Najib: East Coast Rail will boost Pahang GDP

PEKAN: The gross domestic product (GDP) of Pahang is projected to increase by 1.5% thanks to the upcoming East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic) said ECRL was the type of iconic game changer project that could encourage growth.

"We want to make sure economic growth in Pahang reaches a level that can bring about transformation.

"Although the ECRL will not pass through Pekan, it is still close enough at neighbouring Kuantan. Our industries will be able to export their products through Kuantan and Klang in the future with the ECRL," he said at the handover ceremony of the Ganchong water treatment plant here on Saturday.

Najib said economic activities would be more robust than ever as the ECRL could bring about unimaginable landscape change.

"It is not only physical but mental as well. When we see such modern development around us, we will also strive to raise a new generation that is competitive.

"It can build a progressive mentality," he said.

Najib added that a survey had found that the Pahang public's approval rate for the ECRL was at 96%.

"Only one or two of those Opposition folks are against the project," he said.

During the event, Najib witnessed the handing over of the RM255.1mil Ganchong water treatment plant from the East Coast Economic Region Development Council to the state government.

The plant was built to ensure uninterrupted treated water supply to more than 80,000 people including households, business owners and investors in Pekan and its surrounding areas.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/04/22/najib-ecrl-to-boost-pahang-gdp/#YqIfgMY2zRZ9Rdvh.99

Rahman Dahlan criticises Guan Eng over higher inflation claims

Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan (pic) has hit out at Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for attempting to undermine Malaysia's economy.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of the Economic Planning Unit wrote in a Facebook posting on Saturday that Lim and his fellow opposition leaders "should learn some basic macroeconomics".

He said this as a response to the DAP lawmaker's previous claim that Malaysia's high inflation rate of 5.1% in March was caused by an autocratic and corrupt government lacking accountability and transparency in financial management.

Abdul Rahman explained that the high inflation rate in March 2017 was because of the low base effect as pointed out by the Statistics Department.

"Transport inflation rate in March 2016 was -8.2% when RON95 price dropped to as low as RM1.60 per litre. In March 2017, transport inflation increased by 23% as RON95 price was increased to RM2.29.

"This was why headline inflation rate hit 8-year high of 5.1% last month," he said.

In addressing Lim's second statement that inflation was high during the 1998 Asian financial crisis and the global financial crisis in 2008, Abdul Rahman said the 1998 inflation happened because of the sharp depreciation of the ringgit which pushed the cost of imported food higher.

"Government at that time increased the ceiling prices of cooking oil, chicken, flour, sugar and milk by 5% to 20% to mitigate the rising cost of imported food and essential items.

"In 2008, Malaysia didn't face a recession. The economy was still growing by 4.8% in 2008. Inflation rate was high in 2008 because of the sharp rise in crude oil price," he said.

Commenting on Lim's claims that inflation had hit the lower income groups proportionately harder than higher income groups, Abdul Rahman said inflation rate for those earning below RM3,000 was at 4.7% in March 2017 as compared to the nations 5.1%.

"This is because those in low income group spent more on basic necessities. Prices of some of which are controlled by the government. They also received BR1M that could offset the difference or rising prices of goods," he said.

He then stressed that Bank Negara policymakers have been monitoring the core inflation rate which has been stable at 2.5%.

"Lim Guan Eng and other opposition leaders should learn some basic macroeconomics before making silly accusations about Malaysia's economy on the basis of high headline inflation rate.

"Malaysia received RM59bil worth of foreign investment in 2016, an increase of RM23bil from RM36bil recorded in 2015. This shows that there's no economic crisis of confidence as alleged by Lim Guan Eng," he said.

He added that the opposition must stop trying to undermine Malaysia's economy by spreading fake news and making baseless allegations against the government and the nation's economy itself.

"If foreign investors and industry players believe the opposition, it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy," he added.

On Friday, the Statistics Department had said Malaysia's headline inflation rate hit 5.1% in March 2017, the highest in the last eight years.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/04/22/rahman-dahlan-criticises-guan-eng-over-higher-inflation-claims/#ZCJsCL2r0Y742izx.99

70-year-old man who shouted at and slapped foreigner on train arrested

SINGAPORE: A 70-year-old man who was shown in a now-viral video shouting at and slapping a foreigner on a train has been arrested for causing public nuisance and voluntarily causing hurt.

The police on Saturday said they received a report on Friday about a man repeatedly using offensive language and assaulting a commuter on an MRT train.

The victim, Joe DeMarini, uploaded the video on his Facebook page on Thursday (April 20). The incident reportedly happened on the North East Line on Wednesday (April 18) night.

He said the man was allegedly drunk and approached him and a friend and made sexual advances on him.

When DeMarini's female friend intervened, the man allegedly yelled and threatened her.

Others on the train stepped in too, while several were taking videos, he said.

"He touched me, and I told him not to, and I briefly lost my temper - after that he slapped me on the side of the head," DeMarini alleged.

The 4min 22sec clip has been viewed more than 1.2 million times.

DeMarini, who is from Pennsylvania, received an outpouring of support from Singaporeans afterwards, with many apologising on the man's behalf and welcoming him to Singapore.

Officers from Ang Mo Kio Division identified the suspect and arrested him along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 on Friday at about 10pm.

Those convicted of the offence of public nuisance can be fined up to $1,000 (RM3,148), while those convicted of the offence of voluntarily causing hurt can be jailed for up to two years and or fined up to $5,000 (RM15,744). - The Straits Times/Asia News Network


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2017/04/22/70-year-old-man-who-shouted-at-and-slapped-foreigner-on-train-arrested/#cScTADQMY2F7PDKG.99

Rashford scores winner but Man United suffer Ibrahimovic blow

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester United needed an extra-time winner from Marcus Rashford to defeat Anderlecht 2-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday and move into the last four of the Europa League with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

While the result keeps open a possible path to next season's Champions League for Jose Mourinho's side, it came at a high price with defender Marcos Rojo and forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic both suffering possibly serious knee injuries.

United took the lead in the 10th minute through Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but Sofiane Hanni brought the Belgian side back level in the 32nd.

After Ibrahimovic wasted two great chances in the final stages of normal time, the contest went into extra time and Rashford settled the tie with a fine finish early in the second period.

It was not the comfortable passage into the semi-finals that United might have expected with Anderlecht showing no shortage of guts and enterprising football, but it was a deserved victory for the English side.

United, buoyed by their Premier League win over Chelsea on Sunday, started confidently and grabbed the early advantage.

Paul Pogba played a pinpoint 40-metre pass along the ground to Rashford who, at the second attempt, found Mkhitaryan on the edge of the box and the Armenian midfielder drilled home his fifth goal in this season’s Europa League.

There was almost a swagger about United’s approach and they twice came close to instantly doubling their advantage with Pogba seeing a firm header tipped over by Anderlecht keeper Martinez Ruben who moments later excelled again as he pushed a curling Jesse Lingard shot wide.

But the 33-times Belgian champions, were not willing to be swept away and after a defensive mix-up Frank Acheampong outpaced Eric Bailly and fired dangerously into the side-netting.

After Rojo was taken off on a stretcher with a knee injury, being replaced by Dutch international Daley Blind, United appeared to lose focus.

The Belgians struck back when Youri Tielemans hammered a powerful long-range shot against the bar, Lukasz Teodorczyk got the loose ball stuck under his feet but was able to nudge it into the path of Algerian Sofiane Hanni who drove in the equaliser.

Rashford was again the main threat after the break, shooting off target from a promising position. He then robbed Dennis Appiah, burst goalward and rounded Ruben but was forced too wide for an effective shot.

United certainly should have been back in the lead when Marouane Fellaini headed down a cross to Ibrahimovic but the normally clinical forward shot straight at Ruben from point-blank range.

Ibrahimovic then wasted another good opportunity, screwing his shot wide after being found in the box by Michael Carrick and a bad night got much worse for the Swede, who fell badly in the final action of normal time and picked up a knee injury.

United were dominant and Pogba had an effort ruled out when Fellaini was adjudged to have pushed a defender as he rose to head the ball down to the Frenchman.

The winning goal came early in the second period and Fellaini’s head was again the source, as he nodded down to Rashford who did superbly to find space for a left-foot shot into the bottom corner.

Taylor Swift dating a Chinese tech tycoon?

HONG KONG: The founder of Chinese internet giant Sohu has publicly denied being Taylor Swift's latest squeeze amid talk that the American singer is dating one of China's tech tycoons.

Sohu CEO Charles Zhang Chaoyang denied the rumours on Friday morning after Chinese internet users speculated that he could be Swift's new boyfriend.

"It's just a rumour. I have no interest in foreign women ... I don't even know who Taylor Swift is," Zhang said in a video on Sohu's live-streaming platform, Qianfan, on Friday morning.

The rumour about Zhang and Swift had surfaced recently after talk on Chinese social media that "America's number one singer" was seeing a middle-aged tech mogul in China.

Swift has been described in China as America's most popular singer and Zhang is in his 50s.

By Friday afternoon, Zhang's response to the rumours was the top trending topic on microblogging platform Sina Weibo.

But Swift's fans on Chinese social media largely derided the speculation surrounding the pair.

Many pointed out that based on Swift's dating history, she was unlikely to date someone like Zhang.

Swift has been known for her long line of high-profile relationships.

Her former beaus have included US singer John Mayer, Scottish singer Calvin Harris, as well as English singer and member of pop boy band One Direction, Harry Styles.

She most recently dated English actor Tom Hiddleston, who acted in the Marvel superhero films Thor and The Avengers.

Swift's fans also criticised Zhang's denial.

"All at once, he offended every foreign woman [with his statement]," one internet user wrote.

"It's not as if Taylor would be interested in him," another said.

Many Weibo users noted that the original rumour about Swift dating a middle-aged Chinese tech mogul was unsubstantiated to begin with.

Zhang became embroiled in the rumours after internet users and online entertainment media outlets sifted through potential individuals who might fit the description.

Internet users speculated that the tech tycoon would have to be a wealthy and successful leader in the Chinese tech world, a bachelor aged over 35, and have decent English skills.

They reasoned that among all of China's tech moguls, Zhang best fit the bill. - South China Morning Post
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2017/04/22/taylor-swift-dating-a-chinese-tech-tycoon/#MSUU8UqOYDq3VYzS.99

Police bust syndicate offering pirated Astro channels

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have detained six men believed to be members of a syndicate that allegedly offered illegal cable television Astro channels with a lower monthly subscription via online streaming and card sharing.

Bukit Aman (Federal Police) Commercial Crimes Investigation Department chief Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the suspects, aged between 39 and 53, were picked up in raids in the federal capital and Johor Baru since Thursday.

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"Police also seized various equipment believed to have been used for the ''live streaming'' including 12 units of parabolic modem or router; over 500 Astro decoders and cards; Android set-up box, mobile phones, laptops, computer tablets," he said in a statement here Friday.

Acryl Sani said initial investigations revealed that the syndicate, believed to have been making profits of over RM900,000 per month, had been operating since 2015 with over 30,000 customers nationwide.

The men were being remanded for three days beginning Friday to facilitate investigations under Section 41 of the Copyright Act 1987. - Bernama
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/04/22/police-bust-syndicate-offering-pirated-astro-channels/#2BYdaXWqT2HxZgLj.99

Fake news will lead to false history – Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 22: Ethical journalism is vital in creating an informed society as is being planned for by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry in its Communications and Multimedia Blueprint, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the country was now in the era of post-truth where the existence of fake news, especially in various social media platforms with huge followers, was a norm.

“What is more saddening (is that) the public who have been exposed to fake news and not based on facts, take whatever is being served to them blindly.

“They cannot differentiate between diamond and glass. The emotions of the public have superceded their sanity. We know that the authenticity of information disseminated through social media can be doubted…We know blogs, Facebook and social media portals are not bound by the ethics of the conventional media.

“If this is not curbed and controlled, the fake news phenomenon will become a threat to national security from various angles. Fake news will lead to false history, we cannot differentiate between right and wrong,” he said at the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-Petronas Malaysian Press Night (MPN) 2017 here last night.

Najib was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor at the largest gathering of the Malaysian journalism community.

Also present were Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, Joint Chairman of MPN 2017 who is also Harian Metro/Metro Ahad group editor Datuk Mustapa Omar, MPI chief executive officer Datuk Dr Chamil Wariya, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, Bernama Editor-in-Chief Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab and also editors-in-chief of most o fthe mainstream media organisations in the country.

The prime minister said the media had its own responsibilities to explain to the public on what facts and spreading slander were all about.

The government was now looking seriously into the emergence of fake news, causing the ministry to come out with a website called “sebenarnya.my” which was now accessible by all quarters to determine whether or not a particular news item that went viral was fake, he said.

Ramasamy blasts Perlis Mufti over poem condemning Indian community

KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 22: Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof P Ramasamy admonished that Hinduism cannot be undermined by the likes of Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Asri Zainal Abidin nor controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

“It is quite sad to know that the Mufti of Perlis, Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin, known for his progressive views on Islam, has stooped so low to undermine Hinduism by characterising it as a religion that “worships” cows, imposes Sati requirements on women to jump into the funeral pyre of their husbands and maintains its nefarious caste system.

“I am not sure who “educated” him on Hinduism, but there are some indications that he could have gathered all the negatives about the religion from his “Mahaguru” Zakir Naik.

“Just because some Indian groups opposed (Zakir) Naik for indulging in hate mongering, Mohd Asri decided to attack Hinduism and its practices,” said the DAP Deputy Secretary General in a statement.

Ramasamy said that what Asri has said about Hinduism and its practices are not only far fetched, but not even remotely related to Hinduism.

“In other words, he sought to engage in a mindless “essentialism” by reducing the majestic religion to few elements.

“It is “good” that we have the likes of Mohd Asri and Zakir Naik for strengthening the resolve of Hindus in the country to protect their religion at whatever costs.

“Hinduism is not a mere religion but a way of life that has withstood foreign invasions, colonialism, conversion and myriad of other challenges.

“It will be a pipe dream of Zakir Naik or his followers Moh Asri or others to think that they can undermine Hinduism by engaging in hate mongering.

“Hinduism will remain strong and vibrant among its followers,” said Ramasamy.

He said whether the caustic poem written by Asri is considered seditious or not, that ought to be left for the police to investigate.

“A number of reports will be lodged by groups that are opposed to the hate mongering by Mohd Asri.

“It is expected the police to act fast on this matter, but whether the police will be driven to do this remains to be seen.

“The police should not set political priorities in their investigation,” said Ramasamy.

Ramasamy was referring to a poem condemning the Indian community, that was posted by Asri on his Facebook page, where the latter was defended and criticized for his actions.

Cost of living in M’sia lowest in Asean – Najib

The cost of living in Malaysia is the lowest among ASEAN member countries, according to the survey on the cost of living around the world in 2017 by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said it was the result of various efforts undertaken by the government in reducing the burden of the cost of living in the country.

The survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit compared the prices of goods and services in 133 cities around the world.

“However, I want to stress here that this recognition does not mean that our efforts to reduce the burden of the rising cost of living has been completed,” he said this in the latest post titled ”Prime Minister”s Speech on the Quality of People”s Life on his official blog najibrazak.com.

He said the issue of the rising cost of living was the government”s priority in a bid to transform Malaysia as a fully developed high-income nation.

“We have done a lot of work to ease the people”s burden related to the rising cost of living. Among the efforts are the price control of goods by the authorities, the distribution of BR1M (1Malaysia People”s Aid), eradication of middlemen and so on,” he said.

The prime minister also said the government had always been trying to improve people”s income through various training and education programmes namely the National Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund (Tekun Nasional ); Retail Shop Transformation Programme (Tukar); Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju); Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Startup Scheme (Superb); Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara); Young Entrepreneurs Fund; e-Rezeki and Facilitation Fund.

In terms of cost control, Najib said the government would continue implementing programmes such as the 1Malaysia People”s Shop (KR1M); 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA); 1Malaysia Clinics and 1Malaysia Book Voucher.

“I really hope these programmes can help improve the quality of people”s life because that”s what I try to do every day as a Prime Minister,” he said.-– Bernama

Salman Khan releases first poster of ‘Tubelight’

Superstar Salman Khan on Wednesday released the first poster of his much awaited movie “Tubelight” directed by Kabir Khan, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

The 51-year-old actor took to social media to unveil the poster.

“Kya tumhe yakeen hai? Agar tumhe yakeen hai then ‘Back his Back’,” he wrote alongside the poster, which features a back shot of a man.

In the picture the actor is seen wearing a blazer, a cap and holding a sling bag.

The catch line of the poster is “Kya Tumhe Yakeen Hai”.

The makers had released a small teaser of the film on Tuesday featuring a chorus in the voice of kids.

The movie marks the third collaboration between Salman and Kabir, who have previously worked together in “Ek Tha Tiger” and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan”. “Tubelight,” which also stars Chinese actress Zhu Zhu, will hit the theatres on Eid.

UN chiefs first meeting with Trump

UNITED NATIONS, April 22: United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday (Apr 21) held a brief first meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, ahead of a visit of Security Council ambassadors to Washington next week.

Guterres, who took over from Ban Ki-moon in January, also met with the US national security advisor, General H.R. McMaster.

The UN chief had an “interesting and constructive discussion on cooperation between the United States and the United Nations,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Guterres and Trump “agreed to meet again in the near future,” he added.

UN Security Council ambassadors will hold a luncheon meeting with Trump on Monday and meet with US lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Those meetings are likely to focus on North Korea, Syria, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and US cuts to UN funding that have raised concerns about the US administration’s support for the world body.

The United States is the biggest contributor to the United Nations, paying 22 per cent of the US$5.4 billion core budget and 28.5 per cent of the US$7.9 billion peacekeeping budget.

But the Trump administration has cut US$32.5 million from the UN Population Fund, which provides family planning in 150 countries, and is seeking to draw down and close peacekeeping missions.

Dujarric declined to give details about discussions about US funding, but stressed the importance of the first high-level exchange with the US administration. “It’s an important relationship and we are very pleased that the meeting happened,” the UN spokesman said.

Guterres met with Trump for 15-20 minutes at the Oval Office after holding a longer discussion with McMaster.

During his election campaign, Trump dismissed the United Nations as “just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time.”

It remains unclear whether Trump will attend the General Assembly high-level debate in September, which would see him deliver his first address at the United Nations.

The United States holds the presidency of the 15-member Security Council for the month of April, providing the new administration with an opportunity to showcase its foreign policy priorities.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley tweeted Friday that she was looking forward to “taking the members of the Security Council to the White House Monday to have first hand dialogue with the president.”
AFP/ec

Hunt is on for ‘school gangsterism’

SHAH ALAM, Apr 22: Selangor police have set up a task force to probe gangland activities in schools after videos of a group of students creating a ruckus outside the school in Taman Sri Andalas went viral.

According to The Star Online, Selangor CID chief Senior Asst Comm Fadzil Ahmat said although the motive for the commotion was still being probed, the 13 schoolboys and five others had been remanded.

“The 13 students arrested were from schools in the area, while the five other youths were working as mechanics and security guards.

“We have remanded them for four days to assist in investigations,” he told reporters at the Selangor police headquarters here, reported The Star Online.

Yesterday,

He said as soon as the video went viral, a police report was lodged and the task force was formed.

“Together with Bukit Aman CID, we launched a series of operations on Thursday night and arrested the youths, aged between 16 and 25.

“We are investigating the case under Section 52 of the Societies Act 1966 for using a triad ritual,” he said.

Yesterday, 13 students and five others were arrested for their involvement with Gang 24.

The arrest came after several videos of a group of motorcyclists causing disturbance outside a school went viral.

In the first video clip, they were seen shouting and revving their motorbike engines outside the school.

In the 1.14min long video, the group were also seen holding up banners of the letter “24”, “TD4” and a black swastika.

Meanwhile, another video starts with a close-up of a cake with the words “SMK Sri Andalas”, “24” and “Apache” written on it.