The Seven Wonders Of The World.

At the end of the lesson, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following received the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. The Taj Mahal in India
3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona
4. The Panama Canal
5. The Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to touch...
2. to taste...
3. to see...
4. to hear...
5. to feel...
6. to laugh...
7. and to love."

No Sir, You Can't Cane The Offender - By B. Suresh Ram.

The intention of a judge to personally cane an offender is not appropriate, the Malaysian Bar Council said. Its president Ragunath Kesavan said this was because a judge could not play the dual role of judge and executioner.

Malaysian Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan says a judge could not play dual role of judge and executioner

In addition, he said, the judge was not trained to use the cane.

"We have the men to do the job, thus we do not need a judge to mete out the punishment," he said.

Ragunath said even though Section 293 (1) (c) of the Penal Code allowed for caning to be meted out in a court by a judge, it should not be done.

"What will happen when there are judges who want to implement the capital punishment of hanging in the court? The Bar Council is of the view that this is a serious breach of legal process as the judge is seeking to take over the role of meting out punishment," he said.

On Friday, Sessions Court judge Zainal Abidin Kamarudin, in passing sentence on Muhammad Syafiq Abd Wahab, 20, for robbery, said he would execute the punishment of caning 10 times at the court premises on July 15. In addition, Muhammad Syafiq was ordered to do 200 hours of community service.

Zainal also ordered Syafiq's parents to be present on July 15.

Syafiq was charged with robbing student Muhammad Fitri Muhammad Zamzuri, 16, of his identification card and handphone using a knife, behind the Cheras football stadium at 1.30am on Nov 16 last year.

Meanwhile, senior lawyer Karpal Singh said the move did not have judicial authority.

He said although Section 293 (1) (c) of the Penal Code allowed the judge the jurisdiction of meting out the punishment, the mode of executing such a sentence was provided for under Section 288 (4) of the Code where the whipping is to be inflicted with a light rotan.

The senior lawyer said the sessions court judge's act would clearly infringe the doctrine of separation of powers if he were to carry out the punishment himself.

"A judge imposes a sentence. It is the executive which carries out the sentence. The impartiality expected of a judge cannot be compromised by his descending to carry out the sentence," Karpal said.

He said the punishment could be carried out by some other court official designated for the purpose.


Courtesy of The New Straits Time

Michael Jackson Tributes Streaming In - Updated.

Michael Jackson's sudden death at the age of 50 brought reactions from across the entertainment world and elsewhere.

Music producer Quincy Jones, who collaborated with Jackson on three of his best-selling albums, “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” and “Bad,” said in a statement: “I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at this young age, I just don't have the words.

He added: “He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today and part of my soul has gone with him.”

Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock great Elvis Presley and who was married to Jackson in the mid-1990s, said in a statement: “I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me.”

Actress Brooke Shields, a long-time friend, said in a statement released through her publicist: “My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing.”

Pop star Madonna told People magazine: “I can’t stop crying over the sad news ... I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats but his music will live on forever. My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”

Representatives for actress Elizabeth Taylor, another of the singer’s longtime friends, said she was “too devastated by the passing of her dear friend Michael Jackson to issue a statement at this time” but promised one later.

Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, who performed Jackson’s 1991 hit “Black or White,” said: “Really sad news about Michael. He was talent from on high.”

Entertainer Liza Minnelli told Entertainment Tonight: “He was a kind, genuine and wonderful man. He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life.”

Rudy Clay, mayor of Jackson’s hometown, Gary, Indiana, told the Chicago Tribune: “Wherever a person from Gary, Indiana, went in the world, people would say, ‘That’s Michael Jackson’s home town.’ So Michael helped Gary just by being from Gary.”

Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, the group that organises the Grammy Awards, said in a statement: “Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent and vision as Michael Jackson. He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility and sheer star power carried him from childhood to world wide acclaim. A 13-time Grammy recipient, Michael's career transcends musical and cultural genres and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories.”

US civil rights activist Al Sharpton, who knew Jackson for decades, said in a statement: “A friend of Michael's for the last 35 years, I call on people around the world to pray for him and his family in the hour. I have known Michael since we were both teens, worked with him, marched for him, hosted him at our House of Justice headquarters in New York, and we joined together to eulogise our mutual idol, James Brown. I have known him at his high moments and his low moments and I know he would want us to pray for his family.”

New Yorkers and tourists in the city’s Times Square were shocked at the news of Jackson’s death.

“I don’t know what to say. It’s sad, it’s really, really sad,” said Nicole Smith, an 18-year-old student from Brooklyn, New York, in Times Square. “My mother was a fan. I listened to his music.”

“I’m shocked. I thought someone was lying to me when I first heard it. I was a fan from when he was a little boy and then he got weird,” said Sue Sheider, 51, a teacher from Long Island.


Courtesy of Reuters

The King Of Pop Music Dies.

Yesterday, June 25 2009, Michael Jackson was reportedly fell into a coma and died shortly after being rush to the hospital at 2.26pm (US time). He is said to have collapsed at his Los Angeles home and was not breathing when paramedics arrived. The cause of death is suspected to be cardiac arrest. He is 50 years of age at the time of his passing.

Jackson is ranked alongside rock n' roll and band legends like Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time.

Jalan TK Fenced With "Cage".

This is how Jalan Tengku Kelana or more famously known as "Little India" in Klang looks like at the moment. The whole four-lane street has been "fenced-up" despite delayed and objections from several shop owners along Jalan Tengku Kelana.

The authorities carried on with the plan to what they claimed as part of the project to beautified Klang. Among other reasons are:

1) To prevent the drivers of vehicles from parking indiscriminately along the four-lane street to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and it is said to be one of the ways to minimized traffic congestion in Klang, especially during the peak hours.

2) To prevent illegal traders from using the five-foot way to do business,

3) And this would in turn encourage the pedestrians to use the five-foot way as opposed to using the one-lane road as their walk-path, thus endangering their lives.

On the other hand, shop owners are complaining that:

1) Their businesses would be affected because of the difficulties and inconveniences of shoppers to cross at the opposite directions.

2) The problem of loading and unloading of goods supplied to their respective shops.

3) The taxpayers money would be better spent cleaning-up the drains which are normally flooded after heavy rain instead of putting up the fences.



However, the problems the authorities hope they could solve with the fences still persist. The drivers of vehicles still park indiscriminately and illegal traders are still trading at the five-foot way meant for pedestrians.

What now?

The HHTA Life Cycle Model.

Buck-Up - Top Cops Warn Their Men - By Teoh El Sen.

The series of "blunders" by police in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor - four in just two weeks - has sparked a public outcry for the force to buck up.

And in an immediate reaction, the police chiefs of both States, speaking to Malay Mail yesterday, vowed to discipline sloppy cops.

"Definitely there is some bucking up to do," Kuala Lumpur police chief DCP Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman said.

"For example, in the Cheras case, as long as you are a member of the force, it is your duty to help someone if called to assist. It is wrong for traffic policemen to ignore a victim. In whatever situation, we must respond," he said in reference to a claim by a snatch theft victim that two traffic policemen refused to go after the thief as it was not their job.

Sabtu said all section heads in Kuala Lumpur have to step up on discipline among their personnel.

"They should give out instructions as frequently as possible to ensure such cases do not occur. We must increase the level of awareness among our men when dealing with the public", he said, adding that public awareness campaigns should also be increased.

Sabtu said police were still investigating the Cheras case and promised stern action against the men, if they were found to have been derelict in their duties.

The Cheras case came just days after another embarrassing case involving the Dang Wangi station.

On May 22, Malay Mail had highlighted the frustrations of tour guide Stevie Chan, who said he had to call twice to alert police that a snatch thief had been apprehended before a patrol car arrived at the scene - 38 minutes later.

A police man who answered told Chan that the officers had arrived late as they were changing shift when he made the first call.

Sabtu asked the public to call 03-21159999 or SMS to 32728 if they have problems with his men.

Meanwhile, Selangor police chief DCP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar shared his frustrations on some officers disobeying procedures.

"We hold meetings and discussions regularly concerning all things, including procedures. The procedures are already in place but they are just not followed by some. We will always do our best to minimise such cases and I promise that investigators who breach procedures will be dealt with."

Khalid said police would investigate claims that Petaling Jaya police had released a machine used by a snatch thief on May 14, a day after the victim lodged a report on the theft.

"In the first place, the motorcycle should not have been released as it is a crime exhibit."

Khalid said in the case of a woman who lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) claiming that 29 computers seized in raid at her cybercafe in Klang a year ago had gone missing, Selangor police had investigated it under criminal breach of trust (CBT).

"However, the deputy public prosecutor's office said there was a lack of evidence against the officer involved. Now, we are taking departmental action against him. The lightest punishment would be a warning, but we can also sack him, depending on our findings."

Case 1: Alleged thief gets back bike, thanks to cops - by G. Prakash.

FURIOUS: David had a encounter with the thief

A snatch theft victim is exasperated that a man who had abandoned a motorcycle after stealing his handphone had not only escaped detention but was also given his bike back.

P. David, 55, is incensed that Petaling Jaya police had surrendered the machine to a man, believed to be an Indonesian, despite him lodging a snatch theft report on May 18.

More baffling is the fact that the man was given the bike after he lodged a police report claiming that it had been stolen a day after David lodged his report that he had lost a handphone to a snatch thief while having a drink with a friend at a restaurant in Jalan 3/57, Petaling Jaya.

"Last Sunday, a police sergeant visited me at home to tell me that the bike had been returned to an Indonesian man who claimed he lost it one day after my handphone was stolen. I was shocked. The cops were aware that I had lodged a report the day before to inform them that the bike had been used by a man who stole my phone and yet, instead of detaining him, they surrendered the machine to him. In any case, isn't that motorcycle material evidence in court should the cops catch the thief?", Malay Mail reported David's ordeal recently.

David managed to grab hold of the thief, who had taken his handphone placed on a table at the restaurant, after the thief tried to make a dash to his motorbike parked just outside the restaurant .

After a brief struggle, the thief ran away with David's handphone but left his motorcycle there. David then took the motorbike and parked it closer to the restaurant.

The thief allegedly returned and tried to convince David to return his motorcycle in exchange for the handphone.

David disagreed, and tried to apprehend the thief who again escaped. David then lodged a report at the police headquarters in Petaling Jaya. The thief's motorcycle (WSC 4620) was confiscated by the police.

Case 2: Cybercafe owner turns to MACC after computers go "missing" - by Masami Mustaza.

REPORT FILED: Klang MP Charles Santiago with cybercafe owner Yeu Chiau Ling at the MACC Selangor office in Shah Alam yesterday

Cycbercafe owner Yeu Chiau Ling, 26, who claimed that computers from her cybercafe had gone missing while in police custody, yesterday lodged a report at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) Selangor branch in Shah Alam.

She was accompanied by Klang MP Charles Santiago. Following police advice, she is also seeking legal action against the police officer suspected of "losing"the items.

"It's been too long to see any action in regard to this case and all Yeu wants is to start her business again.This conduct by a police personnel is not acceptable.That's why we are lodging a report with the MACC," said Santiago.

Yeu also intends to seek compensation for her loss. Malay Mail reported Yeu's case on Feb 13.

Her premises in City Square, Jalan Nangka, Klang, was raided by police on Jan 24 last year for not having an operating licence issued by the Klang Municipal Council.

Some 29 desktop PCs worth RM78,000 were confiscated in the raid.

After paying the RM500 fine at the Selangor magistrate's court on June 6, 2008, police instructed her to show the payment receipt to the police officer in charge to claim back the confiscated items.

She was then given the runaround by the police officer concerned. Then a member of the staff told her that the items could not be found.

After several private meetings with the investigating officer, it was agreed that he would pay her RM13,000 in compensation.

He promised to pay the amount within 30 days of the agreement, made on Nov 20 last year. The officer also decided to return all the confiscated equipment on the same day. However, only the computer casings were returned, Yeu said. She refused to accept the casings, and lodged a report at the same station.

Klang district police chief ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop verified the matter and said that the particular officer was being investigated for criminal breach of trust.

The police officer has been suspended for the past three months, pending investigations. Malay Mail also learnt that this is not the first time that the police officer had been suspected of theft.

Mohamad, when contacted, declined to comment further on the issue.

Case 3: It's not our duty, traffic cops tell her - by Reena Raj.

DONE: Tan and Siew Ling outside the Cheras police headquarters yesterday

Tan Siew Ling knew it was not her day when two policemen she approached after a man snatched her handbag refused to chase after the thief.

The 41-year-old petty trader claimed the incident occurred on May 13 minutes after a motorcyclist grabbed her handbag along Jalan Miharja, Cheras.

In the incident at 10.40pm, two men on a motorcycle grabbed the handbag, Tan in her motorcycle basket. It contained RM250 and personal documents.

She screamed for help but none came. Siew Ling then rushed over to a shop nearby where she spotted two policemen on motorcycles there.

To her shock, the officers told her that it was not their duty to catch thieves as they were traffic policemen!

"I really didn't expect the policemen to react in that manner. I am disappointed that they refused to help a victim," she said.

Accompanied by a sister, Siew Ling then headed for the Cheras police station where she lodged a report on the snatch theft.

Siew Ling's sister, who related her ordeal as the victim was not fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, explained to the officer taking down her statement what had transpired.

However, they ended up having a small dispute when the officer insisted that she state in her report that her bag had been "diambil" (taken) and not "diragut" (snatched).

Disgruntled, Siew Ling then turned to Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, who pursued the matter with the Cheras police. Tan, who was at the Cheras police headquarters yesterday, said Siew Ling was called in to give her statement last Friday after he took up the issue with a senior officer.

She was also called to the Jalan Tun H.S. Lee police station to identify the traffic policemen.

Tan said he would meet Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to highlight the matter.

Courtesy of the Malay Mail

Penanti vs. Manek Urai state constituency. Principle, Ethical & Democratic Issue?

UMNO has on May 18 decided not to contest the Penanti by-election in Penang for the following reasons:

1) Anwar’s strategy to move people’s attention away from PKR’s lack of ideas in tackling the effects of the global economic crisis on the country.

2) Money spent on by-elections could be used to develop the country and condemned the ploy as a waste of public funds.

3) Anwar would use any issue to gain sympathy from the voters.

4) Winning or losing the Penanti by-election will not make a difference to the Penang Barisan Nasional. Penang Barisan would not achieve anything major such as forming the state government if it contests and wins the seat.

5) Some political parties have abused the democratic process by allowing their elected representatives to resign in order to force by-elections. This showed unethical conduct shown to the voters who elected the representatives.

However, Najib said today that UMNO will field a candidate in the Manik Urai by-election after Manik Urai State Assemblyman Ismail Yaacob from PAS passed away at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital at about 5.55am today after a heart attack. Najib said that it was a question of principle, and that should any electoral seat fall vacant such as the death of the incumbent, the BN would adhere to the democratic process.

Talking about principle, ethical and democratic process, what about the more basic and fundamental issue – the unprincipled, unethical and undemocratic power grab in Perak that Najib orchestrated in early February?