Tunku Mukhriz proclaimed new Ruler of Negri Sembilan

SEREMBAN, Dec 29 —

Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Mukhriz ibni Almarhum Tunku Munawir

After a tense 24 hours and more than four decades since being passed over, Tunku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, 60, was named the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan today in a ceremony steeped in tradition.

His appointment as the new Negri Sembilan Ruler put to rest speculation that he would be bypassed again by his cousin Tunku Naquiyuddin, the eldest son of Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, who passed away on Saturday.

In 1967, Tuanku Muhriz, who was then 18, was not chosen when his father died because of his youth.

Instead Tuanku Ja'afar, who was his uncle, was appointed.

In recent years, it had been widely expected that Tunku Naquiyuddin would succeed his father.

Tunku Naquiyuddin had even been named acting Ruler in his father's absence in recent years, lending weight to speculation that he would be the next Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

But today, as Tuanku Ja'afar was being laid to rest, the four Undangs, or territorial chiefs, who have the ultimate power to decide on succession, chose instead to vote in his cousin.

It had been a tense wait as the Undangs deliberated for hours a day earlier on who should succeed Tuanku Ja'afar.

The Malaysian Insider understands that there was intense lobbying over the past two days for the respective candidates.

It is understood several prominent Malaysians had backed Tuanku Muhriz to become the next Ruler as they felt he was a respected and even-tempered personality who had patiently waited his turn.

In the past four decades, Tuanku Muhriz was a corporate figure.

Bernama reports that the proclamation of Tuanku Muhriz as the new Negri Sembilan Ruler was made by Undang Luak Sungai Ujong Datuk Klana Petra Datuk Mubarak Dohak at the Istana Besar Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah.

The ceremony, which was telecast live via RTM, was held at the throne room of the palace.

The appointment of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar was made according to the “adat perpatih” of Negri Sembilan.

Tuanku Muhriz was appointed as the new Yang di-Pertuan Besar from among the "Putera Yang Empat" (the Four Princes) in accordance with the state constitution.

The other three princes — Tunku Laxamana Tunku Naquiyuddin, Tunku Muda of Serting Tunku Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar and Tunku Panglima Besar Tunku Nazaruddin Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja'afar — were also present.

Yesterday, the four Undangs — Undang Luak Sungai Ujong, Undang Luak Johol, Undang Luak Jelebu and Undang Luak Rembau — together with the Tunku Besar of Tampin held a conference behind closed doors to elect the new Ruler of the state.

Born on Jan 14, 1948, Tuanku Muhriz received his early education at Sekolah Menengah King George V in Seremban and continued at the Aldenhem School in Britain.

He obtained his LLB from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, in Britain.

Tuanku Muhriz is the only son out of six siblings of the late Tuanku Munawir Tuanku Abdul Rahman with his consort Tunku Ampuan Durah Tuanku Besar Burhanuddin.

Tuanku Muhriz is married to Tengku Datuk Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud of Terengganu and they have three children, Tunku Ali Redhauddin Muhriz, 31, Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Muhriz, 26, and Tunku Alif Hussein Saifuddin Al-Amin, 23.

String of bad news may have hurt Tunku Naquiyuddin’s chances at becoming Ruler

DEC 29 — Suave, charming and debonair, Tunku Naquiyuddin Tuanku Ja'afar had been for years one of Malaysia's most well-known member of royalty, and was widely expected to succeed his father as the Ruler of Negri Sembilan.

Known for his charitable activities, he was also a keen sportsman and a top corporate figure popular with the public, making him an ideal candidate to be the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.

But perhaps the spate of bad publicity his family endured in recent times eventually hurt his chances as he was ultimately bypassed today when the four Undangs, or territorial chiefs, of the state instead chose his cousin Tunku Muhriz to ascend to the throne.

The four chiefs, who have the ultimate say in deciding who gets to become the state's Ruler, had deliberated over the candidates in the past 24 hours amid intense speculation.

And the string of bad news in recent times surrounding the late Tuanku Ja'afar's family would not have escaped them.

In October, a grand-nephew of Tuanku Ja'afar was reportedly involved in a nightclub brawl with a member of the Johor royal family, in an incident which greatly embarrassed both royal households.

Tuanku Ja'afar also made the news for all the wrong reasons in the same month when he became the first ever member of royalty to be involved in a trial in the Special Court.

The Special Court, set up in the 1990s to hear cases involving royalty after royal immunity was removed by a constitutional amendment, ruled against Tuanku Ja'afar in a dispute with Standard Chartered Bank.

He was ordered to pay nearly US$1 million (RM3.6 million) to honour his commitment in a letter of credit over a business deal.

In a speech last month, Tunku Naquiyuddin subsequently made a call for royal immunity to be restored.

He argued the restoration of immunity would enable the constitutional monarchy to play a more fitting role in the 21st century as guardians of the Federal Constitution.

His remarks did not get the support of the other Malay Rulers, perhaps because it had come so soon after his father's court case.

Last month, his brother Tunku Imran's business dealings also ended up dragging the family's name through the mud.

Tunku Imran resigned as director and chairman of the Petra group of companies, which are controlled by his long-time friend and business partner Datuk Vinod Sekhar.

The public falling-out with his partner came following a lawsuit filed in the United States against the group and Tunku Imran by Hollywood film star Bruce Willis over a "green rubber" project.

Tunku Imran's parting shot to his old friend was that "enough is enough”.

In the end, that may not have been enough for Tunku Naquiyuddin to succeed his father.

[ 当今大马 ] 2008年度十大新闻

当今大马团队 | 12月29日 上午10点48分

罗马非一天建成，变天也并非在一夕之间发生；同样的，在马来西亚，人们的怒火需要一种特殊的混合情境之下才能引爆。 所谓“星星之火，足以燎原”，满腹牢骚的马来西亚人，在去年便已开始满腹怨气，延烧至今年更是一发不可收拾，只要时机一到，压抑已久的怒火，便禁不住夺腔而出。 如今，它确实爆发了。马来西亚的民众开创了历史的新一页，不过他们没有因此伫立不前。2008年是个缔造历史的年份，拥有无限的惊喜与挑战，人们的兴奋雀跃之情更是持续不堕。 现在，就让我们带你一起倒数2008年十大新闻： 10）打破皇冠城“万里长城” 事件：从居民单挑大道公司，到州政府与中央政府激烈角力，蕉赖皇冠城居民在多次“你建我拆”的开路风波中，一次次地体现出人民力量是如何的强大。风波最终以中央政府下令大道公司开路告终，让人民乐开怀。 事件缘起于蕉赖皇冠镇（Makhota Cheras）居民与蕉赖—加影大道特许经营公司Grand Saga，针对住宅区衔接大道出口的争议。大道公司在2005年底强行以路墩封闭出口，导致居民必须绕4.2公里的远路，而且还得多缴过路费及饱受塞车之苦。 为此，愤怒的当地居民组成皇冠城开路行动委员会展开自救，其间更入禀法庭起诉大道公司。居民前后共举办至少18场的抗议集会，也曾遭到警方的多次强力镇压。不过，事情始终胶着，没有任何进展。 一切随着308政治海啸而改变。随着雪州政权落入人民联盟手中，当地居民也盼望到开路的曙光。雪州政府在上台不久后宣布路墩地点属于州政府管辖范围，因此Grand Saga没有权力设立路墩，必须移除这些“非法障碍”。 在获得州政府的撑腰下，皇冠城居民在4月21日毅然自行动手拆除石礅，打通该路口。不过，不甘示弱的大道公司，却另于200名警察和镇暴队的“巡场”下，在5月7日重新设立路墩，以致衍生出随后“我拆你建”的开路风波。 在一次的开路行动中，一批居民更遭到被指是私会党徒的监视和殴伤，这批恶徒被怀疑是由大道公司所聘请。此外，国阵中央政府也似乎站在大道公司一方，不断维护设置路墩的正当性，属下的警方和镇暴队多次以水炮和催泪弹驱散民众，协助大道公司重设路墩。 最严重的流血冲突当属5月27日的事件。一辆载有4名华裔青年的车子，疑因鲁莽驾驶而与镇暴队队员发生碰撞，结果车子和乘客都遭到警方和镇暴队的拳打脚踢。其中，司机曾俊豪被打到血流满脸而轰动全国。 令人百思不得其解的是，这4名被殴的青年随后却遭警方逮捕，并援引企图谋杀罪名而展开调查。尽管警方最终只是援引鲁莽驾驶的罪名提控曾俊豪，但被殴者反遭提控，却已让大马的执法机关再成众矢之的。 有鉴于反弹声浪太大，大马人权委员会不得不在7月底，召开听证会调查这宗流血事件，但是至今尚未完成调查总结。 随着事件越演越烈，国阵政府的态度突然大转弯，内阁在5月30日捎来好消息，工程部长莫哈末再因在封路现场即时宣布，皇冠城出口不再设置石墩，直到法庭对此案作出裁决为止。 后续发展：即使风波渐渐平息，但对皇冠城居民和曾俊豪而言，他们仍需焦虑地等待不确定的最后结果。 9）阿旦杜亚命案疑云未解 事件：到底谁谋杀了蒙古女郎阿旦杜亚？如果按照沙亚南高庭的说法，阿都拉萨（Abdul Razak Baginda）肯定不在名单之中，因为法庭已在10月31日判决他唆使表罪不成立，当庭释放。 法庭虽作出这项判决，但控方仍可对此提出上诉，只不过检控当局却非常罕见地放弃上诉的权力。更罕见的是，代表死者家属的著名律师卡巴星，决定挑战控方的决定，要求法庭做出司法检讨。 不同于阿都拉萨的命运，另两名被告，即同属警方特别行动部队的首席警长阿兹拉哈德里（Azilah Hadri）以及35岁警员西鲁阿兹哈乌玛（Sirul Azhar Umar），却被判一级谋杀表面罪名成立。 2006年发生的蒙女案，至今依然余波未了。在野党国会议员甚至将案件带到国会，以浮现新指控为由，提呈特别动议要求进行辩论。当然，最后的结果令人毫不意外，在野党注定只能无功而返。 另外，蒙女案的争议持续在国会殿堂外延烧，曾担任阿都拉萨保镖的私家侦探巴拉（P Balasubramaniam）发表一份宣誓书，作出惊人大揭露，指控副首相纳吉认识死者阿旦杜亚，并与之有不寻常关系，而阿丹死前更曾向纳吉索求50万令吉的潜水艇军购佣金。 离奇的是，巴拉却在第二天撤回该宣誓书，反而另立一份宣誓书，内容与首份宣誓书完全相反。至于纳吉，则郑重否认与阿旦杜亚有任何瓜葛，也没有施压让巴拉撤回其指控。 事情的怪异不仅如此，当警方开始调查这两份相互矛盾的宣誓书之际，巴拉和其家人却突然“失踪”，直至现在仍未见其踪影，只从警方处获知，他们身处邻近的国家。 不久后，著名部落客拉惹柏特拉也立下一份宣誓书，再度吹皱一池春水。他指控纳吉妻子罗斯玛与两名军方人员，曾一起出现在命案现场。惟罗斯玛等3人都大力驳斥，反提控柏特拉刑事诽谤。 向来“语不惊人死不休”的柏特拉后来进一步爆料，公布资深律师沙菲宜（Muhammad Shafee Abdullah）与纳吉之间的往来手机短讯内容，指控纳吉涉嫌滥权，干涉炸尸案审讯。 获得无罪释放的阿都拉萨，在沉寂休养一段日子后，召开获释后的首场记者会，吸引无数的国内外媒体采访。不过，阿都拉萨的记者会内容，却让那些期盼“爆料”者感到失望，因为他只是在维护其“旧主子”纳吉夫妇，强调两人与蒙女案无关，辩称蒙女案也不涉及所谓的潜水艇军购案。 后续发展：这宗恐怖谋杀案能否水落石出，希望已越见渺茫。不过，命案审讯仍未完结，而伴随衍生的警方调查和诽谤官司也还是一个进行式。 8）蔡细历“浴火重生” 事件：2008年对于蔡细历来说，肯定是传奇性的一年。去年8月中旬马华代表大会上，时任马华副总会长兼柔佛州联委会主席的蔡细历，在回应两名柔佛异议分子发难时曾形容，把柔州党务带到大会形同“脱裤给人家看”。 没料到的是，这名说话从不扭捏的马华强人领袖，在两个月后却也因为“脱裤给人家看”，卷入一场性爱光碟丑闻，而必须黯然呈辞，告别如日中天的政治生涯。 这起性丑闻风波如同是跨年的一场“肥皂剧”。在2007年临结束前的数天，柔州麻坡市区开始流传一套共两张的性爱光碟，不明人士除了把光碟放置在市区一带的店屋前外，甚至附上中文字条，指“XX利用自拍摄影式威胁强奸峇株卖花女，XXX床上口交大战”。 此事马上引起一片哗然，各大语文媒体也竞相报导这个新闻。不过，更让人吃惊的是，时任卫生部长的蔡细历，在光碟风波引爆的3天后，竟毫无预警地公开承认，本身就是近日流传性爱光碟中的男主角。 从以退为进到壮士断臂 尽管如此，蔡细历却表示不会因为性丑闻而主动辞去部长的职位，至于其党职和官职的去留，则交由首相阿都拉和马华公会去定夺。 蔡细历此举本被视为是“以退为进”，把球踢回给阿都拉和时任马华总会长的黄家定脚下。不过，事情的演变却再出乎意料之外，坚拒辞职的蔡细历在不到24小时内，再召开记者会，宣布辞去卫生部长、所有马华党职以及拉美士国会议员的职务，而且即时生效。 在最后一次以卫长身份发言的记者会上，蔡细历尽管神色自若，但言语中却尽是不忿的味道，矛头也隐然指向与他素不咬弦的黄家定身上。 308败选助蔡细历重生 当坊间认为蔡细历以无翻身机会之际，308大选的成绩却让蔡细历看到了复出的曙光。随着马华在大选惨败，党内一片哀鸿，更掀起要求党高层，尤其总会长黄家定辞职以示负责的隆隆炮声。 虽然黄家定宣布不入阁，并在党选前夕决定不蝉联原职，但党内基层求变的呼声，却已越见响彻。 蔡细历在7月轻易拿下重掌峇株巴辖区会主席后，接着于9月17日宣布问鼎署理总会长职，与早已表态问鼎同一职位的原任总秘书黄家泉，及较后宣布攻打该职的原任副总会长林祥才及槟州地方领袖李学德，展开四角混战。 党选前夕，蔡细历在部落格上发出最后的攻势，促请一众中央代表拒绝“黄氏皇朝”，做出明智的选择，协助马华新陈代谢和迈向改革。 党选成绩后来出炉，证明蔡细历的杀手锏奏效，他成功以114票的微差，力挫最接近的对手黄家泉，中选为署理总会长，重返政治主流。 道德负担阻蔡再闯新关？ 但虽成功赢得代表们的心，但蔡细历的道德污点却始终挥之不去。曾在党选期间，与蔡细历多次隔空交锋的新任总会长翁诗杰，在选后并没稍让其道德坚持。除了继续在报章的专栏撰文痛批道德污点者外，他所委任的党内要职名单，更是把蔡细历完全摒弃于主流之外。 不甘示弱的蔡细历较后相继接受各大媒体“专访”，更直接形容“蕹菜配”的关系如“零度温暖”。面对副手的猛烈攻势，翁诗杰则显得好整以暇，并未展开大力的反击，但两人之争却已公开化，至今仍就大小课题针锋相对。 后续发展：随着翁诗杰表示，马华纪律委员会曾接获蔡细历性爱光碟的投报，这名经历过大起大落的署理总会长会否在未来一年遭到党纪对付，进而引爆另一轮激烈党争？ 7）司法改革停滞：进一步退两步？ 事件：尽管下了功夫，但是政治人物似乎仍未能将司法引回正途。每每迈进一小步，却总有着看不见的倒步，不管是联邦法院首席大法官查基的受委，抑或是通过司法委员会法案，皆是如此。 查基在10月代替阿都哈密出任大法官，不过这项委任却遭到行动党武吉牛汝莪国会议员卡巴星的强烈抨击。卡巴星指控，查基曾在一个场合承认本身在担任律师时“行贿”。不过查基之后做出澄清，声称是媒体的错误引述。 政府另一项备受争议的措施，就是发出超过1000万令吉的抚慰金予6名在1988年司法危机中，遭革职或停职的法官，包括前最高法院院长沙列阿巴斯。只不过，政府忽略了一个事实，即再多的抚慰金也抵不过一句缺席的道歉。 首相阿都拉于12月年终前在国会力推司法委员会法案。首相署部长纳兹里形容此举为“迈向司法改革的第一步”。在野党对此说却有诸多保留，无论如何，这项法案仍在国会获得火速的通过。 砂拉越高庭法官陈汉章今年更自揭司法黑幕，点名前首相马哈迪曾干预司法，通过训练营向参训的法官，灌输一种想法，即在作出裁决时，应秉持政府利益超越一切的立场。这种说法导致两人公开相互攻讦，导致陈汉章最后黯然宣布提早退休。 后续发展：司法委员会法案已经摧毁了独立委任法官的梦想，接下来还看司法界有否足够的自尊，在没有外力的情况下展开自救。 6）警察“保护”无畏发言者 事件：就今年而言，若说警察出动内安法令捕人，是一项荒谬性之举，也许都还算是客气话。 这是因为，内政部长赛哈密在警方逮捕了《星洲日报》记者陈云清后，竟然宣称逮捕记者是要“保护她”，因为有人恫言要对她不利。 陈云清是在8月峇东埔补选时，报道了巫统升旗山区部主席阿末依斯迈指华人是寄居者的言论，进而引爆一场政治风波。 警方随后草率地援引内安法令扣捕陈云清，让警方的信誉受到严重的打击。不过，警方的做法立即引起各方的抨击和施压，其中甚至包括国阵成员党。经历18小时扣留后，陈云清在9月13日获得释放。 9月12日肯定是内安法令张牙舞爪的一天，除了陈云清以外，行动党士布爹国会议员郭素沁和著名部落客拉惹柏特拉也在内安法令下被捕。但是他们的命运比起陈云清则比较坎坷，扣留时间也更长。 前者在将近一个星期后（9月19日）重获自由身，而后者更要通过申请人身保护令，才得以在11月7日离开甘文丁扣留营。 在3人被捕后，民间团体纷纷发起烛光声援运动，就连国阵成员党也提出反对，其中人民进步党更恫言，若政府不在下届大选前修正内安令，便将毫不犹豫退出这个政治联盟。 更大的震撼来自首相署部长再益依布拉欣。这位专责掌管法律事务的内阁成员，因为反对政府援引内安法令逮捕陈云清、柏特拉和郭素沁，愤然挂冠而去。不久后，巫统以再益出席反对党活动为由将他开除。 后续发展：国阵已表明没修正内安法令的意愿，更甭论要废除它。这代表着，球又重新回到那些倡议要废除内安法令者的脚下。 5）燃油价格过山车：狂飙后连降 事件：政府在今年6月将油价调高40.6%至2令吉70仙，一时之间民怨四起，油价飙涨直接或间接地影响普罗大众的生活。 政府表示，当局调高油价的目的是要削减燃油津贴，以让政府节省5600万令吉的津贴。 不过，不少分析员与经济学家却感到困惑，为何身为原油生产国的马来西亚必须削减燃油津贴，而与此同时国家石油公司却从中赚取巨利。 在油价飙涨后，在野党趁势展开示威集会，人民联盟甚至放话，一旦在9月16日变天，第一件事情就是降低油价。 不过变天没有成功，反而2个月后全球原油价格开始走低，政府也从今年8月开始，随之调低油价7次。 后续发展：虽然油价降低，但是大家都不会感到振奋，因为失业率提高，收入却减少，已经把驾车一族压得喘不过气来。 4）“鸡奸案2.0”版本上演 事件：事隔10年，我国今年6月28日上演“鸡奸案2.0”版本，人民公正党实权领袖安华的23岁前助理莫哈末赛夫报警，声称遭到安华鸡奸。 不过，许多人却认为这不是真的，毕竟安华在10年前同样在鸡奸指控下入狱，但是却在2004年上诉得直。 在这一次的“版本”中，安华于7月16日在住家附近遭到警方逮捕，再一次勾起人们在1998年的记忆。被捕的安华经过警方盘问及进行医药检验后，隔天即获得释放。 虽然安华支持者担心，政府将扣留安华以让他无法参与峇东铺补选，但是安华却在8月7日首次上庭时，得以2万令吉保释出外。 剧情的发展一幕接一幕的高潮迭起，较后传出副首相纳吉可能是这宗鸡奸案的幕后操盘手的说法，因为赛夫在投报前曾与纳吉会面。不过，纳吉已经做出否认。 较后更传出一份赛夫在报案前所进行的身体检查，报告证明赛夫不曾遭到鸡奸。虽然较后赛夫在回教堂以可兰经发誓自己曾遭鸡奸，但是在场见证的宗教司却表示，本身是遭到上头指示这么做。 后续发展：在8月开始审讯的鸡奸案至今没有多大进展，控辩双方一直纠缠于技术层面上的问题。此案预料在明年将会进入案情的审讯。 3）巫统爆发“逼宫记” 事件：2008年对首相阿都拉来说，可算是流年不利。 国阵于308大选面对空前的重大挫折，不但无法重夺吉兰丹，并且一举失去槟雪吉霹4个州政权，更痛失国会三分之二多数议席的优势。 有鉴于此，巫统内部祭出了马来短剑，不过这次短剑所指的对象却是该党主席兼首相阿都拉。 面对党内压力，加上前首相马哈迪在大选后的率先逼宫，阿都拉一开始从容以对，拒绝为大选重挫提早下台。 然而，此时却爆发全球原油价格飙升及美国信贷危机，直接影响我国的经济，作为一国之首的阿都拉，却显得束手无策，令民怨一时之间高涨。 在野党方面，国会反对党领袖安华不停放话，言之凿凿将在9月16日变天夺取中央政府。原本定在12月举行的巫统党选，也陷入空前激烈的竞争。 阿都拉最终与纳吉达至权力转移计划，并与纳吉互相对换国防部长与财政部长的职位。但是，巫统副主席慕尤丁却对这种安排感到不满。 在9月21日举行的巫统最高理事会，阿都拉受到数名领袖的联手逼宫，限他在10月9日的巫统党选提名前决定下台，不参与本届党选。 最后，巫统决定展延党选至明年3月，阿都拉届时将把巫统主席的职位移交给纳吉。纳吉在获得98%的区部提名后，已经不劳而获当选下届巫统主席，并将出任我国第六任首相。 后续发展：一些人担心，纳吉上台执政等于是“马哈迪主义”的复辟。至于对副首相一职虎视眈眈的慕尤丁，其未来动向也是值得关注。 2）安华睽违10年“王者回归” 安华在今年无疑是焦点人物之一，在他于今年4月恢复参政权后，人民公正党主席阿兹莎旋即辞去峇东铺国会议员的职位，为其夫婿重返国会铺路。 这场在308大选后举行的第一场补选成为举国瞩目，尤其是人民公正党喊出“从峇东铺到布城”的口号，誓把安华送入睽违10年的国会，作为其916变天计划的第一步。 峇东铺被视为安华的政治桥头堡，他在1982年首度出任该区国会议员，一直到1999年因渎职案锒铛入狱为止。较后由其妻子旺阿兹莎在一手创办的公正党旗帜下，于2004年及2008年两届大选代夫守土。 在10天的竞选期当中，面对国阵大打鸡奸牌，公正党在最后一分钟祭出秘密武器，找来一名宗教司承认本身受到上头的指示，在回教堂见证指控安华鸡奸的莫哈末赛夫宣誓，成功扭转乾坤。 安华最终以1万5671张多数票，击败国阵候选人阿力夏及人民公正阵线候选人哈纳菲，进而受推举成为国会反对党领袖。 后续发展：下个月17日举行的瓜拉登嘉楼国会议席补选，将是另外一场备受瞩目的补选。究竟国阵能否成功保住这个议席，还是让民联再下一城？ 1）308全国大选——人民力量教训国阵 事件：当首相阿都拉在情人节前夕宣布解散国会时，许多人皆没有意料到，过去50年与国阵关系甜蜜蜜的选民，将会给国阵一个严厉的教训。国阵面对了重大的挫折，甚至失去国会议席三分之二的优势。 在野党在这次的大选中获得有史以来最大的胜利，在222个国会议席当中囊括了82个，公正党也从2004年硕果仅存的一个国会议席崛起，以31个国会议席成为最大反对党，而行动党和回教党也分别获得28个及22个议席。 更令人难以置信的是，在选举成绩于投票日当晚陆续出炉时，当时还正式结盟的反对党阵线，不但保住吉兰丹，甚至一举攻陷霹雳、槟城、吉打与雪兰莪州，创下历史新页。 国阵成员党包括马华、民政党、国大党与人民进步党等，都面对惨痛失败，多名党魁与中央级领袖吃下苦涩败仗，如国大党主席三美威鲁、民政党主席许子根与人民进步党主席卡维斯都纷纷被拉下马。 尽管一度号称有能力单独执政的巫统，也只能够获得79个国会议席，远低于原本的估计。 国阵在这场被喻为政治海啸的大选面对空前的挫折，主要是因为民怨冲天，包括通货膨胀、货品短缺、燃油涨价、犯罪率高升、贪污、种族课题等，但是这种课题在大选之后依然没有获得解决。 后续发展：候任首相纳吉在明年3月接过领导棒子后，不只将面对政治困局，同时必须着手处理经济不景的棘手问题，当然还须防备在旁虎视眈眈的安华。

膽固醇 cholesterol reduction - the top 10 good foods

Table 2

Cholesterol content (mg/100g) of selected foods
Food source	Cholesterol (mg/100g)
Egg	504
Butter	250
Shrimp	150
Mackerel	95
Herring	85
Chicken	81
Turkey	74
Lamb	71
Veal	71
Beef	68
Pork	62
Flounder	50
Milk	15

A white, waxy substance, related to fats. It occurs naturally in most animal tissue. Foods particularly rich in cholesterol include eggs and offal.

Many people are surprised to learn that cholesterol has a number of essential functions in the human body: it is used in tissue repair; for strengthening cell membranes; and for the manufacture of bile salts, steroid hormones (including the sex hormones, oestrogen and testosterone), and vitamin D. There is little danger of cholesterol deficiency because it can be manufactured in the liver from fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

The problems associated with cholesterol arise because modern diets in northern Europe and North America often result in over-production. A lot of cholesterol is not used but is deposited in the walls of blood vessels where it increases the risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. The most influential factor in raising blood cholesterol levels is eating foods high in saturated fat. Nicotine increases deposition of cholesterol in the walls of blood vessels. Hereditary factors are also important determinants of blood cholesterol levels.

A good diet can decrease blood cholesterol levels. Soluble fibre, polyunsaturated fat (especially fish fats which contain omega-3 fatty acids), and monounsaturated fat (such as olive oil) may all lower cholesterol levels. Regular aerobic exercise helps to reduce deposition of cholesterol in blood vessels.

Blood cholesterol levels vary considerably and there is no universally accepted safe level, but the following are guidelines used by most doctors:

	CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
desirable levels	<5.2>
slightly raised	5.2-6.4 mmol/l (200-250 mg/dl)
high	6.5-7.8 mmol/l (251-300 mg/dl)
very high	>7.8 mmol/l (>300 mg/dl)

Some people with cholesterol levels just below 200 mg/dl may also be at risk of cardiovascular diseases because of the type of lipoprotein they possess (lipoproteins carry cholesterol and fats in the blood; see lipoprotein).

TYPES OF CHOLESTEROL
Types	Levels
Total cholesterol:
Desirable	<200
Borderline	200 to 240
Undesirable	>240
HDL cholesterol:
Desirable	>45
Borderline	35 to 45
Undesirable	<35
LDL cholesterol:
Desirable	<130
Borderline	130 to 160
Undesirable	>160
Ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol:
Desirable	<3
Borderline	3 to 4
Undesirable	>4

Several cholesterol test-kits can be bought over the counter. If used properly, these can give quite accurate readings, but interpreting the results is not easy, and the results may make a person unnecessarily anxious. A number of factors can affect blood cholesterol levels temporarily. Exercising or eating before the test can raise levels by more than 15 per cent. It is normal for cholesterol levels to fluctuate, so at least two tests, separated by one or two months, are needed to give a reliable average. People who are worried about their cholesterol level should have it checked properly by a doctor.

Although many people with high cholesterol levels have an increased risk of coronary heart disease, the effects of treatment are not straightforward. Treatment has been linked to increases in deaths from other causes (notably violent deaths). Cholesterol testing may be advisable for those at greatest risk (such as those with a family history of high cholesterol levels or coronary heart disease) and who are prepared to change their lifestyle. But many doctors believe that automatic screening and self-testing may turn healthy people into patients chronically anxious about their cholesterol levels. As one medical textbook states ‘It may be healthier not to know’.

Treatment

The primary goal of cholesterol treatment is to lower LDL to under 160 mg/dL in people without heart disease and who are at lower risk of developing it. The goal in people with higher risk factors for heart disease is less than 130 mg/dL. In patients who already have heart disease, the goal is under 100 mg/dL, according to FDA guidelines. Also, since low HDL levels increase the risks of heart disease, the goal of all patients is more than 35 mg/dL.

In both alternative and conventional treatment of high cholesterol, the first-line treatment options are exercise, diet, weight loss, and stopping smoking. Other alternative treatments include high doses of niacin, soy protein, garlic, algae, and the Chinese medicine supplement Cholestin (a red yeast fermented with rice).

Diet and Exercise

Since a large number of people with high cholesterol are overweight, a healthy diet and regular exercise are probably the most beneficial natural ways to control cholesterol levels. In general, the goal is to substantially reduce or eliminate foods high in animal fat. These include meat, shellfish, eggs, and dairy products. Several specific diet options are beneficial. One is the vegetarian diet. Vegetarians typically get up to 100% more fiber and up to 50% less cholesterol from food than non-vegetarians. The vegetarian low-cholesterol diet consists of at least six servings of whole grain foods, three or more servings of green leafy vegetables, two to four servings of fruit, two to four servings of legumes, and one or two servings of non-fat dairy products daily.

A second diet is the Asian diet, with brown rice being the staple. Other allowable foods include fish, vegetables such as bok choy, bean sprouts, and black beans. It allows for one weekly serving of meat and very few dairy products. The food is flavored with traditional Asian spices and condiments, such as ginger, chilies, turmeric, and soy sauce.

Another regimen is the low glycemic or diabetic diet, which can raise the HDL (good cholesterol) level by as much as 20% in three weeks. Low glycemic foods promote a slow but steady rise in blood sugar levels following a meal, which increases the level of HDL. They also lower total cholesterol and triglycerides. Low glycemic foods include certain fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Processed and refined foods and sugars should be avoided.

Exercise is an extremely important part of lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol. It should consist of 20-30 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise at least three times a week. Exercises that cause the heart to beat faster include fast walking, bicycling, jogging, roller skating, swimming, and walking up stairs. There also are a wide selection of aerobic programs available at gyms or on videocassette.

Garlic

A number of clinical studies have indicated that garlic can offer modest reductions in cholesterol. A 1997 study by nutrition researchers at Pennsylvania State University found men who took garlic capsules for five months reduced their total cholesterol by 7% and LDL by 12%. Another study showed that seven cloves of fresh garlic a day significantly reduced LDL, as did a daily dose of four garlic extract pills. Other studies in 1997 and 1998 back up these results. However, two more recent studies have questioned the effectiveness of garlic in lowering "bad cholesterol."

Cholestin

Cholestin hit the over-the-counter market in 1997 as a cholesterol-lowering dietary supplement. It is a processed form of red yeast fermented with rice, a traditional herbal remedy used for centuries by the Chinese. Two studies released in 1998 showed Cholestin lowered LDL cholesterol by 20-30%%. It also appeared to raise HDL and lower triglyceride levels. Although the supplement contains hundreds of compounds, the major active LDL-lowering ingredient is lovastatin, a chemical also found in the prescription drug Mevacor. The FDA banned Cholestin in early 1998 but a federal district court judge lifted the ban a year later, ruling the product was a dietary supplement, not a drug. It is not fully understood how the substance works and patients may want to consult with their physician before taking Cholestin. No serious side effects have been reported, but minor side effects, including bloating and heartburn, have been reported.

Other Treatments

A study released in 1999 indicated that blue-green algae contains polyunsaturated fatty acids that lower cholesterol. The algae, known as alga Aphanizomenon flosaquae (AFA) is available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B₃, has been shown to reduce LDL levels by 10-20%, and raise HDL levels by 15-35%. It also can reduce triglycerides. But because an extremely high dose of niacin (2-3 grams) is needed to treat cholesterol problems, it should only be taken under a doctor's supervision to monitor possible toxic side effects. Niacin also can cause flushing when taken in high doses. Soy protein with high levels of isoflavones also have been shown to reduce bad cholesterol by up to 10%. A daily diet that contains 62 mg of isoflavones in soy protein is recommended, and can be incorporated into other diet regimens, including vegetarian, Asian, and low glycemic. In 2003, research revealed that policosanol, a substance made from sugar cane wax or beeswax, lowered LDL cholesterol nearly 27% in study subjects in a Cuban study.

Allopathic Treatment

A wide variety of prescription medicines are available to treat cholesterol problems. These include statins such as Mevacor (lovastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), Baycol (cervastatin), and Lipitor (atorvastatin) to lower LDL. A group of drugs called fibric acid derivatives are used to lower triglycerides and raise HDL. These include Lopid (gemfibrozil), Atromid-S (clofibrate), and Tricor (fenofibrate).

A new class of drugs was identified late in 2001 that work differently from the statin drugs. These drugs rely on compounds that bind to a sterol that regulates protein (called SCAP) and speds up removal of cholesterol from the plasma (the fluid part of the blood.) Doctors decide which drug to use based on the severity of the cholesterol problem, side effects, and cost.

Expected Results

High cholesterol is one of the key risk factors for heart disease. Left untreated, too much bad cholesterol can clog the blood vessels, leading to chest pain (angina), blood clots, and heart attacks. Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. By reducing LDL, people with heart disease may prevent further heart attacks and strokes, prolong and improve the quality of their lives, and slow or reverse cholesterol buildup in the arteries. In people without heart disease, lowering LDL can decrease the risk of a first heart attack or stroke.

Prevention

The best way to prevent cholesterol problems is through a combination of healthy lifestyle activities, a primarily low-fat and high-fiber diet, regular aerobic exercise, not smoking, and maintaining an optimal weight. In a small 2003 Canadian study, people who ate a low-fat vegetarian diet consisting of foods that are found to help lower cholesterol dropped their levels of LDL cholesterol as much as results from some statin drugs. But for people with high risk factors for heart disease, such as a family history of heart disease, diabetes, and being over the age of 45, these measures may not be enough to prevent the onset of high cholesterol. There are studies being done on the effectiveness of some existing anti-cholesterol drugs for controlling cholesterol levels in patients who do not meet the criteria for high cholesterol but no definitive results are available.

明年猴鼠大鬥法,翁詩傑蔡細歷勢均力敵

（吉隆坡）進入2009年，馬華總會長兼交通部長拿督斯里翁詩傑與署理總會長拿督斯里蔡細歷“像霧又像花”的關係進入第二個極為關鍵性的階段。風水命理師預言，過去氣勢勢如破竹、萬夫莫敵的翁詩傑，將於2009年10月至11月（農曆9月）期間遭遇升任老大以來的首次重挫，而蔡細歷則是柳暗花明又一村，甚至可能因此升官。

這種情勢顯示，肖猴及現年53歲的翁詩傑與肖鼠及現年60歲的蔡細歷將在明年掀起一場精彩絕倫、緊張刺激的“猴王VS鼠王大戰”。由於“猴王”先盛後衰，“鼠王”後市看起，因此，兩人最終將形成勢均力敵的局面。

馬來西亞風水命理學會副會長陳泇潤根據翁詩傑與蔡細歷的八字及面相，向《光明日報》剖析翁蔡兩人的明年運程。

老翁陷腹背受敵局面

他聲稱，2009年杪是蔡細歷“翻身”的良機，因他屆時將獲得外圍勢力的支持，如巫統給予他強力支持，使他可以打通各個管道，進而獲得一官半職，重回中央權力的核心。

他接受《光明日報》的專訪時指出，到了2009年杪，雖然翁詩傑想要好好表現，奈何他腹背受敵，不但可能得罪國陣領導層，其本身陣營也將出現不服從他的現象，再加上反對黨對他的攻擊，使他面對內外夾攻的局面。

“這種情況也使得他和迎頭趕上的蔡細歷的角力局面，從本來的佔盡優勢演變成‘五五波’的對抗局面。”

他聲稱，蔡細歷明年的運程可以解說成“黃旛華蓋覆艮宮，五鬼官符適外逢，大將隨天來解救，官符制伏不為兇”。

細歷獲外來勢力相助

“這說明蔡細歷與親信雖然試圖重返大本營，但因大本營已是一個墓宮，使他面臨懸崖，而他也將在狗急跳牆，以及‘小人’煽動的情況下，一直與翁詩傑針鋒相對。”

“不過，他在明年杪卻將獲得外來勢力助他一臂之力，而有關助力很可能是巫統或馬華另一個派系的領袖，但也可能是華團，這使得翁詩傑想用權力來壓制他也不能如願。”

不過，他強調，2009年仍然是翁詩傑更勝一籌，蔡細歷宜守不宜攻，只能在對方有行動時，才出招破局化解。

從劣勢守勢轉為反攻
細歷明年運程大改善

大馬風水命理學會副會長陳泇潤說，馬華署理總會長蔡細歷的運程在2009年大有改善，而這使得他可以從2008年的劣勢，轉變成2009年上半年的守勢，以及下半年最後一季發動反攻力量，致使總會長翁詩傑首次感受到他所施予的重大反擊壓力。

他聲稱，翁詩傑是一個以自我為中心、物盡其用、人盡其才的領袖，所以他將用盡所有他認為對他有幫助的人與事。蔡細歷則是甲字臉型，其開局不錯、有野心、有開端，亦有理想，並有他的天機算，但蔡細歷的毛病是“聰明一世，糊塗一時”。

“正因為他糊塗一時的個性，才會造成他到了可以呼風喚雨及手握大權之際，竟發生色情光碟風波。”

他說，翁詩傑與蔡細歷基本上很難和氣共處，因為一位太好運，另一位卻“糊塗一時”，所以兩人之間難免出現糾紛。

詩傑行運一條龍
細歷須靠女貴人

“成也女性，敗也女性”是馬華署理總會長蔡細歷際遇的最貼切寫照。陳泇潤說，馬華總會長翁詩傑今年及明年運程皆屬“行運一條龍”的格局，而運勢先弱後強的蔡細歷難以遠超其前，因此，蔡細歷明年必須依靠女性貴人輔佐，才能與翁詩傑抗衡到底。

他認為，年過60歲的蔡細歷，幸好還有一個勾起的下巴，讓他在退位前可以留下一些戰績。

“其實，蔡細歷的勢力已大不如前，加上他今年的運勢有賴陰陽調和，所以，他得依靠女性貴人替他扭轉乾坤，否則，他就得避免與翁詩傑硬碰，才能與後者好好相處與配合。

明年全世界一致
老大老二難合作

自翁詩傑與蔡細歷分別被投選為馬華總會長及署理總會長後，坊間就不斷指稱他們兩人難以攜手合作。

針對這項說法，陳泇潤聲稱，從面相來看，翁詩傑和蔡細歷都屬於作風強硬的“強人”，加上翁蔡兩人都是下巴“兜兜”之人，因此，他們基本上很難以和為貴。

他強調，2009年的“天乾”和“地支”都屬火，所謂同類相沖，而馬華一號和二號人物正等同是一個天乾，另一個地支，所以翁蔡兩人意見分歧，激烈爭執是在所難免之事。

“這種情況也是全世界一致的。換句話說，明年世界各地的一號和二號人物都很難合作。加上肖猴的翁詩傑及肖鼠的蔡細歷都善用兵馬打仗，且同樣是頭腦精明、行動力不強的人，所以他們兩人都會各自為政。”

翁可大改革助馬華翻身

陳泇潤說，基本上，翁詩傑明年的運程可被分成幾個階段，即農曆正月至3月，他將推行許多理念和改革計劃、農曆4月至6月，他開始面對工商界和社會的責問，以及政敵施予的壓力、農曆7月至8月，他面對黨內的貪污問題，但這一切問題不大。

“農曆9月至12月，他必須化解貪污的問題，但此時更大的挑戰是他同時面對蔡細歷的反擊力量。”

不過，他強調，翁詩傑明年整體上的運程不俗，且他也正行著流年運，可謂行運一條龍，所以他大可在馬華內部進行大刀闊斧的改革議程，以助馬華脫胎換骨。

“他是百年難得一見行好運的馬華總會長，此龍若不發揮，就糟蹋了上天賦予他的良機，屆時，馬華想要再翻身都難。”

他說，翁詩傑的運勢可被解說為“申宮立命紫微龍德，歲合太陽月照台，亡神勾絞何足害，熊羆入夢自然來”。這說明他得天獨厚及九五至尊，獲得“紫微”和“龍德”

兩大吉神的庇佑，連太歲也跟他配合起來。

“就算遭遇不好的批評或陷害，他都不足為懼，即使身邊的將領本來是小將，也都會讓人感覺好像是虎背熊腰的人物。”

他強調，翁詩傑可以放心的繼續敢怒敢言，因其官運如日中天，相信前馬華總會長拿督斯里黃家定過去無法改革的事項，他都可以一一做到，而且是一呼百應。

【翁蔡2009年運程】

翁詩傑：申宮立命紫微龍德，歲合太陽月照台，亡神勾絞何足害，熊羆入夢自然來。
◆得天獨厚及成九五至尊
◆紫微龍德兩大吉神庇佑
◆行運一條龍兼勢如破竹
◆腹背受敵致使先盛後衰
◆得罪國陣兼窩裡反壞事

蔡細歷：黃旛華蓋覆艮宮，五鬼官符適外逢，大將隨天來解救，官符制伏不為兇。
◆柳暗花明外力相助升官
◆女性貴人替蔡扭轉乾坤
◆宜守不宜攻需見招拆招
◆小人煽動與翁針鋒相對
◆欲返主流遇懸崖急跳牆

2009年十大预言

比

2008 年 12 月 23 日 14:53

预测未来更加费力不讨好的唯一一件事就是公开同别人分享你的预测了。

但圣诞节是分享的季节，因此我也献上对2009年的预测。当然，读者要擦亮眼睛，其中的许多预测可能会出现错误。

但我愿意用我的哈佛大学MBA学位担保，其中至少有三个是正确的，好了，两个总可以了吧。


预言1：通用汽车(GM)将在4月底申请破产保护。


问 题资产救助计划(TARP)的资金会让通用汽车苟延残喘到2010年吗？门都没有。债券持有人和全美汽车工人联合会(UAW)将争来争去。瓦格纳 (Rick Wagoner)会被炒鱿鱼。而还未到任的政府行业管理者“汽车沙皇”将对这一切感到厌倦。最终，国会不会提供通用汽车真正需要的500亿美元。


预言2：伯纳德·马多夫(Bernie Madoff)将在审判中称自己疯了（而不能为自己的行为负责），但以失败告终。


在这个充斥着借口的年代，为什么马多夫就不能找个借口逃脱呢？他会为自己请来能用金钱收买到的最好的律师，这些人会罗列出一大堆证明他疯了的理由。但这没什么用。判决结果呢？他还是有罪。


预言3：高盛(Goldman Sachs)将收购亿创理财（E*Trade），大举进军网上银行业。


高 盛首席执行长劳埃德·布兰克费恩(Lloyd Blankfein)大张旗鼓地捍卫华尔街的传统业务模式。但他清楚这种表演应该谢幕了。预计高盛将在6月份之前收购亿创理财。高盛还能怎样获得它所需要 的其它网上银行和零售经纪业务？当然，它还可以收购嘉信理财(Charles Schwab)，不过，嘉信理财180亿美元的市值已经是高盛价值的一半左右了。


预言4：华尔街将再收缩25%。


华尔街将会惊恐地发现，这次真地是今非昔比了。到4月份时，会有更多的裁员。到明年秋末时，还会再有一轮裁员。总地来说，华尔街有四分之一的工作将在2009年消失。到年底时，奖金将比2008年更少，哈佛大学的MBA将争相进入咨询业，或是政府部门。


预言5：苹果(Apple)将迎来新首席执行长。


没什么大惊小怪的。最终，乔布斯(Steve Jobs)和苹果董事会将对无休止的质疑和困惑感到厌倦。乔布斯将继续担任董事长，苹果的一位内部人士将被任命为首席执行长──拜你所赐，苹果的表现还是会不错。


预言6：彭博资讯的创始人布隆伯格(Bloomberg)将收购纽约时报公司(New York Times)。


另一个让人耳朵磨出老茧的传言最终也将变成现实。苏兹伯格家族(Sulzbergers)现在害怕的不是失去股息，而是失去整个公司了。最终，苏兹伯格家族将会迁怒于首席执行长小亚瑟·苏兹伯格(Arthur Jr.)。

在竞购大战中，布隆伯格将会胜出，使其在纽约的影响力超出第三任市长任期。


预言7：原油价格2009年大多数时间将在每桶30美元左右徘徊。


欧 佩克(OPEC)对每桶30美元的油价不会满意。但如果奥巴马大力推行其狂热的反化石燃料计划，欧佩克会更不高兴。因此欧佩克会继续将油价维持在低位，直 到美国会再次认为每加仑汽油1.50美元的价格会一直保持下去。这会持续一年左右时间。油价在2009年底将重回每桶50美元。


预言8：2009年表现最差的全球市场将是当代艺术品市场。


泡 沫最大的奢侈品市场将竞相寻找底部，如长岛汉普顿海滩的房屋和纽约市中心的公寓。但当代艺术品市场将是其中最大的输家。当过去几年投资艺术品的许多人认识 到他们陷入了另一场庞式骗局，艺术品市场也会基本上消失。别指望明年能卖出太多达明安·赫斯特(Damien Hirst)泡在甲醛里的死牛、死羊。


预言9：标准普尔500指数2009年将收于1200点，上涨30%。


在 上周末的《巴伦周刊》(Barron's)上，12位华尔街精明的策略师中有11人预计2009年标准普尔500指数将收于975点至1100点之间。这 种共识几乎从来都是错误的。到明年夏末时，四分之三的公司收益将会开始上升，投资者的贪婪将取代退缩，年末时的反弹将推动标准普尔指数攻上1200点。


预言10：奥巴马总统将迎来总统历史上最为成功的上任之年。


没有什么能比别人的失败更能衬托出你的优秀了。到2010年初，随着经济的好转，美国人会将奥巴马同拉什莫尔山中的那些总统相提并论。

森最高统治者 端姑惹化殿下驾崩

December 27, 2008 17:38

Negri ruler and former Agong Tuanku Ja’afar dies (updated)

SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan Yang diPertuan Besar Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, who was the nation’s 10th Yang diPertuan Agong from 1994 to 1999, died at about 11.45am Saturday. He was 86 years old.

State Secretary Datuk Norzam Mohd Nor confirmed this at a press conference at the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital here.

Tuanku Ja’afar had earlier complained of dizziness and chest discomfort.

“The hospital was contacted and two senior consultants, Datuk Dr Tarmizi Thayaparan and Datuk Dr K. Sree Raman, rushed to the Istana Hinggap here to attend to Tuanku,” Norzam told a special news conference to announce the demise at the hospital’s VIP room.

Also present at the news conference were Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Osman Salleh, State Director of Health Dr Zainal Arifin Omar and members of the royal family, according to a Bernama report.

Norzam said the two specialists arrived at Istana Hinggap at 8.25am and found Tuanku Ja’afar to be too weak but conscious and they advised that he be taken immediately to hospital.

“Tuanku was rushed to the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and was administered emergency treatment.

“I wish to state here that Tuanku Ja’afar passed away at 11.45am at the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital,” he said, Bernama reported. Norzam said Tuanku Ja’afar’s remains would be taken to the Istana Besar Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah for the lying-in-state ceremony before being laid to rest after the asar prayers on Monday.

He also said that this was to allow for the return of Tuanku Ja’afar’s children who were abroad.

Norzam said Tuanku Ja’afar’s remains would be placed in the Balairong Seri (Throne Room) of the Istana Besar Seri Menanti to enable members of the royalty, leaders and the public to pay their last respects.

He said the state had declared 40 days of mourning from Saturday and all official government functions over the next seven days have been postponed.

“All government offices and buildings must fly the state flag at half-mast for the 40 days. During the mourning period, all male government employees must wear the songkok bearing a white band while the female employees are required to wear a white band on a sleeve.

“All entertainment outlets must also postpone all their activities over the next seven days from today,” he said, according to the Bernama report. Norzam said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is on holiday in London, was expected back at 10am Sunday.

Distinguished service
Born in 1922, Tuanku Ja’afar studied at Malay College Kuala Kangsar before graduating from the University of Nottingham. He then attended Balliol College in Oxford.

During the Japanese occupation, he served at the Seremban Land Office and as district officer of Rembau from 1946 to 1947. Upon his return from Britain in 1952, he held several posts in the civil service.

In 1957, he took up a special course for diplomatic services in London and was appointed Charge d’ Affaires in Washington DC, then as First Secretary with the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and later was Consular and Deputy High Commissioner at the High Commission of Malaya in London.

Tuanku Ja’afar was later appointed the Malaysian Ambassador to Egypt and then High Commissioner to Nigeria and Ghana.

He was recalled by the Negri Sembilan state government after the death of his brother Tuanku Munawir, the state ruler, and was appointed Ruler in 1967.

Tuanku Ja’afar was the 10th Yang diPertuan Agong of Malaysia.

He leaves behind wife Tuanku Najihah Tunku Besar Burhanuddin, three sons and three daughters.

Later, Norzam said the state’s four chieftains ­‑ the Undangs of Sg Ujong, Rembau, Jelebu and Johol ‑ will meet at the palace in Seri Menanti today to pick the new ruler which will be made known on Monday.

Saturday July 26, 2008

Reminiscing royal

By KEE HUA CHEE

Life has been good to the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman who celebrated his 86th birthday last Saturday.

I am told to be on time for my appointment with Negri Sembilan’s Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman because apparently His Royal Highness is a stickler for punctuality.

And sure enough, HRH arrives on time at 11am, the appointed hour.

Istana Hinggap, in the centre of Seremban, is an elegant colonial building, but Tuanku Ja’afar’s office is surprisingly compact, with a large desk, small sitting area, cabinet and TV. The interview takes place in the grand Dewan Mengadap (Reception Hall) but I take the liberty to comment on his relatively modest office.

(Right) At 86, Tuanku Ja’afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman is the oldest ruler in the country. — fotoBERNAMA

“It is a working office, not a showpiece,” Tuanku Ja’afar says.

“I have an average of three functions (to perform) each day, including weekends, which can be even more hectic. I tend to be more busy on weekends when most people are relaxing. I work non-stop and then take a long break of one or two months.

“I usually go to Europe with the family; lately it’s been England. I have not been to the US since Bush became president,” he sighs.

I congratulate Tuanku Ja’afar on being Malaysia’s oldest ruler at 86 and what it feels like being on the throne for 41 years.

“It is difficult to say how I feel nowadays. Having reigned for so long, I think of my birthday as just another day. It’s the same thing year after year. I just carry on. There are many events, both official and private. I blow the candles on many birthday cakes and have a private party with my family, which numbers over 40 members now.”

Tuanku Ja’afar looks the picture of health despite his years. His voice is a tad softer now, but his figure remains trim and his mind alert. He has a sense of humour, too. When asked how he keeps hale and hearty, he quips, “Exercise and looking at young girls.”

“In life, you cannot expect things to go your way all the time. If something goes wrong, just accept it as ‘one of those things’! What cannot be cured must be endured.”

Tuanku Jaa’far, an Arsenal fan, is pleased when I note that his family is referred to as the Royal Family of Sports.

“I played all sorts of sports in school and was captain of the squash, cricket and tennis teams. I also played hockey, football and badminton. I excelled in games, not studies,” the law graduate and Chancellor of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for 31 years notes wryly, adding that the sporting trait has been passed on to his children.

Malaysia’s 10th king

Tuanku Ja’afar was the 10th King of Malaysia, reigning as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1994 to 1999, thereby completing the first cycle of Malaysia’s unique system of rotating monarchs which begun with his father.

Tuanku Abdul Rahman Tuanku Muhammad was Malaysia’s first King from 1957 to 1960 when he passed away while in office. The title Yang di-Pertuan Agong was inspired by Negri Sembilan’s royal title of Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

“My father Tuanku Abdul Rahman and our first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman were great friends. Tunku discussed with my father what title to use for the King of Malaysia. As we already had Sultan, Raja and Yang di-Pertuan Besar titles, none of these could be used.

“There could not be a Sultan of Malaysia, for instance, so my father suggested something similar to his title of Yang di-Pertuan Besar, which means ‘Supreme Ruler’. Tunku Abdul Rahman liked the idea, so another word similar to Besar had to be found and, of course, it was Agong, which means ‘paramount’ so the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is ‘Paramount Ruler’.”

Tuanku Ja’afar said he was involved in the discussions over Merdeka (independence) in London.

“Tunku Abdul Rahman was demanding Malaysia’s independence and there were five Malayan representatives, including Temenggong Jugah from Sarawak. The British were dilly-dallying but Tunku insisted on a date. Many wondered why August 31 was selected but there was no particular reason.”

The fact that both the King and Prime Minister were named Abdul Rahman led to much confusion and letters were often misdirected, Tuanku Ja’afar recalled.

“It was to overcome this problem that Ayah (our name for our first Prime Minister) added Putra (‘Prince’) to his name so that he became known as Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, as though to emphasise that he was a prince, not a king.”

I ask Tuanku Ja’afar if 10 was a significant number for him since he is the 10th Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan and was also the 10th King of Malaysia, after having been deputy King for 10 years.

“I don’t put anything in this number. It’s just a nice coincidence!” he smiles.

Tuanku Ja’afar has fond memories from his time as King.

“As King, my state visits were most memorable. I visited Argentina, Chile and Uruguay in South America, and in Europe I visited Poland, Russia and met the Queen of England privately. In South-East Asia, I visited Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines but not Singapore.

“I must have met over 100 dignitaries and VIPs. The president of Germany told me, ‘Tuanku, you must come to Germany, not to see me, but the captain of our football team Beckenbauer!

“Once I attended a Commonwealth meeting in South Africa with Tunku Abdul Rahman, and the President of South Africa was also there. South Africa was then under Apartheid rule, and Tunku Abdul Rahman was all for dismantling it. In fact, he proposed that South Africa be kicked out of the Commonwealth.

“The South African president explained, ‘Our policy is not perfect but it makes for good neighbours’, to which Nehru of India retorted, ‘I won’t be your good neighbour because I have to go in separate buses and live in separate housing’. When we went to visit a waterfall, Prince Alexander of Ethiopia was not allowed to step down from the bus!

“He had to wait for us inside the bus because the police stopped him.”

Topical topics

“Things are getting expensive now. My suggestion is to create more land development so farmers can make money. Some Felda settlers now earn RM2,000 to RM6,000 a month. Sabah and Sarawak are doing it also on a big scale.

“People should cultivate the land and grow vegetables, fruit and flowers. Animal rearing, fish farms and raising chickens and cows are also good. In my day, people were much poorer and worked the land. Now all the smartly dressed young men prefer to work indoors in air-conditioned comfort as officers and administrators.”

He points to an astonished servant who has just entered carrying a tray of tea and cakes.

“He earns RM1,600 a month just carrying things and all that. Pay is lacking in some private sectors compared to government posts.”

Tuanku Ja’afar is against the idea of minimum wage.

“Malaysia is not ready for it yet. We are still not as rich as the western countries. Some people really work but others don’t want to work hard as they know they will still get the same pay, so it is not fair. Those who work hard and have the entrepreneurial spirit should be rewarded, not the lazy ones.”

He says corruption is a concern.

“Corruption is getting rife as some elements from the police and government servants could be involved. The Government is taking action, and it must be drastic. They must be seen to be taking action. Likewise, justice must be done and seen to be done!”

Birthday wish

Surveying the current political scene, Tuanku Ja’afar sighs, “One is ambitious to be Prime Minister, one wishes to retain the post. This political game is very complex and difficult to forecast.

“We may have Tengku Razaleigh (Hamzah) and (Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin) in the Umno presidential race. In the papers, I read that Tun Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) has said (Datuk Seri) Najib (Tun Razak) will not be PM. The Malays are not united, and Umno needs to be resuscitated.

“My advice is to unite if possible. But one must lose, either Pak Lah (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) or (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim). We may have to choose between Umno and PKR while Pas is getting stronger. I would also advise Negri Sembilan people not to attend demonstrations as these things should be settled in Parliament.”

Meanwhile, we all wish Tuanku Ja’afar many more birthdays to come!

森最高统治者 端姑惹化殿下驾崩

（芙蓉27日讯）森州最高统治者端姑惹化殿下今早11时45分，在芙蓉端姑惹化医院驾崩，享年86岁。

从今日起的7天内，森州所有娱乐活动必须全面停止，州政府的官方活动也会展延7天进行。同时森州也会下半旗40天，以示哀悼。

端姑惹化殿下曾出任我国第10任国家元首，其生前勤政爱民，深得子民爱戴。

停止娱乐活动7天

森州秘书拿督诺詹今午1时15分在医院贵宾室召开记者会，披露殿下今早在医院深切治疗室驾崩的讯息。

他说，殿下是于今早8时10分在芙蓉皇家山行宫申诉头及胸部感到不适，在传召医院专科医生前往诊治后，于8时25分在医生劝告下被送往医院治疗。

他说，殿下在入院时陷入昏迷状态，最终在深切治疗室抢救不果而驾崩。

他说，殿下遗体将被运返神安池皇宫供子民瞻仰，并于下周一安葬，时间另行安排。

目前，殿下多名孩子及森州务大臣拿督斯里莫哈末哈山皆身在国外，他们将在日内赶返奔丧。

子民可瞻仰遗容

此外，森州皇室成员及多名州行政议员在接获消息后，也于今午皆赶往医院了解情况。

诺詹指出，子民可以前往瞻仰殿下遗容，男性回教徒须头戴配有白边的宋谷，而男性非回教徒则受鼓励头戴配有白边的宋谷及身穿衣袖有白边的深色衣服。

“至于女性回教徒可身着马来服装及深色头巾，女性非回教徒则穿着深色整齐衣服即可。”

询及是否会安排公假，他说，此问题另行安排。

殿下个人资料

端姑惹化殿下于1922年7月19日诞生于雪兰莪州，是我国首任国家元首已故端姑阿都拉曼的次子。

现年86岁的殿下，于1967年登基为森州最高统治者，迄今已41年，是一名深受森州子民爱戴的君王。

殿下年轻时曾前往英国升学，回国后在外交事业发展，于50年代至60年代期间，出任多个国家大使。

于1940年，殿下在霹雳江沙马来学院完成中学教育，即前往新加坡莱佛士学院升学，后来因学第2次世界大战而被逼放弃学业返回马来亚。

世界大战后，殿下飞往英国诺丁汉大学深造，同时，获得奖励金修读法律，过后逗留英国，在迪文亚牛津大学进修经济课程。

殿下于1952年完成学业回国后，第一份在公共领域的工作是担任霹雳州秘书、霹雳州巴力县副县长，过后再任森州淡边县县长。

1966年，殿下前往伦敦选修服务文凭课程后，出任我国驻华盛顿外交官员，一年后被调往英国，担任我国驻伦敦最高专员王者首席秘书。

殿下于1962年4月18日出任森州最高统治者；统治期间非常关注人民问题和州政府行政管理，同时也带领森州经济领域的发展，特别是工业及房屋方面，以提升人民生活水准。

此外，殿下也在1994年出任我国第10任国家元首。

爱国爱民的殿下，是一名注重慈善活动、关心子民生活的君主，同时，也通过官方的安排出席活动，与民会面。

每年7月19日的森最高统治者华诞，殿下都会在庇劳神安池举行检阅仪式，同时也颁发各级勋衔给有功臣民。

在不久前，特别法庭甫发出一项庭令，要殿下偿还99万9772美元予渣打银行，以兑现在信用状（Letter of Credit）下的款项。

好詩…好詩…真是好詩呀!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

你是風兒我是沙,
你是哈密我是瓜,
你是牙膏我是刷,
你不愛我我自殺.
我有一首無名詩,
走遍天下無人知,
只有笨蛋和我知,
笨蛋正在看此詩,

再來一首吧! ................

天空飄著小雨絲
似在嘲笑我的癡
為何妳那麼自私
狠心讓我空相思
攪盡腦汁寫的詩
滿腹心酸有誰知
只見豬頭和白痴
盯著螢幕讀此詩

洋葱葡萄酒(红酒)的惊人效果

Sunday, December 21, 2008

作法简单 马上喝 马上有效

1) 每天喝少量葡萄酒, 对膝盖疼痛, 白内障, 老人痴呆症的治疗, 在日 本非常盛行, 而且效果相当惊人.
2) 吃了药也无法降下的高血压，喝了洋葱葡萄酒后血压正常且安定．
3) 无论用什么方法也无法减轻血糖的糖尿病者，喝了该葡萄酒后血糖即下降．
4) 喝了该酒后，轻微的老花眼可改善，看报刊杂志不用配戴老花眼镜．
5) 夜尿频繁的，喝了洋葱葡萄酒后，两天后既可止夜尿，真的不可思议．
6) 三年之间不吃安眠药不能入睡的不眠症，喝了葡萄酒后不眠症消除．
7) 每晚醒来，一直到天亮都不能入睡的不眠症，也能完全消除．
8) 几垺无法治疗的白尿症素（尿色混浊），喝了葡萄酒后尿色接近透明．
9) 视线常模糊不清的，或是慢性的眼睛疲劳，喝葡萄酒后，第二天就好了．
10)经常便秘，引至腹部胀痛，十分痛苦，喝了葡萄酒后，第二天既可正常排便．

制酒方法　：一枝红酒放入三粒大洋葱(红色)切片.
制作时间　: 要超过十天, 方可服用.
服用方法　: 每天晚饭后一小时服用.
服用份量　: 一至两大汤匙．

Posted by BHK at 11:46 PM

Wish Merry Christmas In Different Languages

Translations of the phrase Merry Christmas in many languages from around the worlds, one resource that will help you communicate the greetings for the season to other people. If there’s errors, I’m sorry, but I did the best I could to find this and share with you guys.

Afrikaans: Geseënde Kersfees
Afrikander: Een Plesierige Kerfees
African/ Eritrean/ Tigrinja: Rehus-Beal-Ledeats
Albanian:Gezur Krislinjden
Arabic: Milad Majid
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Armenian: Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand
Azeri: Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun
Bahasa Malaysia: Selamat Hari Natal
Basque: Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Bengali: Shuvo Naba Barsha
Bohemian: Vesele Vanoce
Bosnian: (BOSANSKI) Cestit Bozic i Sretna Nova godina
Brazilian: Feliz Natal
Breton: Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat
Bulgarian: Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo
Catalan: Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou!
Chile: Feliz Navidad
Chinese: (Cantonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan’Gung Haw Sun
Chinese: (Mandarin) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan (Catonese) Gun Tso Sun Tan’Gung Haw Sun
Choctaw: Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito
Columbia: Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Cornish: Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth
Corsian: Pace e salute
Crazanian: Rot Yikji Dol La Roo
Cree: Mitho Makosi Kesikansi
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
Czech: Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok
Danish: Glædelig Jul
Duri: Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak
Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast
English: Merry Christmas
Eskimo: (inupik) Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Esperanto: Gajan Kristnaskon
Estonian: Rõõmsaid Jõulupühi
Ethiopian: (Amharic) Melkin Yelidet Beaal
Faeroese: Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!
Farsi: Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad
Finnish: Hyvaa joulua
Flemish: Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar
French: Joyeux Noel
Frisian: Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Galician: Bo Nada
Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr!
German: Fröhliche Weihnachten
Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
Haiti: (Creole) Jwaye Nowel or to Jesus Edo Bri’cho o Rish D’Shato Brichto
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Hebrew: Mo’adim Lesimkha. Chena tova
Hindi: Shub Naya Baras (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Hausa: Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaian: Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Hungarian: Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket
Icelandic: Gledileg Jol
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Iraqi: Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish: Nollaig Shona Dhuit, or Nodlaig mhaith chugnat
Iroquois: Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay.
Italian: Buone Feste Natalizie
Japanese: Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Jiberish: Mithag Crithagsigathmithags
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Lao: souksan van Christmas
Latin: Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
Latvian: Prieci’gus Ziemsve’tkus un Laimi’gu Jauno Gadu!
Lausitzian:Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto
Lettish: Priecigus Ziemassvetkus
Lithuanian: Linksmu Kaledu
Low Saxon: Heughliche Winachten un ‘n moi Nijaar
Macedonian: Sreken Bozhik
Maltese: IL-Milied It-tajjeb
Manx: Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Marathi: Shub Naya Varsh (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Navajo: Merry Keshmish
Norwegian: God Jul, or Gledelig Jul
Occitan: Pulit nadal e bona annado
Papiamento: Bon Pasco
Papua New Guinea: Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu
Pennsylvania German: En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Peru: Feliz Navidad y un Venturoso Año Nuevo
Philipines: Maligayan Pasko!
Polish: Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia or Boze Narodzenie
Portuguese:Feliz Natal
Pushto: Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha
Rapa-Nui (Easter Island): Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua
Rhetian: Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn
Romanche: (sursilvan dialect): Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Rumanian: Sarbatori vesele or Craciun fericit
Russian: Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Sardinian: Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou
Serbian: Hristos se rodi
Slovakian: Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce
Sami: Buorrit Juovllat
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Scots Gaelic: Nollaig chridheil huibh
Serbian: Hristos se rodi.
Singhalese: Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa
Slovak: Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok
Slovene: Vesele Bozicne Praznike Srecno Novo Leto or Vesel Bozic in srecno Novo leto
Spanish: Feliz Navidad
Swedish: God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År
Tagalog: Maligayamg Pasko. Masaganang Bagong Taon
Tamil: (Tamizh) Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Trukeese: (Micronesian) Neekiriisimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai or souksan wan Christmas
Turkish: Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Ukrainian: Srozhdestvom Kristovym or Z RIZDVOM HRYSTOVYM
Urdu: Naya Saal Mubarak Ho (good New Year not Merry Christmas)
Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Giang Sinh
Welsh: Nadolig Llawen
Yoruba: E ku odun, e ku iye’dun!

* Merry Christmas can be stated in many different languages, even non-Christian countries have their own ways of saying the greeting.

传统小吃：客家河婆擂茶

蔬菜为主味道独特　擂茶吃出健康

二零零八年十二月二十四日 晚上七时二十三分

报导/摄影：黄惠沂

对肉类或油炸食物觉得有点腻？来一碗清香可口的河婆擂茶，细细品尝香喷喷的米饭加蔬菜类材料，简直是人生一大享受！

擂茶是客家河婆人的传统美食，材料主要以蔬菜类为主，是一种健康食品，现代人重视保健，擂茶也就成了大家所喜爱的食品。

居林新西园客家小食店东主陈仲芳说，擂茶是一种健康食品，材料有长豆、菜心、蒜子、豆干、芹菜、菜脯、花生、虾米、包菜、mani菜等，配上白饭或炒米饭，煮法不油腻，吃起来可口清香。

他说，青绿色的擂茶以九层塔叶（又称金不换）、薄荷、芝麻和花生熬成，味道独特，喝了有助于驱风暖肚。

“传统吃法是将擂茶倒进白饭，与切碎蔬菜配料搅拌来吃，但一些顾客则喜欢将饭和擂茶分开来吃。”

此外，顾客尚可享用店里一些传统小菜，黄酒鸡和猪脚醋配擂茶均是不错的选择。

顾客的话

刘竞发：食髓知味

商人刘竞发说，他第一次到该店品尝擂茶后，就喜欢上擂茶这美味食品，食髓知味，吃了还想再吃。

他说，擂茶的特别味道并不是每个人都能接受，但是他本身却非常喜欢。

何小华：健康食品

退休校长何小华是客家小食店的常客，擂茶就是她首选的健康食品。

她最喜欢擂茶中的九层塔香味，其中有薄荷味道，喝了感觉很舒服，肚子暖暖的，非常清爽。她说，擂茶以蔬菜为主，适合她喜爱清淡食物的口味。

“其他食物材料均有肉类，很少食品的材料是全蔬菜为主，所以我特别喜欢到这里品尝擂茶。”

传统小吃：客家河婆擂茶

营业地点：居林新西园Lorong Selasih 2/3

营业时间：每天早上8点至晚上8点

价格：每碗4令吉50仙

Christian Federation : Allow Bible in Bahasa Malaysia:

Published: Thursday December 25, 2008 MYT 6:43:00 PM

By ROYCE CHEAH

PETALING JAYA: The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) has called on the Government to re-look its restriction on Bibles written in Bahasa Malaysia.

CFM vice-chairman Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng said considering that Bahasa Malaysia is the national language, it was perplexing that the Bible in Bahasa Malaysia was classified under Section 22 of the Internal Security Act as a document “prejudicial to the national interest and security of the Federation.”

“Though special exemption was made for this Bible to be used by Christians in churches, in this modern day and age when almost anything can be accessed on the Internet, it is regrettable that our Holy Scriptures are still seen as ‘prejudicial to the security’ of the country,” Dr Eu said.

Dr Eu made this suggestion at the CFM’s open house which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi attended, referring to a previous statement that Abdullah had made, saying that his last mission before he leaves office next March would be to cool racial and religious tensions in the country.

“This is our wish for Christmas and we know these things will certainly ease tensions and it will definitely have a positive impact on your legacy,” Dr Eu said.

He also thanked Abdullah for opening up democratic space, which has brought greater freedom of expression.

He also pledged that the CFM would stand committed to and fervent in nation building.

狮城摩天观景轮故障 吊绳解救惊险耗时惹不满

二零零八年十二月二十四日 晚上十时三十八分

(新加坡24日讯)吊绳解救过程惊险又耗时，受困乘客纷感不满提出质疑：用吊绳救人，是唯一的脱困方法吗？

新加坡摩天观景轮在昨天下午4时50分发生故障，173名乘客受困空中，饱受惊魂的6个多小时里，观景轮公司所展现的应对能力，引来不少乘客的不满与批评。

最让乘客感到不解的是，当局明知吊绳索救人的方式非常耗时，也会令受困乘客感到害怕，为什么只能用这样的方法救人？

有者就问：“除了吊绳索，当局难道就没有更有效的救援方式了吗？以后若再发生这样的意外，同样还是只能用吊绳救人吗？”

对于吊绳索救人，受困乘客郭先生就抱怨：“这是很愚蠢的拯救方式！这里是观光景点，这是什么样的应变措施？他们原本说会用篮子把我们吊下去，我和孩子绝对不会坐进篮子里，不可能！”

针对乘客的不满，新加坡摩天观景轮的总经理杨祥河受访时说，他们是因为无法预知需要多长的时间来抢修驱动器，所以才决定采用吊绳索救人。

被问及吊绳索是否是他们的应急计划时，杨祥河表示，事发后，他们必须和民防部队进行配合，拟出一套最有效、最安全和最快捷的抢救方案。

他透露，采用吊绳索进行抢救，拯救人员每30分钟才能救下一人，以这样的速度，拯救人员必须忙到天亮，花一整个通宵，才可以要把所有受困者解救下来。

疑因电线短路

疑因电线短路引发火患，导致世界最高的观景轮停转。

杨祥河在午夜召开的记者会上透露，观景轮备有6台驱动旋转器，只要其中3台运作，观景轮就能旋转。

他说：“事故发生前，其中一台驱动旋转器发生一起电气小火，火势虽然很快被扑灭，电流却因此中断。”

对于起火原因，杨祥河表示还在调查。

新加坡摩天观景轮共有28个观景舱，事发时有7个是空舱。

杨祥河表示，发生故障后，他们马上安抚游客，通过附设舱内的对话机与他们通话，并通过闭路电视了解舱内的最新状况。在抢修的当儿，也尽力为受困游客提供饮料和食物。

据记者在现场了解，观景轮的拯救小组，在民防部队出动前就已展开救援行动，他们沿着观景轮的钢架及铁梯，攀上观景舱，再从观景舱的天窗爬进去，打开舱门。

拯救人员从最接近地面的舱厢着手，他们以吊绳套紧游客，然后把游客一个个吊到地面。

拯救过程相当缓慢，晚上8时左右，同在一个观景舱的5个马来西亚年轻人获救；晚上10时05分，另外5人又陆续被吊到地面，其中包括一名小孩和一名女职员。

内政部下令观景轮有限公司暂停运作，以便进行全面调查。

获救乘客吓破胆

在观景轮事故中，最先获救命的10个乘客，都是由拯救队伍以吊绳索的方式，从高空吊到地面上的。

10人的表情不一，最先获救的5位大马游客当中，有一人显然被吓破胆。这位青年在着地的一刹那，双脚居然软绵绵，无法站起来。他事后得在工作人员搀扶之下离开。

获 救的一名小孩，则是紧紧地被“绑”在拯救人员的身上之后，一起沿着绳索徐徐降到地面上。落地时，小家伙脸上木无表情，明显受到惊吓。而一名女郎被拯救人员 从大约10楼高的地点吊下时，更是一脸恐惧，不敢往下看，还哭花了脸。着地时，女郎已被吓到全身软绵绵，前后瘫坐地上约5分钟才勉强站起来，需由人扶着离 开。

霹雳永久地契不违宪但有难度

如何诠释“特殊情况”是关键
■日期／Dec 24, 2008 ■时间／06:09:51 pm ■新闻／家国风云 ■作者／本刊曾薛霏
【本刊曾薛霏撰述】副首相纳吉昨日说人民联盟霹雳州政府发出永久地契给华人新村和马来人重组村的决策违宪，熟悉我国土地法规的律师郑文祥说，《1965年土地法典》阐明，各州政府要发出永久地契，必须符合公共用途、联邦政府用途及“特殊情况”三个条件；除非霹雳州政府能证明是按何种“特殊情况”发出永久地契，否则处理华人新村及马来人重组村的事还真有点难度。 郑文祥接受《独立新闻在线》访问时表示，在土地法典》在1985年修订之后，州政府若要发出永久地契，必须符合三个条件，即公共用途、联邦政府用途或特殊情况。 《土地法典》第76（a）条款阐明，州政府能发出99年地契；第76（aa）（iii）条款则阐明，州政府能依“特殊情况”（special circumstances）发出永久地契，但此条款没有定义何谓“特殊情况”。 郑文祥说，该条款阐明的特殊情况必须是有异于一般情况才行，“给村民永久保障”的理由似乎谈不上是“特殊情况”。 郑文祥认为，尽管《联邦宪法》第九列表（Ninth Schedule）阐明州政府有权管理土地事务，但要发出永久地契则须依据《土地法典》行事。不过，他认为，霹雳州政府的做法仍算不上违宪。 尽管如此，法律上仍有灰色地带，郑文祥认为，必须将此案交由法院审理，才可知道“特殊情况”的诠释范围有多大，因为在这之前完全没有任何案例可参照。因此，为什么州政府通常都只发给99年地契，而鲜少发出永久地契。 他也透露，在上述条款修改之前，州政府可以任意发出永久地契，修订此条款的目的是为了限制州政府过度以永久地契的方式将政府土地发出去。 未必须国家土地理事会批准 至于州政府是否需要得到国家土地理事会批准，才可发出永久地契，郑文祥对此说法有所保留；他说，国家土地理事会只是扮演咨询角色，负责确保各州的土地政策划一，但是最终的依据还是《土地法典》。 《联邦宪法》第91（5）条款阐明，国家土地理事会主要负责咨询联邦政府、州政府及国家财政理事会（National Finance Council）后，制订推广和控制土地使用的政策，或任何相关法令的管理，而且联邦政府和州政府必须跟从该政策。 第91（6）条款则阐明，联邦政府或州政府可就土地使用事宜或任何关于土地管理的建议法规咨询国家土地理事会的意见，而后者也有义务劝告政府如何行事。但是，此条款并没有说明，州政府必须得到该理事会批准才可发出永久地契。 郑文祥说，除非国家土地理事会制订了国家土地政策，但问题在于，这项土地政策是什么？ “而且，就算已制订土地政策，州政府还是能以各州风土人情或商业需要，而不跟从该政策，因为政策不是法律；政策只是依据某个时候的需要而制订的方针，一切仍得回到《土地法典》。” 另一方面，雪兰莪州议会议长邓章钦及资深律师杨培根都认为，土地事务属州政府权限，州政府理应可以发出永久地契，因此，州政府做法并不违宪。 邓章钦（左图）表示，由于纳吉没有说明他是依据哪一道法令做出上述宣布，他不知道哪一条款说明州政府必须获得国家土地理事会批准才可发出永久地契。若根据《联邦宪法》，土地事务是州政府权限，只要发出永久地契的程序符合《土地法典》规定，就没有问题。 《东方日报》报道，纳吉昨天主持国家土地理事会（National Land Council）会议后告诉媒体，国家土地政策阐明，州政府只在在符合三种情况下颁发永久地契，即公共用途、联邦政府用途和特殊情况用途。霹雳州政府建议为州内甘榜和新村提供永久地契，可是根据《联邦宪法》设立的国家土地理事会扮演协调国内各州土地政策的角色。 纳吉也说，国家土地理事会将在近日讨论霹雳州政府的建议，直到该理事会有决定之前，此计划须搁置，因为霹州政府不能单方面颁发永久地契，必须获得土地理事会的批准。 另一厢，霹雳州资深行政议员倪可汉不认同纳吉说法，强调发出永久地契并不违宪，因土地事务是州政府权限。此外，霹州政府没有触犯《国家土地法典》，州政府是按照合法程序发出华人新村和马来人重组村的永久地契。 槟州首席部长林冠英昨天也表示，该州两项转换永久地契的计划或受到纳吉这项宣布的影响，甚至会搁置。他也将与槟州土地理事会研究，以了解详情并对就这项新政策发表其立场。 槟州政府较早前答应将所有房屋地契转成永久地契，而最近也宣布中价屋和廉价屋的屋主能将地契转换成永久地契而无须缴付转换费，只须付手续费。

减一加一的借尸还魂术（白小）

■日期／Dec 22, 2008 ■时间／04:23:31 pm ■新闻／独立社论 ■作者／社论
【《独立新闻在线》社论】雪兰莪州八打灵再也白沙罗华文小学（白小）原校保校运动经过了八年的奋斗，仿佛看到了成果，因为废置八年之久的校舍将在明年一月的新学年重新启用，以“白沙罗中华国民型华文学校”的名堂重见天日。所谓的“重新启用”，其实是拜国阵政府不增建华文小学的不成文政策所赐，让霹雳州巴力士拉坡中华国民型小学这所仅剩14名学生的微型小学搬迁数百里的“借尸还魂”之术而已。 在历时八年的白小保校运动期间，马华公会众领导人避之则吉，该党妇女组主席、前八打灵再也北区国会议员周美芬是最好的例子。虽然白小原校就坐落在她的国会选区，但董总总务高铭良就炮轰她“从来没有到过白小（筹款）宴会”；直到今年大选前后，传出白小校舍有望重新启用后，才特别殷勤地走访白小原校，昨天更出席新校名启用仪式。 保校工委会的无奈 白小原校校舍让霹雳州巴力士拉坡中华国民型小学“借尸还魂”，表面上仿佛皆大欢喜，但最大的得利者莫过于国阵政府和马华公会；白小保校工委会虽说八年奋斗有了成果、“无论用什么校名都无所谓”，但这里头蕴含了多少无奈呢？ 白小原校校舍若是让一所全新规划的新华小使用，无论校名为何，其意义都要比让一所关掉了的华小借尸还魂来得重大。然而，白小保校工委会能不接受此方案吗？一来它担当不起连累霹雳州巴力士拉坡中华国民型小学死而不能复生的罪名，二来它历经八年的坚持，还有多少人力、财力和心力继续维持一场不知结局在何时的社会运动？ 国阵政府和马华公会之所以是最大的得利者，乃因为让霹雳州巴力士拉坡中华国民型小学利用白小原校“借尸还魂”，既不破坏国阵政府不增建华小的不成文政策，又能解决巴力士拉坡中华小学迁校及白小保校运动这两只烫手山芋。在经历今年三月大选的重挫之后，国阵政府又岂会不做这种廉价的顺水人情？ 马华公会一石二鸟 白小原校让巴 力士拉坡中华小学借尸还魂，更是让马华公会尤其是马青团总团长、副教育部长魏家祥一方面省下许多棘手的工作，另一方面又给自己的政治成绩单填上另一笔功 绩。倘若不是依赖“借尸还魂”之术，马华公会还要伤透脑筋游说国阵州政府拨地或征求企业家／屋业发展商献地让巴力士拉坡中华小学建校；有了校地，还要协助 建校委员会筹措建校基金，以及其他林林种种政府应做却没有做的事情。 因此，让巴力士拉坡中华小学借尸还魂，马华公会既能迅速解决中华小学的迁校工作，又能瓦解掉阴魂不散的白小保校运动，这种廉价的一石二鸟之计，马华公会何乐而不为？ 然而，这种“借尸还魂”之术，实际上就是一种“减一加一”的障眼法，国阵成员党马华公会近年来总是沾沾自喜地以这种障眼法掩饰它作为执政党，却无法在政策上保障各民族宪赋母语教育权利的窘境。 “白小重开”俨然让雪兰莪州增加了一所华小，但毗邻的霹雳州事实上却关掉了一所华小（若算上早前搬迁到蒲种的哈古乐华小，那就少了两所），只不过官方说法是“搬迁”而非“关闭”（一如八年前关闭白小时的情况），而全国各地主要城市地区华小爆满的问题始终还是悬而未决。 因此，魏家祥昨天为白小主持新校名启用仪式，白小保校工委会乃至华团领导人的欢呼，并无法掩饰公民母语教育权利被剥夺的事实。（2008年12月22日）

陆庭谕为性骚扰事件做出道歉, 辞两职位及停止出席公开活动

12月21日 下午4点06分

华教元老陆庭谕最近被女记者申诉性骚扰之后，今日表示毫无保留地向受害者道歉，并立即辞去教总和林连玉基金顾问的两个职位，更宣布停止出席任何公开活动。

他今天发表简短文告表示，“本人对有关造成女生不敬，以及造成身心灵伤害一事，深感不安，毫无保留道歉。”

“由即日起，本人将停止一切对外公开活动，好好利用有生之年，自我沉淀，自省慎独，静养余年。”

最近一名中文报章女记者在自己的部落格贴文，点名控诉在书展上被陆庭谕性骚扰，并且详细地描述当时的情景，以及事后极度受伤的心情。唯该部落格如今已被删除，不过贴文已被转贴他处，引起网民的大肆讨论。

网络媒体《独立新闻在线》在前天（19日）报道此事，并且发现还有其他个案；而当时陆庭谕表示无心构成伤害，如有女生因而感到不适，他愿意向她们致歉。

维护媒体独立撰稿人昨天更发表文告要求新闻同业团体、华团妇女组织等团体正视新闻从业员的职场性骚扰问题。

陆庭諭三段文告全文如下：

有关本人被投诉曾在肢体动作或言语上对女性有所冒犯或不敬，造成有关人士身心灵受伤害一事，本人深感不安，仅此对受害者作出毫无保留的道歉。

就此事对本人担任职位的团体造成的困扰，本人在深入思考后，决定辞去所有职位，以示负责，以免影响团体会务运作。因此，由即日起，本人不再是教总或林连玉基金的顾问。

再者，由即日起，本人将停止一切对外公开活动，好好利用有生之年，自我沉淀，自省慎独，静养余年。
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女生申诉遭性骚扰 陆庭谕说无心伤害
日期／Dec 19, 2008 ■时间／07:21:55 p

【本刊陈慧思、庄迪澎撰述】互联网上最近流传一则女记者申诉遭华教元老陆庭谕性骚扰的贴文，消息传出后，陆续有受害人愿意挺身而出，揭露她们的切身经历。陆庭谕表示无意令女生不适，如果其举止令对方感到不适，他愿意表示歉意。

由 于陆庭谕是华教运动的精神领袖之一，且年事已高，受害人在性骚扰事件发生后皆自我舔舐伤口，没有据情举报，以免破坏陆庭谕崇高的形象。受害者当中有记者， 也有华教界人士，当她们把切身经历告知报社或身边的社运界朋友时，他们皆顾念陆庭谕是德高望重的华教泰斗，而奉劝受害者莫采取进一步行动。

虽说她们在事发过后选择委屈自己，成全大局，但骚扰事件依旧在她们心中留下阴影。眼见事情还在发生，她们终于认为该及时挺身而出，以免下一个人受伤害，也及时让社会领袖意识到，他们需要为自己的言行负责。

由于陆庭谕（左图）是公众人物，而此事关系公共利益，《独立新闻在线》致电请陆庭谕回应性骚扰事件；陆庭谕解释说，他有很多干女儿，他与她们都相当熟络。

记者提出，有记者和他首度见面，就得到了热情招待。他说，他与她们之间有着一种父女情，他无意对她们造成不适；如果他的举动令她们产生不适感，他愿意向她们表示歉意。

陆庭谕也同意，日后该多加关注自己的言行举止。

年 届八十的陆庭谕自1965年开始出任马来西亚华校教师会总会（教总）副主席，直至2006年5月引退，历时40年。卸下教总副主席要职的陆庭谕仍继续担任 自1996年便扛起的林连玉基金主席要职，直至今年六月引退，为期12年。今年9月27日，54个华团联办“陆遥知马力――陆庭谕老师表扬晚会”，表扬他 对我国华文教育运动的贡献。【点击：五年后再说拒当华教送终人 千人赴表扬晚会感动陆庭谕】

担心其他人受害

陆庭谕表现过度热情，已是公开的秘密。一名受害的社运人士表示，与陆庭谕相识的她，曾在六年前的一项活动上被陆庭谕熊抱、搭腰和不以为意地亲吻脸颊；在此之前陆庭谕总是在致电她时，昵称她的名字，也曾要她唤他“爸爸”，令她有恶心之感。

她开始时尝试说服自己，陆庭谕只是性格洋派，可是陆庭谕在六年前的一项活动场合中亲吻她，已超出了她能接受的程度。怒气难平的她在事发后曾想过要揭发他，只是社运界的朋友皆认为该顾全大局，而她也因担心成为“千古罪人”而忍了下来，结果一忍就是六年。

事发六年之后，发现还有人受害，而且受害人的经历与她本人极为相似，她终于在丈夫的支持下，同意向《独立新闻在线》告白，以免还有人陆续受害。

除了上述社运人士，两名任职本地中文报的女记者也告知《独立新闻在线》她们的切身经历。一名中文报女记者告诉《独立新闻在线》，她先后在2006年年杪和2007年一月到陆庭谕的住家专访他时，遭陆庭谕“热情招呼”。

她指出，第一次到陆庭谕家专访他时，陆庭谕以一个热情的搭肩式拥抱迎接她，且在专访过程中尝试与她作近距离接触；由于她在访问前已听说陆庭谕的“习惯”，因此她专访全程皆与陆庭谕保持距离。

上司没有认真看待

上 述事件发生时，陆庭谕的太太尚未过世，当时中风的她正在家中修养。2007年一月做第二次专访时，陆太太已然过世。女记者一踏入陆庭谕住家，陆庭谕就立刻 熊抱她，当时记者即刻向他反映她无法接受这么热情的招呼，可是他还是故我，且强行亲吻了她的脸颊好几下，并说“不要紧，让爸爸吻一下”。

访问完毕后，同样的情节重演，当时陆庭谕的两个儿子也在场。

一名女摄影记者到陆庭谕的住家采访时，也经历类似遭遇，事后她需要蛮长一段时间平伏心情，现在阴影还没有完全消失。

两名女记者在事发后都有向上司反映此事，可是上司都没有认真看待，她们也都没有想过要报警。

女记者说，上司认为是她多虑，陆庭谕的举止只是亲切的表现；她说，男性上司都以男性的角度看问题，女上司认为有必要揭发此事，可是顾念到陆庭谕的身份，就打消了念头。

“我们还需造神吗？”

陆庭谕的举止令女生不适，已是公开的秘密，只是华教界人士和媒体皆因顾念华教界领袖的面子，而低调处理性骚扰事件，仅仅私下提醒女性朋友多加注意。时事评论人唐南发认为，这么做与政府掩盖本身的丑闻无异。

他说：“如果真的发生这样的事，那么这跟政府掩盖丑闻的情况是没有分别的，两者在本质上是一样的，都是在伤害公共利益。”

唐南发（右图）认为，华教人士是在公共领域活动，因而此事已然牵涉公共利益，华教界该以持平态度看待，媒体则应该扮演公共监督的角色，跟进及报道这件事。

他说，华教界向来认为自己处于围城状态，在掌握资源的国家威权面前，常有如临大敌之感，因此出于策略考量，只专注于鞭挞掌权者漠视公共利益，避免家丑外扬。

华教界抱着“家丑不外扬”的心态掩盖实情，等于纵容社会领袖侵犯个人利益。唐南发认为，如果真有性骚扰事件，而华教界人士选择沉默或视若无睹，就显示出他们选择维护公共领域，漠视人作为人的人权和尊严。

唐南发说：“他们认为，为华教之故，受害者该为华教牺牲，遭到这样的屈辱都应该沉默、默默承受痛苦，这是一种非人性的对待，华社该自我检讨。”

他指出，从林连玉，到沈慕羽，过去我国的华教运动都倾向于塑造伟人、塑造英雄，现在华教运动人士该回问，我们需要伟人吗？还需继续造神吗？

他说，历史上许多例子显示，社会运动往往借助个人的金字招牌，维护社会运动的形象；以前中国人也把毛泽东捧上了天，可后来发现他并非人人想象中的君子。

接下来，唐南发希望受害人可以勇敢地站出来，以维护公共利益，避免还有人受害。他也同时鼓励受害人报警，因为法律赋予了她们投报的权力。

他表示，受害人揭露本身遭遇之后，肯定有人指摘受害人捏造故事，他希望社会、媒体、公共团体以及受害人的工作单位理解受害者的感受，同时予以她们更多的支持。