Sharlinie still missing...

It has been three weeks since five-year-old Sharlinie's gone missing and there are still no new leads as to her whereabouts.

There's not much news on her in the papers either. Even the police admit they aren't getting much information from the public and the lack of information is affecting their investigation although the operation to find her is still going on. Thank God for that!

While I am praying and hoping that Sharlinie, who turned five yesterday, is being kept safe somewhere, I came across this news while reading the Sun online. The news is worrying.

The headline says There was an attempt to abduct a five-year-old girl in Pusat Bandar Puchong.

The incident happened last week.

The story is very familiar. Two siblings (12 and 5 years) were playing with each other (outside a restaurant while their parents were having dinner) when a black coloured van pulled up and a man emerged and lured the younger one with a sweet.

When the girl took the sweet, the man tried to bundle her into the van.

The man tried to push the elder sister into the van too when she tried to pull her sister away. But he got back into his van and sped away when two women passers-by went to check the commotion.

The elder sister related the incident only after they reached home to the parents who subsequently lodged a police report. But I find it strange that the report was not covered by the media.

As for the two passers-by, I think they could have done better. They could have taken down the plate number of the van and bring the children to their parents and relate the incident to them instead of just walking away. Don’t they read the papers, listen to the radio or watch news on TV?

I think there is an urgent need to educate members of the public on what they should do in such a situation. Be a little kay poh. They have to act fast...scream and shout for help.

The incident could shed some light and give fresh leads to the ongoing investigation on Nini and maybe, just maybe, the man is connected to cases of missing children. (read tembam's entry here )

What are we looking at here: a man trying to abduct a five-year old girl into a van. The same way Nurin and Nini were seen being taken away. The story is too familiar to be ignored.

Another thing; the girls told their mother there was a little boy crying on the floor of the van. I hope police will follow up this report.

In the meantime, let's not give up on Nini. Let's continue to pray for her.

Read "Attempted AbductionsWhat Parents & Guardians Need to Know": here

Aman Malaysia Launches Gaza Humanitarian Fund

Aman Malaysia today launched the Gaza Humanitarian Fund to help the 1.5 million Palestinians trapped after the Israeli regime closed its border in June.

Its coordinator, Datuk Mukriz Mahathir, told a press conference that the Fund aims to collect RM200,000 to buy food, medical supplies and clean water for those in Gaza. (Read this)

Contributions to the fund could be made via cheque in the name of PEACE MALAYSIA and addressed to Blok B-13-D2, Plaza Mont Kiara, No 2, Jalan Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur or cheque deposit or cash into the account of Peace Malaysia at CIMB 142090007389058.

Mukhriz who is Umno Youth international relations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) bureau chairman said the food and medical supplies would be sent to Rafah at the Egyptian border, some 300km from Cairo.

Meanwhile, Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia Abd Elaziz Abu Ghoush said his government welcomed the efforts by Aman Malaysia to help those in Gaza who were under total seizure and were denied food, medicine, water and fuel.

He said an unofficial estimate put the number of those who had fled across the Egyptian border to become refugees at 700,000. Gaza which borders Egypt, Israel and the Mediterranean Sea is 40km long and 7km wide.

Bernama report here.

Read report by Rana Elhindi, a Save the Children worker in Gaza, who describes the impact of Israel's blockade on daily life and the aid effort in the territory: here

'Boycott newspapers, buy no lies'

The People’s Parliament committee for Hartal-MSM held a press conference at the Blog House in Damansara this morning to launch a civil society initiative to boycott the mainstream media (MSM).

According to the "HARTAL MSM Committee " media statement the boycott of local newspapers is one way "we can check the rot in our country and a means for civil society to take constructive action. Malaysia deserves a free press."

This initiative was borne out of a genuine concern in society over how news reported by the MSM did not always tally with facts. For a start, it is advocating a 'Newspaper Free Tuesday'.

For details on the press conference and media statement go: here.

Hartal-MSM has also started a ‘Boycott the Newspapers!’ online petition. You can access it at : http://www.petitiononline.com/hartal/petition.html

Felix Abisheganaden passes away

Veteran journalist and PR practitioner Felix Abisheganaden died of cancer at the Sunway Medical Centre early today. He was 85.

Felix was a journalist with the NST for more than 25 years before he swtiched profession to become a PR practitioner in 1976.

My condolences to his family.
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Felix Abisheganaden: Doyen Of Malaysian Journalism Dies

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Jan (Bernama) -- Felix Abisheganaden, a former editor of the New Straits Times and fondly referred to as a doyen of Malaysian journalism, died at the Sunway Medical Centre today.

He was undergoing treatment for cancer when he breathed his last at 8.15am - exactly a week after celebrating his 85th birthday.

At the time of his demise, Abisheganaden was a partner of public relations firm Prestige Communication.

His third child, Hannah K. C. Boey told Bernama that Abisheganaden was afflicted with an advanced stage of cancer.

She said when he suffered from severe digestive problems, he was warded at the medical centre on Jan 4, where he underwent intestinal surgery.

"When my father's condition became critical, doctors placed him on a life-support machine," added Hannah.

Abisheganaden's body will be kept in his house at No: 4, Jalan Sendeng 11/3C, Shah Alam for the wake.

On Wednesday, his casket will be placed at St Paul's Church in Jalan Utara Petaling Jaya at noon, before it is taken to the Christian cemetery in Jalan Kuari, Cheras at 3.30pm.

Abisheganaden, whose real name is Felix Abishegaraden, is survived by widow, Ivy Kitchen, 84, four children aged between 52 and 64, and five grandchildren.

Born in Singapore, Abisheganaden's early education was at St Andrew's Institution. At 18, he worked as a mechanic and nine years later, joined the Singapore Development Board. At 32, Abisheganaden joined the Straits Times in Singapore and embarked on an illustrious career as a respected journalist of calibre as a result of his writings.

Among his noted assignments were historical events leading to Malaysia's independence, confrontation with Indonesia, Singapore's separation from Malaysia and the tragedy of May 13, 1969.-- BERNAMA

Released - 11 of protes participants

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Eleven of the 56 people arrested Saturday for participating in an illegal assembly at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) have been released unconditionally, the police said.

The other 45 were still being investigated for participating in the illegal gathering and for defying court order, said a statement from the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.

"They were also arrested for obstructing public officers from discharging their duties," the statement said.

Meanwhile, the proceedings to obtain remand orders for those who were still under police custody were still progressing at 8pm tonight at a Kuala Lumpur court, with 13 of them had already been issued with the remand order until tomorrow.

Yesterday, police arrested 56 people including several opposition leaders and members of the non-governmental organisations (NGO) for participating in the illegal assembly which they said was to protest against rising cost of living. ---Bernama

Suharto dies at 86

Al Fatihah.

Former Indonesian president Suharto, an army general who crushed Indonesia's communist movement and pushed aside the country's founding father to usher in 32 years of tough rule that saw up to a million political opponents killed, died Sunday.

He was 86.

"He has died,'' Dr Christian Johannes told The Associated Press, adding that he died at 1.10pm (2.10pm Malaysian time).

Dozens of doctors on Suharto's medical team had been rushed to the Pertamina Hospital in the capital, Jakarta, after his blood pressure fell suddenly Saturday night. Suharto had slipped out of consciousness for the first time in more than three weeks of treatment, doctors said.

Suharto, had been in intensive care with lung, heart and kidney failure since he was admitted to the hospital on Jan 4. Over the past week his physicians had spoken of a recovery, but by Sunday that had changed dramatically. - AP

Read BBC's The lasting legacy of Suharto

"Protes" at KLCC: Dozens picked up

Police have detained more than two dozen individuals near the Kuala Lumpur City Centre ahead of a protest against price hikes organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes), according to Malaysiakini.

They included a Malaysiakini reporter.

Yesterday, police obtained a restraining order from the court to stop Protes from gathering at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre and warned that that they would not hesitate to detain anyone who ignore the order.

Copies of the the warrant were pasted on various locations within the vicinity of KLCC.

Protes is protesting against a possible oil price hike and other essential goods and services, likely in April.

Read full report in HarakahDaily.Net: here

Zorro's entry: here

Elizabeth Wong's video clip on Saturday's protest: here

Pix: Courtesy of HarakahDaily.net

A Snap National Polls?

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi finally says it and, for the first time, revealed there will be an early general election - a hotly- talked-about-topic in the country the last few months.

So the general election is around the corner. No doubt about that. Many analysts expect parliament to be dissolved in early March, with the general election to be held by the end of the month .

The Prime Minister has been coy, always evasive and has never given a direct answer and has kept the country guessing as to when the polls will be held. And there he was telling the world in an interview with the CNN that an early early will be called for to enable the government to continue with its development plans.

Here's the story in the Star:

“It will be good to have a good mandate from the people so that the Government can go ahead with its development programmes,” said the Prime Minister when responding to a question in an interview on CNN’s World News Asia yesterday on why he would call for an early election.

Abdullah said the possible involvement of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the next elections was not a factor on his mind.

“There are other matters that I have to think about before I recommend the
dissolution of Parliament and fixing the date for the elections,” he said.

Abdullah is attending the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

He also said that the Government was talking to a lot of people to address
the problems affecting Malaysian Indians as well as groups and NGOs
representing them.

Abdullah said the Government had successfully reduced the poverty level
from 60% after independence to 5.7% currently, with a small 1.2% who are
still living in hardcore poverty.

And in Bernama: here

SMS On Sharlinie Not True

Police said today the rumour that has been circulated via the short messaging service (SMS) that Sharlinie Mohd Nashar, 5, was found dead is not true.

Petaling Jaya OCPD ACP Arjunaidi Mohamed warned that the police were taking a serious view on the circulation of false information via the SMS and other channels and would not hesitate to take stern action against those involved in such activities.

He was commenting on the dissemination of false information received by members of the public via the SMS since yesterday claiming that Sharlinie had become a victim of a black magic practitioner and that her remains had been found. Read here

"Stop the dissemination of false information and please respect the feeling of Sharlinie's family," he told reporters at his office, here.

Full Bernama report: here

Tan Sri Megat Junid passes away

Al Fatihah.

Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayub passed away at 5.25 am today at the Pantai Medical Centre, Bangsar.

He was 65.

Megat Junid was the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister (1997 -1999) . Prior to that he was Deputy Home Affairs Minister for 11 years. He was also Umno information chief.

Tan Sri Megat Junid, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost a year ago, was admitted to the intensive care unit at Pantai Medical Centre on Tuesday where he underwent an operation to remove blood clots caused by massive internal bleeding.

The body will leave his Kelana Jaya home at 12.30pm for the Nurul Yaqin Mosque nearby, then on to the Kiara Cemetery in Damansara here for burial.

May Allah SWT bless his soul. Amin.

NST report Megat Junid laid to rest at Bukit Kiara Cemetery here

Happy Thaipusam!

Happy Thaipusam to all my Hindu friends and readers!

Praying for Nini's safe return...

The only time I listen to the radio is in the car when I am driving my grandson, Adam, to school.

That’s when I hear Encik Mohd Nashar Mat Husin 's voice on the air interrupting whatever programme that is on as he pleads to his daughter's abductors to return Sharlinie to the family because his wife has been having sleepless nights ever since she's gone missing two weeks ago.

It just so heatbreaking, I tell you. Surely Nini’s abductor/s would have heard his pleas? I am certain they tune in to the radio to find out what steps the police are taking to track them down. Who are they? Some heartless sickos?

It has been exactly 14 days today. No efforts have been spared in the search for five-year-old Shalinie. More than 100,000 posters of Nini have been distributed at strategic locations nationwide. Various organistions have come forward to help in whatever way they could.

The police have conducted search on 10,000 premises in the PJ district and drawn up a list of possible hide-outs of her abductors. They have also acted on every bit of information received, arrested two suspects (they were later released for lack of evidence), and rearrested the maid who gave false information. Interpol has been contacted to help in this case.

Pranksters aside, every possible theory has been put forward by well meaning citizens.

A commenter to tembam’s ( who has been aggressively blogging on Nini) and who also came to my blog has suggested that the police should seriously consider releasing Sharlinie's pictures with different hairstyles, e.g. boy cut or even bald. (upadate; Read what the police say : "Sharlinie's Appearance May Have Changed as reported by Bernama here )

But when everything else failed to produce new leads at this stage, I would not blame Sharlinie's parents for turning to bomohs for help.

They told Encik Nashar she'll be back soon. This is news that they want to hear.....and believe. I would too if I were them and my child kidnapped and her whereaboutsl unknown. I would want to believe in anything which gives me a glimmer of hope that my child is still alive.

Like Encik Nashar and all concerned Malaysians, I want to believe that Sharlinie is still alive and that the prediction about Sharlinie would come true.

So let's continue to pray for her safe return.

Court Dismisses Blogger's Application To Strike Out NSTP's Suit

The High Court here today dismissed blogger Jeff Ooi Chuan Aun's application to strike out a defamation suit brought against him by New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad (NSTP) and three others.

Deputy registrar Mohamad Kamil Nizam dismissed the application with costs in his chambers.

NSTP, its deputy chairman, Datuk Kalimullah Hassan, group editor-in-chief Datuk Hishamuddin Aun and former group editor Brendan Pereira are suing Ooi for defamation and malicious falsehood in respect of certain articles which Ooi had published or allowed to be published on his weblog.

They claimed that the articles referred to them and were defamatory.-- BERNAMA

Go to Jeff Ooi's Screenshots ' NSTP et al vs Jeff Ooi... 1:0 here

Lingam: Looks like me, sounds like me

Despite being identified by earlier witnesses, lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam today insisted before the Royal Commission of Inquiry probing a controversial video-clip that the person featured in the clip "looks like me and sounds like me".

"Irrespective of what others said, it looks like me and sounds like me," he told the commission.

"I have conducted my own checks and the only way to verify its authenticity is to have the original equipment used to record it and the original recording is produced," he said.

On another crucial point, the 57-year-old who has been practising law for 20 years, said he had never telephoned the former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim and neither had the judge contacted him on the phone.

Lingam was the 13th witness to be called, and was summoned after Loh Gwo Burne had testified this morning that he was the person who recorded the video clip, and had passed a copy of it to lawyer Manjit Singh.

Read the full report in the Sun: here

Pix: The Sun

MIC will deliver Indian votes to BN, pledges S. Vellu

MIC President Datuk Seri Samy Vellu says the party is more than ready to face the upcoming general election and promises to deliver the Indian votes to the Barisan Nasional (BN).

He made this pledge in the presence of the Prime Minister, Datuk Abdullah Badawi, at a gathering of over 21, 000 party members and supporters here today.

Datuk Samy Vellu said he had been criss-crossing the country recently, holding gatherings with MIC members, community leaders and interested groups, and "the mood is very favourable to us (BN)".

He was addressing the party's gathering in the run-up to the imminent general election at the Badminton Stadium in Cheras here.

Datuk Samy Vellu, who is the Works Minister, expressed confidence that the Indian voters would once again give their full backing to the Barisan.

Samy Vellu called on the Indians to unite and continue to back the Barisan government for their continued survival.

Read the rest of Bernama report: here

Read a commentator's excellent account of the event at Haris Ibrahim's Drama Minggu ini dipersembahkan oleh MIC: here

Will Thaipusam be a national holiday?

News Update: January 20, 2008 18:49 PM

No, not a National Holiday, but a public holiday in the Wilayah Perseketuan and Putra Jaya.

Well, I say finally! But the point is why did Pak Lah decide to declare Thaipusam as a public holiday in the FT and Putra Jaya NOW? Yes, why now?

The public will definitely dismiss the annoucement as a ploy to fish for votes since talk is rife that the General Election will be called soon.

It is a move to appease the Indian voters besides the fact that the Government (and the MIC) is on a damage control mode to win their hearts following the Hindraf rally in November last year when more than 30,000 Indians took to the street.

Undoubtedly, it is in response to the cry of Hindraf. But it is ironic that Hindraf's five leaders have been arrested.

Here's the story from Bernama:

Abdullah Declares Thaipusam Public Holiday In KL, Putrajaya

The Government Sunday declared Thaipusam a public holiday in the federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya from this year.

This year's Thaipusam falls on Wednesday (Jan 23).

In making the announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government made the decision in respecting the request of the Indian community and the Hindus in the country.

Thaipusam is currently a holiday in Selangor, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor.

Read Anil Netto's "Enticing Hindu Malaysian Voters With Thaipusam Holidays": Here

Earlier story

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu today thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for agreeing to consider MIC's proposal to declare Thaipusam a national public holiday.

The Works Minister hoped the decision could be made at the next weekly Cabinet meeting as stated by the prime minister yesterday.

"It will be a long-awaited decision to have Thaipusam declared a national holiday or even a public holiday for the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory," he told Bernama.

Abdullah had said yesterday he would consider declaring Thaipusam a national public holiday after seeking approval from the Cabinet.

Samy Vellu said he contacted Abdullah in Madrid from New Delhi recently to request him to consider declaring Thaipusam a public holiday and this was followed with an official letter to the prime minister.

Abdullah was in Madrid for an official visit while Samy Vellu was in New Delhi to attend the People of Indian Origin Conference.

Samy Vellu said the MIC has been asking for Thaipusam be declared a public holiday for more than a decade "but now we are confident our request will be fulfilled".

He said Thaipusam is currently a holiday in five states, namely Selangor, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor."

More than 1.2 million Hindus converge at Batu Caves every year for Thaipusam from all over the country.

As such, it will be good if Thaipusam is declared a national public holiday," Samy Vellu said.

Samy Vellu said he raised the matter with the Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique at the last Cabinet meeting to have Thaipusam declared a public holiday at least in Kuala Lumpur.

"I will raise it again at the next Cabinet meeting," he added.

15,000 MIC members to demonstrate support for the PM tomorrow

More than 15,000 MIC members will meet the prime minister in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow as a demonstration of support for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the government

Organised by the Federal Territory MIC and dubbed "An Evening with the Prime Minister", the event at the Cheras Badminton Stadium will gather the largest ever number of MIC members at one location in recent times, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today.

Datuk Samy vellu told Bernama the gathering will pledge support for the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the prime minister.

This is the start of a series of such gatherings throughout the country aimed at bolstering the party's strength and support for the BN ahead of the next general election.

Carrying the theme "Unity and Solidarity with the BN", the event would set the stage for a more cohesive and coordinated effort to unite the Malaysian Indian community.

Samy Vellu is expected to use the gathering to speak on the need for the country's 1.8 million Indians to continue to lend their support to the ruling BN government and why they should be wary of tactics employed by the opposition parties to hoodwink Malaysian Indians at large.

Read the full report: here

Doll photo puzzles cops

News Updates: Sun, Jan 20

Doll may give valuable clues

Police said the doll which was found near the home of missing five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar has been sent to the Chemistry Department for examination.

The police hope the clues on the doll, which was found last Saturday, could help them in investigations, according to the Star.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed said they are expecting the results on the fingerprint tests soon and were also liasing with their Perak counterparts on a doll that was left in Gunung Rapat, Ipoh.

Star full report: here

The NST's "Police get new leads in search for 5-year-old" : here
Bernama's report "Speculations Hinder Probe On Missing Sharlinie - Mohd Johari Baharum": here


Earlier story:

According to the Star police are puzzled as another doll similar to the one which was found near the house of Sharlinie Mohd Nashar in Taman Medan last week, was found in Ipoh.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed said police were trying to find out the significance of the doll, which was reported to have been seen in an area in Gunung Rapat, Ipoh.

"We don’t know who took the photograph of the doll and are now trying to trace the person as it had been passed on from one person to another until it reached us a few days ago.

"Initial investigations show that the photograph is not re-shot from the photograph of the doll which was highlighted in the press or our photographs,'' he said here on Friday.

ACP Arjunaidi said that the Petaling Jaya police have contacted their counterparts in Perak to help them verify the authenticity of the photo and locate the person who had snapped it.

"We urge the person to come forward as every bit of information is crucial to us,'' he said.

Full report : here
Read Bernama's story Police Impostor Referred To Psychiatrist: here

Dr M takes the stand

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's much awaited testimony before the V.K. Lingam video clip inquiry yesterday failed to shed much light.

He repeatedly replied “No” or “I do not remember” to various questions posed by leading officer DPP Datuk Nordin Hassan.

However, Dr Mahathir, the first former prime minister to appear before a Royal Commission of Inquiry, emphatically denied that he was influenced by anyone on the appointment of judges.

Before he took the stand, his counsel Tunku Sofiah Jewa told the inquiry that Dr Mahathir would give his full cooperation.

“Our client wishes us to say that he will answer questions put to him even if in law from our perspectives as counsel we think the questions are not relevant or within the scope of the terms of reference of this Royal Commission of Inquiry,” she added. - the Star

Read also Bernama's report "I Was Not Influenced To Pick Ahmad Fairuz For CJ Post, Says Dr M" here

In loving memory of Kak Pia ...

(10 April 1946 - 17 Jan 1995)

My eldest sister, Kak Pia, died exactly 13 years ago
today. She was 48.


Gone but not forgotten
Dearly missed and fondly remembered
In our our heart and in our prayers
Sleep well, sister dear
Till we meet again in the Hereafter

Al fatiha

Still Missing...

A week has passed since the disappearance of five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar. The police have made two arrests but still have no leads as to her whereabouts.
(Update: The two men arrested during the weekend have been released today. Read here)

The IGP has expressed his frustrations that there has been no new leads. So did Datuk Shahrizal Jalil, the Women, Welfare & community Minsiter ...as to why Nini has still not been found.

But let's not give up. I hope that we will find Sharlinie - safe and sound with the help rendered by all.

Insya Allah.

A sharlinie look-alike seen at Danok, Thailand?

Has little Sharlinie been taken out of the country?

I shudder to think her captor/captors had managed to give the authorities the slip and taken Sharlinie to Thailand despite having distributed thousands of her posters at strategic locations nationwide.

According to a report in Harian Metro, a Thai man spotted a little girl who looked like little “Nini” in Danok, Thailand yesterday.

The man says the child was with a man in his 30s, at the Customs and Immigrations Complex at the Thai border. He reportedly spotted a poster of Nini and realised the child could be her.

“Saya tak pasti sama ada mungkin dia (Sharlinie) atau tidak tetapi saya nampak wajahnya hampir sama ketika poster ini diedarkan tadi (semalam) dan tak sangka pula kanak-kanak itu mangsa penculikan," he siad.

For full story read here:

I don't know how reliable that story is. But if there was any truth in the report, I wonder what the Malaysian authorities at the Thai border have been doing?

I hope it is a case of pelandok dua serupa or a mistaken identity and that Nini is still here in the country, unharmed and will soon be home with her family.

Nurin Murder : Security Guard Remanded

A security guard picked up by police yesterday was put under a seven-day remand in connection with the murder and abduction of eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, 145 days after her disappearance.

Magistrate Azrol Abdullah granted the order to facilitate police investigation into the case which has been classified as rape, according to a Bernama report.

The 31-year-old man was picked up at an abandoned building near Menara Marinara in Jalan Tun Razak at about 10am.

On Saturday, police detained a 43-year-old man from Jalan Chow Kit to assist in their investigation.

N.U.R.I.N Alert in place, says Shahrizat

A system to immediately alert everyone when a missing child case is reported is already in place.

This could be seen in the case of Sharlinie Mohd Nashar where various groups, including the media and the community, were coming together quickly to locate her, says Datuk Sharizat Jalil.

According to the Star, Datuk Sharizat, who is Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said her Ministry is "awaiting the Cabinet’s approval before formally implementing the system."

She was asked to comment on when a system such as the Nationwide Urgent Response Information Network (N.U.R.I.N) Alert would be implemented to help locate missing children without delay.

The N.U.R.I.N Alert was first suggested following the murder of eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin who was abducted and her body was found stuffed into a sports bag a month later last September.

Nurin’s uncle Jasni Abdul Jalil and several bloggers (Rocky'sbru and Nuraina A. Samad. among others) drafted a proposal on the Nurin Alert and submitted it to Shahrizat’s ministry late last year. (Read Nuraina's "Activating (NURIN) Alert for Nini" here)

In the United States, the Amber (America’s Missing: Broadcasting Emergency Response) Alert is a warning system implemented to immediately trace missing children via a comprehensive network involving authorities and the community.

It was named after Amber Hagerman, nine, who was abducted and murdered in Texas in 1996.

Shahrizat said lessons were learnt from Nurin’s case and efforts to locate Sharlinie started earlier, including the immediate distribution of posters.

“Police have also taken quicker action and there is more involvement from the community and non-governmental organisations.”

For more on Nurin Alert, read here

A man has been arrested in connection with Nurin’s murder

Police arrested a man on Saturday night in connection with Nurin Jazlin Jazimin’s murder. The arrest was made in Jalan Chow Kit in Kuala Lumpur.

The Star has the story here:

In another development Bernama reported that a security guard whose features match a photofit of a child abductor was arrested at an abandoned building in Jalan Tun Razak here today.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief SAC II Ku Chin Wah who confirmed the arrest when contacted has asked the public not to make any speculation.

He said the arrest was made as a normal procedure after police acted on a report or information.

"Police will verify the veracity of the report and find the evidence before taking further action. It is part of `Ops Sunti' launched by Bukit Aman in October last year," he said.

The man who has been a security guard at the building for the past one year was picked up by police and then taken back to the building at noon.

The suspect was clad in a black T-shirt and handcuffed while his head was covered with a piece of cloth. He is said to have three sons.

A forensic team was also seen at the building.

Police took the man out of the building after one and a half hours later.

Also read NST's "Two arrested in connection with Nurin Jazlin Jazimin's murder" : here

Shahrizat: Please Help Find Sharlinie

Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil is calling on all Malaysians to help find five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar who has been missing since four days ago.

She is appealing to all Malaysians from all walks of life not to leave the task of finding Sharlinie or "Nini", believed to have been abducted, to the police alone.

Sharizat, who is the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said this to reporters after visiting Sharlinie's parents at their home.

(Among the VIPS who called on her family earlier, were the wife of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Jean Abdullah and the Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.)

"We have 26 million people in Malaysia. We should not allow the criminals to cripple our efforts in finding the girl."

Shahrizat also urged all Malaysians to pray for Nini's safety and appealed to the abductor not to inflict any harm on the girl.

"As a mother myself, I appeal to the abductor not to harm Nini and return her safely to her parents," she said.

Sharlinie was reported missing at about 11.30am on Wednesday while playing with her eight-year-old sister, Sharliena, at a playground about 200 metres from their house in Taman Medan here.

Police have since mounted a massive search for her and have distributed posters of Nini and a photofit of the alleged abductor nationwide.

Nini's disappearance has created anxiety among Malaysians following the case of eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, who was found brutally murdered after going missing near her house in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur in October last year.

Meanwhile, Selangor Menteri Besar Selangor Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo announced that the state government would install closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) immediately at all public playgrounds for safety measures.

Dr Mohd Khir said that so far 200 CCTVs had been installed at high crime-risk areas in the state and that another 200 CCTVs would be installed by year end.

Suspect in the murder of MIC leader

A man in his early 30s has been identified as the main suspect in the murder of Datuk S. Krishnasamy.

He is Indian, medium-built and about 152cm tall.

An eyewitness saw the man, who was dressed in a black shirt and jeans, running away from the state MIC headquarters in Jalan Segget here, carrying a package and a helmet.

The man fled the scene in a red motorcycle heading towards Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Hussin Ismail told reporters at a press conference at the state police headquarters here late last night.

Police recovered a slug believed to have been fired from the murder weapon and are analysing it to trace the weapon used and exploring all angles in the investigation.

However, there was no trace of a struggle during the incident.

The post-mortem results showed the late Datuk Krishnasamy was shot once below the left eyebrow and the bullet went through to the back of his head.

Datuk Krishnasamy was shot point blank, DSP Hussin said, but nothing was taken from him.

All exit points in the state have been blocked to prevent the suspect from escaping.

DCP Hussin urged anyone with information to contact Johor Baru (South) CID Chief Deputy Supt Norhashim Mohamad at 07-223 2222 or the police hotline at 07-221 2999.

The Star has the report here

(Above: The Suspect: Photofit of the man seen running out of the building).

Police flooded with information on Sharlinie

Two days after the media highlighted the disappearance of five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar, the police are inundated with information pertaining to her disappearance and are investigating every piece of information leaving no stone unturned.

They are also getting the cooperation from NGOs and neighbourhood watch groups.

Petaling Jaya police have been inundated with information pertaining to Sharline’s disappearance and are investigating every piece of information leaving no stone unturned.

They, however, are not divulging the information so as not to hamper investigations, according to District police chief, ACP Arjunaidi Mohamedy.

In the meantime, he said that the district police had contacted its counterpart in Seberang Prai to facilitate investigations into Sharlinie's disappearance.

They have requested Seberang Prai police to verify information that Sharlinie was found in Butterworth.

More than 10,000 posters of Sharlinie bearing the relevant particulars have been distributed in the Klang Valley and more are being printed for distribution nationwide.

In BUTTERWORTH, member of the 4B Youth Movement Malaysia are helping to distribute posters of Sharlinie at railway and bus stations and public places and in BALING, Putera Umno will distribute 10,000 posters.

Other movements also helping in the search for Sharlinie are the Welfare Association of Former Intelligence Personnel and the Federation of Peninsula Malay Students Union

Bernama report Bernama

MIC Assemblyman Shot Dead

JOHOR BARU: State Assemblyman for Tenggaroh Datuk S. Krishnasamy was shot dead at the Johor MIC building in Jalan Seget this afternoon.

Datuk S. Krishnasamy, 61, was MIC Johor deputy chief. He was said to have been shot at closed range by a gunman just as he was about to attend a meeting at about 2.30pm.

Police have cordoned off the area around the MIC building and forensics team has been sent to the crime scene.

Eye-witnesses said they heard people screaming that a man had been shot and were shocked to find the assemblyman victim lying in a pool of blood.

According to a witness, a man was seen leaving the place hurriedly on a motorcycle.

Krishnasamy is the second MIC state assemblyman to have been shot dead. In November 2000, Lunas state assemblyman Dr Joe Fernandez, 54, was shot by a pillion rider on a motorcycle when he stopped at a traffic junction in Bukit Mertajam.

Krishnasamy, who is also a member of the MIC national central committee, became the state assemblyman for Tenggaroh in the 2004 general election.

He was also the MIC Labis division chief.

Bernama full report here and the Star here.

Another child missing...

This time the victim is five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar who disappeared while playing about 200m from her house in Taman Dato Harun, Petaling Jaya, yesterday.

Sharlinie or "Nini", the youngest of three children (all girls), was clad in a striped light blue-white sleeveless top, light blue short skirt and pink slippers.

She is about 3 feet 2 inches tall, of slight build with a round face, tanned complexion and short hair.

Police are not ruling out the possibility that the “Kampung Baru molester” – the man responsible for the cruel killing of Nurin Jazlin Jazimin – could have abducted Sharlinie, the second to be reported missing in the Taman Medan area in two days.

On Monday, a six-year-old girl was abducted by a man on a motorcycle when she was playing alone near her flats in Kampung Sepakat, Taman Medan, about 2km from where Sharlinie went missing. The girl was found three hours later in Wangsa Maju in Setapak.

In the 11am incident yesterday, Sharlinie had followed her sister Sharliena, eight, to a playground about 200m from their double-storey link house in PJS 2.

Half an hour later, Sharliena decided to return home but Sharlinie did not respond when she called out to her. She rushed home to inform her mother, Suraya Ahmad, 28, who went to the playground to search for Sharlinie.

Suraya lodged a police report at the district police headquarters about two hours later. Star has the report.

Those with information on Sharlinie’s whereabouts, or on the suspect, to contact RakanCop at 03-21159999 or call her mother Suraya Ahmad at 016-2709096 or Mohd Nashar at 016-2583450.

Pictures: top left: Sharlinie Mohd Nashar
Centre right: Photofit of the suspect

Salaam Ma'al Hijrah 1429

Today Muslims the world over will celebrate Ma'al Hijrah or Awal Muharram, the beginning of the Muslim calender.

Hijrah means “Migration” - the Journey of Prophet Muhammad (PUH) from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD to escape persecution and found a community of the faithfuls.

The second caliph, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, began the practice of using the event as the starting point for the Muslim calendar.

Have a Blessed Year!

Patriotism & the English language

There's this misconception here, in this country, that if you choose to speak in English you have no pride in your mother tongue. In other words you are less patriotic.

Not necessarily so, says Raja Zarith, the wife of Johor Tengku Mahkota.

It has nothing to do with us being any less nationalistic or patriotic.

Raja Zarith, who is a Royal Fellow, Faculty of Language Studies and Linguistics, UKM, holds an MA (Oxon) in Chinese Studies.

She has her own column "Mind Matters" in the Sunday Star.

Using English Doesn't Make One Less Patriotic

BANGI: Having a good command of the English language does not make a Malaysian pro-British or less patriotic, says, Raja Zarith Sofia.

Rather, she said, fluency in English and a strong command of it was necessary in the 21st century, whether in daily life, at social gatherings or at work.

“It has nothing to do with being pro-English or pro-British, or with glorifying our colonial past.

“It has nothing to do with us being any less nationalistic or patriotic,” she said when delivering a lecture entitled Going Global: The Use of the English Language in 21st Century Malaysia at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia here yesterday.

Raja Zarith said she chose to speak on the topic as she felt it was an important and timely issue.

She said Malaysians must consider the ability to converse in English an advantage.

“We don't have to fear the English language. Studying English as a language won't change us from being Malaysians to being pseudo-English or pseudo-American,” she said.

She said having a good command of English also meant Malaysians would be able to transmit and convey their knowledge about themselves as a society and as a country to people from other countries.

She said this could be done through writing articles, papers, academic and non-academic books and novels about heritage, culture, religion and the arts.

"We can also share and exchange our views about national and world events with foreigners who use English as we do, that is, as a means of communication and as a global language," she added

Read Nuraina A. Samad's entry on "The English Language, Patriotism and...Bloggers" here

Anti-ISA vigil dispersed with water cannon...

...and it was not EVEN a DeMO.






The police tonight used water cannon to disperse a crowd of about 300 people who had earlier defied a ban and successfuly hold a short candlelight vigil at Dataran Merdeka.

The participants, comprising members of the Movement for the Abolition of ISA' (GMI) and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) began to assemble at 8 pm behind the steel barricade guarded by police personnel from the Dang Wangi District Police Station.

There were no untoward incidents and no arrests were reported.

Police had earlier closed Jalan Raja, in front of Dataran Merdeka, since 3pm today to prevent the assembly from taking place.

Bernama has the full story: here:

Pix: Courtesy of Malaysiakini and Harakah Daily

Ka Ting is acting Health Minister

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting has been appointed acting Health Minister from today, Bernama reports.

The Health Minister's portfolio has been traditionally held by the MCA, the second largest party in the ruling coalition.

"I have already informed him," Prime Minister Datuk Abdullah Badawi said in a statement to Bernama.

The post fell vacant following the resignation of Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek two days ago after he admitted being featured in a sex video with a woman friend.

Yes to demos ...

...but Not on the streets, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Now you (the rakyat) can demonstrate if you want to. Not on the streets but only in enclosed places such as stadiums because street demonstration is "not our culture".

Hold a ceramah (at such places), if you want to. You can even yell and shout to your hearts content because it does not matter to the Government...

Here's the "good" news.

KOTA BAHARU, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Thursday it was preferable for demonstrations to be held in enclosed places such as stadiums than on the streets.

"If (the people) want to demonstrate, the Government can allow them to do so (even) at the Bukit Jalil Stadium (in Kuala Lumpur).


"They (the demonstrators) can gather there for `ceramah' (talks) or to yell. We are not bothered so long as they do not demonstrate on the streets. That's not our culture."

"Street demonstrations can spark off chaos in the country," he said in his address at an assembly of Kelantan educators, here.

Najib said those who were inclined to hold street demonstrations knew that they could not get elected in the usual, clean way.

They had to resort to such means because they have run out of political capital and issues to win over the people, he said.

"They know they have little chance of winning (in elections). Therefore, they resort to holding street demonstrations. This is their political agenda," he said.

Najib said the government would not be apologetic in handling these groups of people because the nation's interests were involved.

"The government exercises patience in such matters but when the public interest is jeopardised, we will act and it includes using the ISA (Internal Security Act) against them," he said.

Dr Chua...what next?

Latest: January 02, 2008 17:02 PM
Soi Lek Resigns From All Party, Government Posts

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- MCA vice- president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, who yesterday admitted to being the man in the sex DVD, copies of which are widely distributed in Johor, today resigned as Health Minister, MP for Labis and from all party posts with immediate effect.

Dr Chua, 61, made the announcement himself at a press conference held at the ministry at 3.35pm.

Yesterday, at a press conference in Labis, Johor, he apologised to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Cabinet ministers, party leaders and his wife and family for what had happened.

He also described the woman who appeared in the videotape engaging in sexual acts with him as his personal friend and that he did not make the recording himself.

Dr Chua said his resignation had been conveyed to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

"The (resignation) letter is finding its way to his (Abdullah's) office," he said at the packed press conference which lasted more than 45 minutes.

Clad in a dark suit, Dr Chua who was cool and collected, said: "I am relinquishing my position as Health Minister, MCA vice-president, Labis MP, Johor MCA liaison chief and Batu Pahat MCA division chief."

Continue:here

Dr Chua's Decision To Quit Appropriate, says Pak Lah: here

MCA Presidential Council Regrets Chua's Decision To Resign: here

UPDATE: January 02, 2008 15:53 PM

Ok. He did the honourable thing. He resigned as Health Minister and from all party posts as well as Labis MP with immediate effect, according to a one-para BERNAMA flash.

It seems, Dr Chua resigned ahead of the presidential meeting, scheduled for 5.00pm. See here.

EARLIER STORY:

The fate of Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek will be known after the MCA Presidential Council holds its emergency meeting today.

Party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting has called for the meeting to discuss the DVD issue involving Datuk Seri Dr Chua, who is its Vice-President. Dr Chua is also the Health Minister.

Datuk Seri Ong is expected to issue a statement after the council meeting.

“I take note of the statement issued by Dr Chua and, as it is an important matter for the party leadership to discuss, the party is calling an emergency presidential meeting,” he said, according to the Star.

I am the one...

...admits Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi to being the man in the sex DVD circulating in Johor.

Dr Chua, who is MCA Vice President, admitted during a press conference in Labis, Johor today, that he was the man captured on tape engaging in sexual acts with a young woman.

But despite his admission of guilt over the matter, Dr Chua stressed that he would not resign from his government and party positions.

"I serve at the pleasure of the prime minister," he said. "I will not allow (other) people to jeopardise or obstruct my duties."

Reading from a prepared statement at a press conference at the Labis MCA office here, the minister said he had met Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Putrajaya yesterday to explain the matter and personally apologise to the prime minister.

Bernama has the full story here

Happy New Year!

May the new year bring you
joy, laughter and peace.