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Grand Saga, Gangsters, FRU, and Traffic Police…poor Cheras folks!

May 29th, 2008
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I saw TV3’s Pathmavathy on TV live from the scene tonight. The crowd “tidak berkurangan”, she said. Not reducing since 5pm. I guess the folks are reaaaaaalllly pissed off that Grand Saga it seems, used gangsters to whack the residents. This was after police rejected Grand Saga’s request for protection for the barriers, since there’s no court order.

Grand Saga obviously denies any knowledge of the gangsters, claiming that “it could have been instigated by certain parties”. Well, we all wonder who those parties could be.  As far a I can see, the only party which is affected is Grand Saga.

“Grand Saga wishes to state that it disassociates itself from the altercations between several parties yesterday and that it does not condone violence in any form,” said the company’s executive director Zainal Abidin Ali (left) in statement today.

Zainal said the incident could have been instigated by certain parties and that the company would be filing a police report on that fracas.

http://malaysiakini.com/news/83555

Not sure if Cheras folks appreciate the sympathy wishes from the company.

 “Grand Saga further wishes to extend its sympathy to the several persons who sustained injuries in the unfortunate incident,” said Zainal, who is former Dang Wangi police chief.

When the residents complained that police who were there did not do anything, this is the reply:

 Kajang police chief Shakaruddin Che Mood, however, said they were only traffic policemen whom he had sent to the area for traffic control. “They were too busy controlling traffic and could not do anything,” he told reporters, adding that five police reports have been lodged on the assault.

http://malaysiakini.com/news/83561

Is this guy for real? Traffic control more important or saving people from being attacked by thugs more important?

» Read more: Grand Saga, Gangsters, FRU, and Traffic Police…poor Cheras folks!

Murugiah with new foundation for Tamil schools

May 28th, 2008
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The new minister Murugiah announces something interesting – a foundation for tamil schools. Not to be confused with Tamil Foundation. The Tamil School Foundation (TSF)  will “look into the welfare and maintenance” of the 523 schools. Many questions arises from this statement:

– why are the public expected to use their money when its the responsibility of the government to “look into welfare and maintenance” of the schools? Unless of course, this is a supportive body and not meant to relieve the relevant bodies of their responsibilities

–  Would the foundation come under any particular authorities or be an NGO kind of entity?

– is it a registered body?

– Why not use existing channels like EWRF, Tamil Foundation, PTAs, Tamil School Headmasters Association, etc?

I guess we have to wait for more details, but hopefully it will answer the questions above. Of course, there’s still the question on who will handle the money. We’ll leave it for another day. » Read more: Murugiah with new foundation for Tamil schools

Nazri reveal 10 percent scholarship quota

May 28th, 2008
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Alamak! Looks like Minister Nazri had unwittingly proven what parents and disgruntled Malaysians suspected all along. 10% quota allocation for normal Malaysians for PSD scholarships all this while. He clarified that 7282 students were shortlisted from 15220 (previously, PSD director gave a rough estimate of 7500 out of 15000 students).
» Read more: Nazri reveal 10 percent scholarship quota

Cameron Highlands Day 2 at Farm, Tea Estate, and Mountain

May 28th, 2008
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After ending Day 1 on a happy note, we started the second day with a search for breakfast. Finally took noodles at a Chinese restaurant at Brinchang. Our first stop was the Big Red Strawberry Farm located at Brinchang town itself. Its near the Cactus Valley and across the road from the pasar malam site. This place was set up about 3 years ago, and it primarily exports salad to overseas markets. The also sell many kinds of flower plants. While were there, there were construction work to expand the area. According to one of the workers, lots of tourists visit this place. They plan to built a car park and more plantation area. The souvenirs are a bit expensive compared to other place, but the area is big and cooling.

 

Big Red Strawberry Farm

  » Read more: Cameron Highlands Day 2 at Farm, Tea Estate, and Mountain

PSD provide scholarship criteria

May 28th, 2008
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As the statistics continue to roll out about the PSD (JPA) scholarship recipients for overseas programme, PSD says only cream of crop were selected while news of unsuccessful angry applicants emerged. MIC had to go begging as usual. PSD head gave an interview regarding the selection criteria on NST recently. Full interview is found below. Let’s look at some pertinent points:

He clarified that the full scholarship offer is for local studies, which was actually quite clear in the newspaper reports. Maybe some parents misunderstood it.

The overseas programme is very competitive. The criteria is 70 points for academic excellence, 10 points for interview, 10 points for family economic background and 10 points for co-curricular activities.

The criteria for foreign studies scholarship is revealed, but the director also revealed that 15000 applications were received, out of which 7500 qualified. and out of 7500, only 2000 got it. That’s nearly 4 students (3.75 actually) fighting for one scholarship (3.75:1). And it seems there were 6262 straight A students. » Read more: PSD provide scholarship criteria