MH370 crash: Flight ended in southern Indian Ocean, says Najib

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has announced that British investigators from its Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have concluded that the flight of Malaysian Airlines MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean.
He said that Inmarsat, the company that indicated the plane flew along northern and southern corridors, have managed to trace its final flight path, using sophisticated technology.
"Using a type of analysis never before used in an investigation of this sort, they have been able to shed more light on MH370's flight path."
He said that MAS, together with AAIB, determined that MH370 flew along the southern corridor, and its last position was in the middle of the Indian Ocean, west of Perth.

"With deep sadness and regret, that according to this new data, flight MH370 ended in the southern Indian Ocean," he said.
He added that a press conference would be held Tuesday with further details on the latest findings.
"In the meantime, we wanted to inform you of this new development at the earliest opportunity. We share this information out of a commitment to openness and respect for the families, two principles which have guided this investigation," said Najib.
MH370, which had been missing for the last 17 days, disappeared from Malaysian radars at 2.15am on March 8 after taking off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport for Beijing at 1.30am. It carried 239 passengers and crew.

Penang Boleh...syabas..We are proud of you Tuan Lim Guan Eng!

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 11 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng touted today his administration as proof that Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) 100-day promises would not bankrupt government coffers.

He said that since PR took over Penang in 2008, it had executed various welfare programmes but still achieved record budget surpluses.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had scoffed at PR’s 100-day reform programme, saying it was “too good to be true.”

But Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim defended the plan today, stating that it would only cost RM19 billion that would come from cutting out corruption.

Lim echoed this by claiming that Penang had hit a record RM88 million surplus in 2008 and RM77 million in 2009 through “the dividends of anti-corruption” measures.

At a press conference this morning, he pointed out that the state’s administration had been praised by both Transparency International and the Auditor-General who had also rated Penang as the best managed state.

The DAP secretary-general also said that it was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala who had first pointed out that Malaysia would go bankrupt in 2019 under current economic practices.

Lim also listed a number of programmes under his administration which he said was paid for through the budget surplus:

• RM11.3 million in allocations in 2010 for religious, Chinese and Tamil schools;

• RM100 water rebate per family costing RM17 million in 2008 and 2009;

• Elimination of hardcore poverty by ensuring each household had an income of at least RM500 a month;

• RM100 per year in special payments to senior citizens above the age of 60 costing RM20 million a year;

• Funeral allowance of RM1,000 for Penang residents.

The chief minister claimed that these programmes “were never executed under BN’s 51-year rule but was done in the three years that PR has governed.”

He said that no PR-governed state had gone bankrupt.

PR has promised that if it takes over federal government, it would implement a number of reforms and initiatives within the first 100 days of taking power.

These include an RM500 per month incentive for teachers, maintaining fuel subsidies and eliminating toll for highways.

This is a short sentence. We are proud of you Mr.Lim.

We promised, we will deliver the votes to you, for the good things you've done for Penangite. You've made Penang so much systematic, cleaner and proud among the Malaysian.

Good-bye and rest in pieces to those Kaki Bodeks.

Penang Boleh...I'm proud of Penang and all Penangite that made the changes. Keep the right person in office and good riddance to the Patung-Patung.

PM: Government will not tolerate anyone making racist remarks

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has warned the people against spreading “half-truths” on racial issues and said the Government has zero tolerance of racist remarks.

“We are aware of some SMSes that have been going around, (in which the content) is not accurate and is intended to raise (racial) sentiments,” he said.

Najib emphasised that action would be taken against those who made remarks that were racist in nature and unlawful, and also against those who vandalised places of worship such as churches or surau.

“Let’s not have people who spin the issue racially, as if we practise selective prosecution,” he said after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at PWTC here yesterday evening.

Earlier in the day, Najib said the Government had zero tolerance for racist remarks by anyone.

“Our stand is not to tolerate racist remarks by anyone. Unity is very important as part of our nation building,” Najib said during a dialogue session with youths at the Barisan Nasional Youth Lab programme here.

Najib, however, added that alleged racist remarks must first be investigated before action was taken.

He was responding to concerns from the floor of recent racially-based remarks made by two school principals against the Chinese and Indian communities.

Barisan Youth chairman Khairy Jamaluddin presented the Youth Lab report. More than 7,500 youths had been engaged in formulating the ideas since March.

On calls to amend the Internal Security Act (ISA) to ensure it was not abused, Najib said the days of “scare politics” or using the ISA to wield power and show that one was in full control were gone.

He also agreed to the lab’s suggestion for a special 1Malaysia Fund to support youth programmes that encouraged inter-racial relationships and also supported the idea of having have minimum wage for certain sectors.

To a question on press freedom, Najib said the media had more latitude today and was given more space.

But he said they must be very careful in their reports to ensure the truth was not twisted and racial flames were not ignited.

On his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Najib said some were out to “divide” them although they were “one government.”

Govt does away with 30% bumi equity requirement

KUALA LUMPUR: The 30% bumiputra quota requirement for companies seeking to list on the Bursa Malaysia has been done away with under an overhaul of the Government’s economic policies.

In his most important announcement since taking office on April 3, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said there was a need for a new economic model.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announcing the need for a new economic model at the Invest Malaysia 2009 conference at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday. — NORAFIFI EHSAN / The Star

He said the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) would effectively “no longer exist” as it had failed to achieve its objectives.

Saying that the emphasis now was on participation instead of equity, Najib also announced the setting up of Ekutinas (Ekuiti Nasional Bhd), a private equity fund to make strategic investments for bumiputras, especially in companies with high-growth potential.

The other announcements, which are to take effect immediately, were:

* All property transactions, except for those involving a dilution of government or bumiputra interests for property valued at RM20mil and above, would no longer require FIC approval;

* All Malaysian companies seeking listing would have to offer 50% of their public offering to bumiputra investors, which would work out to 12.5% of the total stake;

* A 100% ownership would be allowed for qualified and leading fund management companies to set up operations in Malaysia;

* Foreign equity in existing stockbroking companies would be increased to 70% from 49%;

* All transactions on mergers and takeovers by local or foreign companies will no longer need FIC approval; and

* All listed companies need not maintain 30% bumiputra equity as required previously.

Najib shuts the door on Labu LCCT

EPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday quashed any possibility of reviving the proposed low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) in Labu, Negri Sembilan. "We have decided. The project in Labu cannot continue because Sime Darby will not cover the infrastructure cost. They will only sell the land to the party developing the LCCT," he told the Malaysian media here.

Najib, who is also finance minister, said the infrastructure cost related to the proposed LCCT in Labu would amount to RM800 million.

"I received confirmation from Sime Darby. If they are not contributing (towards the infrastructure cost), then there is no basis for the project to be considered."

Najib said the new LCCT would be built at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang.
He said AirAsia's requirements for the new LCCT, such as parking charges, were being negotiated.

It was reported last week that the proposal for the Labu LCCT was still under discussion.

A Bernama report quoted Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat as saying in a written reply in Parliament that a final decision had not been made on whether to proceed with or scrap the proposal to build the terminal.

The report said a comprehensive study was being done to ensure that the project was feasible and would benefit the people.

Ong also reportedly said AirAsia Bhd would have to bear the cost of building the new LCCT as well as take on the connectivity costs, such as constructing roads and rail tracks and other infrastructure.

$25M to cross over – there no recession here

$1M is a lot of money, to say the least $25M. It is highly unlikely this is correct or that the money will come from UMNO of the government.

It is most probably an estimate value of expected benefit this person will likely to get out of his position as a person who gets things done for the PM. This person has the PM's ear and that will bring in enormous financial benefits. It is most probably a number being thrown around to entice any sucker fish to take the bait.

The PM office did not give the money directly to this person. The PM only reward him with 5 minutes of his time just to "listen" or maybe kopi time with him. That is good enough to get the message out to businesses who wants the PM ear. Here is a person who has it but businesses have to bid for the 5 minutes. Is this corruption, I do not think so, it is lobbying.

Charge the PM with corruption for having kopi time? It will be a big ask. Maybe we should introduce a new level of corruption “core and non core corruption”

NAJIB: Gov't does not agree to Sept 16 being made public holiday

The federal government is not agreeable to the suggestion by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Sept 16 be made a public holiday in the five states under Pakatan Rakyat.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said there should only be one National Day for the country.

“We have chosen the date as our independence day. Having another date will give rise to all kinds of interpretation, polemic and this is not healthy to national integration.

“This is our stand; we give importance to unity and national integration,” he told reporters after launching the Chery multi-purpose vehicle here today.

Malaysia celebrates its National Day on Aug 31 every year.
Anwar had suggested that Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kelantan — all of which are under Pakatan Rakyat — declare Sept 16 each year as a public holiday to commemorate the formation of Malaysia.

Penang and Kelantan had accepted the proposal while the three other states were still considering it.

Latest update on "Malaysia Soap Opera"

"Balasubramaniam retracts allegations against Najib" - i cannot believe my eyes today , after all the media hype yesterday , today statement is a complete reversal.

So we are entertained by yet another interesting episode in the blockbuster drama , we all know the actors and actress including the supporting one. I just couldnt wait for the next revelation in the upcoming episod . Funny they seems to introduce the dramatic revelations one day at a time . I think my greatest imagination and wondering brings me to the following question ? Will there be a youtube movie of this act?

Stay tune... its worthwhile to watch. Completely a diversion from daily problems such as higher material cost , higher food cost , higher tyre cost ,lower bonus..... and increasing opportunity of being unemployed