Kedah MIC Youth chief resigns

SUNGAI PETANI, Tuesday 1 June 2010 (Bernama) -- Kedah MIC Youth chief Thiaggu @ Thiagarajan Letchumanan, 33, today relinquished the post that he had held for eight months, citing disenchantment with the leadership of state MIC liaison chairman S. Ananthan.

He claimed that his efforts to discuss with the national leadership several matters which needed immediate action had met a dead end.

He cited seven reasons for his resignation, the main one being his loss of confidence in the leadership of Ananthan who he claimed had interfered in the affairs of the Kedah MIC Youth including sabotaging its meetings.

He, however, told a news conference here that he would not abandon the MIC's struggle because the party was the only platform that could be trusted to fight for the Indian community in the country.

Asked whether his resignation was linked to the actions of parties challenging party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to step down, he said there should be a clean-up of leaders whom the people did not like at all levels.

Rosmah: Keep backing the BN government

SIBU, May 2 — The Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor today called on the people, especially women, to continue backing the Barisan Nasional (BN) government so that the progress they are enjoying will be inherited by the next generation.

She said the BN government was constantly making efforts to raise the participation of women in the socio-economic development of the country and also provided a host of facilities towards realising this objective.

“The contribution of women in the country has always been appreciated by the BN government and there is no gender discrimination. The administration model stresses gender equality besides the 1 Malaysia concept which champions the interests of all Malaysians.

“That’s why there is no reason to change the government,” she said in her meeting with some 400 women members of Sibu BN and Sarawak non-governmental organisations here today.

Rosmah also advised BN women members who would be canvassing for votes in the upcoming Sibu by-election to work extra hard to ensure the coalition achieved a resounding victory.

She said the BN winning the Hulu Selangor by-election last Sunday served as a source of inspiration to go all out to ensure a big win for the BN in the Sibu by-election.

Rosmah said she also hoped women leaders would be agents of change for women overall and help produce more women leaders who were disciplined, creative, forward-looking, competitive and enterprising besides having high moral values.

Meanwhile, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Wanita deputy head Datin Fatimah Abdullah described the meeting with Rosmah as very inspirational.

“The participants are all fired up to do their part in ensuring a big win in the Sibu by-election,” said Fatimah, who is also minister in the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office.

The by-election has been called following the death of Deputy Transport Minister and five-term Sibu MP Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew from liver cancer on April 9. Nomination day is May 8 and polling on May 16. — Bernama

MCA perlu buktikan mereka masih relevan untuk masyarakat Cina

02/05/2010 4:20pm

RAUB 2 Mei - Naib Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein berkata, MCA perlu membuktikan yang mereka masih merupakan parti yang relevan untuk masyarakat Cina di negara ini.

Beliau berkata, sekalipun sokongan masyarakat Cina agak merosot pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Parlimen Hulu Selangor baru-baru ini, ia bukanlah satu ukuran sebenar keyakinan masyarakat Cina terhadap MCA.

"Mereka (MCA) kena buktikan yang mereka boleh membawa kembali sokongan penyokong kaum Cina,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan mesyuarat serentak 30 cawangan UMNO Bahagian Cameron Highlands, di Sungai Koyan, dekat sini hari ini.

Menurut beliau, sebagai parti tunjang Barisan Nasional (BN), UMNO masih berkeyakinan MCA mampu mengembalikan semula keyakinan penuh kaum Cina terhadap parti itu (MCA).

"UMNO sendiri pernah meniti (melalui) detik-detik getir dalam lanskap politik semasa, jatuh bangun, dan kita akan terus memberikan sokongan penuh kepada MCA sebagai rakan kongsi dalam Barisan Nasional,” katanya.

Hishammuddin berkata, apa yang penting ialah perubahan besar yang perlu dilakukan dalam usaha menarik semula keyakinan masyarakat Cina terhadap parti berkenaan. - Bernama

Selangor Sultan Clarifies Prohibition On Use Of Mosques For Politics

Selangor Sultan Clarifies Prohibition On Use Of Mosques For Politics

KLANG, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, clarified that his intention in prohibiting the use of mosques as arenas for politicking was to maintain the sanctity of and harmony at the house of worship.

"This is because mosques and suraus are places where Muslims gather to perform their religious obligations and to foster closer relationship among them.

"If mosques and surau are allowed to be used as arenas for political campaigns, it is feared that they will be misused to insult, slander and make baseless accusations at others," said the sultan when opening Sekolah Menengah Agama Tinggi Sultan Hishamuddin here Thursday.

He said he had to make the clarification in view of some politicians regarding his advice as nonsensical and a colonial legacy.

-- BERNAMA

DAP kicks off fund-raiser for Sibu vote

DAP kicks off fund-raiser for Sibu vote

SIBU, April 29 — The DAP today simultaneously launched its fund-raising campaign for the Sibu parliamentary by-election at its Sibu branch and headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The Sibu segment was done by its by-election director of operations Chong Chieng Jen, who is the Bandar Kuching member of parliament, while the launch at the headquarters was performed by its national vice-chairman and Cheras MP, Tan Kok Wai, who is the election director to mobilise resources and manpower.

Speaking in a video conference with Chong, Tan said the by-election would be an uphill battle for the DAP with its limited resources and the fact that the Barisan Nasional had held the seat for six terms.

“But we are also hopeful and confident because this is the first time the newly formed Sarawak Pakatan Rakyat is fielding an official candidate,” he said.

On the fundraising, Chong, who is the director of operations, said the DAP needed resources to go to the inland and rural areas to tell the people of its struggles and to campaign for its candidate, Wong Ho Leng, who is the state DAP chairman.

Nomination for the by-election is on Saturday and polling on May 16 in the event of a contest. — Bernama

National squad to play against India, South Korea

2010/04/26


IPOH: The National hockey team, preparing for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup next month, will play two test matches against India and South Korea.


The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) vice president Datuk Abdul Rahim Mat Ariff said Malaysia would play four times Sultan Azlan Shah Cup winner, India on May 3 and South Korea the next day.

"The friendly matches are part of the National team's preparations for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Ipoh from May 6-16," he told reporters after launching an advertisement campaign for the tournament on Sri Maju Express buses at the Ipoh Municipal Council here today.

He added that the National team was ready to face their opponents and go one better than the two runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2009.

Seven countries, namely South Korea, Egypt, China, India, Pakistan, Australia and Malaysia have confirmed their participation for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup this year, he said.

Abdul Rahim hoped by placing advertisements on 22 express buses that ply routes nationwide, including Singapore, would help create awareness of the tournament.


BERNAMA

Nelayan Thai mati diserang lanun di Gertak Sanggul

26/04/2010 4:35pm

PULAU PINANG 26 April – Seorang nelayan Thai mati dipercayai diserang oleh sekumpulan lanun kira-kira 7 batu nautika dari Gertak Sanggul di sini semalam.

Aung Sirichai, 24, dari Ranong terkena tiga das tembakan apabila kumpulan tersebut menyerang botnya kira-kira 8.20 malam.

Mangsa mati ketika di bawa ke pusat pendaratan Ikan Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (LKIM) Batu Maung.

"Polis menerima maklumat kira-kira pukul 10.50 malam daripada seorang lelaki yang memaklumkan bahawa bot rakannya diserang oleh tujuh lelaki.

"Ketika itu mangsa dan empat rakannya sedang menangkap ikan di kawasan berkenaan,” kata Ketua Polis Daerah Barat Daya, Supt. Hatta Md. Zin. – Bernama

Keadaan semua pusat pengundian terkawal

25/04/2010 12:20pm

HULU SELANGOR 25 April - Keadaan di semua pusat pengundian pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) bagi kerusi Parlimen Hulu Selangor berjalan lancar sehingga kini, kata Ketua Polis Selangor, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar.

Beliau berkata, tidak ada laporan gangguan dan kekacauan diterima sejak pusat pengundian dibuka pada pukul 8 pagi tadi.

"Tiada masalah dan gangguan. Sepanjang tempoh dua jam ini, anggota polis turut membantu warga emas bergerak menunaikan tanggungjawab mereka sebagai pengundi,” katanya. - Bernama

PM Najib says criticism of Sultan's order is 'serious defiance'

HULU SELANGOR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has described PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's criticism of the Sultan of Selangor's order as a serious defiance.

The prime minister said it also showed that the opposition had no regard for the provision in the Federal Constitution and the principles required in Islam.

Yesterday, the Sultan of Selangor urged all parties not to use mosques and surau to campaign for Sunday's Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election and urged police to take stern action against anyone found to have abused the mosque.

Nik Abdul Aziz was reported to have said that he did not see anything wrong with campaigning in the mosque and described the directive as outdated.

Najib said all parties should respect the sultan's directive.

"The directive by the Sultan of Selangor is timely. Islam abhors actions which could disunite Muslims, especially in the house of Allah.

"We have to respect the directive irrespective of whether we are from this state or outside," he told reporters after attending the 1Malaysia breakfast at Kampung Gumut Tambahan, Kalumpang here on Saturday.

Najib said such directive also applied in other states.

"Rulers in other states have also issued similar directives prohibiting the use of mosque as a platform to promote one's political agenda.

"The mosque is a place for us to get close to Allah, to show and inculcate good values and not to bicker with one another," he said.

Present were Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, his deputy Senator Heng Seai Kie, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Barisan Nasional candidate P. Kamalanathan and wife S. Shobana also dropped by before proceeding with the campaign. - BERNAMA

10 ILI cases reported today

PUTRAJAYA, April 17 — The Health Ministry has received 10 cluster cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) today from Pahang, Malacca, Selangor and Johor, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican.

In a statement, he said the cases were from Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Alor Gajah, Malacca, and Kuala Kubu Baru, Selangor, Sekolah Kebangsaan Leban Chindong Rompin, Pahang, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Paloh, Johor, Warisan National Service camp in Malacca and Taska 1 Play in Damansara Perdana, Selangor.

“From the 10 reports, five are awaiting results while five others have been confirmed as H1N1 positive,” he said.

He added that as of 5.30pm yesterday, 525 ILI cases were being treated at various hospitals throughout the country.

“From the total, 70 are influenza H1N1 positive, 12 undergoing treatment at intensive care units and 10 have been classified as high-risk cases. However, no deaths were reported until 8am today,” he said. — Bernama

MSE 2010 Exhibitors Record Potential Projects Worth RM12 Billion

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, April 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysian exhibitors at the Malaysia Services Exhibition (MSE) 2010 here, identified potential projects to the tune of RM12 billion (US$3.43 billion) on the first two days of the three-day event, which ended yesterday.

According to Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Datuk Mohamad Kamarudin Hassan, the amount corresponded to 174 projects, and exceeded the RM8.47 billion recorded for the whole of MSE 2009.

"The projects identified are not only in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but also in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Iraq, India, Libya, Sudan, Oman, Syria, Uzbekistan and Ethiopia," he told Malaysian media at the conclusion of the show at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The potential projects encompass architectural design services, renewable energy, oil and gas, construction of houses and roads, property development and distribution of information communication technology solutions.

The rest are projects involving hospital management, maintenance of mechanical facilities, water treatment and waste management, training and landscaping.

The first two days of MSE 2010 registered 2,033 quality trade visitors, 2,500 business enquiries and 289 potential clients or partners.

"As the organiser of MSE 2010, Matrade is satisfied with the achievements seen at the exhibition," Mohamad Kamarudin said, adding that, final figures in terms of confirmed and projected deals, are still being tabulated.

He reckoned that MSE 2010 had attained the objectives of creating awareness on the capabilities of Malaysian service providers, enhancing the image of Malaysia and branding the services sector in the region and beyond.

Nevertheless, he urged the Malaysian companies involved to follow up on trade leads and contacts made during MSE 2010, the third such exhibition organised by Matrade.

The inaugural MSE 2008 took place in the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah while MSE 2009 was held in Dubai.

A total of 180 Malaysian exhibitors comprising 150 service providers and 30 agencies participated in MSE 2010 which was opened by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, with the guest of honour being UAE's Foreign Trade Minister Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi.

-- BERNAMA

Khairy cakap macam Samy nak kena kencing pun

PIHAK-PIHAK dalam Barisan Nasional (BN) yang mengugut untuk keluar parti jika tidak dipilih menjadi calon diminta supaya menghentikan perbuatan itu demi kepentingan dan keharmonian parti.

Ketua Pemuda Umno Khairy Jamaluddin berkata ugutan seumpama itu boleh disifatkan bukan hanya ditujukan kepada Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak selaku Pengerusi BN bahkan kepada keseluruhan parti.

"Saya rasa tidak senang bila ada ugutan kepada BN, apabila ada ugutan kata kalau calon ini tidak dipilih parti ini akan keluar, parti ini akan boikot, parti ini akan tutup bilik gerakan," katanya kepada pemberita di lobi Parlimen di sini Rabu.

Khairy, yang juga Pengerusi Pemuda BN, berkata semua pihak sewajarnya menunggu pengumuman penamaan calon BN untuk kerusi Hulu Selangor bagi pilihan raya kecil di situ 25 April ini, dibuat oleh Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin esok.

"Saya yakin siapa sahaja yang dipilih, yang pasti (calon) adalah dari MIC. Yang pasti adalah yang kita janji melalui formula BN akan kita pertahankan, maknanya kerusi ini ialah kerusi MIC," katanya.

Beliau berharap khabar angin kononnya ada bahagian yang akan menutup bilik gerakan dan memboikot pilihan raya kecil itu terbabit tidak berulang pada masa-masa akan datang.

"Cuma maklumat balas sebagai Pengerusi Pemuda BN adalah pengundi di situ mahu calon tempatan dan seorang calon muda. Dulu saya kata calon yang mesra kepada orang muda, lebih tepat lagi mereka nak calon muda dan saya harap calon muda diletakkan di situ," katanya.

Ketika ditanya kemungkinan berlaku kesan negatif sekiranya calon yang diletakkan tidak memenuhi hasrat pengundi dan Pemuda BN, Khairy berkata adalah penting untuk ahli BN menyokong siapa sahaja yang ditampilkan sebagai calon BN di Hulu Selangor.- BERNAMA

Woman dies after hijab gets caught in go-kart axle

MELBOURNE: A woman died when the Islamic head dress she was wearing got caught in the axle of a go-kart she was driving Thursday.

The 26-year-old had been enjoying a day out with her family at the Port Stephen's Go-Kart track in New South Wales when her hijab became caught up at high speed, the Australian Associated Press reports.

Paramedics said the Sydney woman suffered severe neck injuries and went into cardiac arrest after the hijab's material tightened rapidly around her throat.

Shocked onlookers freed her from the kart and paramedics managed to revive her before she was airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition. She died later.

"While she was riding somehow part of her head-dress got caught in the mechanism of the go-kart and tightened around her throat," said Port Stephens duty officer Inspector Brian Larkham.

Police said the woman and her family had been holidaying in Port Stephens. - Bernama

Pelajar dirogol fail saman RM5 juta terhadap Kolej Masterskill

Seorang pelajar perempuan sebuah kolej perubatan swasta hari ini memfailkan saman sebanyak RM5 juta terhadap pengurusan kolejnya itu kerana dakwaan berlaku cuai dalam menjaga keselamatan pelajar sehingga dirinya dirogol.

Peguam plaintif Mohd Zubairi Salleh dan Mohd Rafizi Abdullah memfailkan saman itu di pejabat Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi di sini.

Plaintif menamakan Masterskill (M) Sdn Bhd yang beribu pejabat di alamat G-8, Jalan Kemacahaya 11, Taman Kemacahaya, Batu 9, Cheras, Selangor yang mempunyai kampus cawangannya di Kota Bahru beralamat di Seksyen 19, Jalan Hamzah sebagai defendan.

Mengikut pernyataan tuntutannya, semasa kejadian plaintif merupakan seorang penuntut tahun pertama Diploma Kejururawatan dan penghuni asrama yang disediakan kolej itu.

Pada 9 Feb lalu kira-kira pukul 8.15 pagi, sewaktu plaintif berada dalam asrama kolej defendan di Tanjung Mas, di sini, plaintif bersama lima rakan sebilik telah didatangi seorang lelaki yang tidak dikenali dengan cara dipercayai memasuki asrama dan menceroboh masuk bilik mereka.

Lelaki tersebut kemudiannya bertanyakan kepada mereka siapa yang bernama “Serena” di dalam bilik tersebut namun setelah dimaklumkan bahawa tiada perempuan yang bernama “Serena” di kalangan mereka, lelaki itu terus meninggalkan bilik plaintif.

Setelah melihat lelaki itu keluar, plaintif kemudiannya keluar menuju ke bilik air untuk mandi tetapi secara tiba-tiba lelaki tadi menolak pintu bilik air tersebut dan terus meluru masuk ke bilik air itu.

Plaintif cuba untuk menyelamatkan diri tetapi penceroboh itu bertindak mengeluarkan pisau dan mengacu ke arah plaintif menyebabkan plaintif tidak mampu untuk melawan dan kemudiannya berlaku kejadian rogol tersebut dan lelaki itu kemudiannya melarikan diri.

Sehubungan itu plaintif mendakwa kejadian itu berlaku akibat kecuaian langsung defendan atau ejennya yang didapati cuai dalam menjaga keselamatan plaintif sehingga seorang penceroboh boleh memasuki asrama defendan.

Kejadian rogol itu menyebabkan plaintif kehilangan masa depan dan maruah diri kerana sebelum kejadian itu keluarga plaintif telah meletakkan kepercayaan penuh ke atas defendan untuk menjaga keselamatan diri plaintif di asrama dengan andaian bahawa asrama defendan selamat daripada semua aspek keselamatan.

Akibat daripada tindakan kecuaian defendan itu, plaintif sehingga kini masih lagi terkejut dan malu serta mendapati dirinya terus menerus mengalami keaiban, kesusahan dan tekanan hidup.

Kegagalan defendan melaksanakan kewajipan berhati-hati ke atas plaintif, kehidupan plaintif menjadi kelam kabut akibat tafsiran serong rakan-rakan, masyarakat dan sahabat handai.

Kesemua musibah yang menimpa mengakibatkan tekanan perasaan dan trauma yang berpanjangan ke atas diri plaintif.

Biarpun notis tuntutan bertarikh 10 Mac lalu telah dibuat dan dikemukakan plaintif terhadap defendan, namun sehingga kini defendan masih gagal atau cuai untuk menjelaskan tuntutan tersebut.

Atas faktor itu, plaintif menuntut defendan membayar ganti rugi teladan sebanyak RM3 juta, ganti rugi bagi kecederaan perasaan, trauma dan tekanan mental sebanyak RM2 juta, ganti rugi am, kos tindakan dan faedah pada kadar yang difikirkan adil dan sesuai oleh mahkamah dalam kes itu. — Bernama

Lawyer claims trial to CBT

SEREMBAN: A lawyer pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here Monday to criminal breach of trust involving RM619,875.55.

R. Ledchumiah, 59, had allegedly held the money in trust for one R. Selvasundari of Taman Rasah Jaya here.

Ledchumiah, of Taman Sri Putih here, was charged with committing the offence at the firm of Messrs Ramamoorthy Ledchumiah & Co between June 25, 1998 and April 16, 1999.

The offence is punishable under Section 409 of the Penal Code with a jail term of between two and 20 years and whipping as well as a fine upon conviction.

Judge Zamri Bakar allowed Ledchumiah bail of RM20,000 in one surety and set May 6 for mention of the case.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Hashley Tajudin prosecuted while Ledchumiah was represented by counsel P. Sivalingam. -- Bernama

Indonesia welcomes proposal to abolish tariff on Asean books

2010/03/27

PAMPANGA: Indonesia welcomed the proposal to abolish tariff on the sale of books to enable locally-published books to penetrate markets in Asean.

"We welcome the proposal as it will benefit Asean member countries, especially the people of Indonesia and Malaysia who use similiar language," Hubertus Sadirin, Senior Conservationist and Trainer of Indonesia's Ministry of Culture and Tourism told Bernama, here today.

He was here to attend the 7th Meeting of Senior Officials Responsible for Culture and Arts (SOMCA) and the 4th Meeting of Asean Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) which ended yesterday.

Last Monday, Malaysia's Information Communication and Culture
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said in Kuala Lumpur that the proposal would not only benefit Malaysia but also other Asean member countries and that the matter would be raised at the meeting here.

Rais also said that currently, locally-published books found it hard to penetrate the international market compared to books from the other countries where the demand for them was rather strong to the extent that they were reprinted.

Yesterday, Rais, who attended the AMCA here, said although the meeting did not specifically discuss the matter, the issue might be discussed at the bilateral level between Malaysia and Indonesia, which had a combined population of nearly 300 million using similar language.

Expressing positive response to the proposal, Hubertus hoped the discussion over the matter could be held as soon as possible.
"This is a very good suggestion and we are looking forward to deliberating this further," he said. -- BERNAMA

Pilihan raya kecil Hulu Selangor: SPR mesyuarat 2 April

26/03/2010 4:09pm

PUTRAJAYA 26 Mac – Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) akan mengadakan mesyuarat Jumaat depan untuk menetapkan tarikh penamaan calon dan pengundian bagi pilihan raya kecil Parlimen Hulu Selangor, kata Pengerusi SPR, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd. Yusof hari ini.

Pilihan raya kecil itu berikutan kematian penyandang kerusi kawasan itu, Datuk Dr. Zainal Abidin Ahmad dari Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) malam tadi akibat barah otak.

Abdul Aziz berkata, mesyuarat itu diadakan di Ibu pejabat SPR di sini pada pukul 10 pagi.

"Notis mengenai kekosongan kerusi Parlimen Hulu Selangor akan diterima Isnin ini,” katanya.

Pada pilihan raya umum lalu, Allahyarham, yang juga bekas Timbalan Menteri Besar Selangor, menewaskan calon Barisan Nasional (BN) Datuk G. Palanivel dengan majoriti tipis 198 undi.

Allahyarham menyertai PKR pada 2005, memperoleh 23,177 undi, manakala Palanivel yang juga Timbalan Presiden MIC, mendapat 22,979 undi. – Bernama

Smart Tunnel To Be Closed For Maintenance Tomorrow Night

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Bernama) -- The SMART highway will be closed tomorrow, from 11pm to 6am the following day, to facilitate the motorway tunnel system's routine maintenance work.

Motorists can call the SMART Help line at 1300887188 for further information about the closure, the tunnel concessionaire, Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel Sdn Bhd, said in a statement Tuesday.

-- BERNAMA

Takziah kepada keluarga Tan Sri Sulaiman Daud ~ Al Fatihah

Bekas Menteri Pertanian Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Daud meninggal dunia di Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) pada 8.10 pagi ini setelah lama uzur.

Pengarah HKL Datuk Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain berkata jenazah dibawa balik ke kediaman Allahyarham di 61, Lorong Lai Tet Lok Satu Off Jalan Gurney di sini.

Allahyarham yang baru sahaja menyambut ulang tahun ke-77 pada 4 Mac lepas, meninggalkan empat anak, iaitu Mahathir, Norshida, Zelda Raha dan Azman.

Isteri Allahyarham, Puan Sri Naemah Hasbi meninggal dunia pada 26 Mac 2005 akibat barah paru-paru.

Sulaiman, yang merupakan bekas Naib Presiden Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Sarawak dan bekas anggota Parlimen Petra Jaya, Sarawak, pernah menjawat pelbagai jawatan sebagai menteri di peringkat persekutuan, bermula dengan Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan pada 19 Mac 1981.

Selain itu, Allahyarham juga pernah memegang jawatan Menteri Pelajaran (1981-84 dan juga 1995-99), Menteri Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan (1984-86), Menteri Tanah dan Pembangunan Wilayah (1986-89), Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (1989-1990), Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna (1990-1991) dan jawatan terakhirnya sebagai Menteri Pertanian (1995-1999).

Anak kelahiran Kuching, Sarawak yang berkelulusan ijazah kedoktoran pergigian dari University of Otago, New Zealand, pernah bertugas sebagai doktor gigi di kerajaan negeri Sarawak dan Jabatan Perubatan Brunei pada tahun 1960-an. – BERNAMA

GST delay not due to lack of political will: Husni

IPOH: The government’s decision to postpone tabling of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill for second reading in parliament is not due to lack of political will.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said the government's political will was putting people first by providing adequate information before GST is implemented to replace Sale and Service Tax (SST).

"The people are given the chance to give input so that when implemented, GST will be accepted by the people and the government," he told reporters at Taman Meru here Sunday.

He said the people should be fully informed on GST as they had been exposed to all sorts of information that was against the government's aim in implementing GST.

Husni denied that the GST postponement was because Barisan Nasional feared punishment by the people at the next general election.

"The opposition's weaknesses have actually strengthened Barisan. The Anwar Ibrahim factor will also play a part.

"It is not right to say that our fortunes rest on GST. Election will only be held in 2012 or 2013 and there will be other factors by that time," he added. - Bernama