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Ancient church is oldest in world, say experts

2011-04-12T23:28:00.004+08:00

By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem
Wednesday June 11 2008

Archaeologists claimed yesterday to have found the world's oldest church dating from shortly after Christ's crucifixion.

If tests confirm that it dates back to between AD 33 and AD 70, as the archaeologists claim, it would make it the earliest known place of Christian worship by around 200 years.

According to a report in the 'Jordan Times' newspaper, a very early underground church was found beneath the ancient Saint Georgeous Church, which itself dates back to AD 230, in Rihab, northern Jordan, near the Syrian border.

"We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from AD 33 to 70,'' Abdul Qader al-Husan, the head of the Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies, said.

Disciples

"We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians -- the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ.''

A mosaic found in the church describes these Christians as "the 70 beloved by God and Divine''. Mr Husan said they were believed to have fled persecution in Jerusalem and founded churches in northern Jordan. He cited historical sources that suggest they both lived and practised religious rituals in the underground church.

A Jordanian worker cleans a mosaic floor near the broken tombstones of early Christian graves in the cemetery of Saint Georgeous church in the northern Jordanian town of Rihab on June 10, 2008 Credit: -/AFP/Getty Images

There is no clear holder of the title of oldest Christian church with various sites claiming the honour.

In 2005, Israeli archaeologists claimed to have found the earliest Christian church when they uncovered a floor mosaic dating from the first part of the third century. It was found inside the perimeter fence of a top-security prison in Megiddo or, to use its ancient name, Armageddon, where, according to the New Testament, the final battle between good and evil will be fought.

The bishop deputy of the Greek Orthodox archdiocese, Archimandrite Nektarious, described the Rihab discovery as an "important milestone for Christians all around the world''.

Researchers recovered pottery dating back to between the third and seventh centuries, which they say suggested that these first Christians and their followers lived in the area until late Roman rule. Inside the cave there are several stone seats which are believed to have been for the clergy and a circular shaped area, thought to be the apse. Rihab is home to 30 churches and Jesus and his mother are believed to have passed through the area, Mr Husan said. (©Daily Telegraph, London).

- Tim Butcher in Jerusalem

Sourse: Independent.ie

Prophet Muhammad’s promise to Christians

2011-03-30T16:06:00.005+08:00

By Dr. Muqtedar Khan

Muslims and Christians together constitute over fifty percent of the world and if they lived in peace, we will be half way to world peace. One small step that we can take towards fostering Muslim-Christian harmony is to tell and retell positive stories and abstain from mutual demonization.

In this article I propose to remind both Muslims and Christians about a promise that Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) made to Christians. The knowledge of this promise can have enormous impact on Muslim conduct towards Christians. Muslims generally respect the precedent of their Prophet and try to practice it in their lives.

St. Catherine’s Monastery is located at the foot of Mt. Sinai and is the world’s oldest monastery.

In 628 AD, a delegation from St. Catherine’s Monastery came to Prophet Muhammed and requested his protection. He responded by granting them a charter of rights, which I reproduce below in its entirety. St. Catherine’s Monastery is located at the foot of Mt. Sinai and is the world’s oldest monastery. It possesses a huge collection of Christian manuscripts, second only to the Vatican, and is a world heritage site. It also boasts the oldest collection of Christian icons. It is a treasure house of Christian history that has remained safe for 1400 years under Muslim protection.

The Promise to St. Catherine:
"This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them.

Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by God! I hold out against anything that displeases them.

No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses.

Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.

No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.

No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world)."

The first and the final sentence of the charter are critical. They make the promise eternal and universal. Muhammed asserts that Muslims are with Christians near and far straight away rejecting any future attempts to limit the promise to St. Catherine alone. By ordering Muslims to obey it until the Day of Judgment the charter again undermines any future attempts to revoke the privileges. These rights are inalienable. Muhammed declared Christians, all of them, as his allies and he equated ill treatment of Christians with violating God’s covenant.

A remarkable aspect of the charter is that it imposes no conditions on Christians for enjoying its privileges. It is enough that they are Christians. They are not required to alter their beliefs, they do not have to make any payments and they do not have any obligations. This is a charter of rights without any duties!

The document is not a modern human rights treaty but even though it was penned in 628 A.D., it clearly protects the right to property, freedom of religion, freedom of work, and security of the person.

I know most readers, must be thinking so what? Well the answer is simple. Those who seek to foster discord among Muslims and Christians focus on issues that divide and emphasize areas of conflict. But when resources such as Muhammad’s promise to Christians are invoked and highlighted it builds bridges. It inspires Muslims to rise above communal intolerance and engenders good will in Christians who might be nursing fear of Islam or Muslims.

When I look at Islamic sources, I find in them unprecedented examples of religious tolerance and inclusiveness. They make me want to become a better person. I think the capacity to seek good and do good inheres in all of us. When we subdue this predisposition towards the good, we deny our fundamental humanity. In this holiday season, I hope all of us can find time to look for something positive and worthy of appreciation in the values, cultures and histories of other peoples.

-- Dr. Muqtedar Khan is Director of Islamic Studies at the University of Delaware and a fellow of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.

Source: Muslims.Net

Cops arrest ‘bomber man’

2010-10-28T12:35:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian was caught with more than 7,000 detonators while trying to smuggle them into Indonesia.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Hussin Ismail said Indonesian police arrested Mohd Nawawi Malong, 40, from Tawau, at a port in south Sulawesi last Wednesday with the help of their Malaysian counterparts.

“We learnt that Mohd Nawawi was transporting the detonators from south Philippines to Tawau and to south Sulawesi via Nunukan Island in East Kalimantan.

“He travelled with the Indian-made detonators on passenger ferries,” Hussin said.

It is learnt police discovered that Mohd Nawawi brought the explosives for local fishermen to assemble fish bombs.

The suspect had wrapped the detonators in dozens of sacks.

In another operation, Hussin said on Sept 29, Taufiq Marzuki@ Sulaiman Tarmizi, a member of the Acheh Mujahideen Militant group (KMA) was arrested in Johor.

The 29-year-old had fled to Johor after a KMA training camp in Bireun, Aceh, was raided by Indonesian police in March.

Hussin said both arrests were due to the good working relationship between local police and their Indonesian counterparts.

News Sourcs: The Star

Push for Sabah, S'wak's independence: Next stop UN .

2010-10-26T14:50:00.001+08:00

By Athi Shankar
Source: Free Malaysia Today.

GEORGE TOWN: A group of prominent politicians and social activists from East Malaysia are seriously contemplating pulling out Sabah and Sarawak from the Federation of Malaysia.

They are planning to take up their case to the United Nations to hold a referendum on the status of the Borneo states as independent nations.

They no longer want their states to be under the clutches of the Umno-led Putrajaya administration.

The group has already sought legal advice from the international community to explore all orderly and democratic means to legally declare Sabah and Sarawak as separate sovereign states.

Sources said the group was keen to avoid any civil unrest, bloodshed and armed conflict with the central government, features usually associated with separatist movements.

“They want to resolve the pressing issue by peaceful and civilised means,” said the source.

It’s learnt that about seven representatives from the group met London-based Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairman P Waytha Moorthy in Indonesia early this week to discuss the matter.

Sources close to the group said the activists sought Waytha Moorthy’s help to facilitate their imminent representation in the UN.

It’s learnt that Waytha Moorthy had agreed to assist them, with the help of several influential international organisations.

Waytha Moorthy recently facilitated a group of activists to air their grouses and grievances against the federal government at the UK Parliament.

'Systematic looting and plundering'

The group of activists are deeply perturbed by the federal government’s alleged violations of the states’ rights, interests and benefits for more than four decades since the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.

“The group is angry over the systematic looting and plundering of the states’ wealth by Umno and its cronies,” said a source.

Sabah, Sarawak, Malaya and Singapore formerly joined Malaysia in 1963. However, Singapore left the Federation in 1965.

The Sabah and Sarawak activists believe that just like Singapore, their states too can pull out from Malaysia.

Sabah and Sarawak are two natural resources rich provinces in Malaysia, with massive wealth potentials in oil reserves and forestry.

However, Sabahans and Sarawakians are convinced that they have remained poor due to the federal government's “manipulation and usurpation” of their power to self-determine their own affairs.

Unhappy over petro dollars

They are crying foul over the mere five percent royalty cut received for their own oil, while the Putrajaya administration “steals” 95 percent of petro dollars.

“People from both Sabah and Sarawak realise that they are being short-changed. They know there has been daylight robbery of their god-given richness,” said a source.

Another contentious issue is the existence of an estimated 1.7 million illegal immigrants as rightful citizens in Sabah.

Sabahans termed the illegal immigrants, mostly Filipino and Indonesian Muslims, as former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s legacy.

“The government since under Mahathir has systematically brought in these aliens and granted them citizenships. These aliens are now legal MyKad holders in Sabah. It’s absolutely outrageous and ludicrous,” said the source.

The illegal immigrant issue in Sarawak is not as disturbing as in Sabah although it is equally damaging.

'Raping of forest wealth'

The major issue in Sarawak is the “raping of state forest wealth” by the Umno-backed Taib Mahmud’s government at the expense of the indigenous population.

The natives are also disgruntled by the usurpation of their customary land rights by the authorities despite a recent apex court ruling against it.

Sabahans and Sarawakians are also said to be peeved with the “Malay-nisation and Islamisation” process of their states’ bureaucracy and political systems.

Activists claimed that the federal government had appointed native Muslims to helm various ministerial portfolios and government departments to hasten and fasten this process.

“These Muslim leaders and bureaucratic heads are puppets dancing to the tune played by their masters in Putrajaya,” said the source.

Orang Asli seething at uncaring govt.

2010-10-26T14:19:00.003+08:00

“We don't want your sympathy. We are not beggars. We only ask for your respect and appreciation. We want what has been taken from us to be given back.”

By Patrick Lee
Source: Free Malaysia Today.

PETALING JAYA: Sidelined and insulted by the government, the Orang Asli are fuming and want their rights back and “not your sympathy”.

The Orang Asli Villages Network in Peninsular Malaysia (JKOASM) has vehemently opposed Budget 2011, calling it the beginning of the end to their traditional ways.

When unveiling the budget, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced that RM100 million would be allocated for various programmes, including resolving Orang Asli land rights and border settlement issues.

The budget also said that tok batins (village headmen) were to be given a RM800 monthly allowance, a RM350 raise from their usual RM450. However, JKOASM revealed that the headmen received less than half of that amount (RM200).

“If the real amount is RM450 a month, where did the other RM250 go?” the statement asked.

Besides, instead of being handed out on a monthly basis, the allowance was claimed to have been given once a year, or every three months.

The statement added that these payments were sometimes delayed for several months without any explanation.

“We don't understand why the government does not leave us in peace. It seems to be out to get us on purpose.”

Basic amenities

The government was also criticised for not providing the most basic amenities to hundreds of Orang Asli villages, despite several multi-million ringgit allocations.

“Where have all the allocations gone? There are still hundreds of Orang Asli villages that do not have access to clean water, electricity or tarred roads. These villagers have to trek many miles just to get their water,” the statement said.

Citing development failures such as Kampung Buluh Nipis, Pos Betau, Bukit Lanjan and even the glamourously-styled Damansara Perdana, the statement said that the government only caused more hardship for the Orang Asli.

The statement also expressed its disappointment with Najib for referring to the Orang Asli as Sakai and Jakun during his speech at the recent Umno general assembly.

"Other races get angry and hurt over racially insensitive comments. The Orang Asli have feelings, too, and we don't like being referred to as (Sakai and Jakun),” the statement said.

"Najib does not respect the rights of the Orang Asli as the original peoples of Malaysia."

JKOASM also took a swipe at the Orang Asli Affairs Department (JHEOA) for allowing other government agencies such as the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority, Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority and the police force to interfere in Orang Asli matters.

According to JKOASM, the department had allegedly made it easier for the government to encroach upon native land, bit by bit.

Life and blood

The statement also said that Najib had ignored its memorandum to the government earlier this year.

On March 17, about 1,000 Orang Asli descended on Putrajaya and handed over the memorandun signed by more than 9,000 Orang Asli to officials of the Prime Ministetr's Department. They were protesting the government's land policy.

According to the memorandum, the new policy, adopted by the National Land Council in December 2009, would grant land to the Orang Asli. The government would divide sections of land into two to six acres each without consulting the Orang Asli.

“Our land is our life and blood and not just one part of the economy,” the statement said, adding that a Royal Commission of Inquiry should be set up to investigate the alleged mistreatment of the Orang Asli.

Master English to ensure we are not re-colonised, says Mahathir

2009-12-14T21:47:00.003+08:00

(Dec 14, 2009): Malaysians have an extremely important role of mastering English to acquire knowledge at a faster pace to ensure there is no 're-colonisation' of the country, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Without a good command of English, the former prime minister noted, the people would not acquire knowledge quickly. He said this would, in turn, open doors to those knowledgeable to dominate and influence them, either directly or indirectly.

"English is the language of the Knowledge Age. Countries which do not master English will not only be left behind but risk being colonised, either directly or indirectly.

"Without knowledge, countries will be oppressed and even invaded," Dr Mahathir told reporters after delivering his keynote address entitled, 'The Leadership and Policy Components for the Knowledge Society: A Proposed Best Practice for Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member countries at the 17th Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS) conference.

Mahathir said that only by mastering English, could the people in this country acquire knowledge at a faster pace so as not to be left behind by development. He said, the people would not lose their identity by seeking knowledge in English. "English is not only for English people but (it is) a universal language. I am not an Englishman but I speak English," he said. “Are you an Englishman?” he asked a reporter.

But today, Mahathir said the government was “ignoring success” by abolishing the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) and reverting to Bahasa Malaysia.

"I don't think the government understands the importance of English as a language of knowledge when they decided to switch from English to Malay (in teaching Science and Mathematics)," he said.

Recently, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government had decided to reverse the PPSMI policy and revert to Bahasa Malaysia in national schools, and Chinese and Tamil in vernacular schools from 2012.

The PPSMI policy was implemented in phases, beginning with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003, under Dr Mahathir's administration.

Earlier, when delivering his keynote address, Mahathir said knowledge was expanding rapidly, especially in science, and books and writings on this subject were in English.

He said that possibilities are there to override past beliefs in the field of science, which cannot be done in geography and history. "Knowledge in science is not static unlike geography and history where facts are structured and limited.

"In science, we can always go back and question the scientific principles and decide whether they are right or not," he said, adding new discoveries are coming out in torrents in English. -- Bernama

Dr Pornthip to attend Teoh's second post-mortem

2009-11-05T21:24:00.005+08:00

"As for me, I am just trying to help...I know my limitation," she said.

2009/11/05

BANGKOK: Thailand's forensic expert Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand said Thursday that she would attend the second post-mortem on late Teoh Beng Hock despite being barred from carrying out the autopsy herself.

Dr Pornthip said she was informed by the deceased's family lawyers and an official from the Selangor State Government about Coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas' decision to have Teoh's remains exhumed to carry out a second post-mortem.

"I was told the post-mortem is likely to take place next Saturday, but I can only observe because of the legal implications," she told Bernama here today.

She added that she was aware of fact that she was not allowed under the law, to take part actively, adding she even raised the matter last July when the Selangor State Government contacted her to carry out a post-mortem on Teoh.

"I didn’t go at that time because the family did not allow me to carry out the post-mortem.

"But I was then invited to give testimony in the inquest," said the director-general of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice.

Only a practicing physicians registered with the Malaysian Medical Board, are allowed to do so as stipulated under the Medical Act 1971.

Coroner Azmil also ordered that the second post-mortem be handled by a medical officer in the presence of four forensic experts, namely Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim, Dr Prashant Naresh Samberkar, Dr Pornthip and another expert to be appointed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Teoh, who was political aide to Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Mazalam in Shah Alam on July 16, after being quizzed by the Selangor MACC on the 14th floor of the same building.

The family applied to exhume Teoh's remains, following Dr Pornthip's testimony in the inquest, into his death that there was an 80 per cent probability that he was tortured and strangled.

Asked if she could come to a conclusion despite not being able to carry out the post-mortem herself, Dr Pornthip said it all depended on the degree of decomposition.

"As for me, I am just trying to help...I know my limitation," she said. - Bernama

Sourse: New Straits Times. http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20091105201825/Article/index_html

Court orders exhumation

KUALA LUMPUR - A MALAYSIAN court on Wednesday ordered the exhumation of the body of an opposition aide who fell to his death from anti-graft offices where he was being questioned, his family's lawyer said.

The coroner's court order will allow a second autopsy of Teoh Beng Hock's remains, assisted by prominent Thai pathologist Porntip Rojanasunan, lawyer Gobind Singh said.

Ms Porntip last month told an inquest into Teoh's mysterious death that the 30-year-old aide may have been strangled and beaten before he died.

The flamboyant expert, well known for challenging authorities in her home country, said there was an 80 per cent chance that 30-year-old Teoh was murdered and just a 20 per cent chance of suicide.

Mr Singh said Ms Porntip would not be conducting the new autopsy but would assist Malaysian medical examiners in the task.

Teoh's crumpled body was found on July 16 on the roof of an adjacent building after he had undergone questioning on the 14th floor of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) until the early hours of the morning. He was not accused of any crime, but was being questioned as part of a probe into the opposition-held Selangor state government. -- AFP

Source: The Straits Times, Nov 4, 2009. http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/SE%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_450254.html

Wanted: Pornthip's head!
2009-11-01

Thai pathologist Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunan has promised to bring Teoh Beng Hock's case to justice by requesting an exhumation of the dead political aide's body for a second post-mortem, making her a well-known legendary figure across this country.

She fears no evil, and has over the past three decades brought justice to countless unjustifiably killed victims.

That explains why a million-baht tag has been placed on her head!

Pornthip is a highly respected pathologist in Thailand. This, coupled with the commotion in southern part of the country and her job nature, has put her under constant danger. Photo courtesy: Guang Ming Daily

Guang Ming Daily travelled all the way to Thailand to talk to her. Other than seeing her dissect dead bodies in her white overall, we also saw her tender side as a Thai woman, a mother, and a wife.

Teoh Beng Hock's mysterious death has yet to be solved. Under the recommendation of their lawyer, Teoh's family agreed to invite internationally acclaimed pathologist Pornthip Rojanasunan to conduct a second post-mortem with the hope of unearthing any hidden truth.

Thanks to the intervention by Pornthip to conduct a second post-mortem on a wealthy Thai MP back in 1999, earlier police reports pointing at him committing suicide was overturned, resulting in a drastic twist in the development of the case.

Heads-on with the authorities

Pornthip fears no evil and would even go against the will of the authorities just to bring out the truth.

She has gained tremendous popularity since, but that has also made her a target of some people. Her life has been constantly under intimidation.

Pornthip said after she overturned the police report that the wealthy MP had committed suicide, she had received numerous unidentified calls threatening her life.

She was warned to stay clear of the case, or "a post-mortem will be conducted ON YOU tomorrow!"

That was only a beginning. Pornthip said the analyses she did on the six pieces of earplugs found at the site of an explosion in southern Thailand three years ago allowed the police to detain two suspects. One of the suspects was subsequently sentenced to death while the hearing of the other is still being conducted.

Since then, she has been told by the police that her head was wanted by certain people in southern Thailand.

"They offered at least one million baht (approximately RM100,000) for my head, but I'm not afraid of it!

"I'm well aware that my head fetches a good price, but I won't chicken out, but will instead be more determined to get the truth out of the dark."

A good price on the head of "Doctor of Death"

Popularly known as the "Doctor of Death," Pornthip is someone who would never give up things easily. That said, she is well aware of the fact that she is constantly walking on a tightrope, and does not know when she will miss and fall to her death.

Militants, underground outfits, even hostile politicians have been offering rewards to get her wiped out from the face of the earth.

She often leads her team to the sites, especially of cases involving explosions, and believes DNA technology could be employed in the police force to assist in the identification of leaders of the militants in the troubled Deep South.

Pornthip said she had no regret of any sort for the sake of the safety of majority of Thai people.

Revisiting Malaysia this month

On Teoh Beng Hock's case, Pornthip said the family's lawyer Gorbind Singh had contacted her, but whether she would come to Malaysia would depend on whether the court would approve the application by Teoh's family.

She admitted that it was inconvenient at this juncture for her to divulge any detail of her recent court statements in Kuala Lumpur, as the case is still on trial.

However, she said she would go to KL for a forensic conference in mid-November.

On Teoh's mysterious death, Pornthip said boldly that it shared a lot of similarities with many of the suspense cases she had handled earlier on.

She cited an example in which a woman was found hanging herself at home in Bangkok not too long ago. According to post-mortem reports, the woman hanged herself to death, but after two weeks, the victim's son and other relatives suspected foul play and requested Pornthip to conduct a second post-mortem to find out the truth behind her death.

After reading the post-mortem reports, Pornthip found some irregularities that did not match scientific evidences.

Generally, those hanging themselves to death will present injuries on the upper part of their throats, but this female victim had obvious injuries further down!

Moreover, Pornthip also found other injuries around the victim's body, including bruises on her arms.

As a result, she felt it necessary to revisit the site. Besides, the victim was said to have hanged herself with a certain type of cloth that did not match the actual situation.

Consequently, Pornthip got the victim's husband to explain these irregularities, but her husband was unable to provide proper answers to her questions.

Pornthip said collecting evidences was of paramount importance in solving a case.

Solving a mysterious death

The next example that Pornthip cited, was the case in which she conducted a second post-mortem on a victim for the first time.

The victim was a Thai man who died under police custody.

According to post-mortem reports presented by the police, the victim died at about 11.00 p.m. while under police custody.

The family of the victim sought Pornthip's assistance three months later, and wanted her to exhume the victim's body for a second post-mortem, during which four apparent injuries and bullet shells were found on the body.

Besides, there was undigested food in his gastrointestinal tract.

Pornthip said the victim took his meal at 4 p.m., and this was contradicting the police's claim that he died at 11 p.m.

Six months later, the Thai Legal Association issued a statement that the victim's blood was found in the bush.

The victim had apparently been killed by someone else before his body was moved to another location.

Unfortunately, the case was put to an abrupt stop without any solution, as a member of the victim's family met his doom during the process of finding the truth; and for their own safety, the family agreed to accept a 3-million baht "reconciliation" offer from the police.

Pornthip said helplessly, "Thailand lacks the say when it comes to human rights protection."

Every dead body tells a story! Pornthip allows the speechless evidences to talk on their own! Watch out for Part Two of the mind-boggling interview on Monday.

(Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Guang Ming Daily)

Source: http://www.mysinchew.com/node/30881

Kematian Teoh: Pakar kata 80% kemungkinan homisid

2009-10-22T14:45:00.003+08:00

Seorang pakar patologi dari Thailand, Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand membuat pendedahan yang mengejutkan dalam inkeus kematian Teoh Beng Hock pagi ini dengan menyatakan bahawa setiausaha politik itu mungkin telah dicekik sebelum jatuh dari tingkat 14 Plaza Masalam.

Katanya, terdapat tanda bulat pada leher Teoh yang menunjukkan dia 'dicekik'.

Menurutnya lagi, retakan pada tengkorak Teoh bukan satu kecederaan akibat terjatuh.

Manakala kecederaan pada lubang dubur Teoh, katanya, boleh disebabkan dicucuk dengan objek sebelum dia jatuh.

Ini, katanya, berdasarkan kepada gambar-gambar yang diambil di tempat Teoh ditemui jatuh.

Dr Pornthip membuat kesimpulan bahawa terdapat 80 peratus kemungkinan homisid dan 20 peratus kemungkinan bunuh diri.

Beliau juga tidak bersetuju dengan pandangan pakar-pakar forensik bahawa Teoh "jatuh dalam keadaan sedar" tetapi sebaliknya menegaskan bahawa mangsa mungkin tidak sedar.

Beliau memberi tiga sebab dalam membuat kesimpulan tersebut, iaitu:

1) Laporan bedah siasat menyatakan mangsa masih hidup ketika jatuh di tanah, tetapi beliau (Dr Pornthip) tidak menemui kecederaan untuk melindungi diri.

2) Beliau menemui luka-luka yang kelihatan berlaku sebelum mangsa jatuh.

3) Kecederaan pada bahagian dada adalah akibat impak awalan.

Beliau memberi keterangan sebagai saksi pakar di inkues tersebut yang diadakan untuk menentukan punca kematian Teoh.

Dr Pornthip adalah pengarah dan pengasas bersama Institut Pusat Sains Forensik Kementerian Keadilan Thailanad dan dianggap pakar dalam siasatan kes-kes pembunuhan yang rumit.

Teoh - setiausaha politik kepada exco Selangor, Ean Yong Hian Wah - ditemui mati selepas memberi keterangan kepada Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) di tingkat 14 Plaza Masalam berhubung dakwaan salahguna wang negeri pada 15 Julai lalu. [Baca berita penuh]

Sementara itu, Bernama melaporkan, Dr Porntip mempunyai 27 tahun pengalaman dalam bidang sains forensik.

Pakar Thai itu tiba di mahkamah pada jam 8.50 pagi. Beliau turut mengadakan tayangan slaid bagi membantu mahkamah memahami keterangannya.

"Dari gambar post-mortem, saya dapati ada kesan lebam di bahagian kanan leher, yang kami (pakar patologi) panggil 'handle bruise', dan kecederaan ini selaras dengan kecederaan disebabkan cekekan," kata Dr Porntip yang telah mengendali lebih 10,000 bedah siasat.

Beliau berkata kecederaan itu tidak dinyatakan dalam laporan autopsi disediakan oleh Dr Khairul Azman dan Dr Prashant, yang telah diberikan kepadanya untuk diperiksa.

"Saya juga dapati kecederaan tusukan di bahagian dubur yang boleh disebabkan perbuatan memasukkan objek dalam bahagian berkenaan. Saya tidak pernah melihat kecederaan seumpama itu dalam kes jatuh dari tempat tinggi," kata beliau, sambil menunjuk kepada gambar-gambar bedah siasat yang dipaparkan pada slaid.

Dr Pornthip berkata beliau juga mendapati kesan melelas di paha bahagian atas Teoh yang mungkin disebabkan disebat.

"Satu lagi kecederaan yang saya temui ialah keretakan tempurung kepala, yang mungkin disebabkan oleh hentakan tumpul yang tepat kepada tempurung kepala sebelum jatuh," kata Dr Porntip, saksi ke-30 di inkues itu.

Beliau berkata kemungkinan Teoh tidak sedarkan diri bila ia jatuh dari tingkat lima, berdasarkan tiadanya kecederaan reaksi pada badan, dan menambah luka-luka kelihatan seperti kecederaan sebelum jatuh, dan kecederaan dada yang teruk adalah akibat impak primari di lantai.

Ditanya oleh peguam Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, bagi pihak kerajaan Selangor, tentang kes melelas di bahagian bawah kasut Teoh, pakar itu berkata: "Kelihatan seperti badannya telah diheret.

"Dalam kes-kes jatuh biasa dari tempat tinggi, kasut tidak meninggalkan kesan melelas seperti ini," jelas beliau.

Ditanya oleh koroner Azmil Muntapha Abas sama ada permukaaan lantai mungkin menyebabkan kesan heretan, Dr Porntip menjawab: "Permukaan keras dan kasar".

"Bagaimanapun, pasukan forensik saya tidak menemui sesuatu yang boleh menyebabkan kesan ini bila mereka memeriksa tingkat 14 (pejabat MACC) pada kali terakhir," katanya.

Source: Malaysiakini. Okt 21, 09 11:43am

The right to leave

2009-10-21T22:37:00.007+08:00

Australian Prime Minister does it again!!

This man should be appointed King of the World. Truer words have never been spoken.

It took a lot of courage for this man to speak what he had to say for the world to hear. The retribution could be phenomenal, but at least he was willing to take a stand on his and Austrilia's beliefs.

Whole world Needs A Leader Like This!

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - Australia

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks..

Separately, Rudd angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.

Quote:

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, WE will find the courage to start speaking and voicing the same truths.

SEKADAR INFO KESELAMATAN UNTUK KELUARGA

2009-10-07T22:45:00.003+08:00

Kepada mereka yang memiliki bayi lelaki atau perempuan, pastikan katil yang dibeli bersesuian dengan peringkat umur.

Seorang ibu mendapati anak kesayangan nya terbujur kaku tidak bernyiawa dengan kepala yang tersepit ditempat tidur. Bayi tersebut didapati gagal untuk melepaskan diri apabila cuba berusaha turun dari tempat tidurnya ketika bangun pagi. Melihat kepada tanda di tempat kejadian, bayi tersebut dipercayai meninggal akibat kekurangan oksigen. Dia tidak dapat membebaskan kepalanya yang tersepit, mulut dan hidungnya tertutup oleh cadar sehingga tangisan nya tidak dapat didengar oleh siapapun sementara kakinya terjuntai kebawah kerana tidak dapat menyentuh lantai. Melihat carikkan pada kain cadar, dapat dibayangkan penderitaan bayi tersebut ketika menghembuskan nafasnya yang terakhir.

Bagi rakan-rakan yang masih mempunyai bayi, diharap lebih berhati hati.
Perhatikan keselamatan mereka setiap waktu kerana ditempat tidurpun kecelakaan boleh berlaku apabila kita tidak mengutamakan keselamatan.

Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue

2009-10-03T12:57:00.005+08:00

INFORMATION EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW

STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters..... S.T.R.

My nurse friend sent this and encouraged me to post it and spread the word.
I agree.

If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.
Seriously..

Please read:

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE:

Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.

THE BEST WAY OF STAYING OUT OF H1N1 TROUBLE

2009-09-03T20:11:00.003+08:00

Unless you are yourself sick, stop using face masks!

RECENTLY, I saw photos in newspapers showing people wearing "surgical masks" at shopping malls, schools, mamak stalls and other public areas. I have even noticed people wearing them out in the open with no one around.

Because of this, I would like to explain why the mask may do more harm than good.
The H1N1 virus is not airborne . To be considered an airborne virus, the microorganism would have to survive or remain in the air for long periods of time. The H1N1 virus does not stay airborne.

I have noticed many people wearing masks in crowded places. However, places like airports, shopping malls and schools are full of germs and bacteria. If a small amount of bacteria gets into a hole in the mask, you will provide a breeding ground for the bacteria, which may lead to an illness or infection. The moisture you produce in your mask is perfect for bacteria and viruses, and may be a recipe for disaster.

The way to prevent exposure to H1N1 virus is to avoid physical contact with people who may be sick or infected. Also avoid commonly touched surfaces like escalator railings, poles and public toilet doorknobs.The H1N1 virus usually spreads when someone touches surfaces with the bacteria and then touches his own nose, eyes or mouth.

Washing your hands frequently is the best defense against exposure.
And yes, the virus may travel from point A to point B in the air. But it will drop, not stay airborne. Wearing a mask is only good at helping you not to spread your illness to others if you are infected.

Source: NST � Letter to Editor on August 7, '09 by Kiang Jau Sang Malacca

ADVISORY FOR CAREGIVERS AND CONTACTS H1N1

2009-08-18T22:28:00.026+08:00

Doctors in the public and private sectors must give immediate treatment to high-risk influenza A(H1N1) patients as most of them apparently died as a result of late treatment. Anti-viral medicines had to be administered to high-risk patients including those with heart ailments, diabetes and asthma and having fever for more than two days.

If you feel that you have influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and you have other sickness, we advise you to go for an anti-viral treatment. Do not wait for the H1N1 test results. Influenza A (H1N1) or swine flu claimed two more casualties - a seven-year-old baby boy and a 74-year-old woman - bringing the death toll to 64.

As we are now entering the wet season, monitoring has to be intensified especially on small children, who easily catch cold that could be infected with H1N1.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Please Click photo to enlarge image.

Are you a Contact?
Close contact with someone with Influenza-like illness (ILI) may expose you to the Influenza A
(H1N1-2009) virus.

You may also be a contact if you are caring for someone with ILI.

The infected person is infectious 24 hours before the infected person’s symptoms appear and continues throughout the period that he/she is ill.

Exposure can take place anywhere - at school, work, and even at home.

What should you do if either you or your child is a contact?

Avoid further close contact with the person who is ill to reduce the chance of being infected.

Monitor your health and watch out for these flu-like symptoms:

• FEVER • SORE THROAT • COUGH • BODY ACHE • RUNNY NOSE • HEADACHE • TIREDNESS

Children who are contacts should refrain from playing with other children outside or inside your home as children may continue playing even when they start having flu-like symptoms and this would put other children at risk.

If you or your child belong to any of the high-risk groups below, you should be extra vigilant and monitor the health of both you and your child closely. High-risk groups are:

• Children <>What should you do if either you or your child is unwell?

If you or your child has any symptoms of ILI, wear a surgical mask and see a doctor
immediately:

a) Pregnant women, patients undergoing cancer treatment or dialysis should consult
their primary specialist.
b) All other persons should go to a Pandemic Preparedness Clinic (PPC), polyclinic or
their primary care doctor.

What additional precautions should Household contacts take?

Observe good personal hygiene. Clean your hands with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand rub) frequently, including after every contact with the infected person.

Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or have a
dedicated cloth towel for each person in the household.

If you need to communicate with the ill person, ensure that both you and the infected person wear surgical masks and remain at a distance of at least two metres from one another. Dispose used mask in a plastic bag, tie it up and throw it into a covered rubbish bin. After taking off your mask, clean your hands with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand rub).

Avoid having meals together with the ill person as masks would have to be removed during meals.

Maintain good ventilation at home, such as keeping windows open in toilets, rooms and the kitchen.

What else should you take note of if you are a caregiver of a person with ILI?

Have only one adult caregiver for the ill person. If you are in a high-risk group, avoid being the caregiver and make alternative arrangements.

When attending to the ill person, wear a surgical mask at all times. Clean your hands with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand rub) after touching the ill person, their used tissues or laundry.

Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have the flu. This can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.

What precautions should you take for household cleaning, laundry & waste disposal?

• Tissue papers and other disposable items that have been used by the infected person should be thrown in the dustbin. Wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub after disposing those items.
• Surfaces soiled with sputum, phlegm, nose discharge or vomit should be washed or wiped with 1:50 diluted household bleach (1 part of bleach to 50 parts of water) immediately. Metallic surfaces can be cleaned with 70% alcohol.
• Bed sheets, towels, eating utensils and dishes used by the infected person do not need to be washed separately, but they should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
• Bed sheets and towels can be washed using household fabric washing powder in the
washing machine on hot setting.
• Do not carry dirty laundry by ‘hugging’ to avoid contaminating yourself.
• Eating utensils should also be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

Emergency warning signs in adults

Breathlessness or chest pain.

Purple or blue discolouration of the lips

Severe and persistent vomiting

Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing and absence of urination

Seizures (fits)

Being less responsive than normal, drowsy or confused

Lack of tears when crying

Poor feeding

Emergency warning signs in children

All the warning signs listed above, plus:

Monitor your condition. If your symptoms worsen and you develop any of the above
emergency warning signs, call 995 immediately for an ambulance to transport you to the nearest hospital for treatment.

For more information, please call HealthLine at 1800 223 1313, visit www.moh.gov.sg or www.hpb.gov.sg

Do you have any idea about the dangers of shopping carts?!

2009-07-03T20:32:00.030+08:00

Shopping Carts

Shopping carts are considered one of the most important tools for shopping in supermarkets. It helps you buy all your household, including your personal supplies, and to transfer those purchases throughout the store and car parking space.

But do you have any idea about the dangers of shopping carts?!

A study conducted in South Korea showed unexpected results about the public tools that cause contamination and transfer of bacteria. The study, conducted by the Korean Consumer Protection Board, found that handles of shopping carts in stores are the most polluted with bacteria among the objects that are frequently traded among people, and handles of public toilets are not as bad as expected.

Studies that have been conducted proved that there are 1 million germs on just one shopping cart handle.

Researchers stress that shopping carts handles are one of the most contaminated public surfaces, even dirtier than most public restrooms. The reason? Public restrooms are cleaned and disinfected regularly, but shopping carts are not. In fact, most stores clean their shopping carts only a couple of times each year.

Many consumers don’t realize the degree to which shopping carts have been exposed to bacteria and germs via sources such as meat or poultry, children while sitting in the carts and other consumers’ illnesses.

Did you know that shopping cart handles can harbor ten times more germs than almost anything else you touch during the day? Swabs taken from shopping cart handles have shown germs, viruses, bacteria and body fluids on these plastic handles.

In the meantime, with everyone touching the cart handles and babies being put into the seats, the typical shopping cart is continuously being contaminated and accumulating a startling range of germs and viruses.

To protect your self and baby from getting germs:

– Wash your hands upon completion of shopping, especially your child’s hand if he was put on the chair of shopping cart.
– Use anti-bacterial wipes to clean and disinfect the carts’ handles.

Greetings from,
Health Control Section Public Health and Safety Department

North Borneo Coins and Token

2009-06-18T16:45:00.005+08:00

COINS OF NORTH BORNEO

North Borneo was a former British colony that is now part of Malaysia. It had its own coins until World War II. The coins include the 1 and 5 Cent, both struck in copper-nickel. One side of the coin shows the denomination. The other side shows the countries arms which include two natives (one with a very large sword) upholding a shield that shows a lion and a ship. The coins were struck at the Heaton Mint in Birmingham, England and will date from the mid 1930's until 1941.

RARE PLANTATION TOKEN FROM BRITISH NORTH BORNEO

Little is known about this rare plantation token from British North Borneo, (now known as Sabah). One side has the legend "N.L.B.T.C.L. ESTATE SHOP / 1 CENT" the other side has the Chinese characters for "One Cent In Exchange". The brass piece is 24mm in diameter and has a center hole. It is believed to have been issued by the New London Boreno Tobacco Company Ltd. in the late 1800's or early 1900's. It was used to pay workers - and was redeemable at the company store. Because of abuses by plantation owners, the use of plantation tokens in British Borneo was outlawed in 1920. The coin grades Fine, however it is slightly corroded from being in a tropical environment.

This is beautiful! Try not to cry.

2009-04-30T21:23:00.004+08:00

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?'
The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.'

Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?'

The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.' Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.'

Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep. It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said :

, 'Dear Mom

I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You' . I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.

Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you.

God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'where was He when I needed him?' 'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper.. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore the cancer is all gone.. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.

( Let's see Satan stop this one. ) Take 60 seconds and repost this, within the hour, you will have caused a multitude of believers to pray to God for each other. Then sit back and feel the Holy Spirit work in your life for doing what you know God loves 'When you're down to nothing, God is up to something.'

Maid abuse child

2009-04-22T23:18:00.016+08:00

Bagi ibu bapa yang bekerja sepenuh masa, sudah tentu mengharapkan agar pembantu rumah dapat menjaga anak anak dengan baik. Walau bagaimana pun tidak semua pembantu rumah dapat memberi khidmat seperti yang diharapkan. Kesilapan dan kesalahan kecil yang mereka lakukan mungkin boleh dimaafkan tetapi bagaimana pula jika kesalahan yang dilakukan itu sampai ke tahap yang membawa kecederaan anak kesayangan kita seperti yang dipaparkan dalam klip video dibawah. Kes ini telah berlaku di Singapore.

Maid abuse child -Singapore

Andaikan sikecil yang diperlakukan seperti bola itu adalah anak anda, apa yang anda lakukan terhadap pembantu ini? Apakah anda memaafkan dan melepaskan begitu sahaja? Layak kah mereka digelar manusia sedangkan perilakunya tak ubah seperti binatang buas?

Kepada mereka yang ingin menggaji pembantu rumah, kena berhati hati ketika memilih. Beri tempoh percubaan secukupnya , pantau prestasi kerja dan kelakuan sebelum menggaji dan menyerahkan tanggungjawab penjagaan anak sepenuhnya. Jangan sampai kejadian seperti diatas berlaku kepada anak anda. Saya percaya tidak semuah pembantu bersikap demikian kerana masih ramai juga yang baik dan penyayang terhadap kanak kanak.

Kita juga pernah mendengar kejadian majikan mendera pembantu seperti yang heboh diperkatakan baru baru ini. Bagi saya, majikan ini juga tak ubah seperti pembantu di atas. Apa penyebab sebenarnya yang mendorong mereka bertindak sedemikian rupa? Mungkin kah kerana stress, pengalaman masa lampau, mental yang tidak waras. Apakah perkara ini juga ada hubung kait dengan agen yang hanya tahu mencari untung dan mengabaikan quality pembantu yang mereka bekalkan. Bagaimana pula di pehak berwajib yang meluluskan lessen agen agen yang berkenaan?

Bagaimana pendapat anda?

Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club Tour of Borneo. February 25 – March 16 2005

2009-03-21T22:06:00.008+08:00

Kunjungan Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club ke Kota Kinabalu, Sabah empat tahun yang lalu, sedikit sebanyak telah memberi kenangan yang sukar di lupakan. Saya adalah antara pengunjung yang tidak melepaskan peluang untuk melihat sendiri kereta yang di bina pada tahun 1912. Istimewa nya ialah keseluruhan kereta yang di kategorikan antic ini masih bergerak di jalan raya.

Larry T. S. Lim, pemilik kereta 1926 Connaught Tourer 20hp telah mewakili Malaysia dalam Tour Of Borneo 2005. Saya rasa ini adalah kereta yang tertua di Malaysia.

Berikut adalah photo yang sempat saya rakamkan untuk tatapan pengunjung blog ini.

1912 Silver Ghost Tourer.
Reg No. SV 8316.
Chassis No. No.2142.
Owner: Howard Philip.

Chassis 2142 was completed in 1912 and delivered to the Coachbuilder Maythorn and Sons early in 1913. it was destined for Australia for William Adams, the first owner. In the late eighties, the car was acquired by Peter Wilkie who then engaged Dubois and Company to undertake a full restoration including the construction of new Braker style body. In 1997, the vehicle was purchased by Andrew Barnes and used by him at various club events in Australia. Early in 2000, the car was sent to UK to be sold and in June that same year, Howard and Jackie become the new owners.

My kids photograph with the car owner.
Photo by CJK.
Event: Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club. Tour Of Borneo 2005.
Location: Sutera Harbour Marina & Country Club, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Since that time, 2142 has taken part in the 2001 Tour of Malaysia as well as the first two legs of the 2004 Centennial World Rally in New Zealand and Australia, where over 4000 miles were covered. 2142 has also participated in the 2004 R-R.E.C Euro Rally to Madrid where she was awarded first in Elegance. In addition, 2142 was awarded first in class at both the Australian and UK National Concours events.

1926 Silver Ghost Stratford Coupe.
Reg No. AB 4256. Chassis No. S 348 RL.
Owner: Albert Eberhard.

This car is one of the last Silver Ghosts to be built at Springfield. Brewester made a total of six Stratford coupes and this is one of only two known to have survived. S348RL was totally restored by Frank Cooke of Massachusetts in the 1980s, and has eon several award. At the R-R.o.c of America Michigan Meeting in 1990 it scored 99 ½ points out of 100.

1926 Silver Ghost Stratford Coupe.

The car is now resident in Portugal and in the hands of Albert and Monique Eberhard has participated in several local events. It took part in the 1999 “Jewel that is Jordan” tour and also taken part in Ghost only events in Austria (alpine Celebrations) and in the US driving from coast to coast covering 6000 kilometers in less than four weeks.

1926 Connaught Tourer 20hp.
Reg No. ST 1111.
Chassis No. GZK 20.
Owner: Larry T. S. Lim.

The Rolls-Royce 20 hp proved a popular model, with 2,912 being built between 1922 and 1929. Most had horizontal shutters, but these changed to vertical type in 1928. Connaught Coachbuilders built three lightweight open Tourers on the 20hp chassis, of which GZK20 is one. This original and complete car including the engine was found by the present owner in Bruas Estate, Perak, Malaysia in 1981. a total restorations was completed in may 1983.

1926 Connaught Tourer 20hp.

This open Tourer was ordered by Malayan Motors and delivered to Kajang Rubber Estate, Selangor for J. Hands Esq., on the 25th June 1926 having been shipped on the Steamship Glenogle. It has remained in this part of the world since new.

On the very auspicious occasion to commemorate the official opening of Penang Bridge in September 1985, this car led a procession of cars traveling from Singapore. Since then it has participated in many outings, including the very successful “Tour of Malaysia” in 2001.

1927 20hp 3.4 Doctors Coupe.
Reg No. KO 5002.
Chassis No. GRJ47.
Owner: Michael Osborn.

Chassis No. GRJ47 was ordered from Rootes Ltd. Piccadilly, London on 22nd April 1927. The Purchaser was Mr. Reginald Tilling, a family member of the South London Omnibus Operators, Thomas Tilling & Sons. At first Mr. Tilling required a Weyman bodied saloon by Windovers and this was ordered, however he changed his mind and Harrisons were instructed to build a ¾ drophead Doctor’s Coupe with dickey seat. This body is on the car today and is the only known Harrison 20HP drophead.

The car remained in tilling’s ownership, as far as is known until 1947 when it was purchased by Col.L.F. Messel. In 1958 GRJ47 was exported to U.S.A where it had three owners. In 1996 M.E. Osborn purchased the car and repatriated it to the U.K. Considerable mechanical work has been carried out on the car since, including re-boring the engine and the removal of chromium plating applied during its stay in the U.S.A. GRJ47 has participated in several overseas rallies including the R-R.E.C. Tour of Jordan in 1999 and the Tour of Malaysia in 2001.

1931 Bentley 8 Liter.
Reg No. LXA 320.
Chassis No. YX 5125.
Owner: Etieene Veen.

During the 1950s and 60s, this 8 Liter was well known as one of the fastest and best looking vintage Bentleys active in the Bentley Drivers’ Club. The car has been driven at speeds in excess of 120 mph and until 1984, the car had covered only 34,000 miles.

LXA 230 was imported into the United States in good un restored condition and embarked upon a complete nut and bolt restoration in 1989 that was not finished until 1994. This restoration was meticulous in every detail and took around 5,000 hours to complete.

As a result the 8 Liter has won numerous awards including a First Class at the 1995 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance events all round the world as it must ranked as one of the prettiest and fastest 8 Liters ever produced.

1931 20/25 Four Light Saloon.
Reg No. OU3567.
Chassis No. GFT 51.
Owner: Alan Hay.

Mrs. Kino, who lived in Brockenhurst in the New Forest, owned GFT 51, for 40 years. Sold in 1971, GFT 51 had three further owners until bought by the present owner nine years ago. Judging from the original sales document, her mechanicals are all original, but the interior was refurbished during the 1970s and repainted at that time. Many of the 130,000 miles covered have been during the current ownership on rallies to France, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic.

1934 Bentlely Le Mans Special.
Reg No. AXX 224.
Chassis No. GNC 5.
Owner: Brian Woodford.

Roll-Royce/Bentley AXX 224 was constructed in the style of the Le Mans cars which were so successful in the event of that name between 1927 – 1930 the glory days of the marque. The car was assembled by Bob Petersen Engineering, around a 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 chassis and powered by a Rolls-Royce 81 engine.

Whilst this car cannot be described as an original vintage Bentley, it does give the opportunity to enjoy a car which provides the pleasure of driving a Le Mans Style vehicle which is reliable and at an acquisition cost within reach. The car has already been rallied in UK and several awards.

1934_ 20.25 Drop Head Coupe.
Reg No. FPD 328.
Chassis No.GKC 38.
Owner: Roland Sleebus.

This car was originally delivered to a Ronald Jeans Esq., of Southwold, Suffolk in July 1934. It spent the next ten years between Suffolk and London, before being sold by Jack Barclay to Spectator Sports Ltd., in 1948. There is a large gap in the records until 1991, when it was sold to Meneer de Betzenbroek in Belgium, and then to the present owner in January 1996.

1935_Bentley 3.5 Liter Tourer.
Reg No. KFJ 492.
Chassis No. B79EJA.
Owner: Kjell Anderson.

This 3.5 liter Bentley is the first example of the “Silent Sports car” after Rolls-Royce acquired the Bentley Company in 1931.

1935_Bentley 3.5 Liter Tourer.

The car came to Sweden in 1978 and was purchased by the present owner in 2000. The car participated in the Tour of Malaysia in 2001.

1936 Bentley 4 1.4 Pillarless Saloon.
Reg No. AQL 58D.
Chassis No. B 201HM.
Owner: Mal Henderesen.

The present owner acquired this Bentley Pillarless Saloon by Gurney Nutting in November in November 2000, almost sixty-four years after its initial delivery in the U.K. The car came to Australia in the late 1980’s and two previous Australian owners. The car has its original body but has been repainted. The engine has been totally rebuilt.

1936 Bentley 4 1.4 Pillarless Saloon.

The owners have toured with the car in Australia and took it to the U.K. to participate in the 2004 Centennial Tour.

1951 Bentley MK Vl Standard Saloon.
Reg No. NSB 243.
Chassis No. B.329.MB.
Owner: Adrian Dance.

The Mark VI Bentley was, in its day a fast sport saloon which appealed to the owner/driver. NSB 243 has covered 183,000 miles. Perhaps its most remarkable feature is that it is in original condition and has never been subject to any major restoration.

Its condition is a reflection of the loving care bestowed by the three previous owner, one of whom war Ruary MacKenzie-Dodds a world expert on dragonflies: he sacrificed ownership of the Bentley so that he could give all his time and resources to founding Great Britain’s only Dragonfly Sanctuary.

1955 Bentley R Type Saloon.
Reg No. 333 EHX.
Chassis No. B32X.
Owner: Rosemary Lintott.

This car was one of the last of the R-Types, the chassis being delivered to James Young of Bromley in August 1954. The body was designed by the chief Designer, Ken McNeill and is believed to be one of six ‘R’ types with the razor-edged style of coachwork produced by this company.

The car was built to the order of Captain Conrad Schermuck who took delivery of it in the spring of 1955 and owned it until 1962. Subsequently it had three owner until it was placed in store in 1971 and remained there for twenty years. There is little record of the following ten years apart from the fact that a motor mechanic, with considerable experience of the marque resurrected it.

The present owner purchased the car in January 2003 and has rallied in Jordan.

1956 Bentley S-Series 2-Door Sport Saloon.
Reg No. 1 SHS.
Chassis No. BC 71AF.
Owner: Issam Shammas.

This car was purchased by the present owner from Peter Fischer Motors in 1989 and underwent a complete restoration. In 1995 it’s was re-upholstered by Robert Betteridge.

The unusual aspect of the car really on the inside – it has power steering, air-conditioning, steering-wheel mounted indicators, picnic tables, good luggage space where the back seat is and deep sofa comfort seats.

The car is consistently in use as a family car, hence the picnic tables which came in very useful for the children’s sports days and speech days.

The car has entered the Louis Vuitton Concours d’elegance at the Hurlingham Club in London an has rallied in Jordan.

1959 Bentley S-Series Coninental Sport Saloon.
Reg No. B 150.
Chassis No. BC 48 FM.
Owner: Paul Bourgeois.

BC 48FM carries a very rare and elegant example of James Young designed craftsmanship. Only twenty of this lovely 4 door style were ever produced of which twelve were right hand drive.

This car is probably the most well cared for original example that is in existence, as the engine bay and interior mill confirm.

The present owner acquired the vehicle five years ago and has rallied this car on numerous occasions, both in the U.K. and Europe. It has covered 135,000 miles since new and has a comprehensive history file spanning its life since restoration.

1964 Silver Cloud lll Fixed Head coupe.
Reg No. DXC 234B.
Chassis No. 303 C.
Owner: Francis Lambert.

This car has had a remarkably chequered history. Amongst its ten owners have been a fitted kitchen king, a property tycoon, a garage proprietor, a Nigerian collector and an Irish double-glazing supplier. It has also passed through ‘the trade’ no less than seven times.

The lamberts have now owned it for ten years during which time Healey Brothers have substantially restored it and maintained by P&A Wood. It has now completed 219,000 miles with only routine maintenance on the engine.

1973 Cilver Shadow Standard Saloon.
Reg No. RH8647.
Chassis No. SRH15420.
Owner: Reginald Hardman.

This car spent many years of her life on the island of Guerney where she belonged to a diplomat and covered to England and became a member of the Hardman family and was christened Polly!

Since then they have driven her in UK and abroad on many car rallies visiting France, Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Greece mainland, Crete and Malaysia covering a further 22,000 miles. Polly is completely original and is in concourse condition.

1977 Corniche Drophead Coupe.
Reg No. SFO683.
Chassis No. DRH 30022.
Owner: Tom Bevington.

This Corniche is in very good condition and has been completely rewired and had other restoration work carried out. The car is well maintained and presented.

1998 Bentley Brookland R Saloon.
Reg No. 8118 ET.
Chassis No. WCH 66827.
Owner: Ellic Thompson.

The car is number 31 of a limited edition of 100 cars made at the factory was taken over. The present owner purchased it new in 1998. The cars were sold with various modifications from the standard Bentleys of the time. This particular car had a works upgrade to 380 bhp.

The car has covered 20,000 miles, some of which were in Jordan during the rally in 1999.

1998 Silver Seraph Standard Saloon.
Reg No. L 4 UNG.
Chassis No. CHO 1302.
Owner: Norman Yung.

The Silver Seraph was the last edition of a standard Rolls-Royce manufactured in the period 1998 to about 2002. The car has a V 12 engine supplied by BMW, which is very powerful, silent and environmentally friendly.

The car was purchased by the present owner in 1998 and has been used frequently in rallies and participated in the Centennial Rally of New Zealand and of Great Britain in 2004. The car has only covered 16,000 miles.

1999 Bentley Azure Drop Head Coupe.
Reg No. T 7 LUU.
Chassis No. XCH 61825.
Owner: Brett Langevad.

The present owner purchased the car in January 2002. It had a series of owners since new, each owning the car for one year’s summer of fun.

Since purchase the engine has been upgraded to the latest power and torque specifications and added various Milliner type accessories. The car has won several first in class awards at Concours events.

The car is used extensively in the summer touring Europe, visiting the South of France, Switzerland and France. It regularly went to attend the 24 Hour Le Mans race when Bentley were participating.

The present owner was a MAS Captain flying over Borneo and is now delighted to have the opportunity to drive over the country.

2001 Bentley Arnage Red Lable Standard Saloon.
Reg No. A 8 JAL.
Chassis No. CHO 6290.
Owner: Anthony Leach.

The car was first registered in the Spring of 2001 and bought by the present owner at the start of 2003. The previous owner an Italian Count, living in London, had covered only seven thousand miles in the car.

It is a standard production model having a 6.75 liter V8 engine with a single turbo charger producing some 400 brake horsepower. The car has a few extras including a Tracker Device, which only came to light when the Police visit my house after being informed wrongly that the car had been stolen.

2002 Bentley Arnarge T.
Reg No. NT52 NJT.
Chassis No. SCBLF34FX3CH9202.
Owner: Nicholas Thake.

This car was specially commissioned at Crewe by the present owner.

2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon.
Reg No. SDS333 S.
Chassis No. SCAIS68025UH00179.
Owner: Eri Heilijgers.

This Phantom was kindly provided for this event by the Asia Pacific office of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited and their local dealer partner, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Singapore, a subsidiary of the Eurokars Group of Companies.

Inspired in many ways by the legendary Derby Phantoms of the 1920s and 1930s, the new Phantom built in Goodwood, West Sussex, is unique in today’s automotive industry. The phantom’s custom-developed aluminum spaceframe and coachdoors, manifest a ‘fit-for-purpose’ vehicle architecture not seen since the days of traditional coachbuilding.

In the tradition of grand open touring cars, a new two-door, four-scater convertible is expected to be launched by Roll-Royce in 2007, with the same 6.75-liter, V12 engine as in the Phantom. The design will closely resemble the styling of the 100EX Centenary Experimental Car, which was unveiled in 2004.

Event Location Map.
Sutera Harbour Marina & Country Club, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Banyak lagi yang tidak dapat di muatkan disini tetapi harapan saya semoga pengunjung boleh mendapat sedikit sebanyak informasi yang berguna. Pos yang akan datang, saya akan muatkan pula kereta antik yang ada di Sabah.

Wajah Gorilla di atas Gunung Kinabalu

2009-02-08T21:09:00.000+08:00

Semua orang tahu bahawa Gunung Kinabalu adalah gunung yang tertinggi di asia tenggara iaitu 4095 meter atau 13,435 kaki dari bawa paras laut. Gunung ini juga dipercayai masih bertambah ketinggian nya iaitu 5 mm atau 1/4 inci se tahun. Pada masa dahulu masyarakat Dusun percaya bahawa Gunung Kinabalu adalah tempat bersemadi bagi roh nenek moyang mereka. Sehingga kehari ini bobolian Dusun masih lagi mengadakan upacara mosubak (pemujaan) di kaki gunung setiap tahun.

Gambar atas:
Gunung Kinabalu dengan ketinggian 4095 meter atau 13,435 kaki dari bawa paras laut.

Sedikit masa dahulu ketika saya dan keluarga pergi bercuti ke kundasang, saya telah merakamkan video ke arah Gunung Kinabalu dari tempat penginapan (perkasa Hotel) pada sebelah pagi. Ketika asyik mengambil video ke arah puncak, saya terlihat satu objek yang mendorong saya untuk membuat pemerhatian dengan lebih dekat. Setelah menekan butang Zoom, baru lah objek tersebut kelihatan jelas. Ternyata objek itu benar-benar menyerupai kepala gorilla. Lihat Gambar dibawah dan gambar seterusnya.

Gambar atas yang dibulatkan adalah objek yang menarik perhatian saya.

Ini pula gambar yang diambil dengan menggunakan zooming.

Objek selepas diambil lebih dekat memperlihatkan kepala Gorilla dengan lebih jelas.

Yang ini diambil dari posisi yang berlainan.

Objek ini hanya boleh dilihat dari arah Perkasa Hotel pada waktu pagi, bergantung kepada keadaan cuaca dan arah sinaran matahari. Jika anda bernasib baik, anda boleh melihat nya dengan menggunakan kemera atau Video dan mempunyai zoom yang tinggi.

Wow… buah apakah ini?

2009-02-03T12:13:00.000+08:00

Ahad lalu, saya berkunjung ke tamu Gaya Street Kota Kinabalu dan selalunya perhatian saya akan tertumpu pada gerai jualan kraftangan, hard ware, sayuran kampung, Haiwan peliharaan dan benih atau bibit buah-buahan. Ketika berada di gerai benih/bibit buah-buahan, saya terpaku seketika apabila melihat photo yang diletak dibawah bibit pokok limau dimana photo tersebut sama seperti yang pernah saya lihat melalui email yang dikatakan buah aneh.

Perasaan ingin tahu telah mendorong saya untuk bertanya dengan empunya gerai. Menurut tauke gerai, ia adalah sejenis limau yang dikenali di China sebagai Buddha's Hand citron (limau tangan buddah) dan kaya dengan khasiat untuk perubatan. Sekembali di rumah, saya cuba mencari di internet dan menemui berbagai maklumat yang berguna mengenai buah ini.

Buddha's Hand, Buddha's Hand citron, atau Fingered citron (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylus) sebenarnya telah dikenali berabad melalui Asia. Menurut Julia F. Morton, penulis buku Fruits of Warm Climates, buah ini dikenali dengan nama fu shou di China, bushukon di Japan, limau jari, jeruk tangan dan limau kerat lingtang di Malaysia, djerook tangan di Indonesia, som-mu di Thailand dan phât thu di Vietnam. Dalam bahasa English, ia lebih dikenali sebagai Buddha's Hand.

Limau ini mempunyai aroma lemon yang tinggi, sesuai untuk dijadikan perisa makanan, minuman malah untuk dijadikan perfume. Di negara Jepun dan China, buah ini sering digantung di dalam rumah sebagai haruman semulajadi. Di kuil, Ianya diguna sebagai persembahan di atas altar.

Hangar One Vodka "Buddha's Hand" Citron 750ml

Ini adalah produk yang diperbuat daripada “Buddha's Hand” mempunyai aroma yang terbaik. Di china ianya digantung atau diletak dirumah sebagai pewangi.

8 February 2009, Ahad.

Kembali lagi disini untuk update berkenaan topik diatas.

Kali ini saya ingin kongsikan photo buah dan bibit Buddha's Hand citron yang saya perolehi di tamu Gaya Street pagi tadi. Buah dalam photo dibawah ini adalah sample yang saya ambil menggunakan kamera hand phone. Ia kelihatan agak berlainan daripada photo yang ada di atas dimana jejari nya agak tersorok ke bahagian dalam. Walau bagaimana pun, mengikut tokey yang menjual nya, buah ini agak terbantut disebabkan pokok Buddha's Hand citron itu masih berada didalam bayung.

Harga satu bayung Buddha's Hand citron di Gaya Street adalah RM20.00 bagi pokok yang belum berbuah manakala pokok yang sedang berbuah pula agak mahal iaitu hampir mencecah RM50.00 mengikut saiz pokok. Buat masa ini, Buddha's Hand citron belum lagi dikenali ramai di negeri Sabah. Mungkin suatu hari nanti ia akan diminati ramai selepas mengetahui keistimewaan buah Buddha's Hand citron .

Things you shouldn't find in your garden !!

2009-01-20T22:27:00.000+08:00

Untuk memulakan posting di blog yang tak seberapa ini, Disebalik Lensa Kamera ingin kongsikan photo yang boleh dikatakan Pelik tapi benar.

Jika sebelum ini anda pernah melihat atau mendengar bayi menyerupai binatang, pernah kah anda melihat buah yang menyerupai tubuh dan aggota manusia? Jika difikirkan, ianya agak mustahil terjadi tetapi mungkin ini lah yang dikatakan kuasa tuhan.

Berikut adalah photo yang telah di emailkan oleh kawan untuk tatapan kita bersama.

Sejenis Ubi yang menyerupai dua tubuh manusia dan Lobak yang menyerupai tapak tangan.

Ubi Rambat menyerupai janin dan alat sulit lelaki.

Yang ini pula ialah Lada dan buah Pear yang juga menyerupai alat sulit lelaki dan perempuan.