'Glass hold' reveals personality

Kuok, Ananda still the richest Malaysians

Robert Kuok, the Kuok Group patriarch, remains Malaysia's richest with a net worth of US$9 billion, down from US$10 billion a year ago, according to the 2009 Forbes Asia Malaysia Rich List. In a statement here today, Forbes said Kuok has held the top spot every year since Forbes Asia began ranking the 40 richest Malaysians in 2006. Businessman Ananda Krishnan held on to his second place with a net worth of US$7 billion,just down from US$7.2 billion last year. He has also maintained the same ranking every year since 2006.

Together, Kouk and Ananda account for 44 percent of the top 40's wealth.
They are also the two richest people in Southeast Asia.

The third richest is Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng, head of IOI Group, one of the world's leading operators of palm oil plantations. He is worth US$3.2 billion, down from US$5.5 billion last year but keeps his position in the top three.

Malaysia's 40 richest people are worth a combined US$36 billion, down from US$46 billion a year ago.

It said the 22 percent loss in wealth is largely in line with the 21 percent drop in the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) and is not too bad, considering the fact that the Malaysian ringgit has lost 10 percent against the US dollar, the currency by which the net worths are measured. Malaysia has nine billionaires who are collectively worth US$30 billion or 84 percent of the total wealth amassed by the country's top 40.

This is the biggest wealth disparity among Forbes Asia's rich list.

Tan Sri Vincent Tan (ranked 10, US$750 million) of Berjaya Corporation Bhd is the only Malaysian to drop out of the billionaire ranks in the past 12 months as share prices in his companies have declined.

Three making their debut are IOI Board member Chan Fong Ann (ranked 18, US$209 million), gaming tycoon Tan Sri Chen Lip Keong (ranked 21, US$195 million) and software executive Goh Peng Ooi (ranked 34, US$112 million).

Four people have returned to the rankings after an absence of a year or more.Among them are Tan Sri Syed Mohd Yusof Tun Syed Nasir (ranked 37, US$100 million) and Tan Sri Tan Teong Hean (ranked 39, US$95 million), who cashed out of Southern Bank several years ago and is now making new investments.

The latest issue of Forbes Asia also features Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, head of conglomerate YTL (ranked seven,US$1.8 billion).

'War' on smoking stepped up June 1

Starting Monday, all cigarette packs must display pictorial health warnings on illnesses caused by tobacco.

Those caught selling packs without the pictorial warning would be fined RM10,000 or two years' jail, or both under the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations (Amended) 2008.

Director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said cigarette packs must display pictorial health warnings prominently on the front and back.

The pictorial warning must cover 40 per cent of the front and 60 per cent of the back.

Cigarettes are drawing millions of Malaysians into spending more than RM15 million daily. This amounts to a staggering RM6 billion annually.
Despite an aggressive campaign by the government to say "no" to cigarettes, Malaysians smoke 30 million sticks a day.

According to the Malaysian Medical Association's Committee on Action on Smoking and Health, 50 per cent of the 3.5 million smokers nationwide smoked nearly 10 sticks a day.

In 2005 and 2006, more than 30,000 children, some as young as 10, started smoking.

More than 10,000 people a year die of smoking-related illnesses.

Telling your wife she's not pretty may soon be an offence

A husband telling his wife that she is no longer pretty in an attempt to humiliate her can be classified as an emotional violence offence if amendments are made to the Domestic Violence Act (DVA)1994.

The plan is to amend the DVA for the inclusion of a clause on emotional violence against women.

Currently, they are only protected only against physical abuse, Women's Development Department director-general Datuk Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur said.

She said on Wednesday that the aim for proposing the amendment was to safeguard women both physically and emotionally.

Dr Noorul said emotional violence was a form of abuse that would deeply scar a woman and lower their self-esteem, dignity and self-confidence.

“It could be a case where her husband tells his wife she is ugly or humiliates her until she feels emotionally pressured,” she told reporters at the end of a seminar on how to curb violence against women at Wisma Wanita here.

She added they were in the process of bringing the proposed amendments to Parliament.

State Community development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun closed the seminar organised by Sabah Women’s Affairs Department.

Azizah, in her speech, said that there was a need for the law to protect emotional violence against women.

Azizah said there were a total of 99 cases of violence against women in Sabah in the first quarter of 2009 compared to 220 cases during the same period last year which was reported to the police.

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Wife: Nasyid singer missing

NASYID singer Akhil Hayy has not come home since media reports surfaced that he was “close” to fellow artiste Waheeda, his wife claimed.

Harian Metro reported his wife Maizawati Zainal as saying that she had heard gossip about her husband and Waheeda, which was reported widely in the media, but chose to ignore them.

However, her patience wore thin after Akhil did not return home and had refused to say where he was. Maizawati said it was then that she decided to file for divorce and build a new life.

Attempts by the tabloid to contact both Akhil and Waheeda for comments were unsuccessful. Waheeda had earlier repeatedly denied gossip linking her to Akhil, saying that they were merely good friends.

Utusan Malaysia reported veteran actor-director Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin as accusing the sensational reports in gossip columns and television shows for the reason behind the divorces among local entertainers.

He said the divorces occurred after the reports were published, many of which were about married actors having affairs with other women.

Jins, who has called for the banning on the publication of such gossip, noted that even a local television show had taken to airing details about the personal life of local entertainers, including their divorces.

In response, Malaysian Artistes Association (Karyawan) president Freddie Fernandez said he had not received any complaint from members that their marriages broke up due to gossip reports.

“Maybe the journalists have heard about the impending divorce from their sources,” he said.

However, Malaysian Singers, Musicians and Songwriters Association (Papita) president Datuk M. Daud Wahid agreed with Jins’ suggestion for gossip columns to be dropped from newspapers and television programmes.

“There’s no need to air such gossip, which will bring problems,” he added.

National Union of Journalists president Norila Daud said gossip columns were written based on factual events, which had been passed on by reliable witnesses to the media.

“Gossip is not slander. The artistes named in the gossip reports are asked to tell their side of the story because they have fans, who want to know their developments,” she added.

DNA way to check halal claims

Are food and cosmetic products which claim to be halal really so? A Malaysian company may just have the solution for a quick answer.

Olipro Biotechnology's por-cine gene chip is said to be the first of its kind in the world that detects pork DNA or pork contamination in processed food and cosmetic products.

Olipro chief executive director Diong Sing Peng said the device could detect porcine elements in four to six hours.

"This is useful to manufacturers of halal products. Many are unaware that processed food and cosmetics could contain elements of porcine."

Diong said this may not be the manufacturer's fault as the ingredients to make products came from all over the world.
"The factory that does meat packing could be packing several types of meat as well, so chicken or beef could get contaminated."

He said the test kit could detect up to one billionth of a gm of porcine elements in any material.

He said the product, which was a result of 21/2 years of research, could raise the standards of halal certification.

It was recently launched at the Halal Industry's Development Corporation's World Halal Research Summit by the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Diong said: "Malaysia is the hub of halal food.

"It would be great if we could integrate a logo that says porcine-free or lab-tested to increase consumers' trust in products."

He said the company's next device could help detect what type of animal DNA was used in the production of a particular food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic product

S’wak to mass produce solar cells

Sarawak is to venture into the mass-production of solar cells.

These solar cells will be the main component item in the tapping of solar energy. These cells will be used to convert heat energy - harnessed from the sun by solar panels - into electricity for use in industries and residential homes.

Sarawak's foray into this ''green technology'' industry will be a pioneering effort in this state, said Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan.

''This will be a very high-tech project. It will be the first of its kind in Sarawak. We (ministry) have already negotiated with a foreign consortium on the project.

''The consortium has agreed to set up a factory to produce these solar cells in Similajau (Bintulu Division in northern Sarawak).

''The solar cells to be produced from Sarawak will be used locally as well as for export.

“Most of them will be for overseas markets because we (Sarawak and Malaysia in general) are still very new in the solar energy sectors and we do not have the market yet for big local usage,'' he said during a recent interview.

Sagan, who is MP for Baram, said the venture into the solar-energy sector would be a major step forward for Sarawak in terms of green technology.

He said the project would fit in very well with the state government's plan for SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy).

SCORE will span the length between Mukah district in central Sarawak and Similajau in Bintulu. That belt will be for the setting up of industries that will utilise energy from hydro-dams from Bakun and other sites that are to be built in the years to come.

Sagan declined to reveal as yet which consortium from which country will be the one to handle the solar cell project.

The project will involve huge amount of investments and it will be a long-term industry, he said.

His ministry is aggressively promoting SCORE and the Sabah Regional Development Corridor as well as the other development corridors in peninsula Malaysia by marketing the unique advantages that each has for investors, he stressed.

As far as SCORE is concerned, the bountiful supply of energy that Sarawak has is a massive selling point because investors who want to venture into heavy industries and high-technology sectors will need a constant, uninterrupted supply of huge amount of electricity daily, he added.

Driving the KPI

KEY performance indicators, which come in many forms, shapes and sizes, have been employed by the world's corporations and, for more than a decade, by government-linked companies in Malaysia. Most private sector managers are familiar with them. The measures are also no stranger to top civil servants, the directors-general, secretaries-general and department heads.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has taken the KPI one level higher, and adopted them for members of his cabinet and their deputies. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon has been busy the past six weeks working to come up with the indices for the ministers. Just as a stopwatch can't be used to compare a marathon runner with a gymnast, Koh has a different set of KPIs for each of his fellow ministers and their ministries. A more focused unit called Pemandu (Performance Management and Delivery Unit) would be set up to support each minister and ministry, Koh said.

Sarawak tops FDI list in 2008

Sarawak has attracted the highest level of foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the country over the past year.

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan said Sarawak topped the list after it successfully secured investments worth RM12bil from multinational companies for the construction of aluminium smelter plants in the Bintulu division.

“Our ministry has gone to many countries to promote Malaysia as a destination for FDIs.

“We have found that the most important thing foreign investors look for when they want to venture into high technology sectors is abundant electricity and energy supply.

“Sarawak has become so attractive to the investors because the state has the capacity to generate a lot of electricity, especially with the power generation projects to be implemented for Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE),” he said at a gathering with reporters yesterday.

The two aluminium smelter plants will be built in the Similajau Industrial Estate at the outskirts of Bintulu town, some 200km from here.

Several multinational companies from South America, the Middle East, China and Australia have indicated their interest in taking part in the project, which will be a joint venture with local companies.

The two giant smelters will be located within the SCORE belt and will source their energy from the Bakun hydro-electric dam and others to be built within the vicinity.

Sagan, who is also Baram MP, said Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad had already directed the departments and agencies under his purview to help Sabah and Sarawak catch up with Peninsula Malaysia in terms of development.

The ministry, he said, had also stepped up its promotion overseas and introduced schemes and incentives to lure more foreign manufacturers.

Sagan added that more Malaysian products, especially those from Sabah and Sarawak, would be marketed overseas.

Malayan communists go online

Nearly 50 years after the end of the 12-year Emergency against armed communism, people still seem interested in the subject. Blogs that purportedly speak from the perspective of the communists garner good reception, particularly from the younger generation. Should we worry?

Public views sought over new art

The public is being given the chance to have a say about a new piece of art for Leicester city centre.

One of two exhibitions has been held so residents and shoppers can discuss the five pieces being considered for a site on Sanvey Gate.

They include a textile fox, a glass panel featuring boots and leaves and decorated pavement.

Officials said reaction to the first open day had been positive and a decision was expected later this year.

Councillor Andy Connelly said: "This is a really great opportunity to brighten up a very well used area of the city with a great piece of new art.

"It is really important that people have their say on the project because it will be pride of place in Sanvey Gate for years to come."

A second public show will be held on 28 May at Leicester Market.

Orchid named after Najib and Rosmah

A TALL and robust hybrid of the Dendrobium Ronald Imanuel and Dendrobium Jeffrey Tan orchids was named Dendrobium Najib Rosmah in conjunction with the visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to the National Orchid Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens yesterday.

Najib and Rosmah, who are on a two-day visit to Singapore, were shown around the orchid garden by the chief executive officer of the National Parks Board, Ng Lang.

They spent 20 minutes at the garden before leaving for the Istana for the welcoming ceremony by the Singapore government.

In a separate event later, Rosmah visited the National University of Singapore High School of Mathematics and Science.

She was accompanied by Ho Ching, the wife of Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Rosmah was given a briefing on the school by principal Dr Hang Kim Hoo and Director of the Education Programme, Sun Chee Wah.

US state's first assisted suicide

A 66-year-old US woman with advanced cancer has become the first person to die under a new assisted suicide law in Washington State.

The woman, Linda Fleming, died on Thursday night after taking drugs prescribed by her doctor.

The "Death with Dignity" law was approved by 60% of Washington State voters in a referendum last year.

It is based on a law in neighbouring Oregon, where 400 people have chosen to die over the last 12 years.

The advocacy group, Compassion and Choices of Washington, said Ms Fleming died with her family, her dog and her physician at her side.

In a statement, Ms Fleming, who lived in the town of Sequim, said: "I had only recently learned to live in the world as I had always wanted to, and now I will no longer be here.

"The pain became unbearable, and it was only going to get worse. I am a very spiritual person, and it was very important to me to be conscious, clear-minded and alert at the time of my death."

She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month.

Under the "Death with Dignity" law, any patient seeking to die must be at least 18, terminally ill, and live in Washington State. In addition, the patient must be declared competent, make two spoken statements 15 days apart, and produce a written request witnessed by two people.

No 1M’sia without Sabah, S’wak

The 1Malaysia concept may not be realised without the involvement of Sabah and Sarawak youths, Sabah Youth Council (MBS) president Mustapha Sakmud said.

He said special attention needed to be given to the youths from the two states because it was “sad to see that there are still Malaysians, especially youths, who are not on par with their counterparts from other parts of the country”.

He regretted that this happened although Malaysia is now about 46 years old.

Mustapha said physical development in Sabah and Sarawak, particularly in the rural areas lagged behind that in the peninsula, adding that basic amenities like water and electricity supplies were equally lacking and more funds needed to be made available.

“Basic educational facilities to educate Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak, in particular in the rural areas, are still very poor.

“We feel sad when we see the condition of the uniforms these children wear to school.

“Many of them in their desire to acquire knowledge have to walk to school over mountainous terrains and muddy and dusty roads,” he said when speaking as a member of the panel at the 2009 National Youth Convention at MITC in Ayer Keroh, Melaka recently.

He said the socio-economic status, poor infrastructure and many other negative factors resulted in the dropout rate among students in the two states to be higher compared with other states in the country.

“If this situation persists, how can youths in Sabah and Sarawak compete with their counterparts in the peninsula who have all the infrastructure and facilities.

“This will widen the gap between them in terms of educational achievement and skills and eventually their way of thinking,” he said.

He feared that if the problem was not addressed, the youths from the two states would feel discriminated against and if that was the case, it would not be possible to achieve the objectives of the 1Malaysia concept.

He said in principle, MBS agreed and supported the concept, adding that the definition should be based on the country’s history and the formation of Malaysia.

He said Malaysian youths in the two states did not want any quarters to disregard history.

“We don’t want any concepts or ideas put forward by the leaders to be interpreted based on the present day understanding just to maintain power without referring to the conditions and basis for the formation of Malaysia,” he stressed.

He said important issues such as the social contract, especially the special rights of the Malays and Bumiputeras should not be questioned in the name of equal rights and social justice.

He said the special position of Sabah and Sarawak as enshrined in the constitution needed to be safeguarded and maintained.