What inside Latham new book

[Books]

More political fallout is expected following the release of a book chronicling the tumultuous 13 month reign of Mark Latham as federal Labor leader.

Mr Latham's controversial biography - Loner: Inside a Labor Tragedy - was launched on Wednesday by Senator John Faulkner, who said he didn't enjoy it, but only because he found the content depressing.

Senator Faulkner quit as Labor Senate leader from the opposition frontbench following Labor's crushing election defeat in October last year.

In his first comments on the ALP since resigning due to health problems in January, Mr Latham says the Labor Party is beyond repair, having become a machine political operation.

Mr Latham attacks current leader Kim Beazley and those in the Labor Party who sought to bring him down following the election loss.

He also serves it up to some state premiers, describing Bob Carr, Peter Beattie and Geoff Gallop as "A-grade arseholes".

Opposition industrial relations spokesman Stephen Smith said he profoundly disagreed with Mr Latham's analysis of the party and Mr Beazley's leadership.

Senior union official Bill Shorten labelled it an act of selfishness.

But Tasmanian MP Harry Quick leapt to the defence of his former leader, saying he understood why Mr Latham was so disappointed with some members of his old party.

A gleeful Treasurer Peter Costello tipped the book to be a hit.

Related Links:

The Loner: Inside a Labor Tragedy - Allen & Unwin

Carr flicks off Latham insult

Latham book set to dump on Labor

What in this song

[Books]

Song: Angguk-angguk Geleng-geleng
Album: Hari Ini Dalam Sejarah by Ahli Fiqir

Angguk-angguk, geleng-geleng
tunduk-tunduk, ikut tunjuk
Iya iya
Saya saya
Kiri kanan
Ikut saja

kita tunduk pabila diketuk
biarkan terhantuk tak usah dipujuk
relakan dipatuk, ingat pesan atuk
sabar sabar sabar sabar!

Tak apa
tak kisah
tak rugi
tak mati
tak ambil peduli

Berserah dan pasrah
biar dada didabik
adat pasang turun naik
Didera dijajah kita terus dipenjara

Jadi hamba
jadi kuli
jadi batu diam diri

Kita tunggu
kita lihat
kita nanti
kita perhati

Jangan merungut biar bertangguh
Diam akur kita mesti patuh
Acuh tak acuh, endah tak endah

Buat lawak bodoh selamba
Biar kita melopong
Biar kita ternganga
Biar mereka buat apa mereka suka
biar saja

Jangan melawan jangan membantah
Janganlah degil kena ikut perintah
Kena banyak diam biar orang kata
Kita tawa dalam duka

Kecut takut kalut kolot terkunci
Mulut terkatup tertutup
Kalah sabung menang sorak
Senduk nasi tinggal kerak

(Dik mari dik..
yea kak..
nama adik sape ..
MIA
Adik tahu nyanyi tak?
Tahu
Ah mari ikut kakak nyanyi sama-sama)

Tolak tambah kali ganda
Hitung kira skala nisbah
Maju mundur tinggi rendah
Berapa jumlah nilai bangsa

(Kak,sekupang ke, dua kupang ke tiga kupang? )

Sawah sebendang ladang sebidang
Tanah sekangkang pohon sebatang
Kerana wang semua hilang
Yang tinggal hanya sehelai sepinggang
Yang jenin yang lebai yang pandir yang luncai
Yang angannya tinggi
Yang dibuai mimpi
Yang sawah terjual maruah tergadai

What a typically attitude right, hopefully thy'll open their eyes [and minds]... But I'm not so optimist on that. Because yang Jenin, yang Lebai, yang Pandir, yang Luncai is a common character. You'll easily find it here and there. Old habits die hard right... Erm.

Good job mate... keep on rap with attitude, rap with something [useful] else to think about. Not just angguk-angguk, geleng-geleng jer.

What money can buy

[My Malaysiana]

One of my cyber friends, send me this such a meaningful "nice jpeg file" after he read my earlier post.

Thanks a lot mate... hopefully that not refer to your other email add OK. [don't wanna make FREE advertising for you, Hehehe].

After all what money can buy and what can't... depends on you right, the way how and what you buy. How you spend it and valued something around you, just IMHO.

Cheerio.

When Jordan axes Saddam's new novel

[Books]

AMMAN - Jordan has banned Saddam Hussein's new novel on the grounds the tale of an Arab tribesman who defeats a foreign intruder could hurt relations between the two countries, censors and the publisher said Sunday.

"Get out of here, curse you!," believed to have been penned by the ousted Iraqi leader before the U.S.-led war, was set to be released in Jordan and other Arab countries Thursday by a Jordanian company with the permission of Saddam's family.

"Publishing this novel will harm the Iraqi-Jordanian relationship and we are keen to have the best relations with Iraq. Jordan will not approve its publication. If they want to publish it they have to do it abroad," Ahmad al-Qudah, head of the government's Press and Publication Department, told Reuters.

The publisher said he had printed 10,000 copies for distribution in Jordan and other Arab countries, including Iraq, after winning initial permission. He said censors changed their mind after a local newspaper reported the upcoming launch.

"They gave us the okay from day one, but with all this publicity the censors called and told us to stop everything," the publisher told Reuters, asking his name and his company not be printed for fear of government reprisals.

"I will change the cover and publish it abroad. This book is going to be published in the Arab world, I tell you that."

Under Jordanian law, the department has authority to censor books published in Jordan, a close U.S. ally.

Relations between Jordan and Iraq were strained after reports that a Jordanian was behind a suicide bombing which killed 125 people south of Baghdad in February, prompting Iraqi protesters to break into the embassy. The two countries briefly recalled their envoys over the incident.

The publisher said Saddam's daughter Raghad, who lives in Amman, had given him permission to publish the book, in which the daughter writes a dedication to her jailed father.

A copy of the book was stored in Baghdad's Information Ministry ready for publication when the war broke out in 2003.

SADDAM THE AUTHOR

Saddam, facing war crime charges, was credited with writing other books including "Zabiba and the King" - later made into a musical - and "Men and a City".

Following his overthrow, however, Iraqi writers and intellectuals said Saddam did not write the books himself but got a committee to do it for him.

His latest book tells the story of Salem, a noble Arab tribesman who represents righteousness and Arab nationalism, and defeats his American and Jewish enemies. Illegal copies of the book have circulated in Amman.

The tale describes how Salem unites divided Arab tribes in Iraq to defeat Hisquel, a foreign intruder who represents evil.

A publisher for a London-based publishing house who was offered the rights to print an English translation by the Jordanian publisher said they turned it down.

"We read it but thought it had very little literary value," Hesperus Press publisher Alessandro Gallenzi told Reuters from London.

"We publish classics. I'm afraid this one does not make it." Reuters

Where's Mr Wood IV

[My Australasia]

Wood faces losing eyesight

Freed Aussie hostage Douglas Wood has made his last public appearance before undergoing specialist medical treatment to ensure he does not lose his eyesight to glaucoma.

The engineer was freed nearly two weeks ago after being held captive by Iraqi insurgents for 47 days.

Mr Wood was deprived of drugs for his rheumatoid arthritis during his captivity and is now suffering side effects from returning to the medication.

Asked if his eyesight was in jeopardy, Mr Wood said: "It may be. I think however bad I am now they can stop.

"It may not be a major issue, it might be a minor issue."

As for his mental health, Mr Wood said he did not believe he was experiencing any sort of post-traumatic shock and was not undergoing any formal counselling.

Mr Wood also revealed he had lost $2 million in contracts in Iraq by leaving the country, where he was working on construction projects.

But he has ruled out a return to the country, saying it would not be fair on his family.

"I lost more than $2 million in contracts just walking in and because of the pain and anguish that my family went through when I was in there, and the efforts that you the people of Australia went through, and the taxpayers and the Government, I can't go back, it would not be fair," he said.

Despite his ordeal, Mr Wood says he remains confident that the rebuilding process in Iraq will be successful.

"They appreciate that they were liberated from Saddam. They appreciate that they've been trained in the new security and that they will be a free democratic society," he sad.

"The 95 per cent that aren't associated with the Baath Party, that's what they want."

Mr Wood says he is optimistic about Iraq's future and that his captors will be brought to justice.

A Swedish hostage held alongside Mr Wood said over the weekend that he had hired bounty hunters to find his captors.

But Mr Wood says any attempt to find the insurgents should be left to the authorities.

"I think the Iraqis, the Americans and Australians are training the Iraqi police force. As they get stronger they will be able to catch people like this," he said.

"They'll gain the respect of the community at large who'll no longer be afraid of dobbing these guys in."

Mr Wood believes his release from captivity was simply a case of good luck.

He says it is unclear whether Australian Muslim cleric Sheikh Taj el-Din Al Hilaly or others would have been able to secure his release.

"It had nothing to do directly or indirectly with anything the Mufti or actually our federal people were doing, but that's the luck of the draw," he said.

"Maybe the Mufti's plan was working and a couple of days later I might have got out. More hopefully the Australian people, special people over there, would have gotten me out the next day." ABC

Related News:

Ten snares exclusive with Wood

Wood fears loss of sight

Wood's story fails to capture viewers

Related Post:

Where's Mr Wood III

Where's Mr Wood II

Where's Mr Wood

What another cause to DIE

[My Malaysiana]

In Slovenia:

LJUBLJANA - A man died after lightning struck a metal cross he was holding during a funeral in a village near Ljubljana, the Slovenian news agency STA reported Thursday.

It said the 62-year-old man died in hospital Wednesday evening, several hours after the incident in the village of Brezovica. Another person at the funeral was slightly injured. Reuters

In Malaysia:

TAPAH - He had bought a reconditioned red Ferrari F355 four months ago and yesterday drove it to Sungkai on one of his balik kampung trips.

But tragedy struck when Major (Rtd) Mohd Ali Hanafiah Ariffin's car crashed into an oil palm tree and burst into flames at 3.15pm at the 73rd kilometre of the Federal Route 1 (Bidor-Sungkai Road) in Bidor.

Mohd Ali, 43, managed to get out of the burning car but not his brother-in-law Ahmad Fozee Abdullah, 46, and his (Ahmad Fozee's) three-year-old son Mohd Amin, both of whom were in the front passenger seat.

Mohd Ali's foster brother, Zaime Elias, said Mohd Ali had returned to his kampung here from Shah Alam in Selangor and they were supposed to have met here.

Mohd Ali called later to cancel the meeting saying that he was going for a ride in the car with Ahmad Fozee.

He was driving to his family home at nearby Taman Syarikat when the accident occurred.

Mohd Ali's cousin Mohd Shafek Abdul Jalil, who went to the crash site after being informed, said the bodies of Ahmad Fozee and his son were flattened and burnt beyond recognition.

"The boy was sitting with his father in the front passenger seat," he said.

Ahmad Fozee's wife Fauziah Ariffin, 40, claimed the bodies and brought them back to their home in Taman Arkid in Sungai Petani.

Firemen took about two hours to extricate the charred remains of the father and son from the wreckage.

"Investigations found that Mohd Ali had lost control of the Ferrari and crashed into the tree.

"The car burst into flames shortly after the accident," Batang Padang Deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Osman Muhammad Subot said.

Mohd Ali, a businessman based in Sungai Petani, Kedah, is undergoing treatment at Subang Jaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya. The Star

When Im too concern

[My Malaysiana]

... about my Money.

1. Some ppl even think that my almarhum Ayah was a multi millionaire and Im the only his son that inherited a thousand million dollar valued land and properties in Malaysia and over the world especially here in Australia.

2. Some ppl even think that I've secretly respond to the email from Africa II, III, IV and V and now have a million in my deposits [secretly].

3. Some ppl make a mistake whn thy think that I've make a fortune from a dozen domain and website that I owned... Even thought they know and realised that its just a personal weblog and purely non-profit sites. [not a corporate or even paid porno sites]. Hahahaha, even my Google Adsense just enough for valued me a couple of matchbox.

4. Some ppl always think that I'm really love to make charity and donation. Yes I do... but just sometimes and its when I'm really willing to. I dont ever write off what thy owed me for the sake of charity - Never.

5. Some ppl even dare reversed the situation like I'm owed him a thousand... I need to treat him like my debt has an interest, calculate day by day... Even thought the real situation was absolutely vice versa. I'm be obligated with wht thy owe me.

6. Some ppl think that I'm making multi grant a month HERE and I'm really-really feel great with it... And Im always travel by business class... every week to my hometown. Wah!

7. Some ppl think, Im too idiot to managed my owned money or how to count it... then thy have to tell what to do and dont with it. Yes Im appreciate it, thanks a lot for that kindness. But I don't know... whn some ppl say... my money my choice. So just give what Im supposed to - that all. You gets what you pay, and so do I.

8. Some ppl think thy have a valueble thing for me. But when I'm willing and dare to pay for it, whatever price... so I'll expecting what is worth with it... If dont [or when Im found its just a scamm], I'm not too stupidos to ever think for continuing this business. Just keep iT for another kangaroo...

9. Most ppl think that Im now very particular with my money. I'm too materialistic or become money oriented ppl nowadays... What Im do, what Im think and all my decision was driven by money matter. Yes I do, you're totally correct... but its just happened when Im too concern about my Money... . [Just my money not yours] just like you too. After all not ALL money can buy right... I dont dinky-di care what ppl think about me. So ppl, pls dont make me too concern abt it... Im not willing to valued all my life [and what happend on it]... with some price tag.

That all.

Who am I

[My Malaysiana]

Which Malaysian Blogger Are You?

Huahaahhahhaha huhuuhu... let me laugh first. Thanks for that Kennysia. Ermm finally I did the quiz... and the result is:

Congratulations Ninetnine Network, you are...

Dr Liew of drliew.net

You are such a silly and cartoonish person. You are confident, quick-witted and have a natural sense of humour. Even during the most stressful times, you keep your cool, live by the rules and focus on solving the task at hand. To your friends, you are always that loyal companion standing by their side, cheering them up when they're feeling down. You have virtually no enemies. People simply enjoy having you around.

Which Malaysian Blogger Are You?

What another curly head to laughing at... Dont ever believe thissss ;)

What's the hottest question for MOH

[My Malaysiana]

...for this particular crucial month of June.

1. Where to get FREE condom and syringe, just plain one haa. No flavour pls - frm drugs addict and some cheap rate brothel patron... somewhere in Chow Kitt.

2. Who will sponsor that needle and that rubber thing (or some will ask who'll gets that "huge" tender) - from some businessman deal with medic product.

3. Why I can't go to Ukraine, that my money maa - from former art stream student who dreamt to be neurosurgeon.

4. How effective that multi billion "Tak Nak" campaign. What exactly their benchmark - from "still Nak" smoker that think his habit and that campaign just another waste.

5. Where's my baby... How your nurse stole my infant - frm newly delivered mum somewhere in Sg. Petani. Thank God thy found their rug rat baack with diaper as a clue. Ermm.

6. Last and not least... Is he your Deputy Minister... - frm some ppl that curious about someone who been suspended as Deputy Minister [of another ministries] for three months.

How to spell this "Happy 2nd B'day PPS"

[My Malaysiana]

From: Meta | ateM

Thanks Adam for that link that inspired me for this nice greeting post... Hehehe.

"Happy 2nd B'day PPS" - Sorry mate... I can't make it [to be at ur B'day bash... Im not in town for this whole month]. Just read up ur updates, wondering thats great activities from here. Till someday... Hopefully somewhere at the right time at the right place maybe. Have a G'day and Enjoy! Long live to all M'sian blogger and PPS pingers.

Cheerio.

When Ferrari race with the ghost

[My Australasia]

...and luckily thy won.

Sorry mate, Im in hurry... still have no time to update on this... Have another task on another project. Nevermind I'll keep this space for that fiasco news... F1 at US GP - Indianapolis. I rate it as the weirdest worst ever race for this season. Yanks, is it ur place always like tht. Maybe Indy not suitable for such a F1 GP. See yaa.

Update!: June 23, 2005

Ferrari One and Two in the Weirdest Grand Prix In History

Indianapolis saw what might be the strangest Grand Prix in modern history. While all 20 cars lined up on the grid, the 14 Michelin-supplied cars came into the pit lane to retire at the end of the parade lap - Michelin having advised its teams that in the interests of safety they should withdraw from today's USA Grand Prix. At the start, six cars made their way into the first corner. At the end of the first lap Schumacher headed Barrichello followed by Monteiro, Albers, Karthikeyan and, in P6, the Minardi of Friesacher. The six cars all ran at their individual and different paces, the Ferrari's competing at the front several seconds faster than the cars of Jordan and Minardi. The Ferrari drivers lapped Friesacher for the first time on lap 20. Barrichello, running with less fuel than Schumacher, came in for his scheduled pit stop on lap 25. Schumacher stopped for fuel and a tyre inspection on Lap 26, rejoining in P2 behind his team mate.

Having lost his lead in the first pit stop, Michael Schumacher regained the lead leaving the pit lane after his second stop (lap 51) by just getting ahead of Barrichello into the first corner - the Brazilian locking up and going across the grass. The final results of the race, Schumacher won followed by Barrichello in second, with Monteiro taking the final step on the podium for Jordan followed by Karthikeyan, Albers and Friesacher in P6. With the one/two result, Ferrari now move in to second place in the Constructor's Championship.

Mike Copson from Shell Global Solutions: 'Our first one-two of the year in the strangest of circumstances. Our Shell products performed faultlessly throughout the weekend. It is our sincere hope that the other matters surrounding this race are well resolved without detriment to Formula One" WM

Top 9 6:
and number of laps completed.
1. M Schumacher (Ferrari), 73
2. R Barrichello (Ferrari), 73
3. T Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota), 72
4. N Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota), 72
5. C Albers (Minardi-Cosworth), 71
6. P Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth), 71

Other News:

Michelin should compensate U.S. fans, says Mosley

IMG to Refund U.S. Grand Prix Tickets

Old VW performs better than Schumi's Ferrari

Hollow victory for Ferrari in six car US Grand Prix 'fiasco'

Nine of ten teams had planned for non-FIA USGP

Ps: My Wiki still need more dedicted editor. Anyone?

Where's Mr Wood III

[My Australasia]

Wood to be moved to secret Middle East location

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has told Parliament freed Australian hostage Douglas Wood will be moved out of Baghdad today.

Mr Wood has been rescued after being held for 47 days by Iraqi insurgents.

"Mr Wood is now being protected by the Australian emergency response team in Baghdad," Mr Downer said.

"He's undergone medical checks and the house will be pleased to know that he is well, he's spoken on the phone to members of his family.

"We expect that Mr Wood will move out of Iraq during the course of today Baghdad time and go to another location in the Middle East - we won't say publicly where that location is, in order to avoid a media scrum on his arrival."

Trauma
Meanwhile, a clinical psychologist says it will take some time to determine how Mr Wood has been affected by his 47 days in captivity.

Dr Kerry Gruber from the University of Southern Queensland says that one third of all people who endure traumatic events develop significant post traumatic stress disorders.

She says it is incredibly hard to predict who will be affected.

But Dr Gruber says the fact that Mr Wood requested a beer and information about the Geelong Football Club shows he is probably still psychologically numb.

"The fact that he'd be focusing on those kind of events, as much as it seems as though he's doing extremely well and that is a possibility that he's just incredibly resilient, it's probably more likely that he's still in the psychological protective mode," she said.

She says Mr Wood probably does not feel entirely safe yet and it is important he receives some form of counselling when he returns to his old life.

"Given that he's still ... hasn't seen his family yet etc, he probably doesn't feel entirely comfortable that he's away from the danger yet so he's still to some extent psychologically in protective mode," she said.

Support
Brother Vernon Wood say the family will now concentrate on supporting their freed brother.

"We're all being very careful of not pushing Doug too far - the psychological damage could be significant," he said.

Malcolm Wood spoke of his brother's resilience.

"How Doug coped during the captivity of 47 days is hard for any of us to imagine but he's a person who has inner strength," he said.

Key role
In Perth, the president of the Australian Federation Of Islamic Councils, Ameer Ali, says Sydney-based cleric Sheikh Taj el-Din Al Hilaly was instrumental in the release of Douglas Wood.

Dr Ali says the Sheikh risked his life by intervening, but never doubted the mission would be successful.

"It's an up and down rollercoaster thing that went on - sometimes we lost hope, sometimes we were very hopeful," he said.

"But each time the Sheikh was hopeful - he never let us down, he said don't be disappointed - things will work out well."

Gratitude
Prime Minister John Howard says he has spoken with the Iraqi Prime Minister and conveyed the gratitude of all Australians about the safe release of Douglas Wood.

Mr Howard says Iraqi troops were responsible for raiding the home in which Douglas Wood was being held, and his freedom is a sign of the growing competence of the local security forces.

He again voiced his relief at Mr Wood's safe recovery.

"This is a remarkable event - I think perhaps only two or three out of the several thousand people who've been taken hostage in Iraq have been rescued - now that is amazing," he said.

When I fall in love with Wiki

[WWW & Technology]

G'day ALL,
Appreciate if you can support my Wiki pages... be a part of NINETNINE Wiki. Pls register here.

Another new project at Ninetnine Network. I've changed my forum links at the top and bottom bar of this site to my Wiki's site. Eventhought its still under very heavy construction [have a tonned of bug, i guess], but if anyone out there with an experienced with this [Wikis], appreciate if you can give us some IDEA for improving it. Have a visit there... have FUN and get LISTED there.

BTW, a million thanks to my technical support team for installation assistant yesterday [after long hour]. What a great job mate. Hopefully this project can beneficial to all [Esp. to book lover in M'sia and Australia].

Any comment and queries can be email at my add: ninetnine at gmail dot com. See yaa thr...

Cheerio.

Who's Birthday is it Today

[My Australasia]

Happy long weekend to all my Aussie mate... [except to WA ppl]. Since Im in M'sia.. and one of the republican supporter... there's no intention for me to celebrate Her b'day at ALL.

Anyway wondering how to be more Brit than a Brit themselves... by celebrating this.

May God save the Queen and Brits monarchs for another few years.

When both Ferraris on the podium

[My Australasia]

What, Ferrari [where's my William team]... Anyway congrats Shuey for that fantastic race... still close, but no victory yet. Ferrari need to upgrade their machine. Upgrade means not refurbish right.

Sorry Alonso... for that crash boom bang. This time was your turn. But its still a great job mate. See yaa next GP.

Ferrari salvaged some honour from a hitherto disastrous 2005 campaign with its double podium finish in Montreal.

After being swamped at the start, Michael Schumacher kept plugging away and converted his three-stop strategy into a runner-up finish, matching his best result of the season from Imola.

"We can be happy with this result," reckoned the world champion.

"We developed the car over the weekend, but now we have to work on the package more to make it good in all track conditions."

Schumacher was at a loss to explain his tardy getaway, which probably would have derailed his aggressive fuel strategy had attrition and a timely safety car period not come to the rescue.

"Unfortunately, both Jenson [Button] and I had a poor take-off from the grid," he said. "I just had no grip."

In the closing stages Schumacher was able to shadow race leader Kimi Raikkonen and even put the Finn under a little pressure.

"At the beginning of the race we were clearly not competitive considering the level of fuel we had, but then after the first stop my pace was quite good," Schumacher noted.

"Towards the end I was able to close on Kimi; my pace was as good or a little bit better than his, but it was not enough to pass.

"He almost gave me a present when he ran wide at Turn 4, but he did not stay there [on the grass] long enough!"

Team-mate Rubens Barrichello came through the field impressively after starting from the pit lane due to a gearbox failure in qualifying yesterday.

"In over 200 grands prix, this is the first time I have started from the pit lane, so it's nice to do something new after so many races," quipped the Brazilian.

"I had a fantastic race.

"It was difficult in the beginning because my car was very, very heavy. But I was pushing all the time, I had good overtaking, and the pit crew did a fabulous job to call me in as soon as possible.

"My only problems were with my drinks bottle and my radio, which stopped working early in the race."

Top 9:
1. K Raikkonen (McLaren)
2. M Schumacher (Ferrari)
3. R Barrichello (Ferrari)
4. F Massa (Sauber)
5. M Webber (Williams)
6. R Schumacher (Toyota)
7. D Coulthard (Red Bull)
8. C Klien (Red Bull)
9. J Villeneuve (Sauber)

Related News:

Kimi wins, Webber fifth

Raikkonen wins to end Schumacher dominance

Schumacher seeks further progress

What's wrong with this Petaling Street

[My Malaysiana]

From Kosmo!

Awas! Peniaga Samseng

Pelanggan dimaki hamun di Jalan Petaling

Berhati-hati jika anda mahu membeli-belah di Jalan Petaling di ibu negara. Ini kerana jika telah memilih satu barang dan cuba tawar menawar, anda 'wajib' membelinya. Jika tidak, ada kemungkinan anda akan diserang atau setidak-tidaknya dimaki hamun oleh peniaga yang berlagak samseng.

Beberapa kes seperti itu telah dilaporkan kepada pihak Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna. Oleh itu, sesiapa yang berhajat untuk membeli-belah di kawasan itu dinasihatkan befikir dua kali melainkan anda benar-benar berkehendakkan barang tersebut. Tujuannya hanya satu, agar anda tidak menjadi salah seorang mangsa yang kena serang atau pun kena 'sumpah seranah' oleh peniaga yang tidak beradab.

Dah tawar harga, mesti beli
Kuala Lumpur - Sebilangan peniaga barangan tiruan di Jalan Petaling di sini bertindak ganas terhadap orang ramai yang enggan membeli barangan mereka selepas urusan tawar-menawar harga.

Pelanggan terbabit kebiasaannya akan dimaki hamun dan lebih berani terdapat peniaga yang memukul pelanggan mereka.

Pengarah Penguatkuasa Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, Mohd. Shahar Osman berkata, perkara itu didedahkan ekoran terdapat beberapa aduan orang ramai yang berhadapan dengan sikap ganas para peniaga di kawasan tersebut.

"Kami memanang serius perkara ini dan tindakan tegas akan diambil terhadap peniaga yang didapati bersalah," kata beliau setelah melancarkan operasi merampas barangan tiruan di Jalan Petaling di sini kelmarin.

Dalam operasi yang bermula pada pukul 5 petang kelmarin, pelbagai barangan tiruan bernilai RM321,000 di rampas, termasuk barangan tiruan di Bangunan Pak Peng.

Antara banrangan yang dirampas ialah sejumlah 3,250 helai seluar jeans pelbagai jenama terkenal, barangan kulit (861), jam tangan (384), minyak wangi (230) dan topi (256).

Kesemua barangan yang dirampas tersebut banyak menggunakan jenama Mont Blanc, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Levi's dan Burberry.

Menurut Mohd. Shahar, serbuan tersebut dilakukan selepas pihaknya menerima laporan daripada orang ramai mengenai kegiatan peniaga di situ.

Dalam serbuan tersebut, pihak penguat kuasa kementerian itu menahan seorang pemborong jam tangan berusia 22 tahun untuk membantu siasatan.

Bagaimanapun, pemborong dan peniaga barangan lain dapat melarikan diri.

Daripada siasatan , Mohd. Shahar memberitahu, kesemua bekalan barangan tersebut diperolehi daripada negara jiran.

Mac lalu, kementerian tersebut telah menyerbu tempat yang sama dan merampas barangan tiruan bernilai RM100,000.

From Harian Metro

Peniaga samseng

Oleh Mohd Nur Asnawi Daud

KUALA LUMPUR: Segelintir peniaga barang tiruan di sekitar Jalan Petaling, di sini, bertindak 'samseng' terhadap pelanggan yang enggan membeli barangan mereka selepas berlaku tawar menawar.

Malah, mereka juga dikatakan sanggup mengherdik dan menghambur kata-kata kesat hingga menakutkan pelanggan dan menunjukkan kepala angin seolah-olah pelanggan berasa terancam jika tidak membeli barangan terbabit.

Perkara itu didedahkan Kementerian Perdagangan dan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna (KPDNHEP) yang menerima banyak aduan daripada orang ramai berhubung sikap biadap segelintir peniaga di kawasan berkenaan.

Pengarah Penguat kuasa KPDNHEP Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Mohd Shahar Osman, berkata pihaknya banyak menerima aduan daripada orang ramai yang tidak berpuas hati dengan tindakan peniaga terbabit.

Menurutnya, pihak KPDNHEP memandang serius perbuatan itu dan tindakan tegas menanti peniaga yang didapati melakukan perbuatan berkenaan.

"Hasil daripada maklumat pelanggan juga, kami melakukan operasi bersepadu di alan Petaling malam semalam.

"Dalam operasi yang disertai kira-kira 66 pegawai dari Bahagian Penguat kuasa KPDNHEP Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan dan Selangor berjaya merampas pelbagai barang tiruan bernilai kira-kira RM321,000 daripada tujuh peniaga termasuk dua pemborong," katanya dalam sidang media di pejabatnya di sini, semalam.

Shahar berkata, dalam operasi enam jam bermula jam 5 petang itu, pihaknya turut menahan seorang lelaki berusia 22 tahun kerana disyaki pembekal barangan di situ manakala tujuh peniaga lagi melarikan diri.

Katanya, serbuan dilakukan hasil maklumat orang ramai itu, pihaknya merampas pelbagai barangan tiruan menggunakan jenama terkenal seperti Burberry, Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Levi's dan Mont Blanc.

Antara barangan itu 187 beg kulit, cakera padat (140), jam tangan (384), barangan kulit (861), seluar jeans (2,350), topi (256) dan minyak wangi (230).

Menurutnya, peniaga dikesan menjual barang tiruan itu dengan harga lebih rendah daripada keluaran asli sesuatu produk berkenaan.

"Operasi itu yang kedua selepas operasi pertama awal Mac lalu yang berjaya merampas pelbagai barangan jenama tiruan bernilai kira-kira RM100,000.

"Pihak kami juga menerima maklumat mengenai tindakan segelintir peniaga buah-buahan yang menipu berat timbangan dalam usaha mengaut keuntungan lebih," katanya.

From The Star

Fakes worth RM321,000 seized

KUALA LUMPUR: Petaling Street, famous for its fake branded products for sale, has been raided again - this time some RM321,000 worth of fake items were seized.

In an eight-hour operation which began at 5pm on Wednesday, officers from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry seized thousands of fake Levi's jeans, Prada handbags, compact discs, watches, leather products, hats and perfumes.

The ministry's Federal Territory director Mohd Shahar Osman said the officers also detained a 22-year-old youth for allegedly selling fake watches.

"Traders manning six other stalls escaped even though we cordoned off the area during the raid," he said.

He added that the ministry had conducted a similar raid in March and confiscated some RM100,000 worth of fake goods.

Mohd Shahar said the raids were carried out following complaints from the public that some traders there harassed them when they refused to buy the goods.

He said samples of the goods seized would be sent to the Chemistry Department and the original manufacturer to ascertain the quality and material used to produce the fakes.

About Petaling Street:

Yahoo Travel

China Town/ Petaling Street

China Town

Project for Public Spaces (PPS)

Another Petaling Street:

Project Petaling Street

How to COMMEMORATE this

[WWW & Technology]

Happy our 1st birthday.

Today, June 10th, Ninetnine Network celebrates its first birthday. From my first post till today, there's more than hundred question need to be answered [and still alot more in my head]. Some I found the ans and some will remain mystery and need to think about.

Since there's NO special b'day bash or even birthday cake today... for me this is another great day to remember [for me personally'lah]. The born of my ?th weblog. Thanks God, Syukur iTs still alive till today.

I would like to express my appreciation to ALL Ninetnine Network reader's support and commentator through this year. Thanks mate for make this happen.

Nothing much to say - need to go, after all... "Dont Cover The Book From iTs Judge"

Image Courtesy: The City Library.

How FAST you can go

[Sci Medical & Health]

BANGKOK - An 18-year-old Thai gave birth in the passenger seat of a Mercedes Benz which was doing 85 miles per hour (137 kmh) to try to get her to hospital in time, The Nation newspaper reported Thursday.

Juthamas Srimongkol, who was only seven months pregnant when she went into labor Wednesday, was rushed to hospital in her father-in-law's luxury saloon, but delivered a son 19 km (12 miles) short of their destination, the newspaper said.

Mother-in-law Jimhaeng sae Iab, 47, leapt into the car's front seat when she heard a "splitting noise," but discovered she was too late.

"The baby had already come out. I held him and cleaned his body but could not cut his umbilical cord because we didn't have any equipment," she was quoted as saying.

Demonstrating remarkable calm behind the wheel, her husband offered soothing words throughout the high-speed ordeal in Khon Kaen in northeast Thailand.

"When the baby came out, he continued offering moral support to our daughter-in-law," Jimhiang said. "He kept telling us how much closer we were to getting to the hospital."

Doctors said both mother and baby, who weighed in at 1.8 kg (4 lb), were safe although they would be kept in hospital for around two weeks. Reuters

Where's Mr Wood II

[My Australasia]

A spokesman for the Australian Muslim cleric who has been helping to negotiate the release of hostage Douglas Wood, says the Sheikh has done all he can.

Sheikh Taj El-Din Al-Hilaly has left Iraq.

His spokesman, Keysar Trad, says Sheikh Al-Hilaly has provided evidence to the Australian negotiating team that Mr Wood is still alive.

Mr Trad says the Sheikh has left Iraq for urgent medical treatment and has no plans to return.

"There was really nothing more that he could be expected to do as a cleric in Iraq," he said.

"Iraq is a very dangerous war zone and his heart condition was getting worse and worse as he was waiting there." ABC

Related post:

Where's Mr Wood

Why Mersing

[My Malaysiana]

Sri Mersing my very own version:

Sri Mersing lagulah Melayu
Dikaranglah oleh biduan dahulu
Hatiku runsing bertambahlah pilu
Mengenangkan nasib merindulah selalu

Pantailah Mersing kualalah Johor,
Pantainya bersih sangatlah (ter)masyhur,
Pohonlah Doa tetaplah bersyukur,
Walau pun kasih hai telah berundur.

Im just back from very long holidays [since Thursday]. Went up to my sis house somewhere in Mersing, Johor Darul Takzim. Very nice place and so beautiful and quite unique from my eyes, but sorry mate, there's no photo to upload.

OK, just some notes to share about. Actually why with Mersing, hah. I dont know... just another place [very plain plot] to remind me to something... remind me to someone, maybe.

June 2nd, Thursday: From KL to Mersing; Sri Malaysia and beach behind it revisited.
June 3rd, Friday: Air Papan beach revisited.
June 4th, Saturday: Mersing town revisited; Bus station, Gedung Harian etc.
June 5th, Sunday: Last day in Mersing; Mersing town to say Goodbye! Went shopping at wet market, R&R, Mersing jetty...

Will come again sometime... Hopefully someday. Same with what I thought when the first time been there almost five years ago. But, WHY with Mersing, actually. I dont know... really don't know.

When you better say nothing at ALL

[My Malaysiana]

From The Star

Runaway groom claims he was a victim of black magic

By Charanjeet Kaur

KUALA LUMPUR: Footballer Hasmawi Hassan, who made headlines in December last year for allegedly ditching his bride-to-be, said he was a victim of black magic and could not go through with the marriage.

The 24-year-old Kedah player said a week before their akad nikah (marriage solemnisation) he had told nurse Norlida Abdul Rahman about his situation but she refused to accept it.

Apart from being physically and emotionally depressed due to the alleged black magic, he said, he could not continue with the wedding due to the many differences between them.

In her suit, filed on Dec 23, Norlida had said that Hasmawi had misled her into believing that he was sincere in wanting to marry her but subsequent events showed he had no intention to honour his promise.

She said Hasmawi also induced her into believing that the akad nikah and the wedding ceremony would be held on Dec 17 and 18, respectively, when he had no intention of doing so.

She added that she suffered anxiety, embarrassment, shame, mental agony and pain as a result of Hasmawi's conduct and breach of promise to marry her.

For the wedding ceremony, Norlida is claiming the costs of catering, marriage presents, new clothes, invitation cards, bedroom sets and other items.

For the engagement ceremony on July 12, 2003, she is claiming the costs of catering, engagement presents, new clothes and other expenditure.

Hasmawi in return filed a counter claim seeking special and general damages from Norlida.

In his statement of defence filed through Yusmadi & Co at the Muar High Court on April 22, Hasmawi said it was not wise of Norlida not to understand his problem.

Instead, he alleged, she made a misrepresentation to those who turned up at their akad nikah and to the media by not telling the true reason behind the cancellation of their wedding.

Hasmawi also said that on Dec 9, his foster father was gravely ill and he was emotionally disturbed and not ready to get married.

He said he was very close to his foster father but Norlida refused to understand this and instead accused him of being selfish.

Hasmawi said his foster father passed away on Dec 25 and even before his death Norlida had refused to meet him. This, he said, also caused a rift between him and Norlida.

Hasmawi said his feelings for Norlida started to change in 2002 after frequent misunderstandings between them, and it became so bad that he had to seek alternate medication.

He also said that some time in December last year, he sought traditional treatment from several bomohs (Malay healers), who confirmed that he was a victim of black magic.

He further pleaded that he had the right to postpone or cancel the wedding and would give his reasons at the trial.

No dates have been fixed yet for the hearing.

From Berita Harian

Hasmawi dakwa mangsa 'buatan orang'

Oleh Ahmad Johari Mohd Ali

KUALA LUMPUR: Pemain bola sepak Kedah, Hasmawi Hassan, yang membatalkan perkahwinannya dengan jururawat, Norlida Abdul Rahman, pada saat akhir Disember lalu, mendakwa dia bertindak demikian kerana 'penyakit buatan orang'.

Hasmawi, 24, mendakwa keadaan kesihatannya ketika itu turut diketahui Norlida, 24 dan keluarga bekas tunangnya itu.

Perkara itu dinyatakan dalam afidavit pembelaan yang difailkan Hasmawi melalui peguamnya, Mohd Yusmadi Yusof di Pejabat Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi Muar, Johor, pada 22 April lalu. Dokumen itu diperoleh media di Mahkamah Tinggi di sini semalam.

Pada 23 Disember lalu, Norlida, 24, memfailkan writ saman malu di Mahkamah Tinggi Muar terhadap Hasmawi kerana didakwa membatalkan perkahwinan mereka sebelum pernikahan berlangsung pada 17 Disember.

Dalam saman itu, plaintif menuntut defendan membayar ganti rugi am, ganti rugi khas berjumlah RM25,470, faedah pada kadar lapan peratus setahun untuk ganti rugi am daripada tarikh penyampaian saman dan penyataan tuntutan hingga ke tarikh penghakiman.

Selain itu, Norlida turut meminta faedah pada kadar empat peratus bagi ganti rugi khas dari 18 Disember hingga ke tarikh penyelesaian penuh, kos dan relif lain.

Bagaimanapun, dalam afidavit balasan, Hasmawi mendakwa keluarga Norlida, terutama kakak ipar bekas tunangnya itu, mengetahui yang dia pernah mendapat khidmat nasihat bomoh di Johor dan pengamal tradisional yang mengesahkannya terkena 'buatan orang' serta tidak membolehkannya berkahwin.

Hasmawi mendakwa dia mendapat khidmat bomoh dan pengamal perubatan tradisional sekitar Disember 2004 selepas mengalami keadaan fizikal dan emosi yang terganggu sejak 2002 lagi.

Akibat tekanan itu, Hasmawi menghilangkan diri tanpa diketahui keluarganya sendiri yang kemudian dimaklumkan oleh kakak iparnya kepada plaintif.

Defendan juga mendakwa seminggu sebelum majlis pernikahan itu, dia memberitahu Norlida yang perkahwinan mereka tidak dapat dilangsungkan kerana banyak masalah antara mereka, tetapi plaintif enggan membatalkannya malah mendesaknya untuk berkahwin.

Sehubungan itu, Hasmawi menegaskan tidak wajar bagi plaintif untuk mendakwa pembatalan perkahwinan itu dibuat hanya melalui khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS), 19 jam sebelum pernikahan.

Hasmawi mendakwa, SMS itu yang berbunyi "Pa minta maaf harap Ma faham. Mungkin ditakdirkan kita tak ada jodoh. Minta maaf kat abah dan mak, bukan niat Pa untuk malukan depa...", bukan komunikasi pertama dengan plaintif mengenai niatnya untuk membatalkan perkahwinan itu.

Dia juga mendakwa Norlida sengaja membuat pernyataan salah kepada hadirin dan media dengan tidak menceritakan keadaan sebenar, malah merelakan dirinya dipergunakan untuk mendapat publisiti dan memalukan defendan.

Hasmawi mendakwa, sebelum itu mereka juga sering berselisih faham kerana sikap Norlida yang suka memintanya membelikan pelbagai barang, malah dia bertanggungjawab menjaga kewangan bekas tunangnya itu sejak berkenalan hingga plaintif menamatkan kursus kejururawatan di Pulau Pinang.

Hasmawi mendakwa dia banyak berbelanja untuk memenuhi permintaan Norlida antaranya tiga telefon bimbit, dua set gelang kaki emas, rantai mutiara, sebuah televisyen dan pakaian.

Dia juga mendakwa meminjamkan kad ATM kepada Norlida dan bekas tunangnya itu mengambil kesempatan dengan mengeluarkan secara tetap sejumlah wang setiap bulan daripada akaunnya, malah selepas perkahwinan mereka dibatalkan.

Sehubungan itu, Hasmawi memohon mahkamah menolak permohonan Norlida dan membuat tuntutan balas kerana plaintif membuat kenyataan salah, menyembunyikan fakta sebenar dan sengaja membenarkan dirinya dijadikan publisiti murahan media.

Selain itu, Hasmawi mendakwa, akibat kenyataan dan temu ramah antara plaintif dengan media, ia dan ahli keluarganya mengalami tekanan emosi serta menimbulkan spekulasi yang kononnya dia berkahwin di Thailand.

Dengan itu, Hasmawi menuntut semua perbelanjaan yang dibelanjakan kepada plaintif serta ganti rugi khas, ganti rugi am dan teruk kerana tingkah laku Norlida yang mengecewakan kontrak perkahwinan.

Related News:

Mahkamah Tinggi: Hasmawi kena buatan orang

Related Post:

Its cost him RM25,470 legally

Some say he still can play

Be strong... Ms. Norlida

Opinion on Runaway groom

Yess thats you are right Ms. Norlida

Another part of the story

Ditched bride going to court, finally

Runaway bridegroom, so see you at court.

Runaway Bridegroom?