MORE PICS - DRUG COURIERS ARRESTED: 1- PENANG ( Street value RM0.5 Million); 4 MALAYSIANS (1 Coma) - TAIWAN; Swallowed Pellets in Yangon, Myanmar

Illicit drug smuggling may be well paid but risky. To get RM20,000 for a free trip overseas look relatively simple. Just swallowed the pellets (heroin filled) and you would be quarantined at the destination to “shit” them out. But for some, when the pellets are not properly sealed or your stomach juice is too active, the pellets may open and if the leak is severe you can suffer an overdose.
And what happens if the flight was delay and you need to ease yourself in the toilet. It can be a messy business extracting those pellets yourself if you are under strict orders not to do. Life goes on; the choice is always yours just as in life and death.
Nothing venture nothing gained and learnt.

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Four M'sians Caught Smuggling Heroine Into Taiwan October 17, 2006 00:50 AM

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Four Malaysians have been detained in Taiwan on Friday for smuggling 700 grams of heroin into the country by swallowing pellets of the drug. Taiwan police detained the two men and two women in their 20s at the Taipei International Airport but only reported their arrests on Monday, after the suspects discharged the heroin - 123 pellets in total.
However, one of the women fell into a coma after some pellets burst inside her stomach, news agency DPA Taiwan quoted a police official as saying. According to the news report, the suspects swallowed the heroin pellets at a Rangoon hotel and flew in to Taipei via Bangkok on Friday. However, during transit stop at the Bangkok International Airport, one of them fell sick, rousing suspicion of Thai police who subsequently handed them over to Taiwan police. Sunday, three were turned over for prosecution while the fourth remained in a coma, according to the report.
Meanwhile, Bukit Aman Narcotics CID Deputy Director SAC II Abdul Aziz Bulat said Malaysian police were looking at the possibility of the four's involvement in an international drug ring.
"On Friday at 7pm, we detained a Zambian national who flew in from Rangoon via KLIA, at the Bayan Lepas Airport. "Based on information from the AFP (Australian Federal Police) and Taiwan Interpol, we had reasons to believe that he was transporting narcotics," he told Bernama when contacted Monday night. Abdul Aziz said the 27-year-old was arrested on Saturday after discharging 37 pellets of heroin no. 4, weighing 120g in total. He said police were now probing possible links between the Zambian and the four Malaysians in Taiwan. On the fate of the four Malaysians, he said they were subjected to the decree of Taiwan law. "The issue of extradition hasn't come up yet. Since they are in Taipei, they would have to face the charges there. "If they are extradited, we would have to detain and question them under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Special Preventive Law) 1985," he said. However, the four could face the death penalty under Taiwanese law. Abdul Aziz said: "If that's the case, we won't intervene because they have committed an offence that fell under the jurisdiction of Taiwan authorities= = =.
Nation, STAR; Monday October 16, 2006

Zimbabwean arrested with 37 heroin-filled capsules
PENANG: A Zimbabwean man had 37 heroin-filled rubber capsules in his stomach when he was detained upon arriving at the airport here.

Deputy Comm Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee (just promoted to CID Director), briefing pressmen on the evidence caught on the Zambian

State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Christopher Wan said on Monday that the man had just touched down at the airport when a narcotics team moved in about 7pm on Friday. He said the drugs had a street value of about RM530,000. Police also found US$1,000 (RM3,700) on the 27-year-old suspect.
“The suspect boarded a flight at 12.15am that day in Yangon, Myanmar, where he is believed to have swallowed the capsules containing 210gm of heroin,” DCP Wan told a press conference. “He was on transit at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport for a few hours before boarding a flight to Penang. “He was supposed to meet a contact but was arrested before he could do so. “Our investigations showed that the contact could be a local drug trafficking syndicate mastermind with international connections. “We hope to establish his identity by questioning the suspect.” DCP Wan said the suspect’s passport showed that he was in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 9 after leaving Johannesburg a day earlier. “We had to wait a day for him to ‘pass out’ the heroin-filled capsules. The drugs, which is 80% to 90% pure, could be processed into more than 2kg of normal grade heroin. “The suspect, who was paid a large amount to act as a courier, was lucky that none of the capsules burst or leaked.

ABOVE: The pellets swallowed by the Zambian was obtained back when he was asked to shit on a bucket; BELOW: Apart from pellets, US Dollars bills were recovered

He could have died of an overdose. “He had since been remanded for two weeks pending investigations into the case which has been classified as trafficking under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he added. DCP Wan said on Jan 29, 2005, three couriers comprising two men and a woman were arrested at the airport with 270 capsules filled with 1.2kg of similar grade heroin as they were about to board a flight to Sydney. “Each of them were to be paid RM18,000 to act as drug couriers. They were supposed to swallow 90 capsules each but the woman could only take 75, and the remaining 15 were found in her handbag,” he added.

ABOVE & BELOW: CPO Penang showing the passort and part of the confiscated 1000 US dollars

Tuesday October 17, 2006
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Belly stuffed with heroin; from NST(very similar to STAR)

PENANG: A Zimbabwean had 37 heroin-filled rubber capsules in his stomach when he was detained upon arriving at the airport here. State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Christopher Wan said the man had just touched down at the airport when a narcotics team moved in about 7pm on Friday. He said the drugs had a street value of about RM530,000. Police also found US$1,000 (RM3,700) on the 27-year-old which they seized.

HARD EVIDENCE: DCP Wan showing reporters in Penang yesterday the rubber capsules that the Zimbabwean had passed out 24 hours after he had swallowed them. “The suspect boarded a flight at 12.15am that day in Yangon, where he is believed to have swallowed the capsules containing 210gm of heroin in total,” DCP Wan told a press conference yesterday. “He was on transit at the KL International Airport for a few hours before boarding a flight to Penang.

“He was supposed to meet a contact here but was arrested before he could do so. “Our investigations showed that the contact could be a local drug trafficking yndicate mastermind with international connections. “We hope to establish his identity by questioning the suspect.”
DCP Wan said the suspect’s passport showed that he was in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 9 after leaving Johannesburg a day earlier.

“We had to wait a day for him to ‘pass out’ the heroin-filled capsules. The drugs, which is 80% to 90% pure, could be processed into more than 2kg of normal grade heroin.

“The suspect, who was paid a large amount to act as a courier, was lucky that none of the capsules burst or leaked. He could have died from an overdose. “He had since been remanded for two weeks pending investigations into the case which has been classified as trafficking under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” he added. DCP Wan said on Jan 29, 2005, three couriers comprising two men and a woman were arrested at the airport with 270 capsules filled with 1.2kg of similar grade heroin just before they boarded a flight to Sydney. “Each of them were to be paid RM18,000 to act as drug couriers. They were supposed to swallow 90 capsules each but the woman could only take 75, and the remaining 15 were in her handbag,” he added.
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extract from

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT ;MARCH 1995

MALAYSIA
I. Summary

Heroin trafficking and a growing addict population continue to be serious problems in Malaysia. Malaysia remains a transit point for heroin No. 4 from Burma and Thailand to markets in the United States, Australia, and Europe. The Government of Malaysia (GOM) considers the narcotics problem a priority issue. Under the Prime Minister's directive, law enforcement agencies are examining ways to improve the counter narcotics program, which is already a well-funded and well-administered effort.

The USG and GOM continue strong antinarcotics cooperation. Several important steps forward in bilateral cooperation were made this year. The two governments renewed efforts to collect and analyze intelligence on international drug trafficking, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) restored their cooperative relations. Negotiations for a new US-Malaysia extradition treaty are proceeding. Malaysia is a party to the 1988 UN Convention.

II. Status of Country

Illicit heroin processing, heroin trafficking, and growing addiction continue to be serious problems. No opium poppy is grown in Malaysia, however. Traffickers smuggle heroin base into Malaysia from Thailand and Burma and convert it to heroin No. 3 in local facilities. Most of this production is consumed locally via intravenous injection, and has no apparent impact on US addiction. Heroin no. 4 continues to transit Malaysia en route to the US and other western markets.

Despite severe legal penalties for both drug use and trafficking, drug trafficking remains a major problem. Illicit narcotics generally continue to be available at stable prices for the local addict population.

There is no evidence that Malaysia is a significant center for money laundering now, but the GOM is concerned that the offshore financial center Labuan may be vulnerable to money laundering activities and is looking for ways to head off this threat.

III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 1994

Policy Initiatives. In response to a worsening narcotics situation, the Prime Minister, who takes personal interest in counter narcotics developments, ordered the GOM's Anti-Narcotics Committee to devise a new plan to battle narcotics use/trafficking. Although the plan is still being drafted, the GOM took several interim initiatives during 1994.

The law enforcement agencies enhanced their efforts to reduce the addict population. Several large scale police operations resulted in hundreds of addicts being taken off the streets to be placed in rehabilitation centers. To complement the all out effort to reduce the number of addicts, the GOM is in the process of building additional rehabilitation centers. The GOM is also emphasizing an active role for various NGOs working on narcotics issues. NGOs specializing in demand reduction are receiving particularly strong GOM support. As a part of its new plan, the GOM is also focusing on improving international cooperation and coordination. The GOM's work on negotiations for a new extradition treaty with the US and enhanced intelligence gathering are key components of this initiative to improve international cooperation.

Accomplishments. Highlighting a growing awareness of the money laundering problem, the GOM in cooperation with an international body hosted a money laundering seminar in Kuala Lumpur. The GOM acknowledged weaknesses in its asset seizure regime and vowed to strengthen it. The GOM edged closer to a new extradition treaty with the US, which is expected to improve law enforcement cooperation.

The 1988 UN Convention has been ratified and has entered into force, but the GOM has not yet completely met all the objectives of the Convention. Malaysia has continued to work on achieving Convention goals, specifically in the areas of: production, distribution, transportation, and sale of narcotics, as well as considering new legislation to combat money laundering.

Law Enforcement. Malaysia's drug laws prescribe severe penalties and mandate the death sentence for narcotics trafficking. Possession of relatively small quantities of narcotics drugs creates a legal presumption of intent to traffic. Over 150 traffickers have been executed in recent years under the provision of the Dangerous Drugs Act and over 200 convicted traffickers currently await execution.

The GOM's chief law enforcement body, the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP), continues to emphasize counternarcotics activities. The RMP's battle against traffickers is hampered by a lack of an effective conspiracy law and a limited asset seizure law.

From January to September 1994, the RMP arrested 610 suspected traffickers under the Dangerous Drugs Act. The RMP continued to use the special preventive measures section of the Dangerous Drugs Act, which permits detention without trial of suspected traffickers. Almost 4,000 suspected drug traffickers are currently under detention. During the first nine months of the year, 1,479 were arrested for drug possession and 5,726 were arrested for miscellaneous drug offenses. The Dangerous Drugs Act mandates the death penalty for drug trafficking.

An all out effort by the RMP during the last quarter of 1994 yielded positive results. Hundreds of addicts were rounded up and sent to rehabilitation centers. RMP also concluded several investigations which resulted in arrests of several significant trafficking suspects and seizure of narcotics.

Lack of proper coordination among agencies involved in the narcotics battle has been a problem in the past. Under the Prime Minister's directive, the new counter narcotics plan currently being devised examines structure, centralization, and responsibilities of law enforcement agencies.

Drug Flow/transit. Heroin smuggling into Malaysia is believed to be centered in northwest Malaysia, chiefly on the islands of Penang and Langkawi, and across the land border with Thailand. Increased controls along this land border have resulted in more smuggling by sea. There is speculation that narcotics are being shipped directly to Malaysia from Burma, but evidence is scarce. The GOM continues to actively cooperate with Thailand and Singapore on drug transit cases.

Demand Reduction. Community rehabilitation centers continue to provide effective treatment, and efforts are being made to develop therapeutic programs in prisons and NGO facilities. As Malaysia's addict population increases, the GOM has plans to build more rehabilitation centers. Approximately 60 percent of the GOM's annual antinarcotics budget is allocated to enforcement, education, and prevention programs.

Bilateral Narcotics Agreement. The US and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding in 1989 on bilateral narcotics cooperation. Malaysia has generally met the goals and objectives of this MOU.
Corruption. Corruption continued to be a concern among law enforcement agencies. During 1994, there were no notable cases of corruption involving narcotics, however. Penang, where Chinese triad gangs control most narcotics trafficking, is still considered to be vulnerable to corruption. Chinese triad gangs are believed to be involved in attempts to engage law enforcement officials in various forms of corruption.

RMP continued to take precautions against potential corruption by a careful selection of officers for its anti-narcotics unit and frequent transfers within the unit. Although some law enforcement officials have been charged with corruption in the past, there has been no evidence of corruption among senior officials.

Agreements and treaties. An original signatory of the 1988 UN Convention, Malaysia ratified the pact in May 1993; the Convention entered into force for Malaysia in September 1993. The GOM continues to work on bringing domestic legislation in line with the Convention.

Malaysia is also a party to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1972 Protocol to the Convention and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
Malaysian and US officials continue to negotiate a new extradition treaty. Discussions have progressed well. A modern extradition treaty will improve the two countries' counternarcotics cooperation. US-Malaysia counternarcotics cooperation operates effectively under the 1989 Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Malaysia. Subsequent to the 1989 MOU, the two governments have signed letters of agreement concerning specific areas of cooperation.

Cultivation/production. Small quantities of marijuana are cultivated in Malaysia. Information on total yields is not available, but government officials and private experts believe yields to be small.

IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs

Policy Objectives. US anti-narcotics cooperation with the GOM seeks to: (1) improve GOM capabilities and success in detection and interdiction of heroin and opium from the Golden Triangle transiting Malaysia to North America; (2) increase GOM narcotics law enforcement efficiency through cooperative efforts and appropriate grants for law enforcement training; (3) enhance GOM ability to gather and analyze intelligence; (4) assist the GOM to identify and eliminate narcotics money laundering operations in Malaysia; and (5) enhance cooperation with the GOM in domestic drug prevention and rehabilitation efforts.

Bilateral Cooperation. Training played a key role in cooperation between Malaysia and the US in 1994. The State Department's International Narcotics Matters Bureau coordinated and funded key demand reduction and law enforcement training for Malaysia. Other USG agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, US Coast Guard, and US Customs also actively participated. Customs an Overseas Enforcement Training Program to the Anti-smuggling Border Unit, as well as a Contraband Enforcement Team training program to Malaysian Customs. Malaysian and US officials renewed efforts to collect and analyze intelligence on international trafficking. The cooperative efforts are expected to greatly improve the law enforcement agencies' ability to battle drug traffickers.

The Road Ahead. The USG will build on 1994's important steps forward in bilateral cooperation to improve Malaysia's battle against narcotics use/trafficking. Restoration of DEA-RMP relations is expected to enhance RMP's ability to fight international traffickers. Renewal of the two governments' efforts to collect and analyze intelligence will also be a positive factor. Conclusion and entry into force of a new extradition treaty will make US-Malaysian coordination smoother. The USG will continue to provide important training in enforcement as well as demand reduction areas.
The battle against narcotics use/trafficking will remain a top GOM priority as long as the narcotics situation persists in Malaysia. The GOM will continue to devote considerable resources to try to stem the growth of its addict population.

In the coming year, the USG will assist the GOM address the following key areas of weakness in the GOM's fight against drugs:
-- encourage the GOM to adopt a conspiracy law
-- encourage the GOM to adopt a more effective money laundering regime; and
-- insofar as feasible, provide much-needed training for law enforcement agencies.

[CHART: MALAYSIA STATISTICAL TABLES]

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TAIWAN

I. Summary

Taiwan is being used by international narcotics traffickers as a transshipment point and is playing a larger role in money laundering. Taiwan has a significant heroin abuse problem. The Taiwan authorities have mounted a concerted effort to attack the heroin trafficking problem and seizures of heroin have increased rapidly in the past few years, peaking in 1993 with seizures totalling over one metric ton. Seizures fell slightly in 1994. It is believed that the reduction in seizures was due in part to the success of the drug enforcement campaign of the Taiwan authorities. Law enforcement authorities in Taiwan are beginning to work more closely with the international community in joint efforts to investigate and prosecute narcotics traffickers.

II. Status

Taiwan is not a producer of heroin. However, it is a consumer of heroin and methamphetamines, both of which are problems in Taiwan society. As a result of aggressive police activities against Taiwan amphetamine labs, indications are that drug labs in mainland China, financed by traffickers from Taiwan and Hong Kong, are taking the place of Taiwan-based labs.
Heroin, while not produced in Taiwan, is transshipped to and through Taiwan. Numerous smugglers have been arrested while attempting to smuggle drugs into Taiwan concealed in a variety of products and material. A few seizures of heroin shipments in the US and Canada have been traced to Taiwan as a transit point.
III. Action Against Drugs in 1994
Policy Initiatives. The Taiwan authorities have undertaken a high profile anti-drug stance which has included: a declaration of war against drugs; harsher jail terms for drug traffickers; island-wide anti-drug programs; and the introduction of legislation in conformity with the 1988 UN Convention in the areas of money laundering, precursor chemical controls and "illegal drug" schedules.

Accomplishments. In the Ministry of Justice's Investigation Bureau (MJIB) formed a new drug center to coordinate better its drug efforts. The National Police Administration's (NPA) Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) continued to cooperate well with DEA. The number of methamphetamine labs located on Taiwan was reduced and the Ministry of Justice reports a decline in drug prosecutions, which it attributes to a decline in drug-trafficking. A series of new anti-drug legislative measures was introduced. Discussions are underway to explore the possibility of a bilateral counternarcotics agreement between the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and its Taiwan counterpart (see Agreements and Treaties, below).
Law Enforcement Efforts/Corruption. Both the MJIB and NPA enforce and investigate illegal drug activities in Taiwan. Taiwan's Ministry of Justice has been in the forefront of drug enforcement activities, recommending new legal and law enforcement measures designed to punish severely traffickers and provide medical help for drug users. There were no reported incidents of public corruption involving drugs. There is no evidence of senior Taiwan officials being involved with the illegal drug trade in Taiwan. Taiwan policy and practices do not support illicit production or distribution of drugs.Agreements and Treaties. Taiwan does not have any formal bilateral counternarcotics agreements and, as a non-member of the United Nations, has not been included in any

UN-sponsored counternarcotics efforts. The US does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. US interests are represented through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). In 1993 AIT and its Taiwan counterpart, the Coordination Council for North American Affairs (CCNAA), signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that allowed for the testimony of US officials and official of the Taiwan authorities in one another's courts. Since Taiwan is not a member of the UN, its status has precluded ratification of the 1988 UN Convention. The Taiwan authorities, nevertheless, have taken unilateral action to adopt legislation in conformity with the goals and objectives of the Convention.

Cultivation/Production. There is no known cultivation of poppy or cannabis in Taiwan. Six methamphetamine labs were raided by Taiwan law enforcement authorities in 1994. Efforts by local law enforcement appear to be causing some illicit methamphetamine production to move to underground labs in mainland China financed in part by Taiwan traffickers.

Drug flow/Transit. Heroin flow into Taiwan appears to be predominantly by ship. The heroin is concealed in shipments of various products, including labelled canned goods, machinery or lumber brought into Taiwan. A portion of the heroin seized is for domestic use, but the amounts seized suggest much is also transshipped to other destinations. There were several instances in 1994 of heroin being smuggled by airline passengers. Smuggled amphetamines usually enter the island via fishing boats. Many of these fishing boats carry drugs originating in mainland China.

The transit of drugs through Taiwan is principally confined to heroin, although US information indicates that amphetamines are also sent to Japan and the Philippines either from or via Taiwan. The transshipment of heroin through Taiwan appears to be primarily by container shipment and is difficult to detect due to the large number of containers passing through Taiwan. MJIB estimates that Taiwan customs personnel have the capability of inspecting a maximum of 13 percent of the containers that pass through Taiwan destined for other countries.

Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). The Taiwan authorities estimate there are 30-40,000 heroin addicts in Taiwan. Based upon the amount of heroin seized and Taiwan authorities' statements that heroin seized in Taiwan is for domestic consumption, this figure would appear to be low. In fact, the authorities have stated that the true number may be much higher. Taiwan readily admits that amphetamine usage is a growing problem among students, farmers and laborers in Taiwan's fast-paced society. Taiwan has a "say no" program in which public service radio, television, posters and public events are used to describe the pitfalls of drug usage. These messages are widely spread throughout Taiwan society. The Taiwan authorities have placed a great deal of emphasis on drug education and rehabilitation of first time offenders.

IV. US Policy Initiatives and Programs

Bilateral Cooperation. Efforts will continue to increase further Taiwan's cooperation in counternarcotics enforcement efforts. This can best be accomplished by: a) urging Taiwan to develop information/intelligence exchanges with concerned US law enforcement agencies (and like-minded authorities in other countries); b) encouraging the Taiwan authorities to enact draft legislation that would require the investigation of questionable financial practices that are a cloak for money laundering; and c) having Taiwan tighten requirements in its Nationality Act to prevent fugitives from using Taiwan as a safe haven from prosecution elsewhere.

Efforts will be made to support Taiwan participation in international organizations concerned with counternarcotics efforts accepting membership by non-states. Discussions are planned on the possibility of a bilateral counter narcotics agreement.

[CHART: TAIWAN STATISTICAL TABLES]

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BURMA
I. Summary
Burma remains the world's largest producer of illicit opium and heroin, and the Government of Burma continues to treat counternarcotics efforts as a matter of secondary importance. The USG estimated 1994 potential opium production at 2,030 metric tons from 146,600 hectares of illicit poppy cultivation. Opium production fell by 21 percent due principally to poor weather. There were some modest signs of greater government efforts in counternarcotics. One of the results of a Burmese Army campaign against the Shan United Army (SUA) of Khun Sa was to restrict the opium supply and drug trafficking routes of the SUA. The GOB has also begun to show signs of willingness to cooperate in counternarcotics efforts and has agreed to facilitate an opium yield survey in 1995. Domestic enforcement efforts have also show some marginal improvement with regional task forces under the Burmese police becoming more active in drug enforcement. These efforts however, fall far short of what is required to address seriously the drug problem in Burma.
The government's ability to suppress Burma's opium and heroin trade is severely limited by lack of access to and control over the areas in which most opium is grown and heroin processed. This is to some extent a situation the government itself has created. Well-equipped ethnic armies sheltered in remote mountainous regions have been permitted wide-ranging, local autonomy in exchange for halting their active insurgencies against Rangoon. At the same time opium poppy cultivation has soared in the base areas of the insurgent groups, especially in the Wa hills, despite nominal commitments by insurgents and the government alike that efforts would be made to reduce opium growing.
II. Status of Country
Since 1989, Burma has become the world's largest producer of opium and heroin. Drug trafficking armies protected in ethnic enclaves at the periphery of central government control are the main forces behind the massive expansion in the Burmese drug trade. These armies, comprised mainly of ethnic minorities, are controlled by ethnically Chinese or Sino-Burmese drug traffickers who use their forces to protect heroin refineries and drug caravans. Through the political control exercised by these large, standing drug armies, traffickers are able to oversee the production of most of Burma's 2,030 metric tons of opium gum. Essential chemicals used for the processing of this gum into heroin are obtained from China, Thailand and India.
III. Country Actions Against Drugs
Since the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) signed peace agreements with Burma's largest drug trafficking insurgent groups in 1989, it has espoused a policy that emphasizes economic development in the ethnic areas inhabited by these trafficking armies rather than attempting to take drug enforcement measures in these same areas. Reduction in opium cultivation was supposed to follow economic development.
Unfortunately neither development nor a reduction in opium cultivation has occurred. In areas under SLORC control, the government has expanded drug enforcement operations by the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) narcotics task forces. Two new task forces were established in 1994, bringing the total number of such units to 17. There has been no aerial eradication in Burma since the end of a Department of State-funded effort, which ceased when the SLORC assumed power in 1988. The government claims it undertakes some minor manual eradication efforts.
Policy Initiatives. In September, the SLORC unveiled its eleven-year "Master Plan for the Development of Border Areas and National Races." This sets as a goal "to eradicate totally the cultivation of poppy plants by establishing economic enterprises." Economic development efforts in the so-called border areas largely remain in the planning stage and there have been no results as yet in the counter narcotics aspect of this initiative.
The government continues to rely on UNDCP and UNDP assistance for limited drug-related development aid in the Shan state. UNDCP, under the umbrella of its two sub regional strategies -- Thailand/Burma and China/Burma -- manages a number of pilot crop substitution projects in the eastern Shan state and Wa areas as well as demand reduction and law enforcement projects in a few towns close to the Thai and Chinese borders. New CCDAC task forces in Muse (on the Chinese border) and Tachilek (on the Thai border) established in early 1994 have received modest equipment assistance and training from UNDCP.
Accomplishments. During 1994, the Burmese government undertook some efforts to counter the narcotics threat. However, these have had no major impact on the thriving Burmese drug economy. The SLORC has yet to introduce meaningful eradication or drug enforcement measures in the ethnic Wa and Kokang strongholds of the Shan state where the bulk of Burma's drug trade is based. The government is primarily concerned with keeping border area insurgencies quiescent and does not take counternarcotics as a priority in these regions. Burma has modest anti-drug cooperation with neighboring countries. Late in 1994, Burma and Bangladesh formally signed a drug cooperation agreement calling for information sharing and coordination of enforcement activities along the two countries' mutual border. Building on previously established agreements or memoranda of understanding with China, Thailand, India and Laos, the Burmese government held periodic meetings with counternarcotics representatives from these countries in 1994.

By enacting the 1993 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, the SLORC formally brought its legal code into compliance with the main provisions of the 1988 UN Convention. The 1993 law contains provisions for attacking drug-related money laundering, the confiscation of drug-related assets, the prosecution of conspiracy cases, the seizure of precursor chemicals and arrests of those trafficking in these chemicals, and the prosecution of major traffickers. Although the legal framework for compliance with the goals and objectives of the 1998 UN Convention exists, the government has not embarked on a program to implement these laws vigorously. Enforcement and legal authorities also lack the expertise and training required to make this legislation effective. The government is now starting to take steps to train appropriate officials in the effective use of the law. UNDCP and the Australian government have assisted in this regard, by funding a study tour for several senior Burmese drug enforcement and judicial officers to Singapore and Australia to study the implementation of related legal statutes in other countries. In part due to limited assistance and training from DEA and UNDP, Burmese police units are improving their limited capability to arrest traffickers and seize narcotics. For example, five traffickers who had been arrested in connection with a 21 kilogram heroin seizure by the Lashio Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC), were tried and sentenced on November 30 by the Lashio District Court to prison sentences ranging from 25 to 30 years.

Burmese eradication remains so limited it has no impact on the massive opium cultivation. Government reports claim slightly over 1,000 hectares of opium were eradicated manually in 1994, a slight increase over 1993, but still far below 1 percent of estimated total cultivation.
The Burmese government continued to advance cooperation with the UNDCP throughout 1994. In September it approved the implementation of the new UNDCP pilot project in the southern Wa region, which has since started. The government provides some support through in-kind contributions (services and personnel) to ongoing UNDCP crop substitution projects in the Mong Yang and Tachilek townships of the eastern Shan state. The Tachilek project, however, has been slowed and reduced in scope due to fighting in the region between the Burmese army and Khun Sa's forces.
Law Enforcement Efforts. In 1994 the Burmese Army (BA) stepped up its military effort against Khun Sa's Shan United Army (SUA). Narcotic control is not a principal objective of the BA's actions against insurgent groups, but the campaign against Khun Sa did have some adverse impact on the heroin trade in the Golden Triangle. In May and June large scale military operations were launched against SUA strongholds in the southern Shan state region near the Thai border. This fighting was ultimately successful in capturing several strategic areas previously under SUA control. Burmese authorities reported casualties of over 200 killed and more than 390 wounded. This military campaign forced the closure of many SUA heroin refineries, disrupted drug caravan movements, and cut off the SUA's southern Shan state headquarters from northern elements that traditionally supply much of the group's opium. In the course of the fighting several large acetic anhydride seizures were made by Burmese army personnel.

The bulk of Burma's drug enforcement effort in areas controlled by the government falls under the domain of the CCDAC, a coordinating and implementing agency comprised of representatives from the police, military, and several ministries with peripheral drug control interests. In 1994, the CCDAC established two additional drug enforcement task forces. The CCDAC's drug enforcement task forces, stationed in major urban areas and at strategic border and road crossings, together with other Burmese drug control entities seized 334 kilograms of heroin between January and October. Also, 2,136 kilograms of opium and 1,191 gallons of acetic anhydride were seized in the same 10 month period.
Corruption. Despite widespread rumors, there is no strong evidence that the Burmese government is directly involved in or directly profits from the drug trade. Most of the country's drug production and trafficking is under the control of insurgent armies. The government has no direct control over the activities of these armies, but it has both political and economic leverage with these groups. It has failed to use this leverage on these groups to reduce drug production and trafficking.
While direct government complicity in the drug trade does not appear to be a problem among senior officials, narcotics corruption is a problem among lower level officials. It is widely believed that lower level Burmese officials in the field, particularly in the Shan state, profit from drug trafficking for personal gains. This often takes the form of taking bribes for looking the other way.

Agreements and Treaties. Burma is a party to the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and in 1994 became a party to the 1988 UN Convention. However, the current government has expressed reservations on two of the Convention's articles -- extradition of Burma's nationals to third countries and the use of the International Court of Justice to resolve disputes relating to the Convention (articles 6 and 32, respectively). In 1993 the government enacted a new comprehensive narcotics law which brings Burma's legal framework formally into compliance with the Convention's requirements. The SLORC has continued to refuse to recognize the applicability of an existing US-Burmese extradition treaty, which dates from British colonial times and was accepted as valid by the post-independence government in 1948.

Cultivation/production. Burma remains the undisputed leader in world illicit opium output, providing over 50 percent of known global illicit production. Even with a 21 percent decline in net production this year, primarily due to poor weather conditions during the 1993/94 crop season, Burma remained the world's largest producer of illicit opiates. Area under opium cultivation was 146,600 hectares, a decline of 11.6 percent from the 1992/93 growing season (again as a result of poor weather). Net opium production yielded an estimated 2,030 metric tons in 1994, down from 2,575 tons in 1993. The vast bulk of this annual crop, grown in the September-February dry season, is found in the mountainous areas of the Shan plateau, which extends almost the entire length of the Shan state, from the Chinese border to the Thai border. Opium poppy fields average half a hectar in size. Poppy fields are found to a lesser extent in the Kachin, Chin and Kayah states and in the Saggaing Division.

Drug Flow/transit. Most of Burma's opium and heroin output leaves the Shan state through unmarked crossings of the porous Chinese and Thai borders. Drug trafficking ethnic groups like the Wa and Kokang control most of this territory along the rugged frontiers with China and northern Thailand. The Burmese government controls major towns at the principal entry points to China and Thailand, but has no presence along much of the border. Increasingly effective Chinese enforcement efforts, however, appear to have persuaded traffickers such as the Kokang and Wa, to send more of their processed heroin to international markets through Thailand, Laos and India rather than through southern China.

Central Burmese transportation arteries linking Lashio and Mandalay with Rangoon appear to be increasingly used by heroin traffickers seeking to export maritime shipments from Rangoon and nearby ports to Singapore, southern Thailand and Malaysia. Trafficking routes leading from northern Burma to the Indian and Bangladeshi borders are used to a lesser extent for moving heroin to western markets but serve as key channels to supply growing addict populations in Bangladesh and eastern India. They also are used for the large-scale import of Indian-produced acetic anhydride into Burma.
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction). Burma's demand reduction efforts are overwhelmed by the growing dimensions of Burma's drug abuse and related AIDS problems. Though government statistics continue to show a relatively small number of registered opium and heroin addicts (those who check in to a government-run treatment facility), outside observers estimate the size of Burma's addict population at 200,000 to 300,000. Government resources devoted to countering this growing domestic problem remain woefully inadequate. The entire country has only six major drug treatment centers with a total of 220 beds, and additional outpatient facilities at 24 smaller centers. The Ministry of Health has the lead responsibility for Burma's drug treatment and rehabilitation efforts, though the Ministries of Education and Information contribute to the government's demand reduction program through preventive education efforts. Since 1974, government treatment centers have registered 14,893 heroin addicts, 34,453 opium addicts and 4,640 persons addicted to other substances. However, a trend noted throughout the 1980s has been the shift from opium to heroin abuse among Burmese drug addicts. According to Burmese government statistics, some 84 percent of new addicts registered in 1993 were addicted to heroin versus only 20 percent in 1983. A very high percentage of intravenous heroin users who have registered with government treatment programs are infected with HIV. In a recent UNDCP-funded survey, a nationwide average of 60 to 70 percent of all IV heroin users tested positive for HIV. In the major heroin using centers of Mandalay and Myitkyina, rates of 84 and 91 percent were noted, respectively. Though NGOs and UN agencies are attempting to help the Burmese government cope with the closely linked social and health crises of heroin abuse and HIV infection, resources remain inadequate.

USG Policy Initiatives and Programs.
Policy Initiatives. The USG suspended bilateral aid to Burma, including funding for major counternarcotics programs, in September 1988 following the Burmese military's violent suppression of Burma's pro-democracy movement. The Burmese government has not replaced previous US-funded drug enforcement programs with its own unilateral efforts. The USG continues to encourage the SLORC to undertake more aggressive drug enforcement and opium eradication measures on its own. The Burmese government has agreed to a second US-Burmese survey of opium growing areas in the Shan state to be conducted in February 1995. Results from the scientific survey will give both governments a more accurate understanding of the magnitude of Burma's opium crop.
Bilateral Cooperation. In view of the Burmese government's continuing human rights abuses and failure to institute political reform, the United States has continued to maintain only a restricted level of counternarcotics cooperation with Burma. Current USG cooperation with the SLORC is confined largely to a limited relationship between DEA agents stationed in Rangoon and their Burmese counterparts. Through this liaison relationship, DEA shares information with and provides training to the Burmese police. In early December, DEA trainers conducted a six-day course in basic drug enforcement techniques for Burmese law enforcement personnel. Also, DEA has helped police working under CCDAC auspices to develop and conclude successfully two drug trafficking investigations in 1994. These cases led to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of several heroin traffickers.

The Road Ahead. The future of bilateral cooperation hinges largely on the SLORC's progress on human rights and democratization, as well as improvements in Burma's unilateral drug control efforts. For the time being steps can be taken, consistent with USG policy aims regarding Burma, to provide training and other limited assistance to improve enforcement effectiveness and demand reduction and rehabilitation programs.

[CHART: BURMA STATISTICAL TABLES]
For details of other countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, NZ, Australia etc
check here

UNRELATED Story; China Doll Found Dead in Hotel Room in GENTING HIGHLANDS

Woman found dead in hotel;18 Oct 2006

BENTONG: A woman was found murdered in a hotel room in Genting Highlands on Monday — the second such incident involving women from China in the past month.

ABOVE: Entrance to First World Hotel in Genting Highland; BELOW: Police Forensic van arrived to gather evidence of the murder

The latest victim, a 22-year-old, was found face down between two beds in a room on the 18th floor of the First World Hotel on Monday night. She had bruises on her face and was believed to have been strangled. There were no signs of a forced entry into the room and her valuables including her handbag, mobile phone and travel documents were intact. Police are investigating the possibility that the victim could have been involved in vice activities and they are now tracking the man who was last seen going into the room with her. Police have so far detained one suspect, a 52-year-old man from Negri Sembilan, under whose name the room was registered. They believe that he could have been her pimp. He was produced at the Bentong magistrate’s court yesterday where police obtained a 14-day remand order. It is learnt that the victim and two other women from China were taken to the resort on Monday morning by the suspect. Several hours later the other two women tried to contact the victim and when they could not reach her, they contacted the suspect.

ABOVE: The police took the body for a post mortem and BELOW: The evidence in envelopes being collected

The suspect checked the room about 11pm and found the woman. It is learnt that police have seized the tapes from several closed-circuit television cameras in the hotel to help in the investigations. They also recorded statements from the two women. Resorts World Bhd public relations and communications senior vice-president Datuk Anthony Yeo confirmed that the body was found by the man who had earlier booked the room.
On Sept 15, another Chinese woman, Hu Xin Yu, 27, was found murdered in the toilet of her room at the Hotel Classic Inn in Jalan Scott in Brickfields. Police arrested a 27-year-old man from Klang who was charged with her murder.

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MORE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST Datuk LING: Try to Sell STAR in 1989 But UNSUCCESSFUL; APOLOGY Due for BUYING NANYANG & Caused RM100M Loss

UPDATE: Oct 20 06, from the SUN
Community worried about monopoly of Chinese newspaper industry
Translated by Kong See Hoh
PETALING JAYA (Oct 19, 2006): The Chinese community is worried of the near monopoly of the Chinese newspaper industry by media tycoon Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King following his acquisition of a controlling stake in Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd from Huaren Holdings Sdn Bhd on Tuesday. A number of Chinese community leaders have urged MCA to dispose of the rest of its stake in Nanyang Press to free the two dailies under the group - Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press - of their "party paper"tag.

Below are the comments of some of the Chinese leaders published in Oriental Daily News today: Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCH) president Datuk Bong Hon Liong:
Five years ago, the MCA harmed the Chinese media by taking over Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd, against the wishes of the Chinese community. This time around, it dealt the Chinese media another blow by selling the controlling stake in the group to another media owner, resulting in a near monopoly in the Chinese newspaper industry.

MCA's disposal of Nanyang shares has vindicated the Chinese community's opposition to the party's takeover of Nanyang through Huaren. KLSCH urges MCA to dispose of the remaining Nanyang shares held by Huaren to non-media group. KLSCH is against any form of political pressure on media independence and against the monopoly of the press.
Hua Zong (Federation of Chinese Associations in Malaysia) president Datuk Seri Lim Gait Tong: It is good that MCA has decided to get rid of the hot potato because for the past few years, Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press were deemed party papers despite MCA's claims that it did not interfere with the running of the two dailies. With his vast experience in the media and his resources, Tiong's acquisition of Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd might be a good thing for the two dailies but the Chinese community is worried about a monopoly of the (Chinese newspaper) industry. We hope the two papers will continue to maintain their editorial independence and neutrality, and to exercise media professionalism in news reports.

Dong Zong (United Chinese School Committees Association) president Dr
YapSin Tian: MCA's sale of the controlling stake in Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd
proves that its takeover of the group with scant regard for the Chinese community's objection years ago was an unwise decision. There should be healthy competition in the industry and not a monopoly which will hinder the development of a free and independent press. Seven Major Clans Association president Datuk Ng Teck Fong:
Give (Tan Sri) Tiong Hiew King a chance before passing judgment. The survival of an enterprise is closely linked to market direction and Chinese groups should look at the matter (Tiong's acquisition of Nanyang Press) from another angle as eventually the readers decide if a newspaper sinks or swims. There is nothing for Chinese groups to worry about. Don't be afraid that your news won't be published. You can always turn to Oriental
Daily or Kwong Wah Yit Poh.
Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said there is nothing wrong with Tiong gaining controlling of Nanyang Press. "What is important is for the owners to allow their newspapers to remain independent and neutral," he said.
====================
45 NGOs object sale ;Jacqueline-Ann Surin
PETALING JAYA: Forty-five multi-lingual and multi-ethnic civil society organisations yesterday announced their objection to the sale of Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd to media tycoon Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King. "That all top four Chinese dailies are now concentrated in the hand of a party-business alliance is detrimental to press freedom and democratic space in Malaysia," they said in joint statement yesterday. On Tuesday, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting announnced that his party's investment arm, Huaren Holdings Sdn Bhd, was selling down its 41.02% stake in Nanyang to Tiong who controls Sin Chew Media Corporation, publishers of Sin Chew Jit Poh and Guang Ming Daily.

Tiong secures a controlling stake in Nanyang, publishers of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press, by acquiring a 21.02% from Huaren. "Such development calls for reforms in media laws including the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act and the introduction of anti-monopoly clauses," the group - comprising among others, human rights organisations, opposition political parties, independent media and journalist groups, and student groups - said. The joint statement was initiated by Writers Alliance Media Independence, the Civil Rights Committee and Youth Section of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and the Centre for Independent Journalism. The group called for a Parliamentary select committee to be set up to review all media-related laws and to introduce reforms. It noted that the relative independence and critical journalism of Chinese dailies were seriously compromised when Hong Leong Holdings Bhd was forced to sell Nanyang to Huaren in 2001.
"This was after the Chinese press was blamed for the ruling coalition's defeat in the 2000 Lunas by-election," the group said. It said the recent sale of Nanyang would also result in the controlling business interest sidelining certain social issues, or subduing civil society organisations. It called on both the MCA and Tiong to relinquish all their shares in Nanyang Press to non-partisan interests in a transparent manner to increase diversity of ownership in the Malaysian media. It also called for support for Nanyang Press journalists who may now be vulnerable to threats of lay-off and political interference.
Joint Press Statement on 19th October 2006
MCA-Sin Chew's Nanyang Deal underlines need for media laws reform
We, 45 multi-lingual and multiethnic civil society organizations working on diverse issues and political party strongly object to the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA)'s sale of 21.02% shares in Nanyang Press to Ezywood, a company owned by Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King. This deal leaves MCA still controlling 23.38% of Nanyang Press and Tiong holding both 44.76% of the Chinese media conglomerate and Nanyang's rival Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd. That all top four Chinese dailies are now concentrated in the hand of a party-business alliance is detrimental to press freedom and democratic space in Malaysia. Such development calls for reforms in media laws including the repeal of Printing Presses and Publications Act and the introduction of anti-monopoly clauses.
The relatively independent and critical journalism of Chinese dailies are well known to Malaysians across linguistic, ethnic and religious lines. Such qualities were seriously compromised when Hong Leong Holdings was forced to sell Nanyang Press to the MCA investment arm, Huaren Holding, in 2001. This was after the Chinese press was blamed for the ruling coalition's defeat in the 2000 Lunas by-election. This takeover sparked widespread protest within the Chinese community, including boycott of the newspapers.
There have been concerns that the Nanyang takeover was the result of collaboration between MCA and the Sin Chew owner. The Sin Chew group sidelined, censored and blacked out news of the takeover. On the day of takeover, the CEO of Sin Chew Daily groups resigned only to be immediately appointed by Huaren Holding as Nanyang Press's Chief Operation Officer (COO). Since then, Tiong gradually acquired interest in Nanyang Press and by March 2006 controlled a total of 23% of stake through subsidiary companies and proxies. The latest development confirms that MCA and Sin Chew are jointly controlling the Chinese print media. Since the takeover, Nanyang Siang Pao suffered a progressive decline in readership and advertising revenue, resulting in a loss of RM 6,309,000 for the Nanyang Press group in the last financial year.

This proves that the takeover was not only politically unpopular, but also economically not feasible. The latest sales are adding insult to injury, posing an ever greater harm to press freedom and to the interest of journalists and readers. It will not only help increase news control by the Internal Security Ministry, but may also allow the controlling business interest to
sideline certain social issues, and even to subdue civil society organizations.
We therefore make these demands:
1. That a Parliamentary Select Committee be set up to review all media-related laws to introduce important reforms, among others, the repeal of the Printing Presses and Publications Act, and, introducing in relevant legislations the "dominant position" and "substantial lessening of competition"(SLC) clauses as in the Communications and
Multimedia Act.
2. That both the MCA and Tiong relinquish all their shares in the Nanyang Press to non-partisan interests, in a transparent manner that will increase diversity of ownership in the Malaysian media.

3. That the society lends support to the Nanyang Press journalists who
are now more vulnerable than ever to the threats of lay-off and political interference.
Endorsing Groups: 1. Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI)
2. Civil Rights Committee, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly
Hall (CRC-KLSCAH) 3. Youth Section, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall 4. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
5. Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) 6. National Human Rights Society (HAKAM)
7. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) 8. Charter2000-Aliran 9. Parti Keadilan Rakyat(PKR) 10. Parti Sosialis Malaysia 11. DAP Socialist Youth 12. Malaysiakini 13. Merderkareview 14. The Free Media 15. Indigenous and Peasant Movement Sarawak (Panggau Sarawak) 16. Community Development Centre 17. ArtisProActiv 18. Research for Social Advancement (REFSA) 19. Tenaganita (Women's Force) 20. Labour Resource Centre 21.Women's Development Collective (WDC) 22. Pusat Janadaya Berhad (EMPOWER) 23. Center for Orang Asli Concerns(COAC) 24. Save OurSelves (SOS) 25. Malaysian Voters Union (MALVU) 26. Monitoring Sustainable Globalization (MSN) 27. Group of Concern Citizen 28. Persekutuan Persatuan-Persatuan Lembaga Pengurus Sekolah Cina Malaysia (Dong Zong) 29. Jawatankuasa Mempertahankan Sekolah Asal Damansara & Memohon Sekolah Kedua?SOS Damansara? 30. Persatuan Ibubapa SJK(C) Malaysia 31. Persatuan Siswazah-siswazah Taiwan Cheng Kung University 32.Persatuan Alumnin Persatuan Bahasa Tionghua USM (LIHUA) Selangor and KL 33. Persatuan Peniaga Barang Logam Melaka 34. Youth Section, Malacca Chinese Assembly Hall 35. Bahagian Pemuda Persatuan Kwang Tung Rawang 36. Bahagian Pemuda Persatuan Wui Leng Selangor & KL 37. Youth Section ,Selangor Hokkien Association 38. Malaysia Youth and Students Democratic Movement (DEMA) 39. Inter-Varsity Council 40. Youth for Change (Y4C)
41. New Era College Students Union 42. University Malaya Association of New Youth (UMANY) 43. University Malaya Chinese Language Society 44. Persatuan Bahasa Tiong Hua USM 45. Student Progressive Front USM
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This signature campaign is initiated by Writers Alliance Media Independence (WAMI), Civil Rights Committee and Youth Section of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) and Centre for Independent Journalism.Issued by Mr Ser Choon Ing, Chairperson, Civil Rights Committee, KLSCAH Mr Wong Chin Huat, Chairperson, Writers Alliance Media Independence (WAMI)

Mr Tan Soon Lim, President, Youth Section, KLSCAH Ms Sonia Randhawa, Executive Director, Centre for Independent Jounalism
MD: Acquisition is positive

PETALING JAYA (Oct 19, 2006): Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd managing director Gan Chin Kew said the group looks at the acquisition move positively and welcomes Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King's buying into the group. He said based on Tiong's excellent record in the media industry and is passion for Chinese publications, "we are convinced he will take Nanyang to new heights." He said following the takeover, Nanyang will remain an independent media group and will provide healthy competition for other media
groups to benefit the Chinese community. Gan said there will be no change in the editorial policies of the two dailies and other publications under the group, and promises to give readers the best in information and services.
===end update

ABOVE: Datuk Lim & Datuk Ling in the good old days before the fallout & rivalry

Old wounds are opening between Former MCA deputy president Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek and former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik. Datuk Lim alleges that Datuk Ling was not instrumental in the purchase of the STAR Newspaper but it was Datuk Lee San Choon, also a former MCA President. He also demanded an apology from Datuk Ling for the RM200 loss so far in the purchase of Nanyang Siang Pau & China Press newspapers and he was solely responsible and causd losses up to RM100 million.

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Former MCA deputy president Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek: " I would like to put the record straight, that Dr Ling had nothing to do with the effort to acquire The Star by Huaren. It was during the time of former MCA president Tan Sri Lee San Choon.."

Ling Tried To Sell The Star But Was Unsuccessful, Says Lim; October 19, 2006 21:54 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Former MCA deputy president Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek Thursday alleged that former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik had actually tried to sell Huaren Holdings Berhad's stake in The Star Publications in 1989, but had been unsuccessful. Huaren Holdings Berhad its MCA's wholly owned investment arm. He said that Dr Ling had tried to sell Huaren's 39 per cent stake in the English newspaper to Malaysian Plantations Bhd, a subsidiary of Kamunting Corporation, which Lim claimed at that time was controlled by Dr Ling's good friend, Lim Thian Kiat.

"I would like to put the record straight, that Dr Ling had nothing to do with the effort to acquire The Star by Huaren. It was during the time of former MCA president Tan Sri Lee San Choon that Huaren acquired a majority stake in Star Publications. "In Nov 1989, Dr Ling actually tried to dispose off all of Huaren's 39 per cent stake in The Star to Malaysian Plantation Berhad to try and free Huaren from the bulk of its debts," he told reporters here Thursday.

ABOVE: Datuk Ling claimed credit for purchase of the now successful STAR Publication

Lim said that he was bringing this up now as "Dr Ling had tried to claim credit" for the Star purchase in his press conference on Wednesday by implying that it was during his leadership that the MCA bought the majority stake in the media group. He said that it was because of MCA veteran and central committee (CC) member Datuk Wong Mok Leong's objection that the plan was aborted. "Datuk Wong Mok Leong prevented the disposal. And today, Huaren's stake in The Star is worth more than one billion Ringgit," he said, while showing the minutes of the Nov 12, 1989 CC meeting on it to the press. It had noted Wong's objection to the attempt to dispose the Star stake. Lim said that at the time, Wong was also a director of the Star. He also said that it resulted in Wong being removed MCA's Presidential Council and other party posts, except as a CC member, because it was an elected position.
Wong who is still in the CC, is its longest serving member.

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Ling Must Apologise For Nanyang Debacle, Says Ah Lek; October 19, 2006 18:20 PM ;By Alan Ting
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Describing MCA's takeover of two Chinese newspapers under the Nanyang group in 2001 as a debacle, the party's former deputy president wants former president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik to apologise to the Chinese community for it, saying Dr Ling was "solely responsible" for the controversial deal.

Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek told a press conference Thursday that Dr Ling was responsible for bulldozing the acquisition of Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press, owned by Nanyang Press Holdings Bhd, and which the party's investment arm Huaren Holdings Bhd finally disposed of on Tuesday. Lim estimated that Huaren, which was bleeding from the investment, lost at least RM100 million on the deal in the five years. Huaren reduced its stake in Nanyang to 21 per cent from a controlling 42 per cent, selling at RM4.20 per share from RM5.50 when it acquired the stake.

The shares were sold to Ezywood Options Sdn Bhd, which is controlled by Sarawak timber and media tycoon Tan Sri Tiong Hew King. Tiong also owns Sin Chew Media Corp Bhd, publishers of Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia's largest Chinese newspaper, and Guang Ming Daily. The takeover of the two newspapers led to a crisis in the country's second biggest political party, splitting it into two camps, one headed by Dr Ling and the other by Lim. Both resigned from the leadership in 2003 under a "peace deal" brokered by then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. "He was the sole person responsible for it. Without Dr Ling, as the president of the party, there would be no acquisition of Nanyang. It's a fact, he cannot deny that," Lim said.

Lim said Dr Ling had continued to push for the deal despite the fact that it received strong protests from Chinese associations while a large number of party members were against it. Lim referred to press reports that MCA had to pay RM50 million just to service the interest on the loan it took to acquire Nanyang. "Based on depreciation per share, we can see the losses, at least or close to RM100 million," he added. And he issued this challenge to his ex-party boss: "If he is gentleman enough, he must come forward to apologise to the Chinese community, to all the party members. He must do it at least, it is still not too late to do so". "Stop blaming other people, especially present leaders. They (the present leaders) were misled into accepting his motive for the deal. He must apologise," Lim repeated. Lim also said that the Chinese community in the country still had not forgiven the MCA for acting against their wishes, even prompting a boycott of Nanyang Siang Pau. But he praised the present MCA leadership for taking the bold decision to dispose of the controlling stake in order to cut losses that the party had to incur.

"This is my personal view. When you inherit a sick vehicle and to avoid it being disastrous, I congratulate the leadership for disposing it. Without the Chinese community's support, the newspaper would be dying," he said. Earlier, former MCA Vice-President Datuk Chua Jui Meng said he welcomed the sale of the controlling stake as "its was right move to stop the bleeding and further harm to the party". Chua was among the MCA leaders who were openly against the takeover of the newspapers and aligned himself with the so-called "Team B" headed by Lim. "It's a very painful decision for the party but it is a necessary surgical move," said the former Health Minister," who lost in his bid for the MCA presidency last year against Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting. "In 2001, we already knew that they would sell it to Tan Sri Tiong. We knew this was going to happen. It's just matter of time.

And time has revealed all and it has taken five painful years for us to know what transpired," he told reporters after officiating a beauty salon at Taman Tun Dr Ismail here. Chua said he hoped Tiong would keep his promise not interfere in the editorial decision and would let the professionals to manage Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press. "If not, the people will act and move again. Many people will watch the development of the media being controlled by Tiong," he added. Tiong, dubbed the "Rupert Murdoch of Malaysia" now controls four Chinese newspapers -- Sin Chew Daily, Guang Ming Daily and the latest Nanyang Siang Pau and China Press.
He also owns Ming Pao, a Chinese daily in Hong Kong and numerous other Chinese publications locally and abroad.

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Dr Mahathir Also Has No Conditions For Meeting but Need 2 DAYS Notice; ZAM: PM-Dr M Meeting-Wishes of People; 11 ISA Detainees -6 KMM & 5 JI Released

Update October 19, 2006 18:06 PM ;

Reactions to Meeting from Tun Musa Hittam, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob & Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

PAk Lah-Dr M Meeting A Good Thing, Says Musa Hitam
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The "four- eyes" meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will have a positive impact on the people and nation, said former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam.He said the meeting is not only anticipated by the people but also by the international community who had an interest in happenings in Malaysia.

"I think this is a good thing especially during the fasting month of Ramadan and with Hari Raya just around the corner. Everyone is waiting with high hopes that it (meeting) will help calm down the situation in the country."In the spirit of Ramadan and honesty on both sides, InsyaAllah (Godwilling) an agreement can be reached and in this situation, the result can only be positive," he said when commenting on the proposed meeting between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir that is expected before Hari Raya next week.He said this to reporters after launching the World Islamic Businesswomen Network (WIBN) and World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation (WIEF) websites here Thursday.

The meeting of the two leaders was mooted by the Former Elected Representatives Council (Mubarak) aimed at calming the strained relationship between them.On the decision by Abdullah to have a closed-door meeting with Dr Mahathir, without the presence of a third party, Musa said it was for the best so that Abdullah and Dr Mahathir could present their thoughts and views."A four-eyes meeting is the best. Care must also be taken as the presence of a third party may lead to all sorts of speculation. Psychologically, it (four-eyes meeting) is more positive," he said.Musa was confident that the two leaders did not want a negative result from the meeting and that they were prepared to re-foster a close relationship just like when they were Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister respectively.

In KUANTAN, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the fact that Abdullah and Dr Mahathir agreeing to the meeting showed their honesty and humble attitude.He said that the meeting was much anticipated not only by Umno members and the Malays but also Malaysians irrespective of race."I have always believed that this matter can be resolved as in the history of Umno, no problem cannot be resolved. However, being just a small leader, who am I to say.

Tun Dr Mahathir has been criticising the government for eight or nine months now. InsyAllah, it will be resolved in four months," he told reporters after presenting RM200 each to 524 needy people on behalf of Yayasan Pahang. Adnan said that the two leaders should be given due respect and hoped the meeting would produce a good result to calm their strained relationship.

PM's Willingness To Meet Dr M Reflects His Sincerity, Says Najib; October 18, 2006 20:41 PM
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's willingness to meet with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to resolve whatever problems between them reflects the Prime Minister's sincerity although he had been harshly criticised earlier, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The Deputy Prime Minister said Abdullah's willingness to meet with the former prime minister was something that was highly appreciated by the rakyat, particularly Umno members." The time is right for the Prime Minister and Tun Dr Mahathir to meet as it is also the wish of the majority of Umno members that both leaders could meet and have a heart-to-heart talk," he told reporters, here Wednesday.

Najib had earlier paid a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont who is here on a one-day official visit. Commenting further on the impending meeting between the two leaders, Najib said he was confident that all problems and dissatisfaction between the two could be voiced out in an amicable manner at the closed-door meeting. "This matter cannot be resolved through public statements. If they can meet and have a heart-to-heart talk, they can voice out everything in private and maybe it will be easier for them to explain whatever issues and the decision made by the government," he said. Najib, who is also Umno deputy president, said he and the party members certainly hoped that there would be a significant change in the relationship between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir after the meeting.

"We hope there will be a change, but we have to wait and see what happens at the meeting," he said. The press today reported that Dr Mahathir had agreed to have a meeting with the Prime Minister very soon to ease tension between the two. Abdullah, when commenting on the statement here today, said he was willing to meet with the former national leader to have a heart-to-heart talk. Relations between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir became tense following the harsh criticism made by the former prime minister with regard to several decisions made by the Abdullah administration, including the cancellation of the bridge project to replace the Johor causeway.

"No Conditions necessary" says Dr Mahathir
"Ok, we meet before Raya"says PM Abdullah

JITRA, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not setting any conditions for the proposed meeting with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi before Aidilfitri.
"I have no conditions for the meeting with Pak Lah, but please let me know two days beforehand. Don't let me know the same day the meeting is to be held, and also there are only about five days left," he told reporters when commenting on the Prime Minister's readiness to meet him.
Dr Mahathir was met after breaking fast with the people at the Kampung Naga Mosque near here Wednesday.
The former prime minister was accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and son, Datuk Mukhriz
Dr Mahathir set the ball rolling in Langkawi yesterday when he expressed his willingness to meet Abdullah to resolve their strained relationship over issues he had raised, including the scrapping of the scenic bridge project to replace the Johor causeway.
"If I'm informed late it would be difficult because I have my own programmes which are quite difficult to cancel at the eleventh hour. I will be here for the rest of this Ramadan, I am not going anywhere," he said.
Dr Mahathir said that he would inform the Prime Minister what he had told the Malaysian Council of Former State Assemblymen (Mubarak), but was not ready to disclose them.
"Let's wait. Who knows, I might be afraid to talk about it then," he said amidst laughter from the people mingling around him.
Asked whether he would attend the Umno General Assembly in November, he said he would if he was invited by the party president.
Dr Mahathir also gave out rice, batik and pelikat sarongs, clothing and cash to 40 needy people at the mosque.
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October 18, 2006 23:20 PM

Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin: "Pak Lah (Abdullah) has also never said that he did not want to meet Dr Mahathir. Maybe he was waiting for the right moment, and the Ramadan month is an appropriate time to do so"

Agreeing To Meet Dr M Proof PM Understands Wishes Of The People, Says Zam

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi agreeing to meet Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad showed that the Prime Minister understood the people's wishes for the need to have a harmonious atmosphere in the country."Pak Lah (Abdullah) has also never said that he did not want to meet Dr Mahathir. Maybe he was waiting for the right moment, and the Ramadan month is an appropriate time to do so," he said.

Speaking to reporters after a breaking-of-the-fast function organised by his ministry here Wednesday, Zainuddin hoped no pre-conditions would be set by either party in efforts to improve the relationship between them.He was asked to comment on Abdullah's willingness to meet Dr Mahathir before Hari Raya to hear the views of the former prime minister on the former's leadership.The meeting between them was mooted by Mubarak, the association for former elected representatives, to resolve their testy relationship.

Dr Mahathir, when speaking to reporters in Langkawi Tuesday, said that he was willing to have a meeting with Abdullah before Hari Raya. Relations between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir became tense following the harsh criticisms made by the former prime minister with regard to several decisions made by the Abdullah administration, including the cancellation of the bridge project to replace the Johor causeway.

Zainuddin said that all quarters hoped the meeting would proceed smoothly."What is important is to give confidence to the people on Umno's stability. Dr Mahathir is also an Umno member. The people want to see Umno strong. If Umno is weak, not only the Malays will feel jittery but also non-Malays," he said.The minister said that it was the hope of all Malaysians that the tiff between them would be resolved, or at least no new problems crop up."The ongoing problem between them does not augur well for the nation. As for me it is Pak Lah's time now. Mahathir had his time," he said, adding that the question of Dr Mahathir not being respected did not arise as the former prime minister was held in high regard by everyone.

Abdullah too always had the solid the support of the people, he said."Nevertheless, he (Abdullah) would not want his administration of the country jeopardised. If Dr Mahathir feels there are problems, these should be thrashed out behind close doors and not in the open," he added.

11 ISA Detainees Comprising Former KMM And JI Members Released Wednesday; October 18, 2006 23:21 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Eleven people detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for the past several years were released Wednesday, said Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum.
He said six of the people released were former members of the Malaysian Militant Group (KMM) while the other five were members of the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) movement.
The detainees, including Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's son, Nik Adli, were released after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is Internal Security Minister, signed their release papers.
The people released Wednesday were:

"Hi, Papa long time no see" says Nik Adil; Nik Aziz " Hi, Adil, how's Kamunting?"

KMM members:

1. Zainon Ismail (Kedah).
2. Ahmad Tauzi Tarman (Sepang, Selangor)
3. Nik Adli Nik Aziz (Kelantan)
4. Md Lotfi Ariffin (Baling)
5. Zid Saharani Mohamad Isa (Perak Tengah)
6. Mohd Rafi Udin (Cheras)
JI members:
1. Abdul Samad bin Shukri Mohamad (Ampang, Kuala Lumpur)
2. Mazlan Ishak (Kajang)
3. Syed Ali Syed Abdullah, (Subang Jaya)
4. Alias Sani (Sandakan)
5. Abdul Manaf Kasmuri (Kelang)
Johari said the release letters were later handed over to the detainees who had been brought to the Bukit Aman Police Remand Centre (PRC), here from the ISA Detention Centre in Kamunting, Perak Tuesday before their release at 9 am Wednesday.
"We released them because we (Internal Security Ministry) are satisfied with their actions (which no longer jeopardise national security), but they were freed subject to conditions, that is, if they want to leave their area, they must report to the police first," he told reporters at a breaking of the fast at the Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters.
He said the restriction would be imposed on them indefinitely until the ministry was satisfied with their actions.
Asked whether there would be any more ISA detainees to be released before the Hari Raya, Johari merely said: "We will release them if we are satisfied".
He said to date, the number of people detained under the ISA was less than 100.
Since 2001, the police had carried out three phases of detention against KMM members when they were found to have links with the Jemaah Islamiah militant movement in Singapore and Indonesia, which intended to topple the government using force in the name of `jihad'.
During that time, about 70 people, including local university lecturers and professionals, were detained under the ISA for being involved with the KMM activities.

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MORE PICS-USM Post Graduate Student, Boyfriend & Man Charged - Peddling Pirated Discs, Released RM7000 Bail; Another Raid-RM1.38 Mil at MAS CARGO-KLIA

A female post graduate USM (University Science Malaysia, Penang)student together with her boyfriend and another man was charged in the Penang Session court for peddling VCD & DVD via the internet.

ABOVE & BELOW: The shy couple shielding their faces from the press photographers

All three claimed trial to the charges.Huan Su Ling 25 her boyfriend Poh Wee Leng 30 & businessman Teoh Kee Hean 33 were charged under Section 4 (1) (g) of the Copyright Act 1987 and be liable to a a minimum fine of RM2,000 for each piece of DVD or to two years’ imprisonment or both. They all pleaded not guilty. Session courts president fixed Nov 17 06 for re-mentioning of the case and allowed eased on bail of RM7,000 each.

BELOW: The shy businessman also covered up his face

and MORE details from NST Report

IT whizzkid in court over movie piracy; 18 Oct 2006

---

GEORGE TOWN: An ITwhizzkid, who has represented the country in international seminars and is now doing her Master’s degree in sociology, was charged yesterday with selling pirated DVD movies over the Internet.
Huan Su Ling, 25, and her friend, Poh Wee Leng, 30, who is doing a Master’s degree in business administration, pleaded not guilty. Huan went to Brazil several years ago to represent her university at an IT seminar.
The two were brought to the Sessions Court in handcuffs, but appeared relaxed and chatted nonchalantly as they sat in the dock waiting for proceedings to begin.
Huan, of Solok Tembaga near here, and Poh, of Petaling Jaya, Selangor, were jointly charged with three counts of selling pirated DVD movies. They were accused of selling four English movie titles in the form of pirated DVDs at No 18, Solok Tembaga Dua in Island Park, about 1pm on Oct 12.

The two were alleged to have been in possession of a copy each of the pirated movies Garfield, Garfield — Tales of Two Kitties, The Da Vinci Code and Mean Girl. The first two titles are owned by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment while the other two belong to Columbia Pictures and Paramount Pictures, respectively.
Huan and Poh were charged under Section 41(1)(b) of the Copyright Act 1987. They face fines of up to RM20,000 per disc seized or five years’ jail, or both.
They were represented by R.S.N. Rayer while prosecution was conducted by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry’s prosecuting officer Hashim Hassan. Judge Hadhariah Syed Ismail set bail at RM7,000 each in one surety and fixed Nov 17 for the mention. Both the accused posted bail.
It was reported that the accused had allegedly made a windfall operating one of the most active websites linked to the supply of pirated discs worldwide.
Documents seized from the suspects showed that they could have raked in as much as RM1 million in the past one year from their operations.
Their activities came to a halt when officers from the ministry’s Internet Piracy team and representatives from the Motion Pictures Association conducted simultaneous raids on two houses in Jelutong and Ayer Itam. Earlier in the same court, a 33-year-old businessman also claimed trial to selling pirated DVD movies.
Teoh Kee Hean of Ayer Itam is alleged to have committed the offence in an apartment at Tingkat Paya Terubong, Paya Terubong, around midnight on Oct 12. He allegedly had two copies each of the movies Poseidon and Superman Returns. Hadhariah set bail at RM7,000 in one surety and fixed Nov 17 for mention.

Meanwhile in the MAS Export cargo complex on tip off, enforcement officers confiscated illegal VCD & DVD discs worth a total ot RM1.38 million to Middle East destination.

= = = = = = = Report from STAR
Wednesday October 18, 2006; RM1.3mil in pirated discs seized; By SYED AZHAR
PUTRAJAYA: Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry enforcement officers here seized pirated movie DVDs worth RM1.382mil meant for the Middle East market at the MAS Cargo complex on Monday. It was the biggest such seizure this year.

ABOVE: En Roslan with the seized unpacked movie compact discs reday for export

The ministry’s enforcement director-general Roslan Mahyuddin said its Export Unit enforcement officers initially seized a consignment of 104 boxes containing 106,200 pieces of DVDs, to be sent to Doha in Qatar, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Nairobi.
“Following this, the unit then hauled in 33 (more) boxes that contained 32,000 units of DVD meant for the Amman and Jordan markets,” he told reporters at a press conference at the ministry’s office here yesterday.
“We have reason to believe that this syndicate was sending the consignment to the respective destinations after receiving orders via the Internet.
“This is one of the latest techniques used by the syndicate to sell pirated movie DVDs overseas.”
Roslan said nobody had been arrested in connection with the case yet, but enforcement officers had information on the sender and receiver, obtained from the airway bills.
“We know that the factory is based in Negri Sembilan and we will be moving in on it soon to get to the bottom of this matter,” he added.
He also said that those caught with pirated discs could be charged under Section 4 (1) (g) of the Copyright Act 1987 and be liable to a a minimum fine of RM2,000 for each piece of DVD or to two years’ imprisonment or both.
“Those caught producing the DVDs are liable under Section 19 (1) of the Optic Discs 2000, which carries a penalty of RM250,000 for each machine seized, while the directors are also liable to be fined up to RM150,000 or be jailed for three years, or both.
“We will soon send the DVDs to the chemistry department to determine the type of machine used to produce the DVDs,” Roslan added.
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Moredetails from the NST

Raid foils RM1.38m pirated DVD shipment ;18 Oct 2006;Lee Shi-Ian
PUTRAJAYA: The 137 boxes were neatly packed and waiting to be transferred to the plane to be flown to Doha, Abu Dhabi, Nairobi and Amman.
The invoices even brazenly declared that they were DVDs being exported to these destinations.

When enforcement officers from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry raided the Malaysia Airlines Cargo Complex at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and opened the boxes, they discovered 138,000 pirated optical discs.
The haul, valued at RM1.38 million, is believed to be one of the biggest ever. Each disc contained up to five films.
During the raid led by the ministry’s export unit head Md Zaki Samad following a tip-off, the officers found invoices and dispatch orders detailing the consignment and their destination.
Of the 137 boxes, 65 (containing 77,300 DVDs) were bound for the United Arab Emirates, 27 (21,700) for Qatar, 33 (32,000) for Jordan and 12 (7,200) for Kenya.
Ministry director-general Mohd Roslan Mahayudin said the size of the seizure showed the syndicates had shifted their attention from the local market to the international scene.
"There have been seizures at exit points in the country in the past but never such a vast quantity in one location.
"Multiple movies featuring actors such as Jean-Claude Van Damme were found in the discs. The other stars included Al Pacino, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt," he said.
It is estimated that each disc was to be sold abroad at US$8 (RM30) to US$34 — a lucrative profit for the syndicate.
Roslan said if the shipment had left the country, it would have damaged the country’s stance on piracy.
"We have worked hard to repair our image with constant enforcement but this shipment would have been a major setback."
It is learnt that although no arrests were made, the addresses of the sender and receiver are now in the hands of the officers and they were tracing them to check if they are genuine. The sender has been listed as a company based in Negri Sembilan.

It has been learnt that the syndicate commissioned local factories to produce the DVDs. The serial numbers were scratched out but the officers are confident of tracing the origins of the discs.
If a licensed factory is found to have manufactured the discs for the syndicate, it faces a RM250,000 fine and also seizure of all its equipment.

The factory’s directors could face a RM150,000 fine or three years’ jail or both.

==========+==
…..more how the Peddlers survive by adapting
Cyber pedlars find ways to stay one step ahead; 16 Oct 2006
GEORGE TOWN: The arrest of a couple for selling pirated DVDs online here last week may only be scratching the surface of the phenomenon.
Sources said the number of Internet-based pirated disc pedlars has increased steadily over the last few years as conventional sale methods were hit by crackdowns.
"Life has been difficult for the roadside pedlars and those operating in permanent premises," a Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry source said.
"As such, it is not surprising that they are transforming into cyber pedlars."
They are operating individually or in small groups and have links to big players in the state. Penang enforcement chief M. Guna Selan said it was possible there were now more cyber pirates in the state.
"We are keeping tabs on their activities with help from the Motion Pictures Association representatives," he said. The lure of cyberspace is its safer environment and bigger profit margins.
Another attraction is that the pedlars need not carry large stocks of the illegal wares. Since they are only dealing with foreign clients, the pedlars have built firewalls to shield themselves from the authorities.” Their websites are attached to servers overseas, in the United States and the European countries, which buy them a bit more time.
"They can also quickly build new websites and shift their operations to a new location when detected," said a source. They are also finding new ways to stay a step ahead of enforcement agencies. Recently; some cyber pedlars began delivering their goods in smaller packages, using thick boxes.
This prevented the scanners at airports picking out their consignments.
"Sending big or bulky parcels would attract the attention of the enforcement officers."

see also previous posting;

MORE Pics - Couple RAKING in RM100,000 Per MONTH Caught in PENANG Distributing VCD & DVD OPTICAL DISCS Via WEBSITE & SENDING By Courier Service

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Dr MAHATHIR Offers to meet PM ABDULLAH – Resolve Differences?; Malaysia Risks UNREST Without Ethnic Quotas; Reform Policy for Bumiputras?

MAHATHIR OFFERS TO MEET ABDULLAH Before HARI RAYA

UPDATE: October 18, 2006 18:26 PM

Abdullah Says He Will Meet Dr Mahathir; October 18, 2006 18:26 PM
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Wednesday he was ready to meet former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and expressed the hope that the meeting would bring mutual benefit.
The prime minister said no conditions would be set for the four-eyed meeting. He declined to reveal the date or the place of the meeting. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is expected to fall next Tuesday.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a jovial mood confirmed the four-eyed meeting

"This is a meeting between the both of us. It is not necessary to have a third party," he told reporters after meeting Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont of Thailand who had called on him at his office, here.
Abdullah said he would not raise any issue at the meeting with Dr Mahathir.
The meeting has come about following a suggestion by Mubarak, the council of former elected representatives, to ease the tension in the relationship between the two men.
Dr Mahathir said Tuesday that he was ready to meet the prime minister before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Tension developed in the relationship between the two men after Dr Mahathir openly criticised the leadership of Abdullah, including the latter's decision to cancel the proposed bridge to replace the Johor Causeway linking Malaysia and Singapore.
Asked whether he was hopeful that all the criticism directed at him would cease following the meeting, Abdullah said: "God willing".
Abdullah also confirmed that attempts made for them to meet earlier failed owing to a lack of suitable dates.
Dr Mahathir reportedly said yesterday that he would raise again the issues that he has been keeping in his heart since he left the government.
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October 18, 2006 18:27 PM

Abdullah Confirms Signing Release Papers For Nik Adli
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he has signed the release letter for Kelantan Menteri Besar's son, Nik Adli Nik Aziz, who was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) since 2001.

"(I) already signed (it)," he said at a media conference after a meeting with the new Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, here Wednesday.

Nik Adli, 38, a former teacher of Sekolah Menengah Agama Darul Anwar, Pulau Melaka, Kota Baharu, was detained under Section 73(1) ISA on Ayg 4 2001 as he was suspected of having links with the Kumpulan Militan Malaysia (KMM) movement.
Abdullah, who is also the Internal Security Minister, declined to disclose the actual date Nik Adli would be released,
"Be patient. Go to Kota Baharu and wait to take pictures when he meets his father later," the Prime Minister said.

Asked whether the release would be before or after Aidilfitri, he said: "As soon as the letter reaches him."
When pressed further on the date the release letter would reach Nik Adli, Abdullah replied in jest: "(It) depends on the postman."

Asked on the other five individuals who were detained with Nik Adli five years ago, he said: "Be patient."
Tuesday, a lawyer, who declined to be quoted, said Nik Adli was believed to be released together with five other ISA detainees before the Hari Raya.
According to the lawyer, all the six detainees had been taken to the Police Remand Centre (PRC) in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur from the ISA Detention Centre in Kamunting, Perak.

Normally, all ISA detainees are taken to the PRC first as final preparation before being released.

- - -end update

Dr M Agrees To Meet Abdullah ; October 17, 2006 20:25 PM
LANGKAWI, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has agreed to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi soon to settle their differences.
The former prime minister said he was willing to meet Abdullah as proposed recently by Mubarak, the former elected representatives' council.
"I agree. Just waiting for the appointment. (As) PM (Prime Minister), he has a tight schedule," he told reporters after meeting seven Muslim community leaders from southern Thailand at Kampung Tok Senik, Resort here Tuesday.
Asked whether he agreed for the meeting to be arranged during the holy month of Ramadan, Dr Mahathir, who is also former Umno president, said he also agreed if the meeting could be held before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
"At the meeting I will raise again the issues that I've been keeping in my heart since I left the government.
"It's up to the prime minister (whether to accept or reject)," he said.
Asked what are the issues he intend to raise at the meeting, Dr Mahathir merely said: "Wait for the meeting day."
"Yes, that's it," was his short response when pressed whether he would raise again the same issues he had voiced out before.
The former prime minister had criticised Abdullah's leadership over several decisions made by the latter's administration including cancelling the "scenic" bridge project to replace the Johor Causeway linking Malaysia and Singapore.The project was initiated by Dr Mahathir during his premiership.
On his 30-minute meeting with the Thai Muslim community leaders led by Mudir Maahad Darul Makrifah, head of a religious school from Pattani, he said discussions centred on the needs of the Thai Muslim community including drug menace, unemployment and requirement for more mosques.
Dr Mahathir said he agreed to raise funds to build a mosque in Pasir Jawa at Pattani province for the religious needs of the Muslims there.
"I don't know the cost yet. We've not drawn the plan yet," he told the press conference also attended by Langkawi Member of Parliament Datuk Abu Bakar Taib. Dr Mahathir said building a mosque in southern Thailand was his first contribution in the southern province of a neighbouring country after he retired as prime minister.
According to the initial proposal, the mosque would be named "Masjid Aman", he said.
Dr Mahathir said today's meeting with the Thai Muslim leaders was to fulfil their wish to meet him and to break fast together.
"I was not given the mandate by anybody to meet the leaders," he added.
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and here’s the STAR’s Account of the story
Dr M agrees to a meeting to voice his grievances;
By JOCELINE TAN and SIRA HABIBU, Wednesday October 18, 2006
KUALA LUMPUR: A fresh attempt is being made to get Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to end their feud ahead of Hari Raya and the Umno general assembly next month.
The mediation effort is being quietly organised by a group of Umno veterans who want to bring the two leaders together for a private meeting.
Yesterday, Dr Mahathir revealed that the proposal to meet the Prime Minister was made by Mubarak, the association of former Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen, which had advised the former premier to express his sentiments to Abdullah.
Dr Mahathir said he was ready to meet Abdullah before Hari Raya to tell him about “all my grievances and after that, it is up to the Prime Minister”.
“The Mubarak members asked me to pour my heart out to the Prime Minister. I have agreed, and the only thing is the date and time. It is up to the Prime Minister now. I understand he has a lot of work,” he told newsmen in Langkawi.
Asked about the grievances, he said: “There are many. I have spoken of them before.” Hari Raya is expected to fall on Monday or Tuesday, while the Umno general assembly is set to begin on Nov 13 at the Putra World Trade Centre here.
Sources said a meeting scheduled for last Wednesday evening was put off at the eleventh hour on Dr Mahathir’s suggestion because of their tight schedules.
Both had their own buka puasa appointments and Abdullah was scheduled to fly off at 5am the next morning to perform the umrah.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad had earlier hinted at such an effort, saying “something nice” would happen between the two men during the fasting month.
However, he refused to elaborate when pressed for details. It is understood that Radzi, who is also Home Affairs Minister, is working behind the scenes to arrange a new date for the meeting.
An earlier effort to bring together Dr Mahathir and Abdullah to end their fallout and said to involve former Umno secretary-general Tun Khalil Yaakob, failed because some Umno leaders felt it was not appropriate to involve Khalil, who is now the Yang di-Pertua Negri of Malacca.
Although the mediation move in July was denied, Dr Mahathir later confirmed that there had been such an effort. several Umno leaders contacted yesterday said they looked forward to the meeting but cautioned that the matter should be handled delicately.
A Cabinet minister, who declined to be named, said he hoped the “effort is for real this time” as it would be good for the country’s political stability. Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib described the development as positive for Umno and the country.
“It’s better for the two leaders to sit down and talk rather than for Tun Mahathir to go around the country criticising the Government. In that way, they can sort out these issues in private rather than in the media,” he said.
As to whether the Prime Minister would be open to the meeting, Muhammad said: “Pak Lah is always prepared to meet people for the good of the country.”

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Malaysia Risks Instability Without Ethnic Quotas, Mahathir Says
By Angus Whitley and Haslinda Amin
Oct. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Malaysia risks returning to racial unrest without policies that give preferential treatment to the ethnic Malay majority, former Premier Mahathir Mohamad said.
The 35-year-old affirmative action program, introduced after clashes between Malays and ethnic Chinese in 1969, aims to increase the wealth of the nation's poorest grouping through benefits ranging from cheaper housing to greater access to initial public offerings. Still, an independent report this year said government targets to address the imbalance have been met, and some critics are calling for the policy to be scrapped.
Instability ``could very well return'' without the program, Mahathir, 80, said in an interview. ``We don't want to go back to the pre-1969 situation.''
The former prime minister, who led Malaysia from 1981 to 2003, said he rejected the findings of the report by the Kuala Lumpur-based Centre for Public Policy Studies.
Ethnic Malays, or bumiputras, which literally means ``sons of the soil,'' have become richer under the 1971 New Economic Policy. Companies planning IPOs must sell 30 percent of the stock to the grouping, a rule that may be crimping competition and deterring investors.
``From pure investment terms, you just want absolute meritocracy,'' said Hugh Young, who helps manage $25 billion in assets at Aberdeen Asset Management in Singapore. ``Every pure investor would prefer'' the policy to be eased, he said, though he added that he understood why the program exists.
Study Required
The February report by the Centre for Public Policy Studies said bumiputras may own as much as 45 percent of Malaysia's corporate equity. That was higher than the government estimate of 19 percent in 2004, calculated using a different methodology, and surpasses the New Economic Policy's goal of 30 percent.
A sudden unwinding of the program might jeopardize everything it has achieved, Mahathir said in the Oct. 9 interview. Before 1969, ethnic Malay wealth equated to only 2 percent of the economy, he said.
``When we want to reduce the support we have to really study'' the consequences, Mahathir said. ``Even if you feel that you should do away with this policy, it has to be done slowly because we have to see the effect first.''
The debate over the policy's merits intensified Oct. 10 when the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, owner of the Centre for Public Policy Studies, retracted the report's conclusions after the government disputed the study.
Political Pressure
Lim Teck Ghee, director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies, quit Oct. 11 in protest, and the opposing Democratic Action Party accused ASLI, as it's known, of bowing to political pressure. The ruling United Malays National Organisation, or UMNO, leads the National Front coalition that has governed Malaysia since 1957.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Oct. 13 that the government's estimate of ethnic Malay wealth was correct.
Still, the New Economic Policy has helped increase the country's annual per capita income to 17,714 ringgit ($4,810) last year from 860 ringgit in 1970, government figures showed.
As of 2004, the Chinese community owned 39 percent of businesses in Malaysia, the government said in a March report, with ethnic Malays owning 18.9 percent.

``The NEP is about giving wealth to the whole country,'' Mahathir said in the interview. ``That has of course avoided any conflict in the country.''
Malaysia's southern neighbor, Singapore, seeks to manage racial tension by applying quotas for Chinese, Indians and Malays in government housing blocks.
`Easy Money'
Critics of the Malaysian policy say the system stifles initiative.
``We have created a generation that feels the government owes them a living,'' said Abdul Razak Baginda, executive director of the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur. ``The government is caught, on the one hand, knowing for Malays to progress they have to be able to compete but, to some extent, the affirmative action nullifies the whole ethos of competition.''
Even Mahathir, who championed the ethnic Malay cause during his 22 years in power, said the policy hasn't changed them.
``They are still after easy money,'' he said. ``I have appealed to them, I've cried and I have done everything possible, but they won't change.''
About 60 percent of Malaysia's population is Malay, while the remainder is made up of ethnic Chinese, Indian and other indigenous groups.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in March pledged to raise the share of companies owned by ethnic Malays to 30 percent by 2020.
Not Ready
The policy may not make Malaysians more employable, or help the country compete with other developing nations for foreign investment, said Manu Bhaskaran, a Singapore-based partner at economic research company Centennial Group.
``Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese boys and girls are competing ferociously to get into engineering or science or other tough courses so that they are eventually more employable,'' he said. ``When they enter the job market, they don't sit still waiting for government subsidies to help them buy shares or houses.''
All the same, Mahathir said Malaysia isn't ready for unbridled domestic competition that would force companies out of business and hand power to the few.
``If you allow unlimited, uncontrolled competition, the winner is going to take everything,'' he said. ``We don't want companies to go bankrupt.''.

Last Updated: October 15, 2006 22:57 EDT
= = = = =
and from http://business-times.asiaone.com
Time to reform policy for bumiputras
The near-hysteria resulting from Asli report suggests the policy has become too politicised for its own good
By S JAYASANKARAN KL CORRESPONDENT Published October 16, 2006
THE controversy raging in Malaysia over the 'correct' figures for bumiputra corporate equity is overdone.The bumiputras, literally 'sons of the soil', are Malaysia's indigenous peoples and largely ethnic Malays. Since 1971, they have been subject to an affirmative action policy that seeks to bring them up to economic parity with their richer non-Malay countrymen.
The policy, known as the New Economic Policy (NEP), essentially sought to eradicate poverty, irrespective of race, and restructure society so that no race could be identified with a specific economic function.
Tacked on to this were targets, specifically that over time the Malays would have at least 30 per cent in every economic sphere of Malaysia, from employment to the professions to ownership of national wealth.
But over 35 years, the policy has become fixated with the 'wealth' target. In the Malaysian context, this is taken to mean corporate equity. For the government, it meant calculating ethnic ownership by aggregating the share capital, at par, of 600,000 companies registered with the Companies Commission.
It is a measure of ownership, but it is imperfect: it is no measure of value - a bankrupt company can still have share capital. Other measures like shareholders' funds or, in the case of listed companies, market capitalisation, would be a far more suitable measure of value.
The latter is what the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, or Asli, used.

The think-tank computed ownership on the basis of over 1,000 companies listed on the local bourse and concluded that the bumiputra share had reached 45 per cent in 2005. By contrast, the government estimate was 18.9 per cent last year. But Asli assumed 70 per cent ownership of government-linked companies (GLCs) to be bumi-owned. For that, it used parameters such as staffing (overwhelmingly bumiputra) and procurement (mainly to bumi-controlled companies). But that's equally suspect: the dividends paid by GLCs go to the Consolidated Fund which is used to help all Malaysians.

Meanwhile, one could argue that the bulk of power utility Tenaga's contracts go to the independent power producers, the majority of whom are non-bumiputra. In any case, the attention lavished on corporate equity misses the wood for the trees. It is all about the ethnic division of spoils between Malaysians who are already well off to begin with.
The NEP was never about the elite. But the near-hysteria resulting from the Asli report seems to suggest that, and it suggests that the policy has become too politicised for its own good. What about the desire to push all Malaysians, irrespective of race, out of the clutches of poverty?
Silly measures
In many ways, the policy has worked and it may be time to reform and refine, to move on. The emphasis on quotas in education and employment has created a huge Malay middle class. Over 30 per cent of ethnic Malays are epresented in the highest professions from medicine and engineering to accountancy and law.
But the insecurity remains and that, by itself, will be the policy's self-perpetuating mechanism. Maybe it's time to begin removing some of the policy's sillier measures. In any development, even for the well-heeled, 30 per cent of houses have to be reserved for bumiputra owners at discounts ranging from 5-7 per cent.
Now that's a silly rule for two reasons. One, the rich, of any race, don't deserve any discount and, two, many developers simply cannot find enough bumiputra buyers and remain stuck with unsold houses which the authorities stubbornly insist have to be advertised - sometimes repeatedly at the
developer's cost - for sale to bumiputras.
Getting rid of antiquated rules that have no place in today's society is a small start. But it's a huge leap for the country dependent on an overriding ideology that, sooner or later, has to go .

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Naïve ABDULLAH Wishes for ZERO ACCIDENT; Human Factors Caused Accidents; Accidents can be avoided, reduced, prevented; AVOID Accidents AVOID DEATHS?

UPDATE:OCT 27 06 - 10th Day of OPS SIKAP XI 16 DEATHS (9 Motocyclists + 3 Pillion Riders+4 Others); TOTAL Death Tally – 172;

Despite Reminders Motorcyclists Still Record High Number Of Deaths; October 27, 2006 12:56 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Motorcyclists still topped the list of those killed in road accidents yesterday despite repeated reminders to them on road safety from traffic police and political leaders through the media. Nine motorcyclists and three pillion riders were among the 16 people killed yesterday, the 10th day of Ops Sikap XI, bringing the total so far to 172.

During the corresponding period last year, 174 deaths were reported. Federal Traffic Chief SAC II Nooryah Mohamed Anvar, when contacted today, said the number of fatalities might increase over the next two days as more people were expected to criss-cross the states after spending the long festive holidays in their hometowns. "Today itself at about 10am the traffic volume showed some increase and is expected to pick up further late in the evening," she said.

She said the wet weather forecast for the next few days might also contribute to more road mishaps. "We can only advise them to be more careful and it's up to road users to plan their journey and obey the traffic rules," she added.
A statement issued by the federal traffic police showed that a 1,231 accidents were recorded yesterday with 402 occurring on municipal roads, federal roads (396), state roads (240), highways (129) and other roads (64). The number of summonses issued to traffic offenders showed a drastic increase to 8,460 yesterday compared with 5,825 on Wednesday.

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UPDATE 2:OCT 19 06: October 19, 2006 14:37 PM

16 Die On Second Day Of Ops Sikap XI
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Sixteen people died in road accidents Wednesday, the second day of Ops Sikap XI, bringing the fatalities to 34.

ABOVE: One of the 11 mototcyclists whose skills were not good enough on federal roads and BELOW: The Express Bus who knocked into a car
Of the total, 11 were motorcyclists, two car drivers, two van passengers and one pedestrian, Federal Traffic Police Chief SAC II Nooryah Md Anvar said.
Five were killed in crashes on federal roads, four on municipal roads, three on state roads and two each on highways and other roads, she said in a statement Thursday.
A total of 1,054 accidents were reported and 10,883 summonses issued yesterday, she said.
Ops Sikap XI is a road safety enforcement exercise to reduce accidents during the balik kampung rush and the return journey. It will be in force until Oct 31.

ABOVE & BELOW: The remains of smashed to pieces little car against the express bus

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Abdullah Upset With Drivers For Ignoring Police Advice; October 19, 2006 13:39 PM

KEPALA BATAS, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is very disappointed with drivers for not paying heed to police and government's advice to give priority to safety while on the road during the festive season. The prime minister said it is only the first day of Ops Sikap XI launched two days ago, 18 people were killed in road accidents, dashing his hope to see no fatal accidents during the "balik kampung" exodus and the return trip."If possible, let it be no accidents at all, zero accident, but already 18 people have died on the road," he said when giving out bursaries and Hari Raya alms to 145 high achievers and 339 poor families here Thursday.
With a sad and regretful tone, Abdullah described the reckless drivers as "not valuing their lives" and did not take seriously the advice and reminders to protect themselves and lives of others."It's as though the drivers are deaf, not listening to advice by the police and government. As though human life to them has no value, no price. They are not bothered, want to die, dielah," he said.Abdullah said their dangerous driving not only caused death to themselves but also to other innocent road users.
He said negligent drivers who did not care for the safety of others were usually the cause of accidents and not their vehicle factor."During every festive season, when people want to be happy ushering in the festive celebrations, something sorrowful will happen. Because of one person, other people will have to suffer," he said.Abdullah said despite his repeated advice and campaigning on road safety, fatal road accidents continued to occur.
"For every one person who dies in a road accident it is a loss to the country, the family and hundreds of others who will be in sorrow for losing their loved one."One dies, 300 others will be in sorrow including the family members. On one side is the wife and siblings and close friends on the other side. If thousands die in accidents, imagine the hundreds of thousands more in sadness," he said.He also wants drivers to think who would take care of the wife and children if they are killed in accidents.

Abdullah also asked parents and elderly folks to advise their children and grandchildren returning to their hometowns for Hari Raya to be careful when driving and avoid driving in sleepy condition."Always remind your children and grandchildren, don't drive hastily to reach home fast, even late is alright. If you're sleepy, don't drive at all, have sufficient sleep before driving. "Throughout the night, you're busy making Hari Raya cakes, sewing, making kerepek (tapioca or banana which has been thinly sliced and fried) and in the day, you want to drive. If you're sleepy, how?" said the prime minister.On Yayasan Budi Penyayang, Abdullah wants the welfare body's new leadership to continue the good work of his late wife Datin Seri Endon Mahmood in extending a helping hand to the needy regardless of race and religion."Tomorrow is my wife's first death anniversary. Hopefully, her good deeds bring happiness to the aid recipients," he added.

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BELOW: IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan declaring open a safety campaign in conjunction with TM (Telekom Makaysia)

UPDATE 1:OCT 18 06: October 18, 2006 13:17 PM
Eighteen Deaths On First Day Of Ops Sikap XI
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Eighteen deaths were reported in 16 fatal road accidents on the first day yesterday of Ops Sikap XI to monitor and reduce the number of road accidents during the festive "balik kampung" rush.

Federal traffic police chief SAC II Nooryah Md Anvar said Wednesday nine of the dead were motorcyclists and two were pillion riders.
The others were a car driver, a lorry driver and two attendants, a driver of another vehicle and two pedestrians, she said in a statement.
She said eight of the deaths occurred on municipal roads, five on federal roads, three on state roads and two on other roads.
Altogether, 1,042 accidents were reported and 8,508 summonses were issued yesterday, she added.Ops Sikap XI will be on until Oct 31.
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PWD Forms Team To Monitor Road Safety; October 17, 2006 17:23 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- The Public Works Department (PWD) has formed a Road Safety Monitoring Team in all districts to monitor and patrol critical routes identified as "killer-stretches" during the festive season.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said that members of the teams would patrol them round-the-clock in three shifts between Oct 20 and 29 to ensure smooth traffic flow at the affected locations.
"The teams will also monitor and take action on damaged roads," he said when launching a road safety campaign, here Tuesday.

ABOVE:Datuk Samy Velllu doing his part in the safety campaign, symbolically flagging off the Patrol Officier

Samy Vellu said that since early this year, the department had upgraded safety measures at 299 locations considered as high risk for motorists.
He said that directives had been issued to contractors involved in road repair works to stop their activities for the periods Oct 20 to 21 and Oct 27 to 28 and to also clear the roads of construction and maintenance equipment between Oct 18 and 31.
"This is to avoid the presence of heavy vehicles on the roads, which is often the cause of traffic congestion," he said.
He said adequate warning signs and blinkers had been placed at necessary locations to warn motorists of construction areas.
"Road signs to re-direct traffic will also be placed at appropriate places to guide motorists," he added.
Samy Vellu also that said the PWD had checked the roads and had taken appropriate measures, like ridding them of potholes.
"The respective state PWDs have also been directed to place signboards like on speed limit, overtaking and sharp bends at locations prone to accidents to caution motorists," he added.
He said that new signboards had also been erected nationwide to remind motorists of the new speed limits for the festive season, which was approved by the Cabinet recently for the period between Oct 17, 2006 and Jan 15, 2007.
Members of the public can forward complaints on damaged roads through the toll free number 1-800-88-5004 or the short-messaging system (SMS) to jkr and send to DAPAT (32728) or e-mail to aduan@jkr.gov.my.
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In the first place, we shouldn't call most unintentional injuries "accidents." as being practiced in the States. To do so implies that they are random occurrences that could not have been foreseen or prevented. Unintentional injuries (the preferred term) can be prevented, or at least made less likely by better road engineering, safer vehicles, lower speed limits, and abstention from drinking and driving. These improvements and others have led to continuing decreases in US death rates from all types of motor vehicle crashes, with one exception: those involving motorcyclists.

Deaths on motorcycles have increased 54% since 1997. Per mile traveled, the number of deaths on motorcycles is more than 25 times greater than that in cars. Much of this difference is due to the unique vulnerability of motorcycle riders because of motorcyclists' lack of visibility to other drivers. In a study, motorcyclists wearing any reflective or fluorescent clothing had a 37% lower risk of being involved in a crash than those not wearing such clothing. If the driver's helmet was reported to be white or light colored, the risk was 19% less. And use of daytime headlights was associated with a 27% decreased risk.
When we are enlightened we see things from a higher stand point from a higher intelligence. We see nothing happens by ACCIDENT or due to our own doing.

Either we are victims in an unfeeling, unsensing, dumb, chaotic universe, and everything is the result of chance or accident; or we are masters of our fate. There is no in-between.
Whenever you feel yourself powerless, then you think accidents just happen and that you have no control over them. The only answer is to realize that you form physical events, individually and en mass; you form the physical reality that you know.
You make your own reality, or you do not. And if you do not, then you are everywhere a victim, and the universe must be an accidental mechanism appearing with no reason. So that the miraculous picture you have seen of your body came accidentally into creation, and out of some cosmic accident attained its miraculous complexity. And that body was formed so beautifully for no reason except to be a victim. That is the only other alternative to forming your own reality.You cannot have a universe in between. You have a universe formed WITH a reason, or a universe formed WITHOUT a reason. And in a universe of reason, there are no victims and no CHANCE. Everything has a reason or nothing has a reason. So, choose your side! If you accept the possibility of the slightest, smallest, most insignificant accident, then indeed you belief a universe in which accidents are not the exception but the rule.
Once you accept, you see, that idea, then if you follow your thought completely enough, you must accept the idea of a random accidental universe, in which you are at the mercy of any accident, in which mind or purpose have little meaning, in which you are at the mercy of all random happenings.
You are not an accident and when we leave it was no accident either. Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, he expected it. Long before you were conceived by your parents, you were conceived in the mind of God. It is not fate, nor chance, nor luck, nor coincidence that you are breathing at this very moment. You are alive because God wanted to create you! God prescribed every single detail of your body. He deliberately chose your race, the color of you skin, your hair, and every other feature. He custom-made your body just the way he wanted it. He also determined the natural talents you would possess and the uniqueness of your personality.
Because God made you for a reason, he also decided when you would be born and how long you would live. He planned the days of your life in advance, choosing the exact time of your birth and death.
God also planned where you’d be born and where you’d live for his purpose. Your race and nationality are no accident. God left no detail to chance. He planned it all for his purpose. Nothing in your life is arbitrary. It’s all for a purpose. Most amazing, God decided how you would be born. Regardless of the circumstances of your birth or who your parents are, God had a plan in creating you. It doesn’t matter whether your parents were good, bad, or indifferent. God knew that those two individuals possessed exactly the right genetic makeup to create the custom “you” he had in mind. They had the DNA God wanted to make you. While there are illegitimate parents, there are no illegitimate children. Many children are unplanned by their parents, but they are not unplanned by God. God’s purpose took into account human error, and even sin.
God never does anything accidentally, and he never makes mistakes. He has a reason for everything he creates. Every plant and every animal was planned by God, and every person was designed with a purpose in mind. God’s motive for creating you was his love.

Going hand in hand with the notion that avoiding accidents would avoid deaths imply also a lack of understanding of death. Death is greatly misunderstood as being the end of it all, of coming too soon, sporadically at the right time, not being justified, and all of it never, never having been created by the soul, let alone being respected as such. Death always seems to be something just out of your understanding, responsibility, control and power. This is completely inaccurate.
Death is transformation. Transformation from one way of being into another. A death is just a night to your soul.
No man or woman consciously knows for sure which day will be the last for him or her in this particular life, that each calls the present one. Mortality with its birth and death is the framework in which the soul, for now, is expressed in flesh.
It seems, perhaps, easier to have no conscious idea of the year or time that death might occur. Unconsciously of course each man and woman knows, and yet hides the knowledge.
The knowledge is usually hidden for many reasons, but the fact of death, rsonal death, is never forgotten. It seems obvious, but the full enjoyment of life would be impossible in the framework, now, of earthly reality without the knowledge of death.
Life and death are but two faces of your eternal, ever changing existence, however feel and appreciate the joy of your own being. Many live into their nineties without ever appreciating to that extent the beauty of their being.
Whether you die today or tomorrow, you have lived before, and will again, and your new life, in your terms, springs out of the old, and is growing in the old and contained within it as the seed is already contained within the flower.

So whether you have Operation Sikap, roadblocks or no roadblocks, more police personnel or wear rear seat belts or not; speeding or not, for sure you will have more deaths in 2006 than last year 2005 -212 deaths last year, an increase of 3.3 per cent from 2004 with 205 deaths. When you have more cars and motorcyclists, statistically deaths will go up and majority are the unfortunate motorcyclists. And the police will pocket MORE FINES in the process. So Pak Lah, your wish cannot come true unless you tell everyone to stay at home.
No one "dies" before his or her time. The choice , manner and time of death iare always yours. When the soul is ready to release the body, when it has accomplished what it came here to do, it moves on. Therefore, in this case, the majority of motorcyclist was ready.
Their daily dare devil stunts in reckless riding may reveal that they hold the strong belief that old age represents a degradation of the spirit and an insult to the body. Slow death in a hospital or an experience with an illness would be unthinkable to this group of people.
What is their choice? They would prefer to choose the experience – the drama, even the terror when that occurs - to die young like a hero and leave physical life in a blaze of perception; battling for your life at a point of challenge, “fighting” and not acquiescent
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Dream on Abdullah, zero accidents achievable

Zero Accident Target Achievable, Says Abdullah; October 17, 2006 11:51 AM
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- The government wants zero accidents on the roads, especially during the festive season, and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi believes this is achievable though many may consider it impossible. The prime minister said it could be achieved because studies showed that road accidents were caused by the human factor, not vehicle or poor road conditions.
"If a faulty car can be fixed, if a road in poor condition can be repaired, surely the bad attitude of drivers can be corrected," he said at the Internal Security Ministry's monthly assembly here. Abdullah, who is also Internal Security Minister, said road safety was the responsibility of all road users, not just the police.
One of the causes of road accidents was non-observance of the speed limit which led to careless driving and tragedy not only for the drivers but also their passengers, he said.
"Accidents can be avoided, reduced, prevented," Abdullah said, expressing sadness that too many accidents had occurred during the festive season.
He said every death from road accident was a loss to the country's human capital because of the money spent on training the people."Road accident fatalities not only cause loss to the families and friends but also sadden the country," he said."The parents may not get to celebrate Hari Raya because they have to be with their injured children in the hospital and the most heart-rending is if they come home to the morgue," he said.
The family would have nowhere to turn to if the dead was the sole breadwinner, he said, adding that road accident fatalities could cause losses to the country and race in so many ways. As such, he advised motorists to drive carefully and hold to the saying "better late than never".
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October 16, 2006 17:08 PM No Roadblocks During Ops Sikap XI

KUALA SELANGOR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Traffic police will not put up roadblocks during the Ops Sikap XI which starts Tuesday until Oct 31, in conjunction with the festive season, to ensure smoother traffic flow.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said the measure was aimed at enabling those who wanted to "balik kampung" for the Deepavali and Hari Raya to travel in reasonable comfort.
"There will be no roadblocks but we will stop motorists who flout traffic regulations including summoning them at the roadside," he added.
He was speaking at a media conference after launching the "Careful Driving Safe Arrival" Campaign in conjunction with Ops Sikap 2006, here Monday.About 5,000 policemen and officers would be deployed during the festive season, he said.

ABOVE & BELOW: Cameras are still hidden in elevated watch-towers and huts to allow people to speed and and catch them to make more fines. Why can't they display themselves openly, which is more effective to reduce speeding?

"Police chiefs throughout the country have also been directed to step up vigilance in housing areas to ensure no untoward incidence occurred while the residents were away."
Traffic police would also carry out 24-hour patrols along highways during the festive period, he said. He warned motorists not to flout traffic regulations during the period or they would be slapped with the maximum fines of RM300 for offences such as speeding, overtaking at double lines, beating traffic lights and other offences which cause accidents.

ABOVE & BELOW: The candid cameras are used to trap more speding motorists in order to get more fines. Why can't they puchased MORE dummy ones and placed them every Km to "frighten" motorists to reduce speed?

Earlier, Musa said 3,784 accidents which led to 4,177 deaths were recorded in the country from January to August this year.
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October 16, 2006 16:03 PM
Belted Rear Seat Passengers Can Protect Drivers In Accidents By Alan Ting
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Rear seat passengers who wear the safety belt can prevent themselves as well as the driver and front seat passenger from being killed when a car is involved in a road accident, according to an expert on road safety.
Prof Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi said the impact during an accident could be "very harmful" to the people not wearing the safety belt.
"During the impact, rear seat passengers can not only be killed (if they do not wear the safety belt) but they can even cause the deaths of the people in the front seats because the impact during a crash can be equivalent to two tonnes," he told Bernama Monday.
Radin Umar, who is deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), said that during a crash, the weight impact would increase tremendously and this could be harmful to the passengers not wearing the safety belt.
Therefore, he said, it was advisable for the rear seat passengers to wear the safety belt although it was not mandatory for them to do so at the moment. Currently, only the driver and the front passenger are required to wear the safety belt.
Radin Umar also said that there was a close relationship between the volume of traffic and the number of road accidents because when the volume of traffic increased, the roads would reach their capacity and there would be congestion.
"This will really test the patience of road users," he said, adding that impatient drivers were prone to make errors, experience lapses in concentration or violate traffic rules.
"When under pressure, such as frustration due to the length of a journey, drivers tend to disregard traffic rules.
"That is why we request everybody to respect the system. If we fail to respect the system, the system will fail. Failure to respect the system will encourage people to make more mistakes, which will contribute to accidents," he added.
He said reduction of the speed limit had been scientifically proven to contribute to fewer road accident fatalities, provided there was ample enforcement.” Some countries even achieve up to 36 per cent reduction in road accidents when the speed limit is reduced and there is stricter enforcement," he said.
Radin Umar also advised motorists returning to their hometowns during the coming festive season to exercise extra caution when on the road.
"There is a need to respect the whole system, particularly during the 'balik kampung' rush as they will pass through small towns along the way. In these small towns, there are pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists," he reminded.
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October 13, 2006 16:12 PM
Biggest Ever Ops Sikap XI For Festive Season
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Police, in an effort to reduce road fatalities this festive season, will deploy 5,554 personnel, the biggest number so far, under Ops Sikap XI which kicks off nationwide on Tuesday.

ABOVE: Top Female Federal Traffic Cop commanding respect
Federal traffic chief SAC II Nooryah Mohamed Anvar said Friday that the operation would continue until Oct 31 as an exodus from the city was expected due to the Deepavali and Aidilfitri double celebrations on Oct 21 and Oct 24 respectively.
"This is the biggest number of police officers taking part in the history of Ops Sikap, which enters its 11th edition since 2001. Early this year, under Ops Sikap X, 4,929 personnel were involved.
"This year's figure comprises 327 high-ranking officers, 4,612 lower ranks and 615 support personnel. The main focus will be on federal roads where the accident rate is high.
"We need the extra manpower as we aim to reduce the number of fatalities which saw 212 deaths last year, an increase of 3.3 per cent from 2004 with 205 deaths," she told a news conference at the police headquarters in Bukit Aman here.
The high number of road accidents recorded last year (13,153) and the high fatality rate have become a nagging problem for the government and various measures have been put in place to counter the problem.
Road accidents in the country, said to be one of the highest in the region, had drawn special attention from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who, as late as last week, expressed concern and sadness over road accident-related deaths during double celebrations.
Nooryah said police had identified 42 accident-prone areas on federal roads nationwide, six dangerous stretches on state roads and four on municipal roads.
"We will station 222 police personnel on federal roads, 87 on highways and 15 more on municipal roads. They will be monitoring the traffic situation 24 hours as well as conducting frequent patrols on these roads," she said.
According to a federal traffic police study, three roads in each state had been identified as high risk.
In Perlis, the high risk roads are KM9-KM12 Jln Kangar-Alor Star, KM12-KM14 Jln Kangar-Kodiang, KM5.5-KM12 Jln Kangar-Padang Besar; Kedah (KM20-KM26 Jln Alor Star-Sg. Petani-Kota Sarang Semut, KM31-53 Jln Sg. Petani-Butterworth, KM20-KM 35 Jln Baling-Sg. Petani).
Penang (Jln Masjid Negeri, Jln Chain Ferry-Jln Bumbong Lima, KM5-KM10 Penang Bridge-Seberang Perai), Perak (KM30-KM43 Jln Ipoh-Lumut-Perak Tengah, KM42-KM49 Jalan Teluk Intan-Manjung and KM14-KM 18 Jln Ipoh-Butterworth).
Selangor (KM32-KM72 Jln Kuala Selangor-Teluk Intan (Sabak Bernam), Jln Kuala Lumpur-Seremban (Kajang) and Jln Putra Permai/Seri Kembangan/Serdang Raya).
Kuala Lumpur (Jln Ipoh, Jln Kepong and Jln Tun Razak), Negri Sembilan (Jln Bahau-Keratong, KM6-KM14 Jln Seremban-Tampin and KM5-KM18 Jln Pantai Port Dickson), Melaka (KM21.3-KM24.7 Jln Sungai Udang-Melaka town, KM17-KM32 Jln Melaka-Muar and KM1-KM 14 Jln Hang Tuah-Paya Rumput).
Johor (KM6-KM31 of the Pasir Gudang highway, KM32 Jln Johor Baharu-Air Hitam and KM5-KM9 Jln Batu Pahat-Kluang), Pahang (KM11-KM35 Jlan Kuantan-Kemaman, KM18-KM45 Jln Lipis-Merapoh and KM123-KM165 Jln Kuantan-Kuala Lumpur), Terengganu (KM4-KM8 Jln Kuala Terengganu-Kelantan, KM151-KM159 Jln Kuala Terengganu-Kuantan and KM93-KM 108 Jln Jerangau-Jabor).
Kelantan (KM4-KM15 Jln Kota Baharu-Machang, KM24-KM28 Jln Machang-Kuala Krai and KM1-KM 12 Jln Gua Musang-Kuala Krai), Sabah (KM1-KM50 Jln Apas-Tawau, KM1-KM21 Jln Apas-Tawau, KM1-KM21 Jln Tuaran-Kota Kinabalu and KM13-KM52 Jln Labuk-Sandakan) and Sarawak (KM29 Jln Kuching-Serian, Jln Sibu-Tatau and KM20-KM 91 Jln Miri-Bintulu).
Nooryah said apart from concentrating on these roads, police would also station emergency response teams comprising police, Fire and Rescue services, St John's Ambulance, Red Crescent and Civil Defence Department (JPA3) personnel at 16 locations nationwide.
The 16 locations are the PLUS office in Gurun, and Juru, Taiping, Kuala Kangsar toll plazas, Tapah, Slim River, Rawang PLUS offices, Nilai lay-by and rest and recreation area, Senawang, Tangkak, Yong Peng, Sedenak toll plazas, Genting Sempah and Temerloh toll plazas, Gambang rest and recreation area and the Ayer Keroh integrated rescue squad headquarters.
On the reduction of speed limits on federal roads, mooted recently to reduce accidents, the federal police chief said police had just received the gazette on the matter.
Two weeks ago the government decided to reduce the speed limit of federal roads from 90kph to 80kph while those with 80kph limit would be reduced to 70kph.
"For the expressways and highways the speed limit will remain at 110kmph. Besides that, heavy vehicles will be restricted from using these roads on Oct 20, 21, 27 and 28," Nooryah said.

ABOVE & BELOW: Air survillence aircraft flying low used to frighten motorist with thier noise.

The police will also conduct air surveillance through their Air Surveillance Unit and will have three watch towers for this purpose at KM270 North (Nilai, Negri Sembilan), KM306 South (Gua Tempurung, Perak) and KM424 North (Rawang, Selangor).
"During Ops Sikap XI, traffic police will be imposing a maximum fine of RM300 for five major road offences -- speeding, beating the red lights, cutting queue, using the emergency lane and beating the double-line -- and for non-fatal road accidents," Nooryah said.
Traffic police have set up a 24-hour traffic operations room and can be reached at: Hotline 03-27184445, 03-27184444, 03-27184442, 03-27184443 or fax to 03-27184440 and 03-27184441.
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October 13, 2006 21:24 PM

5,554 Policemen To Control Traffic During Raya
PETALING JAYA, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The Police will deploy 5,554 personnel to monitor and control traffic along major highways in an effort to reduce fatal road accidents during the Deepavali-Hari Raya festive season.
"They (policemen) are drawn from the Traffic Unit, General Operations Force (GOF) and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU)," Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan told reporters at the launching ceremony of a festive season road safety campaign at private television station TV3's headquarters in Bandar Utama here Friday.

The campaign, in the form of television clip and jingle, is organised by the station's owner, Media Prima Bhd. For many years Malaysia has been struggling to reduce the high number of fatal accidents during festive seasons, which police said are caused by drivers carelessness and negligence. Musa said something must be done to curb it and that he appreciated the public views and suggestions on the matter.
"We would like to gather public opinion and suggestions before accidents happen and not after. We have to try to find ways to prevent tragedies happening on our roads especially during festive seasons.
"At the moment, only a handful of people are giving their views and suggestions. We want more...," he said
The jingle and clip will be broadcast by Media Prima's television networks -- TV3, 8TV, NTV7 and TV9 as well as its radio stations -- Hot FM and Fly FM starting Friday until the second week of Hari Raya.

Read on the lastest post (oct 27 06)

ABDULLAH Spited by MAHATHIR’s VENOMOUS Renewsed Attacks STRIKES Back: NO TRUTH in Many of His BELIEVES - Police State; No Ships, Yesmen, Restriction on Movement etc; His Children GOT MORE Contracts; Whose TRUTHs to Believe? & Link to Full Statement by Mahathir on why he criticise the PM

PM ABDULLAH WARNS ALL Quarters - REFRAIN From CAUSING Trouble; Keng Yaik ATTACKED for Insinuations on Transparency; MUSA HITAM: Stop PUBLIC Debate

Following are Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's response to the call by Gerakan to the Economic Planning Unit to disclose the methodology used to show that the bumiputeras' share in the country's economic pie was only 18.9 per cent.
The Prime Minister made the statement when asked by reporters upon his return from performing the umrah with his family since Friday.

Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was also on hand to greet Abdullah at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base , Subang, warned everyone against making insinuations against the government as though it was not transparent in the issue on the economic equity owned by the various races in the country.
The issue cropped up when the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) claimed that the bumiputeras owned 45 per cent of the equity in the national economy.
The claim was later refuted by the government as a study by the EPU had recorded bumiputera economic equity holding at only 18.9 per cent, which prompted ASLI to apologise and retract its report.
= = = = =
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah : "We want to do what is best for every Malaysian, not merely giving (something) to a certain group"

Every Gov't Policy For The Good Of Everyone, Says PM; October 16, 2006 22:46 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said every policy implemented by the government is for the benefit of the people of all races in the country.
He said the present government, which was based on solidarity, cooperation, and constantly striving to do the best in the interest of all Malaysians, was not meant for one particular group only.
"We administer, we want to do what is best for every Malaysian, not merely giving (something) to a certain group. We have to look at the present situation as a whole... that is most important.
"Because the present government is a government that is based on solidarity, the existing cooperation was made possible because of the power-sharing adopted by the government," he told reporters upon his arrival at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Subang after performing the umrah in Mecca.
The prime minister said the rakyat had confidence in the present government leadership representing all races because all decisions were made based on consensus.
"We think as a government that is responsible to all Malaysians comprising various races and religious beliefs... the rakyat must understand this," he said.
Abdullah said issues that touched on racial solidarity were sensitive and should not be played up, including among the media.
The prime minister said this when asked to comment on his open attitude which was said to have been exploited by certain groups to question government policies especially those pertaining to racial relations in the country.
He said if there were programmes implemented by the present government to assist the bumiputeras, it was because the programme had to be continued as it had yet to achieve its goal.
The New Economic Policy, for example, had exceeded its duration but its implementation was still being continued to restructure society and eradicate poverty, he said.
Abdullah said the government was also adopting an open attitude in explaining any particular issue or policy that had been implemented.
"If people dispute (the policy) we must have an answer. We will have no problem if we are transparent, what's the problem... we are not lying, we don't do that. "What is necessary for us is to give the government's reply, we don't want to shut them up, if we shut them up, they will always remain quiet and there will be dissatisfaction... this will lead to unrest.
"Openness in such matters is not something that will burden us," he said.
The prime minister said the Malays themselves, including the young generation, also questioned many things. "Not all the Malays are keeping quiet, but we are prepared to give our opinion in such matters and we hope they will not take extreme action," he added.
= = = = = = =
Don't Try To Cause Trouble, Says PM
October 16, 2006 18:41 PM

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi: "Why seek explanation by insinuation? Why seek explanation by making accusations? "To whoever it is, whoever the case may be, Malays or non-Malays, do not cause trouble; if one wants to ask properly, do so properly.
"If people do good once, we can do so 10 times over. Once you do something bad, be careful ...'_"

SUBANG, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday all parties should not cause trouble but should seek clarification properly if they are unhappy with certain things.
The prime minister said the government would have no problem explaining the
methodology used in measuring bumiputera equity holding in the country if that was disputed.
"Don't insinuate. Why make insinuations? Insinuations, accusations bring no
benefits. If one seeks an explanation, ask properly. Why seek explanation by
insinuation? Why seek explanation by making accusations? That's not the way to go about it," he told reporters on his return from performing umrah.
On hand to welcome him at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base here was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Abdullah was commenting on a call by Gerakan to the Economic Planning Unit
to disclose the methodology used to show that the bumiputeras' share in the
country's economic pie was only 18.9 per cent.

Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik: "disclose the methodology used to show that the bumiputeras' share in the country's economic pie was only 18.9 per cent."

Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik had said that something was
not right with the figure because it had not shown any improvement since the New Economic Policy was introduced in 1970.
Abdullah said his remark was not targeted at anyone but was a general statement to all parties including the Malays not to try to cause trouble. He said that if there was a problem it should be discussed amiably to resolve it. "If the intention is to cause a disturbance, see what will happen. If one wants to ask something, do it properly," he said.
On the equity position of bumiputras that was still low, the prime minister said many Malay entrepreneurs were adversely affected during the last economic crisis that hit the country.
"During the economic crisis, the financial crisis, many were badly hit; many businesses and many Malay entrepreneurs had to close shop, many of those affected had piled up their debts so much so that they could not repay.
"That actually affected our position ... I hoped that the situation would keep on improving but that was not the case. Each time there was an economic crisis or economic recession, it had an impact (on the bumiputra equity)," he said.
Abdullah said the government had long-term plans and during that period various things could take place, adding that the increase in fuel prices had an adverse impact on the current efforts of the government. He said it was important for all quarters to face all these (problems) and strive to overcome them.
Asked about the possibility of any group trying to take advantage of the open policy adopted by the government under his leadership, the prime minister said people would always attempt to take advantage.
"People will take advantage whenever they can ... they will do so with an open policy, when restricted they will want to challenge demanding why (the policy) was restrictive, why there was no transparency today, why there was no freedom ... they will take advantage. "Those who want to cause trouble will take advantage (of the situation). When we are open, the trouble-makers take advantage ... it is the attitude of people to take advantage," he said.
Asked whether his statement was a warning to the group involved, Abdullah
said: "To whoever it is, whoever the case may be, Malays or non-Malays, do
not cause trouble; if one wants to ask properly, do so properly.
"If people do good once, we can do so 10 times over. Once you do something bad, be careful ...'____= = = =

Keng Yaik's Statement Questions Govt's Transparency
October 16, 2006 17:55 PM

Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin said Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik's statement calling on the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) to explain the economic methodology used in determining the Bumiputera equity ownership smacked of sarcasm that would only create more doubt on the transparency of the government which the party also supported.

"His statement will not help to eliminate the suspicion of the Chinese community, especially among the younger group, who do not understand
history, the consensus and formula that had been reached between the leaders of the various ethnic groups since the early days of independence in the
interest of national stability.
"As such, the younger generation were taken in by the statement made by Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew who claimed that the Chinese community in Malaysia had been marginalised.
"Unfortunately, the Gerakan Youth movement had supported the statement and claimed that Indian youths also shared their stand," he said in a statement Monday.
Zainuddin was commenting on the statement by Lim, who is also Energy, Water and Communications Minister, who was reported to have said that an explanation on the methodology of study was necessary because Gerakan, a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN), was of the view that something was not right about the figure of 18.9 per cent as it did not reflect a continued increase since the New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced in1978.
Lim also wanted the EPU to release the figure on Bumiputera equity ownership since the NEP was introduced.
Zainuddin said although Lim had claimed he merely wanted an academic solution following the rejection of the report by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) on the 45 per cent Bumiputera equity ownership, it was easily perceived by the Malays as sarcasm that the government lacked transparency and sincerity in submitting a lower Bumiputera equity
previously.
The statement by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak on the matter accurately reflected the feelings of the Malays following the statement made by Lim, said Zainuddin.
Najib Sunday warned everyone not to try and accuse the government of not being transparent on the issue of economic equity between the various races in the country by questioning the study carried out by EPU. "The governmentis certainly transparent. The statement gives a picture as though the government lacked transparency," Najib had said in response to Lim's
statement.
Zainuddin said: "Dr Lim should not take advantage of the situation by fanning the flame and making it worse”."With his vast experience and involvement in nation building, Dr Lim should instead help to bring calm and not be a thorn in the flesh.
"Lee Kuan Yew's statement should not cause Chinese leaders in Malaysia to feel pressured and feel the need to seek popularity by playing up racial
issues."
The issue of Bumiputera control in the national economy had raised controversy when ASLI claimed that Bumiputeras had controlled 45 per cent equity.The claim was rejected by the government because the EPU study recorded Bumiputera's equity ownership at only 18.9 per cent. ASLI subsequently apologised and retracted its report.= = =

October 16, 2006 18:14 PM
Musa Advises Discussing Equity Share Of The Races Out Of The Limelight

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Musa Hitam Monday advised all parties to stop having a public discourse on the racial equity share in the national economy, saying it could turn into something emotional.
Suggesting that the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) would be a useful forum to discuss the issue, Musa said the discussion could also be conducted through other exercises.
"(Taking) this factor out of the limelight is very important in view of the current mood in the country whereby there are ever so many predators looking to grab issues that could turn into something emotional.
"And the emotions in racial terms need to be managed with care. There are ever so many political opportunists who are ready to grab the issue and irrationalise them and exploit them for their own political ends," he told reporters, here.
Musa was asked to comment on the issue of equity share of the races in the country after delivering a keynote address at the Asean Civil Society conference, Malaysia Process: National Consultation on Asean Charter.
The issue of Bumiputera equity in the national economy became a controversy after the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) claimed that the community's share has reached 45 per cent. This was rebutted by the government as the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) had calculated the Bumiputera portion to be only 18.9 per cent. Asli later apologised and retracted its report on the matter.
Musa also suggested that the government invite relevant parties (Asli or other organisations and think tanks) to discuss the issue.
"If Asli or any other organisation still thinks that they have got something to contribute, they should discuss it. They must tackle this very quickly. The NEAC has been a useful forum in that the discussions and decisions are made out of the limelight," he said.
"All parties must be very careful when bringing up issues related to race and religion.
"I am personally not happy that this issue has been blown out of proportion. Indeed, I am really concerned over this issue. It has to be dealt with care in an emerging climate where politics seems to be coming to the forefront," he said. He said the explanation by Asli and the government had shown that their research methodologies differed. Thus, he said, if the methodologies were different, the results of the research would also be different.
"What needs to be done is simply this -- if Asli or all those who differ in their findings feel strongly enough, they should try to engage the government. I feel that the government should also try and sit down with them and resolve it out of the limelight," he said.
Meanwhile, Musa, who is chairman of the Asean Eminent Persons Group (EPG), said the group had covered 90 per cent of the suggestions on the direction of the Asean Charter.

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NAJIB: NO HIDDEN AGENDA on BUMI EQUITY SHARE; METODOLOGY; 18.9% BASED On OVERALL Figure from COMPREHENSIVE STUDIES; AVOID GAG Order on ISSUE

Government Is Transparent About Equity Share Of The Races – Najib; October 15, 2006 15:34 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Sunday warned all quarters not to depict the government as not being transparent about the equity share in the national economy by the various races based on the figures arrived at by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
"The government is indeed transparent about it. Statements are being made to the contrary," he said in response to the remarks by Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik who wanted the EPU to reveal its methodology how it arrived at the Bumiputera share of the national economy at only 18.9 per cent.
The Deputy Prime Minister also said that government did not have any problem in making public the method used if there were still doubts.
"The government's figure (on the Bumiputera share) is based on detailed and objective studies. We have no problems (revealing how the figure was arrived), but we don't want cynical remarks made that the government is not transparent or the like," he told reporters here.
Najib also stressed that the calculations were based on the overall figure and not modified to reflect the interests of any one community.
Lim yesterday had said that the methodology used by EPU should be revealed as Gerakan was of the view that something was not right with the 18.9 per cent figure as it had not shown any improvement since the New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced in 1970.
He also wanted the EPU to issue the figures on equity control of companies held by Bumiputeras since the NEP was introduced.
The issue of the Bumiputera control of equity in the national economy became a controversy when the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) claimed that the community's share had reached 45 per cent.
It was rebutted by the government as the EPU had calculated the bumiputera portion to be only 18.9 per cent. ASLI later apologised and retracted its report on the issue.

= = = = = = = = =
= = = the Deputy Primer responded (above) chided Dr Lim about his “cynical remarks”(BELOW)

Perceptions vary over same issue, says Keng Yaik; Sunday October 15, 2006KUALA LUMPUR: The recent controversy regarding the bumiputra stake in the economy is an example of a Chinese proverb of an issue being seen from different perspectives, said Gerakan president Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik. He said the proverb is: Same bed, different dreams. “It’s like two people sleeping in the same bed but having different dreams. Some are actual dreams and some are nightmares.” He was speaking to reporters after chairing a three-hour discussion here yesterday over the findings of the Centre for Public Policy Studies of the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli). The study estimated that bumiputra equity ownership in public-listed companies could be as high as 45%.
On Tuesday, Asli president Mirzan Mahathir said the study was based on faulty assumptions. The centre’s director Dr Lim Teck Ghee, stood by the findings and resigned in protest. Keng Yaik said the issue had affected people's perception of the Government's integrity. He called on the Government, through the Economic Planning Unit, to make known its own findings on the issue so as to uphold the Government's integrity. “Whether it’s 18.9% or 45%, it doesn’t matter. We want the true picture out in the open. “Let’s not hide behind official statistics. These statistics should be made known to the people,” added Keng Yaik, who is also Water, Energy and Communications Minister. Keng Yaik said the controversy had sparked off debates, with the different communities having their own perceptions of the issue.
“The Malays will feel they are not getting enough; the Chinese will feel they are sacrificing too much and have been kept away from economic activities; and the Indians will feel they all have nothing.
“The kind of feelings and perceptions are not good for the country,” he said.

= = = = =

Sunday STAR October 15, 2006
Avoid gag orders, governmet urged; BY SHAILA KOSHY
PETALING JAYA: Democratic governments should encourage public debate instead of issuing gag orders and dissuading questions on government policies.
This was the view of three Barisan Nasional politicians, a social and political scientist and a non-governmental organisation.
They were responding to the statement by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday that there should not be any further dispute over the Economic Planning Unit's calculation of bumiputra equity ownership and his caution that even intellectual discourse could result in discord.
Najib said this following the controversy that had ensued after a study by the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) of think-tank Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) found that bumiputra equity ownership could be as high as 45%, much more than the government's official figure of 18.9%.
On Monday, Asli president Mirzan Mahathir issued a public apology, saying the study was based on flawed assumptions and methodology. As a consequence CPPS director Dr Lim Teck Ghee, who stood by the findings, said he would resign.
“This must be about the sixth time we've been told we can't talk about something this year,” said Kota Baru MP Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
“The issue here is that the NEP (New Economic Policy) is supposed to help people who have been left behind economically to catch up.
“We are told that we will one day reach the NEP target; does that mean we can only talk about it then?
“I would have thought that, if the CPPS bumiputra equity figure of 45% is accurate, the government and Umno should be pleased that their policies have succeeded and take credit for that.
“The irony is maybe they don't want to reveal the actual figure so that they can keep on asking for more.“I just came back from Prague where we were discussing something more 'sensitive' – co-existence among Jews, Muslims and Christians.
“It was a shock to come back and hear we aren't supposed to discuss or dispute the government’s equity figures.“What will it be next time – no discussion on the haze and the API because it would affect national security?” asked Zaid.
Dr Chandra Muzaffar, president of the International Movement for a Just World, said the root problem was that Malaysians looked at everything through an ethnic prism. He said the ethnic approach was neither helping the bumiputra community nor the nation. “It's a tremendous significance that the poverty gap within the bumiputra community is wider. It has become worse since the mid-1990s. Studies by the late Dr Ishak Shari (director of Ikmas, a research institute in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) showed this clearly.”
Dr Chandra said Malaysians should be able to debate issues without degenerating into ethnic posturing.“One has to allow people to speak and explore ideas. Politicians especially should show maturity and sophistication in their responses and not see themselves as targets. “The ease with which we take ethnic positions – especially the intelligentsia – is frightening.”
He added though that things could have taken a different turn if the media had done a proper report on the study “which had covered issues much larger than the equity figure.”
On the dispute over whether to include ownership Government-Linked Companies in the equity calculations (as computed by the CPPS but not by the EPU), Dr Chandra said GLCs should not be included in any survey looking along ethnic lines.
“How would you then regard the civil service, which is staffed largely by bumiputras, and other public institutions?”
Dr Chandra likened that to classifying private corporations, which may have a large Chinese presence, as Chinese.
“Take for example poverty among fishermen – they are mainly Malays but the reasons for their poverty have nothing to do with their ethnicity. We should instead look at things from a socio-economic approach.”
Transparency International Malaysia deputy president and associate professor Mohamad Ali Hasan said no one should be deprived of discussing issues of public interest as long as they were objective and based their arguments on fact.
“We want to know the truth, we should have information based on hard facts and not distorted information.
“In a multi-cultural, multi-religious country, we need to be more sensitive to each other but we should be open as well.”
Head of MCA Youth Economic Bureau Datuk Henry Wong said, “All communities should encourage the building of a robust entrepreneurial class but we must not lose sight of the need to enhance our overall global competitiveness, to uplift general income levels as well as to reduce poverty and lower the disparities regardless of race. This was and still is the real intention of the New Economic Policy.
Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon, Penang state executive councillor, said in a statement the controversy would not have arisen had the government been more open and receptive to views, challenging its own findings.
“The signal seems to be that dissent is not to be tolerated and honest pursuit of knowledge discouraged,” he said, adding it was at odds with the government's professed claim of wanting to make Malaysia a more open, transparent and liberal society.
“The expansion of the democratic space, and the strengthening of the right to dissent and challenge are so important in moving our nation forward.”
= = = = = = = = =
……..Background on ASLI Disputed figure of 45%

No Government Pressure On Asli To Back Down; October 13, 2006 21:24 PM
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The government did not pressure Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) to back down and retract the controversial report of a study on bumiputera equity ownership, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Friday.
"The statement made by president of Asli (Mirzan Mahathir) was voluntary. Asli is an independent think-tank and it is up to Asli to decide on its own on any issue.
"We appreciate the fact there is concern (about bumiputera equity) but there must be a degree of national consensus over economic data, especially economic data that might be of concern and sensitive to Malaysians," Najib told a news conference after witnessing the signing of a sale and purchase agreement between Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad and Bombardier Hartasuma.
The report by Asli's Centre for Public Policy Studies (CPPS) concluded that bumiputera equity ownership could be as high as 45 per cent while the government's official figure is 18.9 per cent.
On Tuesday, Mirzan issued a public apology over the CPPS report and also retracted it, saying the study was based on flawed assumptions and calculations and its conclusion could not be "vigorously justified".
Following the retraction, CPPS director Dr Lim Teck Ghee announced he would resign end of this month to take responsibility for the report's fallout, but he said he stood by the findings and disagreed with Mirzan's statement.

Najib reiterated that the government stood by the accuracy of its data on the equity share of bumiputera and non-bumiputera released by the Economic Planning Unit.
= = = = = = = =

From The Sun; 13 Oct 2006
Rejection of Asli report sends wrong signal: Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon

PENANG: The government's rejection of the report on bumiputra corporate equity published by Asli's Centre for Public Policy Studies, which challenges the official data, has sent the wrong signal that dissent is not tolerated and honest pursuit of knowledge discouraged, says state executive councillor Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon.

In a statement yesterday, he said: "The government could and should have instructed the relevant agencies to be more transparent on the data and methodology used to compute the bumiputra equity ownership share. "Discussions with CPPS (headed by its director Dr Lim Teck Ghee) and others on these issues could have been held and a consensus arrived at. "Instead, the government lambasted Lim. The signal seems to be that dissent is not tolerated and honest pursuit of knowledge discouraged," he said.

The Asli report ­ Corporate Equity Distribution: Past Trends and Future Policy ­ stated that bumiputra corporate equity ownership could be as high as 45% and not 18.9% as stated in government statistics, drawing sharp criticisms from the prime minister and government economic advisers. Toh, a University Malaya trained economist and Gerakan central committee member, said this was a sad development and Govt defends 18.9% equity figure seemed at odds with the government's professed aim of wanting to make the country a more open, transparent and liberal society. He said that Lim's wishes for the public space opened up by the work of the CPPS on this particular issue to be expanded upon must be taken up by all. "This is because the expansion of democratic space, and the strengthening of the right to dissent and challenge, are so important in moving the nation forward," Toh stressed.

The Asli centre had come under attack from Umno leaders and other Malay groups after its findings, submitted to the government in February as part of feedback for planning of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, were publicised. On Tuesday, Asli (Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute) president Mirzan Mahathir withdrew support for the report, saying it could not be "vigorously defended".

The following day, Lim resigned in the interest of defending "the integrity of independent and non-partisan scholarship". Toh congratulated Lim on his brave and principled stand to resign. He said Lim's action should be emulated by all. "His resignation was due to the unprincipled position taken by Asli president Datuk Mirzan Mahathir that the study done by CPPS was based on so-called `faulty assumption' and hence its conclusions `faulty' as well. "Dr Lim disagreed and stood by his methodology. Being the honest scientist that he is, he took the honourable way of resigning, rather than meekly comply with the views of his president.

"His stand is a very refreshing departure from the culture of compliance and subservience that the ruling elites in our country attempt to cultivate," Toh said. The government yesterday continued to defend its data. However, groups stressed the government's figure could only be verified if its data, methodology and analysis were publicised.

Referring to Asli's findings, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said there was no need for the government to prove the institute wrong. "We have already explained through public statements the Economic Planning Unit's (EPU) basis of calculations," he said after presenting Hari Raya goodies to soldiers at the Defence Ministry in Kuala Lumpur. "The government will continue to insist on the official data. We hope this will be accepted and will not be questioned by anyone."

Najib also cautioned non-governmental organisations from raising "sensitive matters" that could be seen as seditious. "Initially, it could be seen as intellectual discourse but once it touches on sensitive matters, it can incite racial feelings," he said. "Rather than making a public statement, it is better for these groups to come to the government first."

The Writers Alliance for Media Independence (Wami) and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) said critics of the Asli report must use the "same or a higher level of intellectual rigour" to dispute its findings. "The best weapon for the government to rebut the centre's findings would be to publicise its own data and analysis," they said.

"As the NEP (National Economic Policy) has been central to Malaysia's political and socioeconomic development, all Malaysians have the right to listen to the debates on its achievements and make their own judgments." They said the validity of government data used to calculate corporate equity ownership was currently beyond academic scrutiny.

"We believe that releasing important socio-economic data, from equity ownership to poverty incidence, should be a duty and not a discretion of the government," they said.

"There could be no greater harm to the national interest for national decisions to be made from data only accessible to highranking politicians."

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said Mirzan's statement and apology had reduced Asli's credibility and integrity because it was without academic basis or rational. "Clearly, Mirzan's retraction was politically motivated and not driven by any flaws or shortcomings either in the centre's methodology or research data," he said.

Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, who is Public Accounts Committee chairman, questioned the centre's 45% figure but said it was more important to prevent economic leakages. "We cannot continue to go through another period of giving

opportunities to the Malays and then seeing these wasted through leakages," he said after chairing a Public Accounts Committee meeting. He said government policies must be based on accurate and credible statistics.

Check out this

Penang Couple who made their Million within a year selling VCD & DVD on a website inaccessible form Malaysia

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MORE Pics - Couple RAKING in RM100,000 Per MONTH Caught in PENANG Distributing VCD & DVD OPTICAL DISCS Via WEBSITE & SENDING By Courier Service

ABOVE: The house (parked with the two new cars)in Jelutong, Penang raided by the local Anti Piracy unit from the Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs Ministry; BELOW; The Director, M Guna Seelan

Illegal business is always a lucrative business and pirating compact Optical discs is a “get rich fast” one but not for long as the long arm of the law is everywhere. This Penang couple was using their website to get the business as the duplication and production are done by so many other local illegal SMEs ( Small Medium Enterprises).

ABOVE: The computer and laptop confiscated and BELOW: The unsent Optical VCD & DVD Packed in DHL Courier Cardboard Box

And reports indicated with the knowledge they learned in their IT studies, they managed to block ALL Malaysia IPs visiting their site. This is a relatively simple technique used by some bloggers, like the Malaysian pioneer Tim Yang at one time in June 2004. Check here.

But the MPA (Motion Picture Association of America, see below) outwitted them and with the aid of the local Anti-Piracy unit their operating base at home was raided and they were arrested.

And being pirates themselves, why bother to study to get their Master & MBA when pirated ones are easily available for a small fee from a lot of pirated U's.

ABOVE & BELOW: Samples of the well packed VCD & DVD (supplied by local manufacturers) seized from the raided house

Other sources revealed that they get good prices from retailing their VCD & DVD compact discs charging between US7.80 and US34.00 each. At these prices, it is not difficult to estimate their millionaire status within a year for an exchange rate of 1US$ = RM3.70.

= = = = = = = = = =

She's in the soup; They went for the high life, they went into cyber piracy
14 Oct 2006 Lee Shi-Ian , NST report

---

PENANG: She is 24, the daughter of a retired top civil servant, an IT graduate and now a top Internet pirate. Together with her boyfriend, a computer programmer, they raked in at least RM100,000 a month operating one of the most active websites linked to the supply of pirated discs worldwide.
A day after their operation was busted in Penang, more surprising details about the couple emerged. It is learnt that the woman is still studying, pursuing her Master’s in Sociology at a local university. She enjoyed life in the fast lane, frequenting the club scene in Penang. Two cars — a Toyota Altis and a Perodua Kancil — were parked in the porch of her house in Jelutong.
Sources from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry told the New Straits Times that the 29-year-old boyfriend was also pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at a local university. From documents seized from the house, the authorities estimate the couple could have raked in as much as RM1 million in the past one year from their operations.
"The suspects are IT experts. This they displayed in setting up the website," the source said. "They made it impossible for anyone using a Malaysian Internet service provider to access the website. It was only available to foreigners." The couple and a 33-year-old man involved in a similar but unrelated case were taken to the George Town magistrate’s court yesterday where the authorities obtained a five-day remand order.
They are being investigated under the Copyright Act 1987 and face fines of up to RM20,000 per optical disc seized or five years’ jail or both.

The woman’s father (top civil servant?) was present in court and tried to get her released on bail. In Thursday’s operation, officers from the ministry’s Internet Piracy team and representatives from the Motion Picture Association conducted simultaneous raids on two houses in Jelutong and Ayer Itam.
The houses had been traced as the origins of websites operated separately, one by the couple and the second by the 33-year-old man.
The couple is part of a growing trend of computer-savvy youths who use their skills to make a fast buck. Over the past two weeks, a group of youths was arrested by police officers from the Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department for phishing. Phishing involves using email and fake websites to lure Internet users into providing their personal banking details, which are then used to steal from their accounts.
The group managed to steal RM36,000 from more than 20 bank customers over a two- week period, which resulted in police reports being lodged.
= = = = = = =

The MPA’s key priorities are: Content Protection (through legislation, technology and enforcement), Market Access, Content Regulation and issues associated with the Internet.
General MPA responsibilities in the region include: Anti-Piracy:

Anti-Piracy actions are taken by the individual Anti-Piracy Organizations nationally but are supervised by the Anti-Piracy team based in Brussels. The piracy problems and related issues (legal, cultural, economic) vary from country to country. The key piracy issues in Europe are internet piracy, particularly illegal downloading from P2P systems, imports of pirate DVDs from Asia, the manufacture of pirate DVDs in Russia and their export to other European markets, and increased burning of DVD-Rs and CD-Rs in countries across the region.

Internet piracy is growing at a faster rate in Europe than anywhere else worldwide. This is due to rapid broadband take-up, weak laws in certain instances, and lenient public and official perceptions. The countries in the region with the most “broadband users” are Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium. In countries with broadband penetration rates roughly similar to the U.S. (Belgium, UK, France, Netherlands), the main Internet piracy problem is the use of P2P systems. In countries with very high broadband penetration rates, high download speeds and monthly download quotas (e.g., the Nordic countries), the main problems are the use of “direct connection” applications such as DC++, “swarming” systems such as BitTorrent and simple FTP servers.

Despite such promising initiatives, progress towards compliance with Europe’s TRIPs obligation to address illegal filesharing in Europe has been patchy. France (where a number of courts have imposed suspended prison terms and fines on P2P filesharers) and Denmark (where the local anti-piracy program has successfully pursued civil claims against heavy DC++ users) have led the way in successfully seeking remedies from the courts. In addition, there have been a number of limited but highly successful local initiatives to secure criminal enforcement against Internet piracy that is commercial, organized or on a large scale, particularly in Germany. In other countries, such as Sweden, official efforts against endemic online piracy have been weak.

Despite ever-increasing enforcement activity and seizures of pirate discs by the MPA’s 35 anti-piracy programs in the region, the problem of optical disc piracy continues to grow. In the first half of 2005, pirate DVD seizures in the EMEA region exceeded 3.6 million discs. Seizures of burned DVD-Rs grew by 70% in the first six months to almost 2 million discs, and seizures of DVD-R burners jumped by 32% in the same period to almost 3,000.

Local DVD-R burning across EMEA is being fuelled by rising Internet downloading, lower prices for burners and for blank media, and by increased Customs and local anti-piracy program vigilance against pirate imports of pressed discs. Particularly noteworthy is the explosive increase of DVD-R burning in the UK during 2005, as Asian pirates reconfigure their business in an attempt to outflank our effective work with UK Customs and with law enforcement authorities in Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Pakistan.

In other markets, such as Germany, pirate CD-Rs and DVD-Rs remain a major concern. These optical discs are sourced from the Internet and distributed on the Internet via websites and auction sites. Street sales of pirate CD-Rs and DVD-Rs plague the markets in Italy, Spain, and Ireland. Heightened enforcement efforts by the authorities in Portugal and Turkey, however, working with our local anti-piracy organizations, have yielded excellent results, illustrating that where governments show the will to combat piracy, substantial improvements can be achieved.

Finally, although it is not yet a significant problem in Europe, the MPA is lobbying to ensure that the potential for camcording piracy is addressed as soon as possible to prevent the growth of this emerging phenomenon. Camcording piracy has become a considerable problem in the US and Canada, where it is a very lucrative way to pirate a movie early on in its theatrical release.

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MORE PICS – 1 Killed 2 Severly Injured at 434 Km NS Expressway; 2Killed at 30.2 Km ELITE Highway; 2Killed near Bandar Sunway Lagoon; CAR Flip Over

The twisted wrecksof a Proton Iswara and a BMW
A man was killed and two were severely injured in an accident at 434 Km N-S Expressway near Bukit Berunding, Rawang on Early Friday morning.

A closed up view of the wrecks

Elvis Yeoh 31 died on the spot and another two Wong Koon Leong and Cheah Yat Soon both 28 were sent to the Sungai Buluh hospital for treatment.

The surviving driver of the car being detained for questioning

Incident occurred at 4.45 am when Wong lost control of his car and rammed into Yeoh’s car.

ABOVE: the name card that identified the victim Elvis Yeoh and BELOW, the trapped body inside the car

His body was trapped in the vehicle before rescue workers removed his body half an hour later and sent it to the Kual Kubu hospital for post mortem. Police appealed for eyewitness to the crash.

Meanwhile the express driver attending to his bus at the emergency lane was alo killed by a sleepy lorry driver at the Elite Highway.

On Tuesday, near Bandar Sunway Lagoon, the driver loss control of his vehicleand rammed into a student killing both.

And in overseas, Autralia a Monash University student was also killed crossing a road

Lorry Rams Into Bus In Emergency Lane, Drivers Killed; October 13, 2006 13:54 PM

SEPANG, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Two people were killed when a lorry rammed into the back of a stationary express bus at Km30.2 of the Elite Highway heading towards the Kuala Lumpur International Airport exit here, early Friday.

ABOVE & BELOW: The express bus had engine problem and the driver went down to inspect the engine

A police spokesman said in the 5.45am accident, the express bus which was en route to Segamat from Kangar stopped in the emergency lane due to an engine problem.

He said bus driver Abu Bakar Shafie, 53, from Alor Setar, was at the back of the vehicle checking on the problem when a small lorry came from behind and rammed into the bus, killing him instantly.

ABOVE: The express bus driver, opened the engine cover for inspection and the sleepy lorry driver who could not tell if the bus was moving or stationary, graced the right side (BELOW) where the driver was standing killing him instantly and also himself.

The impact of the crash also killed lorry driver Ishak Mat Sidek, he said. It is learnt that the 29-year-old driver from Kajang was driving alone.

None of the bus passengers were hurt. The bodies have been sent to the Serdang Hospital for post-mortem.

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The location was near Bandar Sunway Lagoon and there was a large crowd taking a closer look at the overturned car in the drain

Two Killed near Sunway Lagoon Resort, Bandar Sunway on last Tuesday when the unidentified driver of the vehicle went out of control and rammed into a student Chan Chong Wei, 19 from Kuching Sarawak who was also killed. The car turned turtle and landed onto a drain.
The car turned turtle and landed on the drain killing the unidentified driver
A large crowd of curious people flocked to the scene of the accident.

A dead body even covered up would attracted people to see what happened

Police appealed for eyewitnesses to the accident

Everyone watching attentively until the bodies were removed before they went away
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here is the Brief STAR Account of the Km434 and Elite Highway accidents

Three killed in separate accidents; Oct 14 06

RAWANG: Three people were killed and two others seriously injured in separate accidents near here and Sepang.

In the first incident, engineer Elvis Yeoh Cheong Soon died after his car collided with another vehicle on the North–South Expressway near Bukit Beruntung at 4.30am yesterday.

Bus driver Abu Bakar Shafie, 53, and lorry driver Ishak Mohd Salleh, 29, were killed in an accident along the Elite Highway near the KL International Airport exit.

Police sources said Abu Bakar had parked his bus on the emergency lane. “While he was checking the bus, a lorry crashed into him and the bus,” he said.

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Malaysian Student Killed In Road Accident; October 12, 2006 18:34 PM

MELBOURNE, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- A Malaysian student who was hit Wednesday by a four-wheel-drive here has died in hospital.
The 20-year-old Monash University second-year accountancy student, S. Gayathri, was crossing North Road in the suburb of Ormond about 10.30am when she was struck near the intersection of Wheatley Road.
She was taken to Alfred Hospital suffering severe head and chest injuries but police reported that she subsequently died.
The driver of the 4WD, also a 20-year-old woman, is helping police with their inquiries.
A police spokesman said the driver stopped and went to the Malaysian's aid immediately after the accident.
It is believed Gayathri's relatives flew in this morning to make arrangements to take the body back to Malaysia.

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