurance Coverage

2009-01-13T22:20:00.000-08:00

Auto Insurance Coverage Information

Factors Affecting State Farm Auto Insurance Coverage
• Age: You pay more if you are less than 25 years of age. Drivers over the age of 50 with good driving record get a discount.

• Where you drive: City driving and back and forth from work driving insurance is more expensive than inter state driving.

• Driving record: You get cheaper insurance rate if you have had no accidents in last five years.

• Type of vehicle: A new expensive vehicle being paid out through bank or finance company has higher rate of insurance than a second hand or family vehicle.
State farm auto insurance cover is valid anywhere in the USA and Canada, but covers just 25 miles inside the Mexican border. It is non-traditional insurance, meaning that it does not cover properties that traditionally do not fall under typical property items or automobile insurance. These include boats, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and ATV’s, while Farmers Auto Insurance and homeowners insurance covers wide range of goods including the non-traditional ones too.

Auto insurance, home insurance or any specialty insurance cover is very important to prevent financial loss in case of any untoward mishap or accident. A little premium takes care of your worries.

A motor trade insurance policy is important if you work in a business that buys, sells, or fixes cars. Trade insurance protects the business owners and/or the individuals working in the business from financial loss should an unpleasant situation occur. No matter how big or how small the business, motor trade insurance is an extremely important part of running that business! However, because every business is different, there are many different types of motor trade insurance policies. The different types will offer different degrees of coverage, different premiums and different features.

There are five main types of trade insurance that you can choose from. These are the third-party only, also known as third part; fire and theft; comprehensive; liability; and a combined policy. When choosing among these options, you must determine what the needs of your business are to determine what type of policy will be best for you. Some different features included on motor trade insurance policy may include administrative benefits, and social and personal use of any vehicles to specified drivers.

One type of a motor trade insurance policy that is required by law for certain types of traders is the third party only motor trade insurance policy. The types of traders that are legally responsible to own such a policy are buyers and sellers; those working as mobile tuners; a repairs man, or a Valier or fitter. This is generally a type of policy that is needed if the insured is going to be working on cars. It's a particularly important type because it holds the insured responsible should the repairs fail and someone get into a car accident. This type of insurance is especially important if the insured will be driving any car out on the road. Another option with this type of insurance is fire and theft. This type of motor trade insurance policy combines all the protection with the third party only policy but adds on protection in case of fire or theft.

Understanding Auto Insurance

2009-01-13T22:18:00.000-08:00

Auto (car) insurance is a type of insurance coverage for damage to and resulting from an auto. Insurance of this type can cover a variety of things depending on the kind of auto insurance that has been purchased.

All auto insurance policies involve a premium, which is the payment a customer makes to have auto insurance. Premiums for auto insurance can be extremely divergent and
are determined by a number of factors. Gender is the major determinant for auto insurance premiums. Statistically, men are 80% more likely to be involved in an accident, and therefore have a greater need for insurance. Auto insurance premiums for men are higher than auto insurance premiums for women. Similarly, teenagers are considered high risk and will have to pay higher auto insurance premiums. The auto insurance premium can be reduced if the teenager takes a defensive driving course. Many states require teenagers to take defensive driving courses in order to obtain a driving permit and auto insurance.

It is customary for auto insurance plans to have a deductible that the customer is responsible for before the auto insurance provider offers coverage of expenses. Deductibles can have an effect on the coverage available under an auto insurance plan.

Auto insurance is slightly different than other types of insurance because you can purchase auto insurance that covers specific needs. For this reason there are different kinds of auto insurance. Auto insurance basics are covered by liability auto insurance plans. Liability auto insurance is usually the minimum required by state laws. Liability auto insurance is characterized by a set dollar amount of coverage for damages resulting from accidents or negligence. The coverage amount of liability auto insurance can be applied to property damaged in the accident that is not an auto.

Car insurance also comes as collision auto insurance. Collision auto insurance is meant to cover the cost of repairs to a vehicle involved in an accident, or the cash value of the vehicle if it cannot be repaired.

Comprehensive auto insurance is also available. With comprehensive auto insurance, coverage of fees for repairs is provided for accidents that are not collisions. Comprehensive auto insurance will, for example, cover hail or fire damage.

Whatever type of auto/ car insurance you need, Business Health Insurance can help! We have all of the information on auto insurance in your state.

Here are some tips that would help you to understand more about auto insurance.

1. One of the most important tips that would help you get a discount is to check with your auto insurance agent before buying a car. The value of the car, the cost of maintenance and the likelihood of theft all affects the rates you have to pay. Get to know the policies of your insurance provider before you make a final decision on the car/vehicle to buy.

2. Most insurance companies would give you discounts if you take out more than one insurance policy from them. You can check to find out whether it would be better for you to take out all your insurance policies from one company or if the discount you get from different companies on different policies would make more sense.

3. The deductible is the lowest minimum you have to pay before your insurance policy starts to run. The higher deductible you pay the more discounts you get. What is the highest deductible you can pay? It is always better to pay a higher deductible than lower.

4. Safety devices in your vehicle also qualify you for discounts. But you have to ask for them, most agents may not tell you about it unless you ask for it. Devices like airbags, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes and daytime running lights.

5. Shop around for the best deal! Do not just rely on one quote or one referral. Check out different insurance companies. There are many of them competing for business. So take advantage and save several hundreds of dollars.

How a life insurance works

2009-01-13T22:12:00.001-08:00

Is a very common question to all people on how a life insurance works...Why people need life insurance ?

People need Insurance because , Through Insurance :

1) The Power To Create An Immediate Estate
One of the most powerful aspects of purchasing a life insurance policy is the ability of the insured to create an immediate estate, which is legally valid and recognizable in the court of law. Through a simple contract with the insurer, an immediate estate is created which may form a part of his total estae such as

properties and business interests.

In comparison to acquiring property, owning a successful business having cash savings and other forms of investments, the insured would most likely have to invest his limited time and resouces. To build a net worth of $500,000 would require possibly a lifetime for a majority of the working population. There is of course, no guaratee of success, as there will be elements of economic uncertainty, mismanagement, external factors, or timing, which may affect his good intentions.

On the other hand, purchasing $500,000 life insurance policy creates an immediate estate of that amount at a fraction of the cost. Besides, most life insurance policies have increasing cash values. Such policies posses a certain asset value in which the insured can exert ownership just as with other personal property or assets permissible by law.
2) The Power Of Compounding Interest

In simple interest theory, a capital sum of $1000 that is accumulated at 5% per annum would derive an interest amount at the end of the year of $50. If the interest is not included in the capital sum, a 5 year interest accumulation at the same amount and interest rate would mean a total $250 in interest earned. There is therefore no re-investment of interest.

With compound interest, the amount of $50 is added onto the initial $1000 and becomes additional capital sum to be invested at 5%. To derive the total amount where the initial capital p is accumulated over n years at an interest rate of i%, the formula to derive total amount = p(1+i)n

As the result, interest earned through compounding the interest over the same duration to be more than interest earned under the simple interest method.
However, there are other factors which should also be considered when using the compound formula such as inflation rate and interest rate achievable.

Life Insurance Without Invading Your Privacy

2009-01-13T21:52:00.000-08:00

Life Insurance Without Invading Your Privacy

Not so long ago, applying for a sizable term life insurance policy meant the invasion of a physical exam. You might have gotten off with just having a medic collect some body fluids and weigh you, or you might have had to go to the doctor
for a full physical. This took a lot of time because exams had to be scheduled, and then it took even more time because the insurance company had to wait to get the report from an examiner or doctor's office. Sometimes the whole process could take weeks or months.

However, insurers know that their business is very competitive these days, and they also know that a lot of the people they would like as customers are very busy people. Busy people, or just people who want to protect their privacy, may very well choose a policy that does not require a physical if that option is available for them. People today just want to make an application, pay the bill, and have their life insurance in hand. They do not want to go through a complex application, and then have to endure an invasive medical exam.

The internet, with online life insurance offers, has made the market for no med life even larger. For awhile, a person could qualify for a smaller term policy with no physical, and some very small whole life insurance policies were available. But now I have seen offers for policies of up to $400,000 without any sort of physical in some cases. The requirements to issue a policy usually depend upon a couple of things. The age of the applicant makes a difference, and so does the size of the policy.

So a 35 year old should be able to find large amounts of coverage without many requirements, but a 55 year old man may have to accept a smaller amount if they want to skip the exam. Applicants that are past retirement age will certainly need to present some sort of medical proof that they are healthy for a large policy, but smaller policies are still available to people of almost any age or health status. In fact simplified issue and guaranteed issued policies have been designed just for seniors, and they have been designed to be issued without much time or trouble.

Now the applicant will still have to fill out an application. For policies that ask health questions, some insurers may add additional requirements depending upon the answers to those questions. They may ask for a doctor's statement or some sort of para-med exam, depending upon the answers to the questions on the application, but they usually do not.

And do not think that a no medical exam life insurance policy is an excuse to mislead an insurance company about your health status. If a person does not answer the questions to the best of their ability, then the insurance company can deny benefits if they find out. And believe me, even without an exam, insurance companies are very good at finding out things like that when hundreds of thousands of dollars are at stake.

Understanding Auto Insurance

2009-01-13T21:50:00.000-08:00

Auto (car) insurance is a type of insurance coverage for damage to and resulting from an auto. Insurance of this type can cover a variety of things depending on the kind of auto insurance that has been purchased.

All auto insurance policies involve a premium, which is the payment a customer makes to have auto insurance. Premiums for auto insurance can be extremely divergent and are determined by a number of factors. Gender is the major determinant for auto insurance premiums. Statistically, men are 80% more likely to be involved in an accident, and therefore have a greater need for insurance. Auto insurance premiums
for men are higher than auto insurance premiums for women. Similarly, teenagers are considered high risk and will have to pay higher auto insurance premiums. The auto insurance premium can be reduced if the teenager takes a defensive driving course. Many states require teenagers to take defensive driving courses in order to obtain a driving permit and auto insurance.

It is customary for auto insurance plans to have a deductible that the customer is responsible for before the auto insurance provider offers coverage of expenses. Deductibles can have an effect on the coverage available under an auto insurance plan.

Auto insurance is slightly different than other types of insurance because you can purchase auto insurance that covers specific needs. For this reason there are different kinds of auto insurance. Auto insurance basics are covered by liability auto insurance plans. Liability auto insurance is usually the minimum required by state laws. Liability auto insurance is characterized by a set dollar amount of coverage for damages resulting from accidents or negligence. The coverage amount of liability auto insurance can be applied to property damaged in the accident that is not an auto.

Car insurance also comes as collision auto insurance. Collision auto insurance is meant to cover the cost of repairs to a vehicle involved in an accident, or the cash value of the vehicle if it cannot be repaired.

Comprehensive auto insurance is also available. With comprehensive auto insurance, coverage of fees for repairs is provided for accidents that are not collisions. Comprehensive auto insurance will, for example, cover hail or fire damage.

Whatever type of auto/ car insurance you need, Business Health Insurance can help! We have all of the information on auto insurance in your state.

Here are some tips that would help you to understand more about auto insurance.

1. One of the most important tips that would help you get a discount is to check with your auto insurance agent before buying a car. The value of the car, the cost of maintenance and the likelihood of theft all affects the rates you have to pay. Get to know the policies of your insurance provider before you make a final decision on the car/vehicle to buy.

2. Most insurance companies would give you discounts if you take out more than one insurance policy from them. You can check to find out whether it would be better for you to take out all your insurance policies from one company or if the discount you get from different companies on different policies would make more sense.

3. The deductible is the lowest minimum you have to pay before your insurance policy starts to run. The higher deductible you pay the more discounts you get. What is the highest deductible you can pay? It is always better to pay a higher deductible than lower.

4. Safety devices in your vehicle also qualify you for discounts. But you have to ask for them, most agents may not tell you about it unless you ask for it. Devices like airbags, anti-theft, anti-lock brakes and daytime running lights.

5. Shop around for the best deal! Do not just rely on one quote or one referral. Check out different insurance companies. There are many of them competing for business. So take advantage and save several hundreds of dollars.

Malaysia Insurance, Takaful Company

2009-01-13T21:46:00.000-08:00

Takaful is a protection plan based on Shariah principles. By contributing a sum of money to a common takaful fund in the form of participative contribution (tabarru’), you undertake a contract (aqad) to become one of the participants by agreeing to mutually help each other, should any of the participants suffer a defined loss.

Both insurance and takaful have similar basic principles. For instance, the insured, such as yourself, must have a legitimate financial interest in the risk you are insuring, meaning you must suffer a financial loss when the insured event occurs.

You can also buy more than one policy or plan to protect a particular risk but in the event of loss or damage, you can only make one claim. The amount payable will then be contributed by the insurance companies involved. As such, you cannot profit from your general insurance policy or takaful plan. If you suffer a loss, you will be compensated accordingly and no more than that. You will be paid or ‘indemnified’ to the position you were in before the loss. However, if you wish to cover your life, you can buy more than one policy.

Buying life insurance for you and your loved ones helps provide some financial security in times of hardship. The money from your policy will be paid to your loved ones when you pass away or to you should you suffer a total and permanent disability or loss.

Your insurance or takaful contract is a contract of utmost good faith (trust). Thus, you as the policy owner need to disclose all material information required. If any of the relevant material facts are not disclosed, the policy may be invalid and you will not be protected against any loss or damage.

No matter what kind of protection or Insurance you buy, must not lack behind of your major objective to own a Insurance coverage plan. Let's the insurance cover all you needs.

Tags :
Car Insurance, Health Insurance,Insurance, Insurance Life,Life Insurance, Saving and Retirement Plan,Insurance Lifetime Protection

Malaysia's 1st Easiest Online Car Insurance & Road Tax Renewal

2009-01-13T21:36:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first easiest online car insurance and road tax renewal system for
both comprehensive and third party coverage in Malaysia. You can now purchase the automobile protection plan at anytime and anywhere within 3 minutes by using credit cards or online banking service and have the relevant documents delivered to your doorstep by courier. So, experience our easy car insurance renewal now. Click Here

High Paying Adsense Keyword

2009-01-13T21:31:00.001-08:00

Google Adsense is still the best Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising program for bloggers. However, many bloggers can not generate high revenue from it because they don’t really care about the keywords. You need the right keywords to get the right ads. Find the highest paying Google Adsense keywords by searching the best keyword selection tools, and use them in your posts. This will eventually increase your Adsense income.

What is a Keyword?

Keywords are the words which people are using on search engines to find things they are looking for. Advertisers always use keywords to advertise on blogs and websites. They buy the keywords via Google Adwords, and display their ads on blogs or websites which are using Google Adsense. The most important part is, the ads appearing on your blog will depend on the keywords you use in your posts.

How To Increase the Adsense Revenue?

Search and find the high paid keywords
Target high paid keywords by using them in your blog post

Where To Find High Paid Keywords?

You should refer below keyword
selection tools:

High Paid Keyword Examples

health insurance
insurance car
auto insurance
car insurance cheap
insurance travel
travel insurance

Conclusion:

Believe it or not, there are some keywords paying $70 per click. Targeting high paid keywords is a good way of increasing your Google Adsense revenue. Keyword density is also very important. Do not overuse the high paid keywords in your blog posts. Unfortunately, there’s no golden rule for putting the right number of keywords in a blog post. You’ll have to experiment.

SOCSO Loan 2009

2009-01-12T22:39:00.000-08:00

The Social Security Organization provides social security protection by social insurance including medical and cash benefits, provision of artificial aids and rehabilitation to employees to reduce the sufferings and to provide financial guarantees and protection to the family.

SOCSO is the abbreviation for Social Security Organization. It is commonly known in the Malay term as PERKESO or Pertubuhan Keselamatan
Sosial.

One of the benefits, which SOCSO provides for Malaysians is the education benefit, which comes in the form of a loan disbursed out to dependent children who are recipients of a monthly benefit for Dependent's Benefit, Survivor's Pension, children of an employee who are recipients of a monthly benefit of Permanent Disablement and Invalidity Pension

Although this benefit is in the form of a loan, it can, however, be converted into a scholarship if the child obtains excellent result.

SOCSO is offering educational loans, amounting to as much as RM100,000, to children of members who are in receipt of monthly invalidity pensions.

Applicants can also be children of contributors who died while in employment because of injuries, or died before reaching their 55th year. The applicants must be below 21 years of age and pursuing degree, diploma or certificate courses recognised by the Education Ministry.

The borrower is required to repay the loan via monthly instalments once the person has completed the study programme.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said that the loan will be converted to a scholarship if the student gets first class honours in the degree programme.

"This loan is only given to deserving students who have done well in their examinations and are admitted to institutes of higher learning," he said, after presenting loan approvals of RM100,000 each for two students currently pursuing their studies in medicine at the Asian Institute of Medicine Science and Technology in Kedah.

Since1997, Socso has given out as much as RM94mil in loans to dependents of Socso contributors who qualifed for the study loan.

For Socso members who are kidney patients, Dr Subramaniam said that Socso would pay a maximum of RM110 for each session of dialysis.

For more information on Socso's study loan, visit www.perkeso.gov.my.

Yayasan Sime Darby Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarship Programme

2009-01-12T22:36:00.000-08:00

Yayasan Sime Darby is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Scholarship Programme - FY 2008/2009.

Scholarships will be offered to individuals pursuing the following fields of study:
• Engineering : Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Computer
• Business : Accountancy, Finance, Business Administration, Computer Science,Information and Communication Technology

• Science : Agriculture, Food Technology, Plantations Technology, Plantation Management, Forestry, BiotechnologyUndergraduate Studies
The requirement for Undergraduate scholarship is as follows:
• SPM (minimum 7 A1s in subjects taken) and any of the following:
o STPM (CGPA of at least 3.5)
o Matriculation/ Diploma (CGPA of at least 3.5)
o ‘A Level’(minimum 3As)
o Australian TER (minimum 90.0)
• Individuals pursuing their first or second year undergraduate studies are also encouraged to apply.

Postgraduate Studies
The requirement for Postgraduate scholarship is as follows:
• Masters Degree. Individuals should have obtained a Bachelors Degree with minimum Second Class Upper (Hons) or equivalent.
• PhD. Individuals should have obtained a “Distinction” / “A” grade in average / or any other equivalent grade in their MastersDegree.
Individuals who are currently pursuing their PhD in their first or second year are also encouraged to apply.

Application
We welcome your online application at http://www.simedarby.com/scholarships.
The portal is open for applications from 15-31 March 2008.
Only online applications will be considered.
Applications should take approximately 45 minutes.
Please read through the scholarship application manual at http://www.simedarby.com/scholarships/manual.aspx before submitting your online application.

Queries
For any enquiries, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section at http://www.simedarby.com.scholarships/faq.aspx

Closing Date
Applications are open from Saturday 15th March 2008 and will be closed on Monday 31st March 2008.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional Malaysia (PTPTN)

2009-01-12T22:32:00.000-08:00

Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional Malaysia (PTPTN) was established to help students gain entry to Higher Level Institutions of Education in Public (IPTA) and Private (IPTS) sector.

This PTPTN Study Loans program was established in 1999 and is mainly focused on students who have gained admission to local universities but are unable to further their studies due to financial constraints.

Applications are only open to students who have gained admission at local universities or private colleges. PTPTN will evaluate the financial background of the applicant's family before approving the application. Decision made by the authority is final. No correspondence will be entertain.
Education Fund Name
Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional Malaysia (PTPTN)

PTPTN Study Loan Distribution Mechanism:

* Transfer of funds is via the applicant's institute of higher learning-IPT concerned.
* The institute of higher learning-IPT will make the necessary deduction for the fee incurred.
* The remaining funds will be transferred to the applicant's bank account by the institute of higher learning-IPT.

Insurance:

* Applicant is required to subscribe insurance coverage.
* The premium will be made on behalf of the applicant.

PTPTN Study Loan Repayment:

* Monthly installments will include administration cost of 4% based on reducing balance.
* The repayments will commence 6 months after graduation or in the event of securing a career, whichever is earlier.
* Payments have to made via Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN)
* Other methods of payment will need to be approved by PTPTN.

Medium of Application:

* Application can be made through Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pelajar (HEP) or Students Affair Department in the respective IPT (Institution of Higher Learning.
* Other methods will be determined by PTPTN.

Criterias / Conditions for the PTPTN Study Loan Application: PTPTN will approve application to applicant who fulfill the following:-

* Malaysian citizenship
* Applicant must be a full-time student in his/her first degree program and diploma program as well as in one of the 11 local public institutes of higher learning-IPTA or local private institutes of higher learning- IPTS.
* Applicant who has not receive any other sponsors
* Pass the "Means Test" - evaluation of family's financial ability
* Government servant undertaking half paid / unpaid leave

*All the requirements above are subject to change by PTPTN from time to time.
Total amount of PTPTN Study Loan available: First Degree

* Local public institute of higher learning-IPTA students RM 6500 p.a.
* Local private institute of higher learning - IPTS students RM 16000 p.a.
* IMU students RM 20000 p.a.
* Science stream students will have additional RM500 p.a.(incentive loans not including administration cost)

Diploma

* RM 5000 p.a. for local public institute - IPTA students; applicable for both (arts & science) streams.

Pics Zhang Ziyi naked on beach 2009

2009-01-12T21:59:00.000-08:00

Panas .... Gambar bogel Zhang Ziyi di pantai.Paparazzi shot this super hot picture of Zhang Ziyi topless bathing at a private beach on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with her fiance: Israeli investor Viv Nevo.

Antara petikan yang saya jumpa :

she doesn't want to expose herself naked like in the "The Banquet" scene above, but...

or do we have to say: butt

she exposes herself in a very similar Zhang Ziyi topless scene with added in some un-tasteful butt squeezing of her boyfriend ...

hahahahah..... very funny. Did you smell.....

Zhang Ziyi is a very popular Chinese actress and was recently named as China’s most beautiful person in 2008 by The Beijing News.

She became internationally known after starring in Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Ang Lee first had famous Taiwanese actress Shu Qi in mind, but after seeing Zhang Ziyi performing in The Road Home, he cast her instead.

Zhang Ziyi was born February 9th, 1980 in Beijing, China. Her father is an economist father and her mother a kindergarten teacher.

Zhang was originally interested in dance and gymnastics. She entered into the dance world at the age of 11 after being accepted to a secondary school affiliated with Beijing Dancing College.
However at the age of 15, Zhang Ziyi opted to act instead of dancing for the rest of her life. She combined both passions gracefully playing a blind dancer in the my favorite movie "House of Flying Daggers":

Pics : Kuching Floods

2009-01-12T01:38:00.001-08:00

Smash.... Christiano Ronaldo wrecked Ferrari in accident

2009-01-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

Smash ... Ronaldo's wrecked Ferrari sportscar
Manchester Evening News

CRISTIANO Ronaldo obliterated his Ferrari after losing control of his £200,000 supercar. The lucky Manchester Utd winger escaped without a scratch after the Italian sportscar was smashed to smithereens in a crash early today.

Witnesses said his car was a "mangled wreck" – and police say it is a write-off.
Ronaldo was travelling through a two-lane tunnel at Manchester Airport when he hit the wall – sending parts of the barrier flying across the dual carriageway.

Ronaldo was able to get out of the vehicle himself and was spoken to by police at the scene after the smash at 10.20am.
A witness said: "The front of Ronaldo's car was completely mangled. There was metal all over the road and debris - and we had to dodge our way through it.

“Ronaldo was just standing at the side of the road looking forlorn and bewildered.
“My daughter said to me, 'Oh my God - that's Cristiano Ronaldo!' It's amazing he was okay because his car looked so bad.”

A club spokesman said: “Cristiano was involved in an incident this morning. No other cars were involved.
“He’s fine and is training as normal with the team this morning.”

The crash happened in the tunnel which takes traffic under the airport runways between Wilmslow and Hale.
The red Ferrari was badly damaged in the collision with the front edge of the vehicle completely demolished.
No other vehicle was understood to have been involved.
One of the wheels had come off in the incident and was about 200 yards behind where the vehicle had come to rest.

Wreck ... cops photograph Ferrari

His team-mate, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, was reported to have been travelling behind Ronaldo at the time of the crash.
The Ferrari was later loaded on to a recovery truck, covered in a black sheet, as the road was reopened.

The winger came on as a substitute in the final 30 minutes of his team’s 1-0 Carling Cup defeat to Derby County last night.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said no-one was injured in the incident.

The spokesman added: “At about 10.20am police were called to the A538 Wilmslow Road near to Manchester Airport following reports of a road traffic collision.

“Officers attended and discovered a Ferrari had collided with a barrier. No one is believed to have been injured. Inquiries are continuing.”

Sarawak Higher Education Fund Charitable Trust (HiED)

2009-01-07T00:34:00.000-08:00

HiED invites students pursuing courses in Engineering and Quantity Surveying at Institutions of Higher Learning in Sarawak* to apply for a Study Loan.

Details are as follows:
Level of Study

* Certificate (at Politeknik Kuching & Mukah and ICATS only) or;
* Foundation or;
* Diploma or;
* Bachelor’s Degree.

Qualifications of Applicant

* Malaysian citizen domiciled in Sarawak, and/or Sarawakians;
* Should not be a loan or scholarship holder from any other Fund or Sponsor;
* Meet entry requirements and study full-time.

Application Forms

* Application Forms (HiED/Form01) are available at the respective Institutions of Higher Learning or download at www.yayasan.org.my/download2.
* The Forms are also available at HiED Secretariat.
* Completed Application Forms maybe submitted to the respective Institutions of Higher Learning or to the Secretariat at the following address.
Yayasan Sarawak
Secretariat to
Sarawak Higher Education Fund Charitable Trust (HiED)
Lot 4.19, Level 4, Wisma Satok
Jalan Satok
93400 Kuching
Tel: 082-248688