Two women held over baby kidnap

GEORGE TOWN: Police have detained two women believed to have been involved in the abduction of a baby girl on Thursday.

A police source said the two were arrested at a bus terminal in Butterworth.

“The two suspects had taken a bus from Penang island to Butterworth and were arrested when they alighted the bus. We have been monitoring them,” said the source.

On Thursday, a seven-month-old baby girl was kidnapped from her grandmother’s house in Paya Terubong here.

Two women, one of whom is believed to be a friend and former housemate of the girl’s grandmother, took the baby out of the house at 3.30pm, on the pretext of going for a stroll.

It is learnt that the 54-year-old grandmother lodged a police report when her friend failed to return with the baby after half an hour and could not be reached on the phone.

The baby was rescued within 24 hours by police from a house in Balik Pulau following a tip-off on Friday.

Police also detained a 60-year-old man who allegedly paid RM3,000 for the baby to assist in investigations.

Firms eyeing KL-S'pore rail project

TOKYO: Several international firms, including Japanese ones, are eyeing the 330km Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high speed rail link project.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that during his discussions with leading Japanese corporations – three namely Hitachi Ltd, Sumitomo Corporation and Mitsui & Co – had voiced their interest in the project.

He added the Government was still conducting a project feasibility study. Once completed, the international bidding process would be carried out.

“The companies, including Japanese firms, could then take part in the process,” he told the Malaysian media.

Najib said there were also Chinese and European companies that were interested in the high speed rail link project.

Earlier this year, Malaysia and Singapore announced the rail link, which is expected to cut land travelling time between the two countries to just 90 minutes.

Targeted to be completed by 2020, it is reported to cost about RM40bil.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who held a bilateral meeting with Najib earlier, urged for Japanese technology to be considered in the rail link construction.

“This is something which Malaysia should consider adopting as Japan has the Shinkansen high speed railway system,” he said.

Najib said there were opportunities for Japanese companies to take part in the development of Malaysia’s infrastructure through the process of open bidding.

On the second wave of the Look East Policy, Malaysia is eyeing high value investments from the Land of the Rising Sun and those that are up in the value chain, the Prime Minister said.

This comes after the positive effect of the first wave of the policy which started in 1982 where Malaysians learned skills, values and the good work ethics practised by the Japanese.

“I told Prime Minister Abe that we are not interested in getting labour intensive investments but are eyeing those that are high tech and that would create a high supply chain.”

The Prime Minister also held discussions with Tokuyama Corporation which confirmed a RM5bil investment for the second phase of its polysilicon plant in Malaysia.

The company had already spent RM3bil and invited Najib to launch the second phase some time next year.

Japanese firm Toshiba has also confirmed its partnership with 1MDB to set up a high-tech cancer treatment centre, the Prime Minister added.

KCNA: North Korea leader's 'traitor' uncle executed

SEOUL (South Korea) (AFP) - North Korea has executed the uncle of its leader Kim Jong-un after a shock purge, state news agency KCNA announced early Friday, branding the once-powerful Jang Song-thaek a "traitor for all ages". 

Jang was executed on Thursday shortly after a special military trial, KCNA reported, after committing such a "hideous crime as attempting to overthrow the state by all sorts of intrigues and despicable methods with a wild ambition to grab the supreme power of our party and state". 

"The accused is a traitor to the nation for all ages who perpetrated anti-party, counter-revolutionary factional acts in a bid to overthrow the leadership of our party and state and the socialist system." 

In a viciously-worded attack, the regime accused Jang of betraying the trust of both Kim Jong-un and his father Kim Jong-il, saying he had received "deeper trust" from the younger leader in particular. 

Branding Jang "despicable human scum... worse than a dog", the regime accused him of attempting to stand in the way of Kim Jong-un's succession, according to KCNA. 

Jang let in "undesirable and alien elements" to a department of the party's crucial Central Committee in a bid to "rally a group of reactionaries to be used by him for toppling the leadership of the party and state", it said. 

Analysts said a widespread purge was likely to be carried out against those associated with Jang, especially those at the Central Committee's administrative department he had headed. 

During the court hearing, Jang said he attempted to stage a coup d'etat by mobilising his associates in the military, according to KCNA. 

"I attempted to stir up complaints among the people and the military that even as the country's economic situation and people's livelihood are in dire situation, the current regime fails to deal with it," Jang was quoted as saying at the military court. 

"He revealed his true picture as a traitor of all ages, saying that the coup was aimed at the supreme leader" Kim Jong-un, KCNA said. 

The court found him guilty of attempting to overthrow the state in breach of the Criminal Law and handed out a death sentence to punish him sternly "in the name of revolution and the people". 

"The death sentence was executed immediately," KCNA said. 

Jang, who was married to the sister of the late Kim Jong-il, played a key role in cementing the leadership of the inexperienced Kim. 

But analysts say the 67-year-old's power and influence had become increasingly resented by his nephew, who is aged around 30. 

Jang - seen as Kim's political regent and the country's unofficial number two - had earlier been stripped of all posts and titles, with the regime accusing him of corruption and building a rival power base. 

State TV this week showed photos of him being dragged out of his seat at a meeting by two officers, in an extremely rare public humiliation of a figure who was then demonised as a drug-taking womaniser. 

South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday accused Kim Jong-un of resorting to extreme violence to cement his leadership. 

"North Korea is now engaged in a reign of terror while carrying out a massive purge to consolidate the power of Kim Jong-un," she told a cabinet meeting, according to her office. 

The Kim family has ruled the North for six decades with an iron fist, regularly purging those showing the slightest sign of dissent. Most are executed or sent to prison camps. 

Analysts warn Jang's ouster - the biggest political upheaval since Jong-un took power - may cause significant instability even in the world's most tightly controlled nation. 

Ancient Malaysian treasures for sale on modern eBay

KOTA TINGGI: It’s not just Kedah that’s crying foul over the loss of valuable historic sites. Artefacts and treasures from Johor are also being sold at lucrative prices in a thriving black market trade – and much of the treasure comes from the state’s old administrative capital of Johor Lama.

To make things worse, The Star’s checks on eBay and other sites revealed a startling truth. Historical artefacts from Perak and Malacca are also on sale.

The treasures, which run into millions of ringgit, include gold, silver and tin coins, animal-shaped currencies, celadon, terracotta and blue and white Chinese ceramics and weapons.

The trade, which has been going on secretly for the past 40 years, has been attracting private antique collectors and antique shop owners from both Malaysia and foreign countries, including from Singapore.

Chua: Najib never commented on my candidacy

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister did not stop Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek from defending his MCA president’s post on Dec 21.

Dr Chua said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, also the Barisan Nasional chairman, told him that he did not tell former deputy MCA president Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek, 72, that he did not want him to contest the president’s post.

“There are people who always use the Prime Minister’s name to threaten me,” he said on how he had to beat the odds to contest and win the deputy president’s post in 2008 and president’s post in 2010.

Last week, Dr Chua announced he would not seek re-election to give way to new blood.

Lim made headlines recently after he openly claimed that Najib did not want Dr Chua to seek re-election.

Lim said he told Najib that MCA needed new leadership and that the Prime Minister had never rejected his request.

At a press conference after chairing the party’s central committee meeting at Wisma MCA here yesterday, Dr Chua said he had told the Prime Minister that Lim’s era was over.

Dr Chua said the 2,380-plus central delegates had the wisdom to decide on the party’s new central line-up.

On the unity plan lining up candidates for the post of four vice-presidents and 25 central committee members from both factions – one aligned to him and the other to deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai – he said this was to ensure there was no intense fight.

The line-up from Dr Chua’s side are Labis MP Chua Tee Yong and Kampar division chief Datuk Lee Chee Leong for vice-president and 13 for central committee member posts.

The line-up from Liow’s side are former Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun and former Kluang MP Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung for vice-president and 12 for central committee member posts.

While they (15 candidates from team aligned to him) support each other to win, Dr Chua said there was no such thing as which presidential candidate or deputy presidential candidate they supported.

Liow, vice-president Gan Ping Sieu and former president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat are going for the president’s post, while Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong and vice-president Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai are gunning for the deputy president’s post.

In another development, Dr Chua said Najib had reassured him that he is a Prime Minister for all Malaysians and practised inclusiveness.

He said he had voiced his concern to the Barisan chairman and Umno president on the racial tones from delegates at the Umno assembly last week, like asking to change 1Malaysia to 1Melayu.

Dr Chua said some delegates had said things which were not reflective of the leadership, and this had triggered concern among the people and undermine racial harmony.

Umno delegates need to look into this and should be sensitive because what they said will hinder national reconciliation to win the hearts and minds of all Malaysians.

“Likewise, we (MCA) also remind our delegates that we take care of the community within a multi-racial country,” he said.

On the Government’s subsidy rationalisation, Dr Chua said the Government must put in place more initiatives to reduce the impact and financial burden on the lower income group and those caught in the middle income trap.

Table for one, anyone?

One is not necessarily a lonely number when you’re eating out. ARE you an aspiring restaurateur hoping to unearth a yet untapped market in a food-obsessed city crammed with a million things and places to eat?

Are you hopelessly lost for ideas because every dining concept you can possibly think of, someone else was there before you?

Here’s an idea for you: do a table for one.

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For too long, lone diners have had to live with the shame of eating without company. Tell the maitre d’, “Just one”, and he will parrot, “Just one?”, then raise one finger for double confirmation.

Where do these single people retreat to? Office cubicles, eating economy rice out of a styrofoam box? Roaming the food halls of department stores picking up one bun here, one stick of fish balls there? Go hungry?

Singaporeans are so shy about eating alone that two years ago, students at the National University of Singapore launched a campaign to encourage undergraduates to bravely go solo in the school canteen.

This, after a survey found they often skip meals or eat on the go if they have no company.

This fear of friendless feeding is universal – there’s even a term for it: solomangarephobia.

As a teenager, I probably suffered from solomangarephobia. Recess without friendly banter over mee rebus in the tuckshop was just unfathomable. Thankfully, I wasn’t one of those kids nobody wanted to eat with.

Somehow, by the time I got to university, eating alone wasn’t embarrassing anymore. It gives off the aura of self- assuredness and maturity – you’re not one of those needy types huddling in a clique. You’re a cool loner.

Then I became a journalist and eating alone became a necessity as you are often out by yourself on assignments.

One too many meals alone, and I’ve developed a love for solitary dining. It’s fuss-free. You won’t over-order and over-eat. And you’re free to check out any place you like without being apologetic to your dining partner if the food turns out to be bad.

It’s a time to gather your thoughts, to reflect, to observe. It’s a time to attend to things, such as replying to e-mail on your phone, catching up on the news or booking your spa appointment.

Occasionally, it’s also a time to let you feed that other appetite: the kaypoh (Hokkien for busybody) appetite. Eavesdropping on the conversation at the next table can be quite satiating sometimes.

These are things you can’t do if you need to keep up with the conversation from across the table.

With years of practice, I think I’m about the equivalent of a black belt now in the art of eating alone.

No need for books, magazines, an iPad or even a smartphone. Just enjoy every bite of the lovely meal before you. After all, it’s a blessing to be able to eat, and eat well.

I’ve even gained enough confidence to chatter with the wait staff, and have made a friend or two of fellow solo diners.

And now, if a waiter dares to put me next to the toilet or a table of rowdy men, I make even more noise or I walk out.

Singapore still has a long way to go when it comes to being solo-dining-friendly. In cities such as Tokyo and New York, you can eat standing up, sitting down, walking around.

Food trucks do a good job of filling your tummy in Manhattan, as do ramen bars and conveyer-belt-sushi shops in Japan’s Shinjuku.

So imagine if you could run an eatery where single diners aren’t discriminated against, but are welcomed with open woks. If your dining establishment can draw them out of their office cubbyhole, you have a winner on your hands.

Here’s how: first, design your menu for the solo diner. Have your food come in small, medium and large and let your solo diner mix and match. Sell an assortment of wines by the glass. Definitely encourage doggy-bagging.

Second, be thoughtful with the design of your space. Bar counters work best. Set small tables where diners all face one direction. Have scenery. Add shades and partitions. Have reading material.

Restaurateurs should get their heads around the idea that a single diner is not taking up a table for two, but is a customer gained.

Treat this guy well, he’ll come back over and over again. – The Straits Times, Singapore/Asia News Network

Compassionate and caring Ruler

SELANGOR Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah is known for being a well-read and knowledgeable Ruler who is able to speak on many topics and issues with finesse.

He always keeps abreast of happenings in the state and steps in whenever there is a need for him to do so.

Being a just man, Sultan Sharafuddin also speaks up when he feels and believes there is a violation of individual or collective rights.

In 2009, when the privacy of a state assemblyman was violated with private pictures of her being circulated in cyberspace, Sultan Sharafuddin immediately voiced his concern.

The Sultan issued a statement that he was upset and worried over the intrusion of privacy and private rights for the purpose of destroying a person’s dignity and reputation.

He added that he was saddened that private lives were being made public and subject to public scrutiny via the mass media.

Sultan Sharafuddin also raised concerns over the plight of the orang asli (aborigines) and had asked for their rights, especially with regards to their land, to be returned to them.

He urged the state government to expedite the identification and gazetting of orang asli land in his speech during the opening of the state legislative assembly sitting in 2009.

Sultan Sharafuddin said in his speech that the orang asli community had undergone an erosion of identity and it is time their rights be returned to them with the resolution of their land problems.

“I want to stress the need to acknowledge and preserve orang asli land which had been seized from them in the last few years,’’ the Sultan had said.

Klang’s Orang Besar Daerah Datuk Setia DiRaja Datuk Abdul Ghani Pateh Akhir said the Sultan always put the people’s welfare first.

“Tuanku is always concerned about his subjects and emphasises that whatever projects planned by the government and other parties must first and foremost benefit the people,” he said.

He added that the Sultan also often stopped to speak to people whenever he attended public events or prayers at mosques.

“He has never not stopped and listened and responded when people come forward to speak with him. Whenever he attends charitable events involving the needy, he would speak to them and ask them about the problems they faced,” said Abdul Ghani.

Sultan Sharafuddin’s love for books goes a long way back and he is the proud owner of a massive collection on all topics.

His private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani had been quoted in a previous interview saying Sultan Sharafuddin spent almost all his spare time reading.

“Tuanku is always reading whenever he has some free time. He also reads while travelling in the car,” Mohamad Munir said.

The Sultan’s collection of books is kept in his palace as well as several other locations and the ruler has also donated a substantial amount of books to libraries.

Sultan Sharafuddin is also known as a working Ruler and is said to use his vast experience as a former civil servant when carrying out his royal duties.

Tuanku had served in the Selangor state secretariat as well as the Kuala Lumpur district office and the police after returning from England upon completing his studies.

Sultan Sharafuddin is also known to be very direct and is a stickler for detail. However, any decision he makes is always after meetings and discussions with relevant parties.

Meanwhile, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the Sultan’s guidance in matters related to the state was valuable.

“We are blessed to have a capable Sultan who not only supports us but also guides us with the wisdom of his experience,” said Khalid.

Sultan Sharafuddin was born on Dec 24, 1945 at Istana Jemaah in Klang when his father, the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah was the Selangor Crown Prince.

Sultan Sharafuddin, whose birth name is Tengku Idris Shah, became the Raja Muda of Selangor at the age of 15 in 1960 when his father was installed as the Sultan of Selangor. He ascended the throne in 2001 after Sultan Salahuddin’s demise.

On his 68th birthday, the rakyat of Selangor wish Sultan Sharafuddin good health and many more blessed years ahead.

Daulat Tuanku!