What happened in the Internet in 60 seconds

The Daily Mail in United Kingdom recently published an amazing figures on what happened in the internet in just 60 seconds.

Among the highlights are :

- 600 new videos uploaded on You Tube
- 13,000 hours music streaming via Pandora
- 98,000 Tweets via Twitter
- 370,000 minutes voice call on Skype
- 13,000 iphone applications downloaded
- 510,040 comments on Facebook

plus many many more amazing figures that we don't know.

Now imagine what happened in the internet in 60 minutes, 60 days, 60 months and 60 years from now..

Marsha belum berkahwin - 22 Jun 2011

Terkejut dan terperanjat juga saya membaca beberapa artikel akhbar hari ini termasuk muka hadapan Harian Metro pada Rabu 22 Jun 2011, mengatakan bintang Akademi Fantasia Musim ke 3 yang seksi, Marsha Milan Londoh, sudah berkahwin.

Tak ada angin, tak ada ribut, tiba tiba pula Marsha kahwin.

Hmm menghairankan.



Jika benar Marsha berkahwin, sudah pasti ibubapanya dan keluarganya memberitahu rakan rakan juga termasuk saya kerana saya juga berasal dari Tamparuli. Bapa Marsha, Cikgu Milan Londoh pernah mengajar di beberapa sekolah di Tamparuli dan Sabah. Dia kelulusan universiti di Amerika Syarikat.



Gambar kahwin di dalam hutan ini juga tidak logik kerana ia muncul secara tiba tiba. Jika benar Marsha mahu berkahwin, sudah pasti majlis yang diadakan gilang gemilang, bukannya di hutan.

Dan pasti ada majlis resepsi di Sabah.






Sehubungan itu bagi lelaki yang masih menaruh harapan untuk memikat Marsha, maka anda dipersilakan kerana Marsha masih bujang. Namun tak diketahui pula samada Marsha sudah ada teman istimewa. Maklumlah dia sering berada di Kuala Lumpur, di sana ada ramai jejaka tampan yang pasti mahu memikat si gadis Dusun yang seksi itu.

All The Best Marsha.

Junrey Balawing is world's shortest man

Measuring just 59.93 centimetres, or 23.5 inches, Junrey Balawing, 18 years old is the oldest of four siblings -- the rest all of normal stature -- born in the rural town of Sindangan on the Philippines' southern island of Mindanao.

"Officially he is the world's shortest man," said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of the Guinness Book of World Records who measured Balawing in front of cheering relatives and villagers on Sunday, 19th June 2011.


The previous record holder was Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal, who was measured in 2010 at just over 26 inches.

Balawing is a poor Filipino blacksmith's son who stands less than 2 feet (60 centimeters).

The declaration by the Guiness World Records of Balawing as the world's shortest man sparked a jubilant celebration in his hometown.

Villagers and officials showered the coastal town's newly famous resident with a feast, cake, balloons and cash gifts.

Dozens of journalists descended on Sindangan, a fishing and farming town of 90,000 located about 450 miles (730 kilometers) south of Manila, to cover the event.

"Thank you," Balawing told the crowd in a local dialect which was translated by his father, Reynaldo.

Balawing blew out the candles on the cake and clapped heartily each time the crowd applauded. He was later heard saying "Kapoy," or "I'm tired."

Balawing -- who is about the size of a toddler and has a child's demeanor -- needs to hold something to be able to stand because of weak knees.

He was photographed propping himself up with empty Coca-Cola bottles, which were taller than his waistline.

Balawing's mother grew teary-eyed during the ceremony. She earlier said she was happy with her son's instant fame.

Glenday said he was struck with Balawing's lively personality and constant smile.

"Although he's short, he takes that in stride," Glenday told The Associated Press. "He has this cheeky smile."

Aside from a Guinness certificate, the crown does not come with any cash award.

Glenday said he hopes the international fame will bring in gifts and donations, particularly medical supplies to ensure Balawing's health.

Nobody could explain why Balawing stopped growing a few months after his birth, his father said.

Sindangan Vice Mayor Bess Jagonio, a doctor, speculated that he may have an endocrine or a birth-related defect.

Balawing's brother and two sisters are all average size.

His family said they tried to send Balawing to school but withdrew him after he distracted other children's attention.

Local officials got the idea of informing the Guinness records committee about Balawing from journalists who learned about his size.

The Datuk "T" Trio to be charged on Fridau, 24th Jun 2011

As reported by the Star Online on Wednesday 22nd June 2011

The three members of Datuk T' who admitted to showing a sex video implicating an opposition leader to editors and journalists at Carcosa Seri Negara will be charged at a Kuala Lumpur court on Froday June 24, 2011.

Datuk T, comprising businessman Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, former Malacca Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik and former Perkasa treasurer-general Datuk Shuib Lazim would be charged under Section 5 of the Film Censorship Act.

If found guilty, they are liable to a fine of RM10,000 or jailed five years or both.

The matter is brought to court following police investigation into a report lodged by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who had claimed that he was not the man in the video.

“Let the law takes its course, and hopefully the truth will be revealed,” said Eskay.

Shuib, who was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday, 21st Jun 2011 said the public deserve to know the truth.

“We leave it to the court to decide, but our conscience is clear as we exposed the existence of the video in the interest of the nation,” he said.

The police had sought the help of local and foreign experts to verify the identity of the man in the video.

Rahim said the police have already verified the authenticity of the video and the identity of the man in the video.

“The finding should be revealed in the interest of the public,” he said.

"Launching the Bornean Banteng Programme" by Sabah Wildlife Department, Danau Girang Field Centre and HUTAN

Two very healthy-looking males photographed in Malua Forest Reserve by camera trap.




Two very healthy-looking males photographed in Malua Forest Reserve by camera trap.




A female and a male banteng photographed in Malua Forest Reserve by camera trap.




A female banteng and two adolescents photographed in Malua Forest Reserve by camera trap.




A beautiful male banteng photographed in Malua Forest Reserve by camera trap.


This is another efforts by various bodies in Sabah to protect the wildlife against extinction. Well done and congrats.

A Joint Press Release From Sabah Wildlife Department, Danau Girang Field Centre and HUTAN

Photos / Articles by :
Dr Benoit Goossens
Danau Girang Field Centre
Director

Launching the Bornean Banteng Programme - June 11, 2011 Saturday

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Wildlife Department, Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC), and the NGO HUTAN recently launched the "Bornean Banteng Programme" with funding from Houston Zoo, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council, the Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and Woodland Park Zoo.

The project will collaborate with several partners such as the Sabah Forestry Department, New Forests Asia Sdn Bhd and the Malua Biobank Project, Cardiff University, and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research.

"The Bornean Banteng Programme, initiated by our Department, will intend to advance understanding, and the conservation, of one of the most charismatic and still unknown mammal species, the Bornean banteng," explained Dr Laurentius Ambu, Director of the Sabah Wildlife Department and a member of the IUCN's Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group.

"It will be a long-term programme which aims to provide insights into the ecology of this endangered wild cattle species, with individual numbers in Sabah much lower than the number of elephants. Years of poaching and recent forest conversion to vast areas of oil palm plantations have induced a drastic decline of the populations of banteng living in Borneo. This species could be the first large mammal to go extinct in a near future if nothing is done to reverse the situation," said Dr Benoit Goossens, Director of the Danau Girang Field Centre.

"Ecological information is crucial to the conservation of the banteng, however its elusive behaviour, the remote inhospitable forest habitat it lives in and its small population size preclude investigations. To overcome these problems, we propose to study the population in two forest reserves, Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Malua Forest Reserve, by using satellite telemetry, remote camera traps and genetic analyses," added Goossens.

"With two local field research assistants, we have started setting up camera traps in Malua and Tabin," explained Penny Gardner, a British PhD student attached to DGFC, registered at Cardiff University, and working on the project. "In Malua, we already managed to collect some wonderful pictures of healthy adult males and females, as well as juveniles that we show here," added Gardner.

"The results of this programme will assist our Department to develop a State Action Plan for all banteng across Sabah, and will hopefully increase awareness and appreciation of the wonderful wildlife that Sabah is blessed with and that we should protect against poaching, habitat degradation and habitat loss," concluded Ambu.

Karnival TV3 Jom Heboh di Sabah selepas 6 tahun, 600 ribu orang berkunjung

Sehingga jam 5 petang tadi, dianggarkan 600 ribu orang sudah berkunjung ke Karnival itu dari seluruh negeri Sabah.

Meskipun keadaan sesak, nyata pengunjung berpuas hati.

Ya selepas 6 tahun kita bertemu lagi dalam karnival Jom Heboh di Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Lokasinya di perkarangan kompleks sukan Likas pada Sabtu dan Ahad bersamaan 25 dan 26 Jun 2011.



Kali terkahir karnival diadakan di Kota Kinabalu adalah pada 2005 dan selepas itu tidak diadakan lagi pada 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 dan 2010.

Kali pertama diadakan karnival Jom Heboh yang ketika itu dikenali Karnival Sure Heboh adalah pada 2004 di perkarangan Menara Tun Mustapha atau Yayasan Sabah, juga di Likas.

Ketika itu kehadiran ratusan ribu orang dari seluruh pelusuk Sabah menyebabkan kesesakan teruk di laluan berkenaan sehinggakan ada media tempatan menggelarkannya "Sure Havoc"!!

Dianggarkan keseluruhannya 800 ribu orang berkunjung di sepanjang karnival 2 hari itu di Likas.



Karnival Jom Heboh kembali dengan perisian program baru dalam siri penganjurannya yang ke-9 pada tahun ini.

Karnival terbesar ini merupakan satu landasan bagi TV3 untuk berinteraksi dengan penonton setianya dengan cara lebih dekat dan terbuka sambil turut serta dalam aktiviti-aktiviti menarik yang dianjurkan di setiap gerai.

Ianya juga menemukan orang ramai dengan personaliti-personaliti TV3 dan artis-artis popular tanahair.

Antara selebriti yang memeriahkan Karnival Jom Heboh di Kota Kinabalu 2011 ialah Fasha Sandha, Zarina AF2, Aza (Elite), Nora Danish, Zahiril Adzim, Kamal Adli, Nabila Huda, Azam Pitt, Azwan Mazlan, Jason Liang, Izara Aishah, Zizan, Dira Abu Zahar, Akim, Tomok, Azahari dari Bang Bang Boom dan artis terkenal Sabah sendiri Stacy yang berada di gerai pameran karnival.

Konsert Jom Heboh pada sebelah malam Ahad 26 Jun 2011 mulai 9 malam hingga 10.30 malam pula digegarkan persembahan Faizal Tahir, Hafiz, Lan & The Typewriter, One Nation Emcees, Salma Juara Mentor 2011 serta Shiha naib juara Mentor 2011 dan ramai lagi.

Terima kasih kepada seluruh warga Sabah yang telah berjumpa di sana bah... Begitu juga rakyat Brunei dan Sarawak.. Hebat.. Aramatiee.. Boleh Ba Kalau Kau...

Perubahan Lanskap Pembangunan di Batu 60, Beaufort

Gambar/berita diperolehi daripada Jaafar Abdul Wahid







Kawasan Luar Bandar Sabah terus mendapat pembelaan daripada kerajaan pusat menerusi Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah.

Terbaru, di daerah Beaufort, perlaksanaan projek naiktaraf jalanraya dari kampong Jempangah hingga ke Batu 60 sejauh 17 kilometer yang diluluskan oleh kerajaan dengan kos sebanyak RM82 juta melalui Kementerian Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah.

Projek itu dilihat mampu merubah lanskap pembangunan dan ekonomi rakyat di kawasan berkenaan.

Ahli Parlimen Beaufort merangkap Timbalan Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Lajim Haji Ukin berkata jika sebelum ini penduduk di kawasan tersebut hanya bergantung kepada sistem pengangkutan keretapi namun keadaan tersebut akan berubah dalam tempoh terdekat.

Ini pastinya bukan sahaja memberikan kemudahan asas yang lebih kepada penduduk namun turut melonjakkan taraf sosio ekonomi mereka seharian.

“ Komitmen kerajaan Barisan Nasional bukan sahaja mengutamakan kebajikan rakyat namun dalam masa yang sama melihat dan merubah taraf siso ekonomi rakyat melalui kemudahan asas yang disediakan selaras dengan hasrat kerajaan melaksana Transforsmasi Ekonomi (ETP) serta model baru ekonomi, MBE bersama dengan Rancangan Malaysia ke-10 yang menjadi asas lonjakan negara bagi pusingan terakhir ke arah Wawasan 2020” katanya ketika berucap merasmikan Majlis penutupan Pesta Kaamatan Zon Batu 65 Saliwangan yang diadakan di Balai Raya Kampung Saliwangan, Beaufort pada 10 Jun 2011.

Sehubungan dengan itu Lajim yang juga Janang Gayuh mahu rakyat melihat perubahan pembangunan ini sebagai asas untuk mereka merubah cara berfikir dan berusaha bagi memperbaiki taraf sosio ekonomi mereka melalui pelbagai usaha terutamanya dalam bidang pertanian bagi meningkatkan taraf pendapatan mereka seharian.

“ Sudah tentu kemudahan dan pembangunan yang disediakan oleh kerajaan tidak akan memberikan impak kepada pembangunan ekonomi jika rakyat gagal memanafaatkan kemudahan serta bantuan yang disediakan oleh kerajaan” katanya

Di majlis tersebut beliau juga turut meluluskan peruntukan sejumlah RM 40 ribu bagi membesarkan Dewan Gereja selain peruntukan bagi membina dapur dan bilik persalinan serta pendawaian Eleterik di Balai raya kampong Saliwangan.

Inilah yang dinamakan rakyat didahulukan, pencapaian diutamakan. Syabas.

Salih Yakob tewas kepada King Sobhuza II dari Swaziland

Salih Yakob sememangnya hebat sebab dia mempunyai 4 isteri dan keempat empat isterinya hidup rukun dan aman damai, tanpa ada perselisihan dan pergaduhan. Rumah tangga Salih Yakob harmoni dan ini menjadikannya antara ikon Lelaki Sejati di Malaysia.

Namun, kehebatan Salih Yakob sebenarnya belum dapat menandingi kehebatan Raja Sobhuza II yang menjadi Raja Swaziland sejak 1921 hingga 1982.Raja Sobhuza II mempunyai 70 isteri, 400 anak dan 1,000 cucu...!!!!












Sudah menjadi tradisi di Swaziland, negara di Selatan Afrika berhampiran Afrika Selatan di mana rajanya mempunyai ramai isteri.

King Sobhuza II dilahirkan pada 1899 dan meninggal dunia pada 1982 ketika usianya 82 tahun.


Kini anaknya King Mswati III menjadi raja Swaziland. King Msawti dilaporkan mempunyai 14 isteri dan 24 anak!!!

Apapun, King Sobhuza II masih tidak dapat menandingi raja segala raja iaitu King Solomon yang dilaporkan mempunyai 700 isteri dan 300 gundik, menjadikan keseluruhannya 1,000 teman tidur kepada Baginda.








3 Gambar di atas adalah lakaran wajah King Solomon yang hidup lebih 2,000 tahun lalu.

Namun tidak diketahui berapa bilangan anak King Solomon yang sebenar. Apapun jika setiap isteri melahirkan 1 anak, maka dia mempunyai sekurang kurangnya 700 anak!!!! Hebat..

King Solomon lahir di Jerusalem pada tahun 1011 sebelum Masehi dan meninggal dunia pada tahun 931 sebelum Masehi ketika berusia 80 tahun.

Anaknya Rehoboam dari isterinya dikenali Naamah, menggantikan Solomon sebagai Raja.

Berbeza dengan Solomon, Rehoboam hanya mempunyai 18 isteri dan 60 gundik serta 88 anak.

Selepas King Rehoboam meninggal dunia pada tahun 915 sebelum Masehi, dia digantikan sebagai raja oleh anaknya Abijah.

King Abijah mempunyai 14 isteri dan 38 anak.

King Abijah meninggal dunia pada tahun 912 sebelum Masehi dan digantikan dengan anaknya, Asa.

Jumlah isteri dan anak Asa tidak diketahui.

Asa meninggal dunia antara 873 hingga 869 Masehi dan digantikan sebagai Raja oleh anaknya Jehoshaphat.

Demikian lah kisahnya. Terima kasih kerana membaca.

Eurocopter plans huge investment in pilot training in Malaysia

Eurocopter plans huge investment in pilot training in Malaysia

LA BOURGET Paris, France Tuesday 21st June 2011 : Eurocopter, the helicopter unit of European aerospace giant EADS, is investing millions of euros in a helicopter centre in Malaysia to help train pilots from the Southeast Asian region.

While the size of the investment was not disclosed, it is understood that it will run into double-digit figures.

Eurocopter president and chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Lutz Bertling said this venture marks an expansion of the company's helicopter assembly activities in Malaysia, with a view of capturing a slice of the helicopter services industry business in the region.

He said a long-term lease agreement signed by Eurocopter with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) shows that the Paris-based company is in Malaysia for a long term.

Eurocopter signed the agreement to take up 7,000 square metres of space at the helicopter centre, to be developed on a 10,000-sq-m piece of land next to the cargo facility area, not far from Skypark in Subang.

MAHB managing director (MD) Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid said the company will build the building and sub-lease it to Eurocopter, which will bring in the equipment and simulator for the training of pilots.

He said the lease agreement is for 30 years, with an option to extend it for another 30 years.

Eurocopter will be the main tenant at the centre, while the rest of the area will be taken up by other helicopter companies.

Bashir said the construction of the building will start next month and is expected to be completed by April next year.

Eurocopter Malaysia Sdn Bhd president and CEO Pierre Nardelli said the training of the pilots is expected to start by end-2012.

Some 800 pilots a year will be trained at the centre, he said, adding that the company has received requests for pilot training from other countries in the region.

Eurocopter Malaysia has invested over RM50 million since it started operations in 2002.

Nardelli said the company has also teamed up with the Boustead group to establish a joint-venture company for a maintenance, repair and overhaul centre in the country. Boustead will hold the majority stake in the joint-venture company.


A nice video by Eurocopter

The Eurocopter Group is a global helicopter manufacturing and support company. It is the largest in the industry in terms of revenues and turbine helicopter deliveries.

Eurocopter was founded in 1992 and its head office is located on the property of Marseille-Provence International Airport in Marignane, France, near Marseille.

Source : Nstp Online

KK city youths, heritage lovers rally to support the Save Our Heritage Atkinson Clock Tower Campaign

Heritage Sabah is a group opposing the construction of a 16-storey shopping mall in the historic heart of Kota Kinabalu city where the 106 years old Atkinson Clock Tower is located.

Recently, the group received a tremendous boost of support from members of the public urging the relevant authorities to turn the historical site into a public park.











The crowd comprising mainly of Sabahan youths and heritage lovers gathered on Saturday morning, 18th June 2011 at the site of KK city’s 106-year-old wooden clock tower to show their support for heritage conservation and reiterated their call for the scrapping of the controversial 16-storey shopping mall project to be built only 6.3 metres away from the historic clock tower.

Wearing T-shirts ‘SAVE OUR HERITAGE – ATKINSON CLOCK TOWER’ and a large banner with the same slogan, the group and their supporters camped out at the base of the clock tower, took photos to commemorate the event and even shared stories about the history of Kota Kinabalu and the Atkinson Clock Tower.

Heritage Sabah group spokesperson Richard Nelson Sokial who led the campaign said that a majority of Sabahans believe that the matter has been resolved and the clock tower is safe from harm.

“The issue of the 16-storey shopping mall hotel next to the clock tower has been dragged out for such a long time to the point that many Sabahans have been misled into thinking that the Atkinson Clock Tower is now safe. However, it is not. The construction of the shopping mall has only been delayed for a judicial review. The project has not been cancelled yet.”

The 106-year-old Atkinson clock tower built in 1905, was the center of controversy last year when it was exposed through social network Facebook that a ‘silent’ project was being built on the site of KK city’s last green lung and historical site.

The project was revealed to be an enormous 16-storey commercial shopping mall hotel, a joint venture between Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (SHTDA) and developer Benteng Pulangan Sdn. Bhd.

Following the public outrage of the heritage-insensitive and poorly planned development that threatens to destroy the historical value of the entire site, the developer has allegedly shut down its website www.atkinsontower.com, casting doubts on the transparency of approving commercial developments by the Central Board.

A housewife and a social activist have filed for a judicial review of the 16-storey shopping mall project – naming DBKK, SHTDA and Central Board as the parties accountable for the controversial approval of the project.

Meanwhile, the fate of the clock tower and its surrounding green area remains in limbo.

All the best to the Save our Heritage Atkinson Clock Tower campaign.

AirAsia, CAE to set up world-class aviation training centre

Air Asia, the world’s best low-cost airline, and CAE, a global leader in flight training solutions, announce the setting up of Asian Aviation Academy, a world-class aviation training centre that will offer state-of-the-art training for airlines throughout Asia.

The signing ceremony was held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday 20th June 2011, witnessed by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, Yang Berhormat Dato' Saifuddin bin Abdullah.

The centre, to be aptly named the Asian Aviation Academy, is the initial effort and a part of the joint venture between AirAsia and CAE which forms the company Asian Aviation Centre of Excellence Sdn. Bhd.

The establishment of the training centre will positively contribute to AirAsia’s vast expansion plans by providing highly skilled and certified personnel required for the airline’s fast growing fleet and operations.

The facility will provide AirAsia and other airlines training services for pilots, flight attendants, engineers, ramp handlers, guest services staff and aviation management.

Pilot training programs at the centre will be available from July 1, 2011 and non-pilot training programs will commence on 1 October 2011.

The training centre will be located at what is now the AirAsia Academy, a short distance from the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang, Selangor in Malaysia.

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes CBE, Group CEO of AirAsia, said, “The Asian Aviation Academy reflects AirAsia’s commitment towards developing the aviation industry in Asia. The new centre will offer world-class training, using the most modern modules and the latest training facilities that are on par with and far more cost effective than training in Europe or in the US. Our goal is to make the centre a prominent ‘aviation university’ and to make it the largest training centre in Asia.”

“The centre will be independently managed and shall support the growth of commercial aviation in Asia in line with our thrust of boosting travel, trade and tourism. By training personnel from other airlines, it will allow us to convert our training program into a profit generator, in line with our aim to boost revenue via ancillary channels, which in turn helps to offset rising fuel prices and keep our fares low,” he added.

The training centre will start operations with six CAE-built full-flight simulators currently located at the AirAsia Academy. These include four full-flight simulators for the Airbus 320, one for the A330/A340 and one for the Boeing 737 Classic.

All AirAsia staff requiring specialized aviation training will train at the Asian Aviation Academy once it is open. Personnel from other airlines currently training at the AirAsia Academy will also move their training to the new centre, which will also accept new trainees from other interested airlines.

“The joint venture allows AirAsia to create separate listable units and to keep its focus on offering low fares so that everyone can fly. The Asian Aviation Academy will allow AirAsia’s pilots to receive world-class training under the management of CAE, a world-renowned flight training company, in Sepang,” Tony said.

Meanwhile, Jeff Roberts, CAE Group President, Civil Simulation Products Training and Services, said, “Airasia and CAE have enjoyed a very productive partnership, and now is the time to take it to a new level to help meet increasing demand for well-trained aviation professionals. We are very proud to train pilots and flight operations and ground crew of AirAsia and other airlines around the region. Our entire focus is providing the highest-quality training for safety and operational efficiency.”

All the best Air Asia and Tony Fernandez.

Pictures / News Articles : Air Asia Communications

Malaysian Airlines, MAS to buy 10 more Boeing 737-800s

LE BOURGET (Paris, France) 21st June 2011 : Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has exercised an option to buy an 10 additional Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft from Boeing, in a deal said to be worth over US$800 million (RM 2.43 billion).

The national carrier's latest deal means it has now placed 45 firm orders for the Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Managing director and chief executive officer Tengku Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz said the carrier decided to exercise the option in order to meet market demand .

"We will focus first on taking the delivery of 35 aircraft up to 2015. The additional 10 will be delivered beyond 2016," he told a news conference after the signing with Boeing at the second day of Paris International Air Show on Tuesday 21st June 2011.

At the signing ceremony, Tengku Azmil represented MAS while Boeing by commercial airplanes vice-president for sales Marlin Dailey.

In 2008, MAS ordered 35 of the Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes, with an option to buy another 20 aircraft. So far, MAS has taken delivery of five 737-800s.

Tengku Azmil said the additional 10 aircraft will support the airline's business transformation strategy.

"Boeing's Next-Generation 737, with its economic advantages, including its unmatched fuel efficiency, is the right airplane to support our business and our customers," he said.

On funding, he said MAS, which currently has low gearing, can use various options such as commercial finance market, Japan leasing market, Exim Bank and Islamic financing.

He said the capital cost will raise with the acquisition of new aircraft but the airline will increase its efficiency and enhance utilisation.

Tengku Azmil said the current 747-800s are used for variety of routes such as domestic short-haul flights and Asean routes.

As the new 747-800s have better range, he said MAS also intends to use the aircraft for some destinations in India and China.

As for the old aircraft, he said they will be phased out, so that by 2015, MAS will have the youngest fleet of aircraft in the region, with an average age of five years.

To another question, he said MAS' subsidiary, Firefly, will start taking over Sibu-Kuala Lumpur route with twice a day flight.

According to Boeing, the 737-800, which can seat from 162 to 189 passengers, is 771kg lighter, can fly 583km farther and 335m higher while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing model.

Malaysia Airlines, with a 64-year history as the national carrier of Malaysia, operates a mixed fleet of short- and long-haul airplanes, including Boeing 747 passenger and freighter, 777, 737-800s and Classic 737 airplanes. The airline flies nearly 45,000 passengers daily to more than 100 destinations worldwide.

Source : NSTP Online 21st June 2011



A nice video inside a Boeing 737-800 flight simulator.

Taib Mahmud surprise today, Wednesday 22 June 2011

source : NSTP Online Wednesday 22 June 2011

The whole of Malaysia is eagerly awaiting Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, surprise announcement today Wednesday 22 June 2011.

Taib, the longest serving Chief Minister in the history of Malaysia is the subject of a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation.

Asked to comment on the probe after the opening of the 17th Sarawak state legislative assembly on Tuesday 21st June 2011, Taib said: “I will have an official statement tomorrow. They are barking up the wrong tree.”

With a big smile, he added: “You will have a surprise tomorrow.” MACC is probing into Taib for alleged abuse of power in his position as chief minister.

MACC commissioner Datuk Seri Abu Kassim Mohamed said last week that it was investigating Taib over allegations of timber corr uption.

Taib did not offer clues on a possible state cabinet reshuffle, including the vacant post of deputy chief minister.

At the state assembly on Tuesday, 21st June 2011, Parti Rakyat Sarawak, PRS president Tan Sri Dr James Masing was seated next to Taib and Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.

This sparked speculation that Masing, whose party won eight seats as opposed to Sarawak United Peoples’ Party’s SUPP six, might be made the new deputy chief minister.

Taib said: “This is just speculation. I have not thought of all these things.

Do we have one DCM or three or four DCMs? I don’t know yet.” He added: “I am a bit worried about how I can give the Chinese the chance to express themselves in a more natural way.

“This is very important because I want Sarawak to always remain a multiracial state.

“We are determined to keep it like that because there is no race in the state with a simple majority.

“The only way to have a working democracy is to have consensus among all sections of the community.” “This time, the appointment of a new cabinet is a bit difficult because SUPP didn’t obtain more seats. ” He said he would consult Barisan Nasional parties on whether SUPP should retain the DCM’s post.

Zoo raid shocks visitors in Kulaijaya, Johor

News source : The Star Online 22nd June 2011







Incidents of a Zoo being raided by the authority is a rare occurance in Malaysia.

In Kulaijaya, Johor, tourists visiting the Saleng Zoo were shocked to find officers from the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) raiding the premises.

20th June 2011 or Monday's operation marked the second day of the department's seizure of the animals which is expected to last a week.

Johor Perhilitan director Saharudin Anan said the operation, had been smooth.

“We have a veterinarian here at all times, who will tend to the animals and even accompany them during transport to their designated rescue centres in Malacca Zoo and Paya Indah Wetlands,” he said.

He added that animals seized yesterday included tigers, snakes, crocodiles, ostriches, wild boars and porcupines.

Saleng Zoo owner Chai Sit Yee said he had not received a reply to his appeal against the department's decision not to renew its operating permit.

“It is not that we are not willing to make improvements as suggested by the department such as expanding the animal enclosures and hiring more vets and staff.

“We just need a bit more time,” he said.

Senai assemblyman Ong Kow Meng, who visited the zoo yesterday, described the department's actions as “gross abuse of power”, adding that it was not proven that the zoo had violated the Wildlife Conservation Act.

Ong said he would help the zoo owners appeal and return the animals back to Saleng Zoo.

The Saleng Zoo has been operating since 1996 and, according to zookeeper J. Sivapriyan, hosts more than 2000 animals of 60 different species.

Singaporean businessman Terrence Wong, 45, who was with his family, said he had been to the zoo before.

“I thought that it looked quite well-maintained,” he said, adding that the animals appeared to be active and healthy although their enclosures were slightly small.

Indonesian Ronny Lie, 30, said he and his family had been looking forward to visiting the zoo as it was more convenient than travelling to the Malacca Zoo.

Frequent visitor Monaliza Mat Tahir, 33, said she was saddened by the officers' actions as she often came to feed the animals.

“I am very attached to the animals,” she said, adding that she hoped the authorities would reconsider their decision.

Another visitor V.S. Kumar, 56, questioned if the department could ensure that the animals would be well-treated during their transportation.

“What if the animals get hurt or die on the journey? Who will be responsible then?” he asked.

Bless the animals...