Malaysia Explorer

The Malaysian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City showcased Malaysia’s tourism appeal at a gala event in coordination with the Malaysian Tourism Board Friday.

The Malaysia Truly Asia Gala Dinner aimed to introduce Malaysian food and culture as well as promote the cross-cultural understanding between Malaysia and Vietnam, organizers said.

The event highlighted Malaysian art, fashion and dance as appealing tourism draws to the Southeast Asian country.

Performances included a runway show of the batik collection from renowned designer Bill Keith, which was presented by local models.

A folk-dance concert by the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) Cultural Group displayed traditional Malaysian culture.

Organizers from the Windsor Plaza Hotel in District 5, where the event was held, said three chefs from different Malaysian states prepared the food for the Gala Dinner.

The event concluded with the announcement of lucky draw winners who took home a three-day trip for two to Kuala Lumpur.

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The weekend’s events are being seen in the light of political developments in the country and for many almost a repeat of 1998 that was a shocking breach in Malaysian political culture and something many never wish to revisit.

TEN years ago Malaysia erupted, as a high-level political face-off between two men and their supporters deteriorated into vile and grubby moral lynching.

On hindsight, it’s hard not to conclude that the victors – ironically – ended up being more compromised and damaged than the victim, who later emerged from prison as a hero.

If indeed there is a conspiracy afoot with last weekend’s dramatic series of events, this all-important lesson from 1998 appears not to have been learnt.

Last weekend’s events, whatever their truth, cannot be separated from what transpired 10 years ago. We will inevitably compare and contrast the two sets of events – looking for parallels, differences and of course clues as to how the respective scandals or frame-ups (it’s one or the other depending on who you believe) unfold.

Because of this we will be dealing with a similar set of issues: firstly, the incredulity and anger of the majority of Malaysians; secondly, executive interference with the judiciary and the police; and thirdly, the personalities of the key players – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak – as well as a political elite for whom the transition of power is an anathema.

Most of the people I’ve talked to – strictly non-politicians – have rejected the latest accusations against the former deputy prime minister out-of-hand.

source : http://news.google.com.my/news?

Following are the main stories in Malaysian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

ALL NEWSPAPERS

- Malaysia’s deputy prime minister strongly denied a blogger’s allegations that his wife was involved in the murder of a Mongolian women, saying it was a “total lie” and “fabricated garbage.”

NEW STRAITS TIMES (www.nst.com.my)

- A large scale operation on illegal immigrants will be conducted in the eastern state Sabah on Borneo island and security presence boosted in the area as a precaution, the deputy prime minister said.

BUSINESS TIMES (www.btimes.com.my)

- TM International (TMIT.KL: Quote, Profile, Research), a unit of Telekom Malaysia (TLMM.KL: Quote, Profile, Research) has acquired a 15 percent stake in India’s Idea Cellular Limited, for 5.53 billion ringgit or 11.91 ringgit per share, in a bid to expand its presence in India, the firm said in a statement.

source : http://news.google.com.my/news?

Following are the main stories in Malaysian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

BUSINESS TIMES (www.btimes.com.my)

- UEM Land Bhd will acquire about 40 hectares from Setia Haruman Sdn Bhd and launch its first housing project worth some one billion ringgit by year-end, a company source said.

- Mobile operator Maxis Communications Bhd aims to extend its pole position market share this year by doing the necessary groundwork for mobile number portability and focusing on the underserved market, Chief Operating Officer Jon Eddy Abdullah said.

THE STAR (www.thestar.com.my)

- Barisan Nasional (National Front) members of parliament attended a three-hour briefing on the restructuring of fuel subsidies where they were asked to support a motion on price increases which the government will table in Parliament today (Monday).

- Hicom Holdings Bhd’s move to de-list its 70 percent-controlled Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd (EONK.KL: Quote, Profile, Research) has been opposed by the latter’s non-independent non-executive director Keizo Ono.

NEW STRAITS TIMES (www.nst.com.my)

- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced more measures to fight inflation, including liberalising the issuance of small business permits and improving incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises.

source : http://news.google.com.my/news

PUTRAJAYA: Greening the economy through use of renewable fuels and fuel-efficient technologies will not only preserve the environment but generate new economic activity, the prime minister said in conjunction with World Environment Day yesterday.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called for private sector and government cooperation in these areas as part of initiatives to take environmental conservation programmes a step further.

“We need to create a new culture and lifestyle that is based on responsibility towards the environment and sustainable use of resources.

“In this new culture, efforts should not be limited to tree-planting and the other usual programmes. We should have new initiatives using technology.

“The private sector and relevant government agencies should focus their attention on developing fuel-efficient technologies, and the use of renewable energy like solar, wind and waves.

“While these industries green the economy, they can also create new business and job opportunities,” Abdullah said at the Langkawi Award 2007 and Sustainable Cities Awards 2006/2007 ceremony yesterday.

He also said more Malaysians were now aware of how greenhouse gases contributed to global warming.

“There’s greater awareness of this now, driven by the higher price of oil. This should cause us to change the way we view fuels and take steps to become low-carbon users in the overall economy and also from an individual and household standpoint.”

The theme of World Environment Day this year is: “Kick the CO2 Habit! Towards a Low-Carbon Economy”.

Abdullah’s speech was read by his wife, Datin Paduka Seri Jeanne Abdullah, who also presented the awards to the winner on his behalf.

Also present was Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas.

The Langkawi Award, which honours a Malaysian every year for his or her contribution to the environment, was given to Datuk Dr Mohammed Anwar Fazal Mohammed.

He founded several consumer and environmentalist organisations, such as the Consumers Association of Penang, Health Action International, Pesticide Action Network, Water Watch Action and Sustainable Transport Action Network.

He has also helmed regional and international consumer and conservation bodies, and worked with the United Nations Development Programme.

The Sustainable Cities Awards were given to North Kuching City Hall, Subang Jaya Municipal Council, and the Pekan District Council.

source : http://news.google.com.my/nwshp?

Malaysia’s inaugural B2B international trade show, Asia International Tourism Expo, kicked off at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

The marketplace is intended for Asian sellers to meet international buyers, but foreign seller participation is lacking, represented only by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

There are 148 hosted buyers, where 80 are also participants of the tourism ministry’s mega familiarisation programme, held in conjunction with the Colours and Flavours of Malaysia event, which will be launched tomorrow at Putrajaya. The rest are sourced from the database of the ministry and from world travel markets.

There are 33 buyers from India and China, 63 from Asean, 16 from the Middle East, and 16 from Europe.

Tourism Malaysia director-general, Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, said whether the trade show would be held annually (as was intended) would depend on the outcome and feedback for this inaugural event.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president, Mr Ngiam Foon, said this event, held after the contracting period in April, was relevant for good deals and short contracting periods of three to six months.

He added: “It also helps the small- and medium-sized Malaysian sellers who cannot afford to participate at international travel shows.”

The show is jointly organised by MATTA, the Malaysian Indian Tour & Travel Association, BUMITRA Malaysia, and Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association. The Ministry of Tourism is a partner and the main sponsors are Malaysia Airlines, Abacus International, and Langkawi Development Authority.

source : http://news.google.com.my/news?

KUALA LUMPUR: Malays will not be divided although they have a difference of opinion, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said.

“When the leaders quarrel, there will be supporters taking sides but this does not mean that the Malays are divided.

“The Malay mind is not so fragile nor its thinking so narrow because they can judge which is right or wrong,” he said when asked by Bernama to comment on concerns that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s obsession to drive out his successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would affect Malay unity.

He said people who said the Malays were in disarray were those who were unhappy with the leadership’s openness.

“Actually, these groups are angry with the prime minister. They want to scare the Malays because they are afraid of the changes taking place, such as the government’s openness.

“They are so used to the old culture that they are uncomfortable with such openness although it benefits the people.”

On claims that 1,000 Umno members had left the party in support of Dr Mahathir, Zaid said the number was small compared to Umno’s total membership of more than three million.

“The people must ask themselves what are the main issues that caused the disagreement to come to this point.

“What wrong did Pak Lah (Abdullah) do? The prime minister was lambasted for losing five states in the last general election but that was not his fault alone, but all of us in Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN).

“Unfortunately, no one is talking about reformation or change in BN.

“What I hear is people asking Pak Lah to step down and transfer power. These are statements by power-crazy people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek dismissed a suggestion by an Umno veteran that the king intervene to reconcile Dr Mahathir and Abdullah.

“This is a political problem and of course, any Malay ruler will be concerned with Malay political problems. However, I feel there is no need for the king to be involved in politics,” he said.

Shabery, who is also the information minister, said Umno had experienced far worse challenges and had managed to overcome them without involving the rulers.

Umno veteran and stalwart Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Tapa had suggested that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin intervene as a mediator.

Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz also poured cold water on the suggestion.

“Royal intervention? No need la… they are not children. Don’t waste any time over it. If he (Dr Mahathir) wants to leave, let him. We do better without him.”

A more diplomatic Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said Dr Mahathir was the type of leader who would not change his mind after a decision had been made.

“That’s his (Abdul Aziz’s) initiative, but for us in the supreme council, we know that once he makes up his mind, it is difficult to get him to reverse his decision,” said the supreme council member.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, however, said the suggestion was a good idea.

source : http://news.google.com.my/news?

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