- B E R I T A _ H A R I _ I N I _ 2 0 0 8 -

fatz2

Singapura : 3 September 2008         
  
PEGAWAI POLIS DIJEL 14 BULAN KERANA RASUAH

PEGAWAI polis, Rajantra Mathavar, mengenakan bayaran hanya untuk membantu seorang mangsa rompakan mendapatkan semula barangannya dua tahun lalu.

Gara-gara menerima wang berjumlah $1,000 dan dua botol wiski daripada seorang peniaga, Rajantra, 47 tahun, yang berpangkat Staf Sarjan, telah dipenjara setahun dua bulan kerana menerima bayaran itu daripada Encik Prathiya Raj Doraisamy.

Hakim Daerah, Cik Jasvender Kaur, semalam menyelar tindakan Rajantra dan berkata pegawai polis itu telah mencabuli kepercayaan awam ke atas pasukan polis selain menyalahgunakan kuasa.

Pada Ogos 2006, Encik Prathiya, 50 tahun, membuat laporan polis bahawa dia telah dirompak $300 dan barang kemas berjumlah $7,000.

Beberapa hari kemudian, Rajantra memberitahu Encik Prathiya bahawa perompak itu telah diberkas. Namun Rajantra memberitahu peniaga itu bahawa barang kemasnya telah digadaikan.

Encik Prathiya kemudian meminta bantuan Rajantra bagi mendapatkan semula barang kemas itu.

Pegawai polis itu kemudian meminta $2,000 tetapi Encik Prathiya hanya bersedia memberinya $1,000.

Biro Siasatan Amalan Rasuah (CPIB) telah dipanggil apabila Encik Prathiya memaklumkan perkara itu kepada seorang pegawai polis yang lain.

Sewaktu perbicaraan selama enam hari yang berakhir bulan lalu, Encik Prathiya berkata beliau telah menyerahkan $1,000 kepada Rajantra kerana pegawai polis itu berjanji akan memastikan barang kemas itu dikembalikannya.

fatz2

In and out of jail in a few hours
September 03, 2008 Wednesday, 11:50 PM

Sujin Thomas describes the mixed emotions at Tang Wee Sung's sentencing.

THE crowd of people gathered in the packed courtroom for the sentencing of retail tycoon Tang Wee Sung, 56, this afternoon was indicative of the landmark case.

After District Judge Ng Peng Hong read out his sentence at about 3pm, Tang sat still in the dock, showing no emotion.

It was only minutes later, when the packed crowd of supporters

fatz2

Singapura : 5 September 2008        
         
LELAKI DITIKAM, WANITA DITEMUI BOGEL DALAM DUA KES BUNUH

DUA kes bunuh dilaporkan dalam tempoh enam jam semalam.

Dalam kes pertama, dua warga China yang menjadi rakan rapat di sebuah firma percetakan dan berkongsi flat sewa mengakhiri persahabatan mereka dengan penuh tragedi.

Seorang daripada mereka telah meninggal dunia, sementara seorang lagi menghadapi tuduhan membunuh kawannya itu, dipercayai dengan pisau.

Menurut polis, rakan sewa lain menemui mayat lelaki berusia 28 tahun itu dilantai bilik di Blok 94, Henderson Road, itu

Polis dihubungi pada 6.45 pagi.

Ketika itu, rakannya, 36 tahun, dalam perjalanan ke tempat kerja mereka di Blok 203.

Apabila dekat dengan tempat kerjanya, lelaki itu membakar sesuatu tetapi tujuannya berbuat demikian tidak segera diketahui.

Dia melarikan diri apabila didekati pegawai polis dan Pasukan Pertanan Awam Singapura (SCDF) tetapi dapat ditangkap.

Dalam kes kedua, seorang wanita ditemui terbunuh di sebuah bilik Hotel Diamond di Lorong 18, Geylang.

Polis berkata ia menerima panggilan 12 tengah hari semalam bahawa seorang wanita India ditemui berlumuran darah dalam bilik hotel.

Wanita itu dalam keadaan bogel dan terbaring bawah katil.

Seorang suspek, seorang lelaki berkulit gelap, dirakam oleh kamera litar tertutup (CCTV) memasuki bilik hotel itu bersama wanita tersebut.

fatz2

$10 CashCard for those charged wrongly at KPE gantry

A TOTAL of 538 motorists were taken by surprise on Tuesday when they went through an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantry at the new Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE).

The gantry is not meant to be operational yet, but the motorists were charged as they passed through it.

One of them wrote in to citizen- media website Stomp and said:

"I was driving through the KPE tunnel towards the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) exit at around 12pm and was surprised to be charged $2 at gantry 82."

Stomp contacted the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which said that it will refund motorists who were accidentally charged at the KPE gantry between 11am and noon that day.

A spokesman told my paper that the erroneous deductions amounted to about $800.

The spokesman explained the incident:

"Between 11am and noon on Tuesday, ERP contractors from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, while carrying out routine testing, accidentally activated one of the Phase 1 ERP gantries at the KPE slip road exit to PIE at Sims Avenue.

"LTA has made arrangements to refund the motorists for the amount that had been wrongly deducted with a $10 CashCard."

The amount covers the fee which was wrongly deducted and a bonus,

"A small token as our apology for the inconvenience caused" the LTA spokesman said.

The LTA reiterated in its reply to my paper that the 16 KPE gantries were installed together with the construction of the expressway as part of tunnel infrastructure to enhance safety.

"This will allow LTA to activate the ERP gantries to manage congestion expeditiously, should congestion build up inside the tunnel in the future," the spokesman said.

"Similarly, the ERP gantries will be activated only when the congestion threshold is breached."

The KPE is a 12km expressway with a 9km-long underground tunnel, and will be opened fully for use on Sept 20.

Last week, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Teo Ser Luck had said in Parliament that, for example, should there be a fire, vehicles may be trapped and the tragedy will 'multiply manifold' if the vehicles are lined up, bumper-to-bumper.

Hence, by having the gantries already built, there will be no time lag in dealing with congestion should it build up.

On the 'small token' offered by the LTA, Stomp forum contributor counterstrike commented: "Wow!Pay $2 to get a $10 CashCard."

However, fellow forum participant Growiser said: "What about those commuters who have paid taxi drivers the ERP charges and have no receipt as proof."

fatz2

Sep 6, 2008
Sony recalls Vaio laptops
19 models in danger of overheating; 85,000 users in Asia-Pacific affected
By Serene Luo


Sony said the affected models will be inspected and repaired for free. But the same models available now for sale are fine. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

ABOUT 85,000 people in the Asia-Pacific region, including Singapore, are carrying around Sony laptop computers that are in danger of overheating.

The Japanese electronics giant on Thursday called for owners of 19 models of its Vaio TZ series to have the machines inspected and repaired for free, if necessary, at its offices.

Sony said heat emitted from around the input point for the power adapter and the frame of the screen may cause 'deformation' of the laptop's plastic casing.

A spokesman for the firm also told The Straits Times that some units had wires positioned wrongly near the hinge of the laptop, or a dislodged screw inside the hinge, or both.

This may cause a short circuit and the notebook to overheat.

Seven people - five in Japan, one in the United States and one in Italy - received slight burns as a result.

Sony did not have a breakdown of the number of laptops affected here, but it is known that nine of the 19 models were sold here between May last year and last month.

As of the end of last month, 209 reports about overheating laptops were received from users worldwide. Fewer than 10 were from Singapore, said the Sony spokesman.

Notebook computers from the affected series are still in stores, but those for sale are fine, she said.

This is Sony's second major overheating-related recall exercise. In 2006, it recalled some 10 million laptop batteries worldwide due to concerns that they would overheat and catch fire.

The Financial Times reported yesterday that shares of Sony Corp fell by more than 4 per cent to hit the lowest in almost three years after the latest recall was announced.

Laptop repair companies interviewed said overheating was common for such machines, adding that about 70 per cent of all the laptops brought in for servicing had such problems.

One possible reason was that 'laptops are getting smaller and smaller and smaller these days', said Mr Tan Ching Hwee, 29, who owns laptop retail and repair company PC Dreams.

'The smaller they are, the more cramped the components are inside, and the harder it is for the heat to dissipate,' he said.

Mr Muthiah Nagappan, 46, managing director of repair firm Worldwide Computer Services, said overheating was also common because users leave their machines on for long stretches of time.

[email protected]

fatz2

MM Lee sends condolence message to son of late Malaysian journalist Samad Ismail
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 07 September 2008 1957 hrs

SINGAPORE: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has described the late Malaysian writer Samad Ismail, who passed away on September 4, as able and shrewd, with an innate ability to accept changed realities.

In a condolence letter to Mr Samad's son, Mr Lee said that though both he and Mr Samad had parted company politically, personally they were friends.

Mr Lee said he first met the Singapore-born ex-journalist in 1953 at a detention camp on St John's Island, while acting for him as his lawyer.

Mr Samad had then been detained under Emergency Regulations, and as his lawyer, Mr Lee said he knew from the Special Branch evidence that Mr Samad was a communist who had led the Malay section of the Anti-British League.

After Mr Samad's release from detention, Mr Lee invited him and fellow detainee - former Singapore president Devan Nair - to join in talks which led to the formation of the People's Action Party.

Mr Samad moved to Kuala Lumpur in 1957. Mr Lee said both men never met again after the political parting of ways between the pro- and non-Communists in the PAP.

But when Mr Samad signalled he wanted to visit Singapore to see his family, Mr Lee said he recommended that Singapore lift the entry ban against Mr Samad.

The late journalist later wrote an objective piece describing the progress he had seen among the Singapore Malays.

- CNA/ir

fatz2

Luar Negara : 8 September 2008         
         
MUSLIM CHINA XINJIANG DILARANG SOLAT TARAWIH

BEIJING: Masyarakat Muslim China di Xinjiang, dilaporkan dilarang mengerjakan solat tarawih oleh pihak berkuasa tempatan atas alasan bagi mengelak berlaku sebarang kejadian ganas.

Bukan itu saja, penduduk lelakinya juga dilarang menyimpan janggut, manakala kaum wanita tidak boleh menutup aurat dengan mengenakan tudung ataupun purdah.

'Kami ingin mengingatkan umat Islam supaya tidak menganjurkan sebarang acara solat berjemaah atau cuba mengadakan sebarang majlis yang mengumpulkan orang ramai bagi mengelak tercetusnya sebarang kejadian yang boleh mengancam keharmonian masyarakat,' kata notis di laman web daerah Xinhe.

Arahan itu dikeluarkan oleh pihak berkuasa tempatan minggu ini bagi memastikan penduduk Muslim minoriti Uighur tidak mengadakan sebarang acara keagamaan bersempena bulan Ramadan yang bermula minggu lalu.

'Sesiapa saja, baik pegawai kerajaan, anggota Parti Komunis, guru mahupun pelajar dilarang terbabit dalam sebarang acara sempena Ramadan.

'Mereka yang ditangkap kerana berpuasa akan dihukum,' kata satu lagi notis pada laman web majlis daerah Zhaosu, di Xinjiang.

Tindakan itu diambil menyusuli beberapa siri serangan ke atas pihak polis di wilayah Xinjiang menjelang Sukan Olimpik Beijing bulan lalu, yang menyebabkan lebih 20 pegawai polis dan pengawal keselamatan terkorban.

Mengulas, jurucakap Kongres Uighur Sedunia, Encik Dilxat Raxit, berkata tindakan itu hanya akan meningkatkan lagi ketegangan di wilayah Xinjiang.

'Untuk menghalang kaum Uighur secara terbuka agar tidak mengamalkan puasa sepanjang Ramadan merupakan satu tindakan menindas kepercayaan agama yang serius,' katanya. -- AFP.

fatz2

Luar Negara : 9 September 2008        
  
'BANYAK JIN' DI SEKOLAH DILANDA HISTERIA:re:

KUANTAN (Pahang): Banyak hantu,  semangat, jin dan makhluk halus lain 'menghuni' Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tanjung Lumpur di sini, dakwa para bomoh dan pakar ubat spiritual yang telah berkunjung ke sekolah itu sejak beberapa minggu lalu.

Beberapa bomoh mendakwa mereka telah 'berhubung' hmy3: dengan makhluk halus yang bertanggungjawab terhadap beberapa kes histeria di sekolah tersebut sejak Mei lalu, dan mahu mengadakan 'satu perjanjian' dengan makhluk-makhluk halus itu.

Namun, tokoh-tokoh agama setempat, termasuk Mufti Pahang, Datuk Abdul Rahman Osman, tidak condong ke arah penyelesaian itu.

Jumlah makhluk halus tersebut nampaknya banyak berdasarkan nama-nama yang disebut bomoh-bomoh itu dan mereka telah membuat pelbagai permintaan, termasuk mengadakan kenduri khas, sebelum mahu meninggalkan pekarangan sekolah itu.

Datuk Abdul Rahman, bagaimanapun, berkata sebarang usaha menyelesaikan masalah sekolah itu tidak seharusnya melibatkan bantuan makhluk halus atau jin lain.

Seorang bomoh berusia 70 tahun dari Kota Bharu, Kelantan, akur dengan pandangan itu sambil berkata bomoh biasanya menggunakan khidmat 'dampingan', iaitu makhluk halus belaan mereka, :pompom: untuk berhubung dengan makhluk halus lain atau merawat pesakit, dan teknik ini boleh membawa masalah, khususnya jika ada bomoh lain terlibat.

'Saya fikir sekolah ini terlalu sesak dengan makhluk halus luar. Ada bomoh mungkin meninggalkannya (dampingannya) di sini untuk tunjuk kuasa mereka,' katanya.

Beliau menambah ia mungkin menjadi punca masalah histeria sekolah itu.

Setakat ini, 35 daripada 820 pelajar SMK Tanjung Lumpur dijejas gejala histeria. -- NST.

fatz2

Singapura : 10 September 2008         
  
LETUPAN DI LIMBUNGAN CEDERAKAN PEKERJA

Oleh
Shamsul Jangarodin

SATU letupan kuat berlaku di sebuah limbungan kapal di 17B Pandan Road dekat West Coast Road petang semalam, menyebabkan seorang pekerja tercedera.

Pekerja lelaki warga India itu mengalami kecederaan di bahagian belakang badan, luka sepanjang 3 sentimeter di kepala dan bengkak di pergelangan kaki kanan.

Beliau dikejarkan ke Hospital Universiti Nasional (NUH) untuk menjalani rawatan.

Letupan yang berlaku sekitar 2 petang itu turut menyebabkan bahagian belakang sebuah tongkang musnah.

Akibat letupan itu juga sebuah kren di atas tongkang tersebut terserembab ke bumi manakala sebuah lagi kren mengalami sedikit kerosakan.

Menurut jurucakap Pasukan Pertahanan Awam Singapura (SCDF) semalam, pihaknya menerima panggilan kecemasan sekitar 2.27 petang.

SCDF mengerahkan sebuah kereta bomba, sebuah kenderaan Red Rhino, sebuah kenderaan sokongan dan sebuah ambulans ke tempat kejadian.

Bagaimanapun, tiada kebakaran dilaporkan berlaku.

Siasatan awal SCDF menunjukkan letupan tersebut berpunca daripada kerja-kerja kimpalan panas yang sedang dijalankan di atas tongkang yang terapung di pelabuhan itu.

Semasa kejadian berlaku, para pekerja dilaporkan sedang mengimpal dua batang rasuk berbentuk huruf 'I' (I-beam) di atas tongkang tersebut.

Pihak SCDF kini sedang menjalankan siasatan lanjut.

fatz2

Singapura : 10 September 2008         
         
IBU MAUT AKIBAT NAHAS BASIKAL DI UBIN

SEORANG ibu tiga anak terkorban selepas terjatuh daripada basikal yang dinaikinya semasa satu kegiatan berbasikal bersama keluarga di Pulau Ubin Ahad lalu.

Kemalangan berlaku selepas Cik Lee Yan Inn, 41 tahun, yang menunggang tandem (basikal yang mempunyai dua tempat duduk dan pengayuh) bersama anak perempuannya, dikatakan gagal mengawal basikalnya itu ketika menuruni lereng yang curam.

Dalam kejadian itu, kepala Cik Lee dilaporkan cedera sebelum beliau tidak sedarkan diri.

Menurut laporan akhbar The New Paper (TNP) semalam, Cik Lee telah dikejarkan ke Hospital Besar Changi (CGH), tetapi meninggal dunia sejurus selepas tengah malam kelmarin.

Semasa kejadian itu, mendiang sedang berbasikal bersama suaminya, Encik Tiew Sin Keng, 44 tahun, ibunya dan tiga anak mereka, berusia antara sembilan dengan 15 tahun.

Encik Tiew, yang berada di belakang isterinya ketika kemalangan itu, berkata kejadian di Jalan Wat Siam itu berlaku dalam sekelip mata.

Kepala Cik Lee cedera dan mengeluarkan banyak darah. Hidungnya juga berdarah.

Anaknya pula mengalami lebam di lengan kanan dan menerima rawatan pesakit luar.

Menurut TNP, sebelum ini seorang pelajar, Zawiyah Mohd Muliana, 18 tahun, turut terkorban selepas terjatuh daripada basikalnya di jalan yang sama pada 11 Julai 2006.

fatz2

Sep 10, 2008
Ciggies to get new stamp
By Sujin Thomas


When the rule comes into effect, all duty-paid cigarettes sold in Singapore will be required to be marked with the letters 'SDPC' (pictured). Selling cigarettes without the letters will be illegal. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE CUSTOMS

SINGAPORE is about to become the first country in the world to brand every single cigarette stick sold here with a mark.

It is a move to distinguish the duty-paid cigarette from its contraband counterpart, which the Tobacco Association here estimates make up 20 per cent of the market.

The marking means smokers can no longer pass off contraband cigarettes as the real deal by stuffing them into legitimate cigarette packs - distinguished now by health warnings printed on it.

Each stick will have 'SDPC', standing for Singapore Duty-Paid Cigarettes, near the filter end. New packs bearing such cigarettes will surface from next month.

By Jan 1, every cigarette sold here will bear the mark, said Singapore Customs on Wednesday.

Smugglers profit by evading tax of $7.04 per packet and selling the contraband packs to smokers here at well below what bona fide retailers charge.

From January to July this year, 2.1 million packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes, involving $16.2 million duty and tax evaded, were seized with 3,231 buyers caught.

To quell demand, a fine of $500 a pack was introduced for those caught in selected hot spots, such as Geylang, last October. On July 15, when this was extended islandwide, 284 contraband buyers were nabbed in the first two weeks.

Certis Cisco officers have been engaged since last year to beef up enforcement. Singapore Customs did not give detail on how officers will actually target offenders to spot the new mark on the sticks but said they will identify themselves with warrant cards.

Singapore Customs said cigarette retailers will carry posters informing the public of the new stick marks.

Tobacco companies, unhappy with the inroads smugglers are making into their market, are glad to bear the cost of having such specially labelled cigarettes.

The price of a 20-stick pack of premium cigarettes have been spiralling upwards over recent years because of higher duties. It costs close to $12 now, from just $5.80 nearly a decade ago.

The higher duties, as well as other measures such as smoke-free areas, are intended to get smokers to stub out. Singapore Customs also warned travellers who bring in cigarettes from abroad to declare them for payment of duty as well as the Goods and Services Tax. They should keep the issued receipts in case enforcement officers check on them.

fatz2

Singapura : 10 September 2008         
         
IBU MAUT AKIBAT NAHAS BASIKAL DI UBIN

SEORANG ibu tiga anak terkorban selepas terjatuh daripada basikal yang dinaikinya semasa satu kegiatan berbasikal bersama keluarga di Pulau Ubin Ahad lalu.

Grieving dad, daughter say they'll never cycle again

By Chong Shin Yen

A FAMILY outing to Pulau Ubin on Sunday will be Mr Tiew Sin Keng's last.

The 44-year-old technician has also sworn never to ride a bicycle again. He said it will bring back memories that are too painful.

Mr Tiew's wife, Madam Lee Yan Inn, 41, died after she was flung off her bicycle at Pulau Ubin.

The housewife was on a tandem bicycle with her teenage daughter when she lost control of the bike while going down a steep slope.

Mr Tiew could only watch, helpless and horrified, as the tragedy unfolded before him on Sunday afternoon.

Madam Lee hit her head and lost consciousness. She was rushed to hospital, but died 11 hours later.

Mr Tiew, 44, who was riding behind them at the time, said the accident had happened in a flash.

He said: 'I heard my wife screaming. Before I could do anything, I saw my wife and daughter flying off the bicycle and landing in the middle of the road.'

Mr Tiew quickly got off his bicycle and went to help his 15-year-old daughter, who was crying in pain.

By the time he went over to his wife, she was unconscious.

'Her eyes were closed but her hands were trembling. I kept calling out to her but she didn't respond,' said Mr Tiew.

'When I tried to carry her, I saw that she was bleeding profusely from the back of her head.

'She was also bleeding from her nose and her breathing was weak.'

He called the police for help.

Madam Lee was ferried back to the mainland and taken to Changi General Hospital in an ambulance that was waiting at Changi Jetty.

He added: 'None of us knew how to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on her. By the time she was in the ambulance, she had stopped breathing,' said Mr Tiew.

Paramedics managed to revive Madam Lee, but she died in hospital just after midnight yesterday.

The cause of death were a fractured skull and brain contusion.

Their daughter suffered bruises on her right arm and received outpatient treatment.

Mr Tiew said the family - including his three children and mother-in-law - had taken a bumboat to Pulau Ubin at about 11am on Sunday for a cycling trip.

It was the second time the family had gone cycling in Pulau Ubin.

Mr Tiew said his mother-in-law, who is in her 60s, was cycling at the front of the group.

His wife and daughter were next.

Mr Tiew was behind them on another tandem bicycle with his 9-year-old son.

His 12-year-old son was riding behind them.

They had cycled for more than an hour and were on their way back to the bicycle rental kiosk when the accident happened.


Steep slope

Mr Tiew said they were navigating a steep slope along Jalan Wat Siam when Madam Lee lost control.

Speaking to The New Paper at his wife's wake at Jurong West yesterday, Mr Tiew said: 'She was going downhill very fast and, from her scream, she sounded very scared.

'Maybe there was a hump at the bottom of the slope or maybe she applied the brakes too suddenly, causing both of them to be flung off.'

Mr Tiew blames himself for the accident.

It had been his idea for the family to go cycling, because his mother-in-law was visiting from Malacca.

'My wife had wanted to go to Plaza Singapura to shop and buy some DVDs for her mother,' he said.

'But I thought it would be fun if the family went cycling instead. I told my wife we could go to Plaza Singapura after that.'

In tears, he added: 'If only I had listened to her. I really regret suggesting that we go cycling.'

The couple had been married for 16years. Madam Lee, a Singapore permanent resident, was originally from Malacca.

Mr Tiew said their daughter was distraught over Madam Lee's death.

At the wake, the Secondary 3 student sobbed quietly as she knelt next to her mother's coffin, burning paper offerings.

Mr Tiew said the teenager, who had been very close to her mother, has been crying a lot and keeping to herself since the accident.

'She told me that she's still afraid (at seeing how Madam Lee died) and will never ride a bicycle again,' said Mr Tiew.

'She is still traumatised by the accident and it will be hard for her to forget.

'And like my daughter, I don't think I will ever visit the island again. I won't ride a bicycle again either.'

Mr Tiew recalled having read newspaper reports about accidents at the same steep slope.

He said: 'The slope was right after a sharp bend and there wasn't enough time for cyclists who are unfamiliar with the road to react.

'I hope the authorities will put up more warning signs to alert cyclists to prevent further accidents.

'It would also help if there were better medical facilities on the island for such emergencies.'

miezarra_27

To Bruneian forummers...Something to be proud of...


Singapura : 11 September 2008

PEGAWAI BRUNEI CATAT SEJARAH SAF
Wanita antarabangsa pertama ikuti Kursus Pemerintahan dan Kakitangan
Oleh
Nadzri Eunos
SEORANG pegawai wanita Brunei, Mejar Hajah Wan Shahlimar Haji Suhaili, mencatat sejarah sebagai pegawai wanita antarabangsa pertama mengikuti Kursus Pemerintahan dan Kakitangan (CSC), Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura (SAF), tahun ini.


Pegawai berpengalaman 24 tahun dengan Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei (TUDB) itu adalah antara lima pegawai Melayu/Islam yang menyertai kursus sembilan bulan itu.
Mejar Hajah Shahlimar, 42 tahun, menerima sijil tamat kursus bersama 124 lulusan lain daripada Menteri Pertahanan, Encik Teo Chee Hean, dalam satu majlis di Istana semalam.

Ketika ditemui, Mejar Hajah Shahlimar berkata kursus bertaraf antarabangsa itu sangat mencabar.

'Sebelum ini, saya diberitahu betapa mencabarnya CSC dan saya membuat persiapan awal. Alhamdulillah, saya mampu melaluinya. Saya amat bangga menjadi pegawai wanita antarabangsa pertama mengikuti kursus ini,' kata beliau sambil tersenyum.

Namun, cabaran lebih berat yang dilalui ibu tiga anak itu ialah berjauhan daripada keluarganya.

'Saya rapat dengan anakanak dan semasa menjalani kursus ini saya cuba bersama mereka setiap bulan pada hujung minggu, sama ada saya ke Brunei atau mereka ke sini.

'Walaupun berat, ia satu pengorbanan yang perlu saya lakukan. Saya amat berterima kasih di atas sokongan suami dan anak-anak,' kata Mejar Hajah Shahlimar.

Antara modul CSC yang paling menarik baginya ialah pemikiran kreatif.

'Saya akan cuba amalkan apa yang saya pelajari sejurus pulang ke TUDB,' tambah beliau.

Salah seorang daripada dua pegawai Melayu/Islam SAF yang mengikuti CSC tahun ini, Mejar Mohammed Salleh Mohammed Anuar, 34 tahun, pula berkata beliau menghargai peluang berkursus dengan para pegawai berbilang bangsa dan negara.

Graduan CSC tahun ini terdiri daripada 110 pegawai SAF, seorang daripada Pasukan Polis Singapura dan 14 pegawai antarabangsa dari negara seperti Brunei, China, Jerman dan Amerika Syarikat.

fatz2

Man caned & jailed for stabbing & trying to saw off wife's head
By Claire Huang, 938LIVE | Posted: 12 September 2008 1754 hrs



SINGAPORE: A former investment analyst, who stabbed his wife multiple times last September, has been sentenced to four years' jail and eight strokes of the cane.

Russell Tan Rui Leen, 39, had pleaded guilty in June to hurting his wife Madam Goh Hwee Suan.

In court on Friday, Deputy Public Prosecutor Cheryl Kam described Tan's attack on Madam Goh as savage and brutal. She said Tan had tried to saw off Madam Goh's head at one point.

In fact, Ms Kam pointed out that Tan had shown no signs of stopping his attack on Madam Goh despite pleadings from his two young children.

As a result, Madam Goh, who is still reeling from the incident, has some 80 scars and was hospitalised for three weeks. Madam Goh revealed this in a written statement read by Ms Kam.

In the statement, Madam Goh also mentioned how her two children have been deeply affected by the incident.

In mitigation, Tan's lawyer Lee Yih Gia pointed out that the couple has had a deep and long history of marital discord.

Mr Lee argued that Tan had at the time of the offence lost control after a heated dispute that spiralled out of control.

Mr Lee stressed that even the doctor who assessed the couple's mental health pointed out that Madam Goh was one who knew "with accurate precision" "how to bring out the worse in the accused".

While it was tragic and unfortunate that counselling didn't help salvage their marriage, Mr Lee highlighted that Tan did try.

It didn't help that Tan, who was diagnosed with a stress disorder, had to deal with issues related to his son.

Describing the incident as completely out of character, Mr Lee stressed that Tan was not a threat to society.

But these arguments clearly cut no ice with District Judge May Mesenas who pointed out that domestic violence is a serious issue and the sentence should act as a deterrence.

With his head bowed low, Tan listened intently as the judge delivered the sentence while in the public gallery, Tan's mother who was surrounded by a few supporters, could be seen crying silently.

Family members of Madam Goh were also present in court. It is understood that Madam Goh herself was in court briefly but she did not appear in the courtroom.

- CNA/ir

fatz2

Sep 14, 2008
MM keeps date with forum
He says the successful must care about the less well-off to ensure a cohesive society
By Clarissa Oon, Political Correspondent


Despite being hospitalised for an abnormal heart rhythm yesterday, MM Lee spoke at the Global UBS Philanthropy Forum held at The Arts House via a video link last night. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN


Despite being hospitalised for an abnormal heart rhythm yesterday, MM Lee spoke at the Global UBS Philanthropy Forum held at The Arts House via a video link last night. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN


Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was warded for an abnormal heart rhythm at the Singapore General Hospital yesterday.

But despite being hospitalised, he managed to keep his date with the Global UBS Philanthropy Forum last night, addressing the 200 participants at the Arts House via video link.

In his five-minute speech, he stressed the importance of successful individuals giving back to society, to ensure that a widening income gap does not lead to a society losing cohesiveness.

He began by apologising to the audience of social entrepreneurs and civil society representatives for not being able to be with them in person.

'Unlike Kim Jong Il who says he is well but has not appeared, I thought I'd better say hello to you and to your guests and apologise for not being able to join you,' Mr Lee quipped, referring to the reclusive North Korean leader who missed the country's 60th anniversary celebrations last week, reportedly because he had a stroke.

A statement from his office said Mr Lee experienced atrial flutter yesterday morning, an abnormal heart rhythm not uncommon among people of his age. He turns 85 on Tuesday.

Speaking from his hospital room, he told the forum: 'They have put it right, but they want to keep on monitoring me tonight to make sure it stays right.'

On the issue of philanthropy, he noted that this was one of the keys to the health of American society. Many successful entrepreneurs there, for example, Bill and Melinda Gates, and investor Warren Buffett, use their wealth to give the poor a leg up.

Mr Lee cited a recent meeting he had with New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, during which he asked the billionaire what he planned to do with his wealth.

'He said, 'My children will not need it. I am giving them just enough to get them started, the rest is going to charity'.'

'Asia must go that way if we are to keep our societies in one piece,' said Mr Lee.

This is because in today's globalised marketplace, the income gap is widening and it could take 10 to 20 years before the less successful catch up.

During that period, 'unless the successful show that they have compassion, sympathy, empathy for the less successful, it will be difficult to keep the cohesiveness of society together'.

This is especially so for big countries like China and India, where rapid economic development has widened the gap between the haves and have-nots.

The philanthropy rate in Singapore, measured as a proportion of gross domestic product, is only a fraction that of the United States', noted Mr Lee, adding that the government is trying to increase it for instance by giving donations double tax deductions.

'If we don't have the successful showing that they care for the welfare of the unsuccessful, it is difficult to keep the Singapore team together,' he said.

MM Lee is expected to resume his normal schedule within the next few days, said the Prime Minister's Office.

[email protected]

fatz2

Singapura : 16 September 2008         
         
DINANTI TAPI MAUT DI JALANAN

Oleh
Nuraihan Abdul Hamid

BELIAU menunggu kepulangan suaminya untuk menghadiri majlis iftar bersama.

Namun, hasrat Cik Siti Ahesah berbuka puasa bersama suaminya dan keluarga serta jiran tetangga di kelab masyarakat berdekatan tidak kesampaian.

Ini selepas suami beliau, Encik Mohd Yusup Suliman, terkorban dalam satu kemalangan motosikal, Sabtu lalu.

Dalam kejadian yang berlaku sekitar 3.45 petang di Bedok North Road menghala ke Tampines Avenue 10 itu, Allahyarham Mohd Yusup, 60 tahun, dipercayai hilang kawalan motosikalnya.

Allahyarham dikejarkan ke Hospital Besar Changi tetapi disahkan meninggal dunia sekitar 5.20 petang akibat cedera parah di kepalanya.

Ketika ditemui di flatnya, Cik Siti Ahesah, 56 tahun, masih terkejut dengan apa yang berlaku.

Dengan nada hiba, beliau berkata: 'Allahyarham begitu peramah dan sentiasa menceriakan kami.'

Sesiapa yang mempunyai maklumat mengenai nahas itu boleh menghubungi polis di talian 1800-547-1818.

inna lillaahi wa inna ilaihi roji'un....
semoga Allah mencucurkan RahmatNYA ke atas roh almarhum....

fatz2

Singapura : 16 September 2008         

GURU PESARA DIHUKUM PENJARA, DENDA ATAS BEBERAPA KESALAHAN MEMANDU

SEORANG guru pesara yang memandu keretanya sedang seorang lelaki berpaut kepada bonet kereta tersebut telah dijatuhi hukuman penjara 10 minggu kerana kesalahan bertindak secara terburu-buru dan dua kesalahan lain.

Philip Yeo Chuan Lock, 63 tahun, yang mengaku bersalah terhadap kesalahan tersebut, memandu secara tidak bertimbang rasa dan menggaris kereta mangsa, juga dikenakan denda $3,000 selain diharamkan memandu seumur hidup.

Mahkamah Masyarakat semalam diberitahu bahawa mangsa, Encik Koh Boon Tai, 36 tahun, seorang eksekutif penjualan, telah menghampiri Yeo selepas mendapati garisan calar baru di belakang keretanya di Tembeling Road pada 28 Jun tahun lalu.

Yeo mengaku telah melakukan perbuatan tersebut kerana dia tidak senang dengan perbuatan Encik Koh yang menceroboh tempat meletak keretanya.

Mahkamah juga diberitahu bahawa apabila Encik Koh mengisyaratkan Yeo supaya keluar daripada keretanya, tertuduh tidak mengendahkannya sebelum memandu pergi.

Mangsa kemudian melompat ke atas bonet kereta Yeo kerana menyangka tertuduh akan melanggarnya.

Yeo kemudian memandu ke simpang East Coast Road secara simpang siur dan terenjut-enjut untuk 'melepaskan' mangsa daripada keretanya.

Yeo kini dibebaskan dengan ikat jamin $10,000 sementara menunggu rayuannya.

Dia boleh dipenjara sehingga enam bulan dan didenda sehingga $500 kerana tindakan terburu-buru itu. Bagi kesalahan melakukan perbuatan nakal, dia boleh dipenjara sehingga dua tahun dan denda.

Denda maksimum bagi kesalahan memandu secara tidak bertanggungjawab pula adalah $1,000 dan/atau dikenakan penjara sehingga enam bulan jel.

dah tua2 begini pun buat kerenah....bekas guru pulak tu...

fatzcomel

Singapura : 17 September 2008         
         
SUDAH ADA UNDANG-UNDANG LINDUNGI PEKERJA WANITA HAMIL DARI DIPECAT

UNDANG-UNDANG telah pun diwujudkan di bawah Akta Pekerjaan bagi melindungi pekerja wanita yang hamil daripada diberhentikan.

Malah di bawah akta tersebut, menjadi satu kesalahan bagi majikan memecat atau menghentikan seseorang pekerja yang sedang menikmati cuti bersalin.

Hal ini dinyatakan Setiausaha Parlimen Kanan (Tenaga Manusia), Encik Hawazi Daipi, sebagai menjawab soalan Cik Ho Geok Choo (GRC West Coast) semalam.

Cik Ho bertanya sama ada undang-undang diwujudkan bagi menghalang majikan daripada mengambil sikap diskriminasi ke atas pekerja hamil.

Menurut Encik Hawazi, sebagai sebahagian daripada pakej Perkahwinan dan Keibubapaan yang telah dipertingkat, kementeriannya telah memperkukuh peraturan perlindungan bagi pekerja hamil.

Mulai Oktober ini apabila pindaan rang undang-undang mula berkuat kuasa, majikan diperlukan membayar pekerja wanita faedah cuti bersalin jika mereka memberhentikan mereka tanpa alasan munasabah dalam masa enam bulan kehamilan seseorang pekerja itu, atau membuang mereka dalam masa tiga bulan terakhir kehamilan.

'Jika pekerja berasa diri mereka diganggu atau didiskriminasi di tempat kerja, mereka harus membuat aduan langsung kepada pihak pengurusan mereka atau menerusi kesatuan sekerja jika mereka menganggotainya.

'Majikan juga boleh membuat aduan secara langsung kepada MOM (Kementerian Tenaga Manusia). Kami akan menyiasat aduan itu dan memberikan nasihat tentang langkah-langkah wajar yang boleh diambil,' ujarnya.

Bila cuti bersalin dilanjutkan daripada dua kepada tiga bulan pada 2004, jumlah aduan daripada wanita yang hilang pekerjaan semasa mengandung meningkat.

Terdapat 25 kes pada tahun itu sebelum meningkat tiga kali ganda atau 76 kes pada 2006.

Jumlah itu merosot kepada 59 kes tahun lalu dan hanya 19 aduan sahaja diterima pada enam bulan pertama tahun ini.

fatzcomel

Sep 16, 2008
New promenade at Marina


         
When completed, the 3.5km waterfront promenade will form part of the longer 11.7km waterfront route around Marina Reservoir, which will link up the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Barrage and the new Sports Hub. -- PHOTO: URA
BY END of next year year, visitors to Marina Bay will be able to enjoy an uninterrupted stroll along the 3.5km promenade, linking up the necklace of attractions around the bay.

Attractions that will form part of the $35 million waterfront promenade include a 300-m long steel structure, water features and a shaded tropical walk.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Tuesday announced the new waterfront features which will link up the Marina Centre, Collyer Quay and Bayfront areas.

The promenade is designed by an international design team led by Australian architects, The Cox Group, in collaboration with local firm Architects 61.

Among the attractions visitors can look forward to is the Bayfront promenade, which stretches in front of the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort development.

It is planned as a two-tier promenade comprising a granite-paved upper-level promenade and a lower-level timber boardwalk.

The upper level includes lushly landscaped shady areas and paved areas for people to stroll or jog, as well as for the3 staging of events.

The lower-level timber boardwalk will incorporate water-taxi landing points and berthing points for boats. It will also be an extension of the Event Plaza and provide direct access to the two floating Crystal Pavilions that form part of the Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.

This stretch will boast a number of unique design features, including a 300m-long sculptural, tubular stainless steel structure. It includes night lighting, power points and audio speakers, providing an integrated light-and-sound experience, as well as fine spray misters.

The lower-level boardwalk will include a generous expanse of tiered-seating and steps that allow visitors to go right down to the water's edge, and double up as seats for watching events and activities taking place within the Bay.

At the southern corner of the Bay, the promenade will widen to create a family-oriented public open space, with a series of linear water features, that will include dancing water jets.

The stretch of the waterfront promenade along Marina Boulevard will be a shaded tropical walk with flowering shrubs and shade trees to create a lush and delightful experience.

Continuous Loop
The Marina Boulevard stretch will connect to the stretch along Collyer Quay, which is being constructed as part of the new Fullerton Heritage development.

It will include parts of the historic pier structures at the Former Clifford Pier and Customs Harbour Branch buildings, as well as new decks over the water.

It will connect to the existing promenade at One Fullerton - currently being refurbished with a wider pedestrian walkway, water features and al fresco dining areas - and on to the Merlion Park.

At the other end, the promenade will connect to the new double-helix pedestrian bridge linking visitors from Bayfront to Marina Centre, thus completing an uninterrupted walking route around the Bay.

When completed, the 3.5km waterfront promenade will form part of the longer 11.7km waterfront route around Marina Reservoir, which will link up the Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Barrage and the new Sports Hub.

fatzcomel

MM Lee sends condolence message to son of late Malaysian journalist Samad Ismail
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 07 September 2008 1957 hrs

SINGAPORE: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has described the late Malaysian writer Samad Ismail, who passed away on September 4, as able and shrewd, with an innate ability to accept changed realities.

In a condolence letter to Mr Samad's son, Mr Lee said that though both he and Mr Samad had parted company politically, personally they were friends.

       
Singapura : 18 September 2008        
         
SURAT BALAS ANAK A. SAMAD ISMAIL KEPADA SURAT MM LEE

ALLAHYARHAM PUJI KEMAJUAN MELAYU S'PURA

12 September 2008

Mariah Abdul Samad
No 2, Lorong 16/7c
Petaling Jaya 46350
Selangor

Yang Amat Berhormat Menteri Pembimbing Singapura,

Salam sejahtera.

Saya merujuk kepada warkah Yang Amat Berhormat kepada adinda saya Ab Hamed serta keluarga tempoh hari.

Saya sekeluarga amat berbesar hati ke atas penerimaan warkah tersebut daripada seorang rakan lama arwah ayahanda.

Ikatan ayahanda dengan tanah kelahirannya tidak terputus dengan penghijrahan ayahanda ke Kuala Lumpur.

Sanak saudara yang masih menetap di sana menyebabkan ayahanda mengambil maklum perkembangan serta kemajuan di Singapura. Malah, kemajuan yang dinikmati oleh minoriti rakyat Melayu Singapura mendapat pujian oleh ayahanda. Ia terbukti dengan kejayaan saudara terdekat ayahanda dalam bidang masing-masing.

Ayahanda juga sentiasa membuka pintu hatinya kepada sesiapa anak watan Singapura yang berhajat dengan beliau - daripada rakyat biasa, penuntut-penuntut universiti sehingga ke golongan cendekiawan.

Walaupun perjuangan ayahanda di Singapura tidak selesai, ayahanda tidak pernah putus menerima sanjungan oleh anak Singapura tatkala mereka membuat kunjungan ke kediaman kami, ke Kuala Lumpur atau apabila kami menziarahi keluarga di Singapura.

Sanjungan ini tidak berakhir semasa hayat ayahanda. Kami sekeluarga amat terharu kerana sehingga kini masih lagi menerima penghargaan dan salam takziah daripada rakyat Singapura serta mereka yang bermastautin di Malaysia dan luar negara.

Terima kasih sekali lagi saya sekeluarga ucapkan kepada Yang Amat Berhormat dan Singapura.

Salam hormat,
Mariah Abdul Samad