Malaysian born Hollywood star Michelle Yeoh, who plays pro-democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi in an upcoming film, has been deported by army-dominated Myanmar and blacklisted, an official said Tuesday.
“She did not have the chance to enter Myanmar again. She was deported straight away on the first flight after arriving at Yangon International Airport,” a Myanmar official, who did not want to be named, told AFP.
“She’s on the blacklist now,” a second official said, declining to say why.
The Malaysian-born former Bond girl met the Nobel Peace Prize winner at her Yangon home in December after shooting scenes with French director Luc Besson in Thailand for the production, which has been kept under close wraps.
The film is expected to be released later this year.
Suu Kyi was freed in November after seven straight years of house arrest, less than a week after an election that critics said was a charade aimed at preserving military rule behind a civilian facade in Myanmar.
Suu Kyi, who turned 66 this month, has won international acclaim for her peaceful resistance in the face of oppression.
In 1990 she led her National League for Democracy party to a landslide election win that was never recognised by Myanmar’s military rulers. She boycotted last year’s vote, saying the rules were unfair.
Yeoh, 48, a former Miss Malaysia, shot to international fame when she co-starred with Pierce Brosnan in the 1997 James Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies” as a tough but beautiful Chinese spy.
She then starred in Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” — a Chinese-language martial arts epic that was an international hit — and “Memoirs of a Geisha” based on the best-selling novel by Arthur Golden.
As an MP, Ibrahim Ali is an idiot for saying that Malaysian men have affairs as wives 'neglect' duty.
Malaysian men have extramarital sex because of 'wives who neglect their responsibilities' to their husbands, a Malaysian lawmaker told Parliament on Thursday, reports AFP.
"Husbands driving home after work see things that are sexually arousing and go to their wives to ease their urges," said independent lawmaker Ibrahim Ali, as quoted by online portal Malaysiakini.
"But when they come home to their wives, they will say, 'wait, I'm cooking,' or 'wait, I'm getting ready to visit relatives'," Ali said.
"In Islam, wives are supposed to stop everything to fulfill their husband's demands."
Ali heads Perkasa, a right-wing Malay nationalist group seeking to protect ethnic Malay dominance in politics.
His strident comments came as he asked about plans by the government's religious development department to educate wives on their responsibilities.
Wives failing in their duties pushed men to go to "private places to satisfy their urges", he said.
Who is Datuk T? Datuk T is an alias for ‘Datuk Trio' - former Malacca chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik, businessman Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah and Perkasa treasurer Datuk Shuib Lazim.
Rahim told this to reporters at a press conference here on Wednesday.
Shazryl was at the press conference but not Shuib.
Rahim at first refused to identify the man in the video, only hinting that “this man may end up being PM”.
Later, however, he repeatedly referred to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the press conference.
Rahim said the man had once asked him to step down for the nation's sake, when he (Rahim) was implicated (but later cleared) in an alleged sex scandal
"Anwar asked me to step down then, saying I was a liability. I was told to go (as Malacca CM) although I was never found guilty," he alleged.
Rahim said that it was now up to the Government to set a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the authenticity of the video.
He said the members of the RCI should comprise people from various quarters and include Perkasa and Kita president Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
“We want NGOs and also media to sit in the RCI. Let everyone see the truth. All political parties - both Government and Opposition - can also be in the RCI," he added.
Rahim said PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang should also be included in the RCI.
Meanwhile, Shazryl told the press conference that they did not go to the police over the sex video as they did not want the issue to be spun into a conspiracy theory.
via: TheStar
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not losing any sleep over the possibility of certain quarters filing lawsuits against him for putting them in a negative light in his memoirs.
The former Prime Minister said he was driven to tell the truth in his autobiography, A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which was launched Tuesday.
"There will be those who will not be satisfied.
"If they want to sue, sue lah," he quipped after launching his book at MidValley Megamall.
Dr Mahathir said he had kept the publication of his memoirs a secret until the launching date to avoid possible court injunctions to stop its publication.
"It took me eight years to complete the book.
"I want people to read it. Whatever they think of it is their prerogative," he said.
Dr Mahathir said during his tenure as Prime Minister, he was described as a dictator.
"(In the autobiography) I tried to prove that I am not a dictator. But some people will still feel otherwise," he said, adding that he was expecting brickbats for exposing so much.
To a question from a foreigner, Dr Mahathir said through his book, he wanted to deliver the message that it was not impossible to achieve anything if one was willing to learn.
"I was a commoner, I was not trained in the field of administration, economy or finance.
"But you can learn if you want to learn. The best reward is not the monetary gain but the result of your effort," he said.
"Several chapters were difficult to write because it is all about myself," he said, adding that he was not comfortable promoting himself.
The 809-page book, which retails at RM100 a copy, is available at MPH bookstores nationwide.
Colonel Norhuda Ahmad created history when she was promoted as the first woman Brigadier General from the Malaysian Armed Forces general duty.
Norhuda, 54, who was previously the Head of the Asean Branch, Integrated Intelligence Centre (IIC), Strategic Directorate, Defence Intelligence Staff Division, was promoted as Head of the Directorate's Training Division.
She was among 27 senior officers from the Army to be promoted to the various ranks including from Major to Lt Colonel and from Brigadier General to Major General.
Two women in the Royal Medical Corps had been promoted to Brigadier Generals previously, namely Brig Gen Datuk Dr Roshidah Ishak and Brig Gen Dr T. Thavachelvi S. Thangaraja.
Army Chief General Datuk Seri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said Norhuda was eligible to be promoted to Brigadier General because she had fulfilled the criteria stipulated, and made it a special day for the army.
He disclosed this to reporters after the donning of the ranks for Senior Army Officers at the Wisma Transit, here Wednesday.
Zulkifeli said the army would consider promoting other women officers if there were vacancies available as there were now many women of calibre in the force.
However, he said that among the elements considered for promotion, regardless of gender, were a good track record, experience and intellectual quality. Meanwhile, Norhuda, when approached by reporters, said she was thankful and happy over the promotion after having gone through various obstacles and difficulties while serving in the army.
However, she was sad that her late father, who had always given her inspiration and truly wanted to see her donning the general's epaulette was not around to see her achievement. - Bernama
Kinabatangan Member of Parliament Datuk Bung Moktar Radin on Wednesday won an appeal in the Syariah High Court here to set aside the one-month jail sentence imposed on him in May for committing polygamy without consent.
However, Selangor Syariah Chief Judge Mukhuddin Ibrahim ordered Bung Moktar, 51, to pay the RM1,000 fine, in default six months' jail, which was also imposed on him by the Gombak Timur Syariah Lower Court on May 19.
The lower court had imposed the jail sentence and fine on Bung Moktar for committing polygamy without the court's permission with popular actress Izette A. Samad, 31, at house No. 12, Jalan TC2B/3 Cemerlang Heights, Taman Melati, Gombak, at 8.50 pm on Dec 16 last year.
Other pro-BN media said it is a Ramadan gift for Bung Moktar. But we all know that Bung Moktar will not serve his jail sentence because he will lose his MP privilege and BN will never let that happen.
Salleh Mahali is currently the party pro-tem president Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB).
Salleh Mahali, who is former information chief of the Dalat branch of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), said the presence of the party is solely to fight for the interests of the rakyat.
Robert Lau Hui Yew is SUPP Sibu branch’s assistant treasurer and has been with SUPP for 17 years. Robert Lau Hui Yew is a lawyer by profession and is also a councillor with Sibu Municipal Council.
Robert Lau Hui Yew is also the second cousin of the late Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew.
Alice Lau is the Sibu DAP women chief. She held similar role in Sibu United Chinese Association before her political involvement.
A daughter of a prominent businessman, Alice is a pharmacist and has been active in Toastmasters’ activities. This was where she polished her public speaking skills.
Alice’s father Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong is the chairman of Sarawak Pan Chen Lau Clan Association.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama present give away Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage to Malaysia 's Ambiga Sreenevasan (Malaysian Bar Council) at the State Department in Washington , DC. in Mar 2009.
The shame of it all that we should be so proud (and are) of our own Malaysian receiving an international award like this, but the Malaysian government and press don't see it as important enough to publish it in our local dailies! It was only published by TheStar and THE SUN but rather small and hidden in the inner pages.
WHY???...BECAUSE SHE WEARS A SAREE.
Never mind if they don't publish in the papers......lets circulate ........
This Picture Made It To the Pages of India Times but not in our own papers!
U.S Department of State: The Secretary of State's 2009 International Women of Courage Awards
HindustanTimes: Ambiga Sreenevasan receives Women of Courage Award
Robert Lau Hoi Chew, Sibu MP and Deputy Transport Minister died Friday after battling liver cancer. He was 67. Lau's death will see the 11th by-election in the country since the last general election in March, 2008. His private secretary, Peter Hu, told the media that Lau died at his home here at 11.10am and arrangements were being made to take his body back to his home town in Sibu.
He left behind his wife, Datin Janet Lau Ung Hie, and three children.
Lau, who came from a prominent business family in Sibu, was elected MP for Sibu in 1990 and retained the seat for five terms under the Barisan Nasional. He was allocated the seat under the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP).
The SUPP vice-president was appointed deputy housing and local government minister in March 2004, a portfolio which he retained after the general election in 2008.
However, after Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took office as prime minister in April last year, he was made the deputy transport minister in a minor cabinet reshuffle.
Lau was once given the nickname, "toilet king", for his tireless effort to create a culture of cleanliness in public toilets in the country during his stint at the local government and housing minister.
Lau's elder brother, Datuk Lau Hui Siong, a prominent businessman and founder of conglomerate KTS Group, which is involved in the timber and media industries including the Borneo Post, Utusan Borneo and Oriental Daily, died in October 2004, also due to cancer.
In the last general election, Lau retained the mostly-urban Bandar Sibu parliamentary seat with a 3,235-vote majority in a three-cornered fight with Lim Chin Chuang (PKR) and Sarawak DAP Chairman Wong Ho Leng. - Bernama
Former Minister of Education and Agriculture Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Daud died Tuesday at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH) after a long bout with intestinal cancer. He was 77. Dr Sulaiman Daud is a close friend to Ting Pek King (TPK) and as a matter of fact, he was once the chairman of Global Upline Sdn Bhd, a company under TPK group.
KLH director Datuk Dr Zaininah Mohd Zain said Sulaiman died at 8.10am and his remains had been taken to his home at 61, Lorong Lai Tet Lok Satu, off Jalan Gurney, here and would be flown to Kuching, Sarawak, this evening for burial Wednesday morning.
Sulaiman, who turned 77 on March 4, leaves behind four children, sons Mahathir and Azman and daughters Norshida and Zelda Raha.
His wife, Puan Sri Naemah Hasbi died on March 26, 2005 of lung cancer.
Sulaiman, who was a former vice-president of Sarawak's Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB) and a former Member of Parliament for Petra Jaya, had held various federal ministerial posts.
He was first appointed Federal Territory Minister on March 19, 1981.
He also served as the Minister of Education (from 1981 to 1984 and from 1991 to 1995), Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports (1984 to 1986), Minister of Land and Regional Development (1986 to 1989), Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (1989 to 1990), Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (1990 to 1991) and, finally, as the Minister of Agriculture (1995 to 1999).
The Kuching-born Sulaiman held a PhD in dentistry from the University of Otago, New Zealand, and had served as a dentist with the Sarawak government and the Brunei Medical Department in the 1960's
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Seri Idris Jala has been appointed a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. Idris Jala, the first Orang Ulu to be appointed a minister in the federal cabinet, was also appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) to implement the government’s Key Performance Index (KPI) initiatives.
The Sarawakian, who will also assume the deputy chairmanship of Pemandu board, will be responsible for specific sub N-KRAs and National KPIs (N-KPIs) and advise on Ministerial-KRAs (M-KRAs) and M-KPIs.
He will report to Koh on matters relating to KPIs and directly to the Prime Minister on other duties to be assigned to him as Minister Without Portfolio in the Prime Minister’s Department.
Idris will not hold a portfolio in the PM’s Department but will be the chief executive officer of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu, the organisation that oversees the implementation of the Key Performance Index initiatives.)
“Idris will complement, support and report to Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of National Unity and Performance Management,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in a statement yesterday.
Najib, who informed the Cabinet of the appointment at the Cabinet KPI Workshop in Putrajaya yesterday, said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has consented to the appointment.
Idris will be sworn in as a senator at a later date.
“Dr Koh continues with his task of formulating and executing the overall policy and strategy on performance management and organisational transformation with special focus on National Key Results Area (N-KRA).
He will be the chairman of the Pemandu Board which includes the Chief Secretary to the Government and other senior officers.
“Idris, who will also assume the deputy chairmanship of the Pemandu Board, will be responsible for specific N-KRAs and National KPIs (N-KPIs) and advise on Ministerial-KRAs (M-KRAs) and M-KPIs.
“He will focus on sharing his expertise and experience in Shell and MAS and driving implementation of performance management in the Federal Government,” said Najib.
He added that Idris would report to Dr Koh on matters relating to KPIs and directly to the Prime Minister on other duties assigned to him as a minister.
The board of Malaysia Airlines will announce separately Idris’ replacement.
Idris was appointed chief executive officer and managing director of MAS in December 2005, in the aftermath of the company’s biggest financial loss in its corporate history.
Prior to joining MAS, Idris spent 23 years at Shell. Between 2002 and 2005, he was Shell MDS (Malaysia) managing director and Shell Malaysia Gas & Power (Malaysia) vice-president.
Between 2000 and 2002, Idris was Shell International Retail Marketing vice-president based in London.
He was also vice-president (business development consultancy) where he led a team of top notch internal consultants on radical business improvement projects and revamped the Shell global retail business model in order to achieve profitable growth.
Between 1998 and 2000, Idris was Shell Sri Lanka managing director where he helped shape the turnaround of Shell’s LPG business in Sri Lanka.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Universiti Sains Malaysia and a masters degree from Warwick University, Britain.
Related posts:
* Idris Jala barely pass the test
* Idris Jala religion
* Moment of truth for Idris Jala
* Idris Jala bagged strategist award
* Idris Jala should be the Minister of Finance of Malaysia
In doubt or just plain curious on the religion of Idris Jala, the Managing Director of Malaysia Airlines? You come to the correct page. I post this page since MalaysiaDigest got a lot of queries on Datuk Idris Jala religion.
Idris Jala was born in 1958 as a member of the Kelabit tribe from the Bario highlands in Sarawak, Malaysia. His name sounds like a Malay name but Idris Jala is not a Malay. He is a Christian. Yes, a man with a Malay name is a Christian. Surprise ? Not in Sabah or Sarawak, whereby the native with their first name in English is a Christian but a native with his or her first name in Malay is not necessary a Muslim.
Could the global economic meltdown unravel the remarkable recovery achieved by Malaysia Airlines (MAS) over the past three years?
It is a question which could be answered on Thursday when the airline unveils its full-year results for 2008. The results could also be a verdict on managing director Idris Jala’s efforts to put it on a stronger footing through drastic measures over the last three years.
The airline posted a profit of RM198 million during the first nine months of last year.
But with travel demand collapsing in the October- December period, analysts forecast full-year earnings at only between RM190 million and RM210 million – implying almost zero bottomline growth during Q4 FY08.
This is far short of the airline’s own profit target range, made last year, of RM400 million to RM1 billion.
Still, the fact that MAS will remain in the black at all this year is vindication of Mr Idris’s efforts to boost yield, cut inefficient routes, raise productivity and bring costs under control – goals he outlined in his now-famous Business Turnaround Plan (BTP) in 2006.
Related posts:
* Who is Idris Jala
* For those in the doubt, check out Idris Jala's religion
More news at MalaysianInsider - Moment of truth for MAS
As expected, our Space Participant is now scott free. Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and the government has no gut whatsoever to take any action against his alleged wrong doing.
I have predicted this verdict in my previous post, Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Mustapha probe almost ended. The reason is simply (a kid from the Tadika can also understand it) because if the government punish our Space Participant, it will be like slapped one own's face. Abdullah Badawi, Najib and Ongkili wouldn't want to drop their water face punishing their sponsored space tourist.
In fact, this result was only announced today after the by-election in Kuala Terengganu. Should they announced it before the polling day, BN candidate would even lose heavily.
From TheStar
No action against angkasawan: Science Minister
By DHARMENDER SINGH
PUTRAJAYA: The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will not be taking any action against angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha over allegations that he had pocketed RM1.2mil from a series of talks.
Its minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili investigations into the allegations had concluded that the angkasawan had contravened a few clauses in his contract with the ministry.
He said the ministry had sent a show-cause letter to Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and he had explained that he gave the talks after office hours or while overseas, so his work at the ministry was in no way affected.
“He (Dr Sheikh Muszaphar) has provided his explanation to the queries in the letter including why he charged for the talks and we feel that it is acceptable, so there is no reason to take the matter any further,” he told reporters after launching the ministry’s logo here on Monday.
He said the investigations also revealed that although Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was paid for the talks he gave locally and overseas, the amount he was paid in no way amounted to over a million ringgit.
Ongkili also explained that there were certain “grey areas” in Dr Sheikh Muszaphar’s existing contract with the ministry and this was part of the reason it could not take any action.
He said the ministry’s lawyers would start working on a new contract after the Chinese New Year holidays and were expected to have it ready next month.
“The new contract will look into the weaknesses in the existing contract and address them accordingly.
“Dr Sheikh Muszaphar has expressed his wish to continue working with the ministry and in the programme but it will be up to him to decide whether to accept the new terms,” he said.
Speaking to reporters later Monday, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said he will not make a decision on renewing his contract until he sees the new one the Ministry is drafting.
“There has been some miscommunications between me and the ministry.
“These would be the areas I would want to look into in the new contract,” he said at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport where he was joining a team of volunteers from Pemuda Masjid on their way to the Gaza Strip with aid for Palestinian victims.
The probe on allegation against Malaysia Angkasawan Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Mustapha will be concluded in 2 weeks time, according to Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (STIM). The Angkasawan was said to have pocketed RM1.2mil from a series of talks (or money talks) and private appearance.
Judging from the tone of the press statement by STIM, the Angkasawan will probably be let off the hook. Why? There is no way for the government to slap in his own face. Penalizing the Angkasawan would only shame the government and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry. I predicted that the case against Angkasawan will be dropped and Sheikh Muszaphar will be able to enjoyed his million. Malaysia Boleh.
From TheStar
Angkasawan probe to be finished in 2wks
By NG CHENG YEE
PUTRAJAYA: The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry hopes to conclude its investigation into allegations against Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha within two weeks.
Its minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar had yet to give his statement on allegations that he had pocketed RM1.2mil from a series of talks, as he had just returned from overseas.
“The Deputy Minister is still fixing (a date) for the meeting. At the time being, all programmes will go on as usual,” he said.
He said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was currently attending witness programmes under his contract with the Government that required him to give lectures at schools and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as at international conferences.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar’s contract with the Government ended on Dec 31 last year.
The ministry would consider extending the annual contract based on the results of its investigation, Dr Maximus told reporters at a press conference after chairing the Malaysian Innovation Foundation’s first board of trustees’ meeting here on Monday.
“The ministry is very open in this matter and we will see whether he is willing to oblige to the terms of the contract and whether the new terms are acceptable to him,” he said.
When asked whether the contract would affect the extension of the contract, Dr Maximus said: “Of course, we will see how serious the matter is and he (Dr Sheikh Muszaphar) would have to answer a few questions.
“If we are satisfied with the answers, we will look at them and make a decision.”
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A committee set up by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will start investigating allegations that Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha has received payment for giving talks.
Deputy Minister Fadillah Yusof said the probe would start tomorrow.
It was earlier reported that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar had become RM1.2mil richer from charging RM8,000 per hour to share his experience (as a space flight participant) on the International Space Station.
Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor has since denied the allegations.
Related post:
* Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha money talks
* Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor's blog
From TheStar
Panel to investigate payments to Angkasawan for giving talks
By LESTER KONG
PETALING JAYA: A committee set up by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will start investigating allegations that Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Musza-phar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha has received payment for giving talks.
Deputy Minister Fadillah Yusof said the probe would start tomorrow.
It was earlier reported that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar had become RM1.2mil richer from charging RM8,000 per hour to share his experience on the International Space Station.
He has since denied the allegations. Fadillah, when contacted, said the results of the probe would be submitted to the minister by the first week of next month.
He said the ministry had received complaints and reports from the public that alleged that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar had been charging for his talks.
On whether it was proper for the astronaut to charge RM8,000 per hour for talks, Fadillah said the committee had to look into the terms of his contract and the Public Service Department rules as he was still a civil servant.
“There are rules and regulations pertaining to the funds he has charged as well as token payments he received. They are two different things.”
Fadillah urged the public to substantiate their complaints with evidence.
These included receipts, invoices or any documents or correspondence related to any event attended by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar.
He said the committee would dismiss the complaints in the absence of proof.
---------------------------------------------------------
From Bernama
Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar's Family Sad Over "RM1.2 Million" Newspaper Report
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The family of astronaut Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha is sad and disappointed over a newspaper report that he has amassed RM1.2 million from giving talks since last year.
His brother Sheikh Taufik Shukor Al Masrie said the family regretted that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar's untiring efforts to share his aerospace experience with the young generation was manipulated by certain people.
"We did not ask for any credit be given to him, just sad that he had been treated this way," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview here Monday.
Sheikh Taufik described the report as a "grave tragedy" as it was reported by a newspaper belonging to an opposition party that claimed to uphold Islam.
"They do not give a hoot to our aerospace venture, unlike other Muslim countries that were proud of his (Dr Sheikh Muszaphar) achievement. I do not understand why they want to destroy our future."
Sheikh Taufik said the claim that his brother received RM8,000 per hour for giving talks was not true at all.
He did not deny that many people had acted as middlemen or third parties to arrange for the astronaut to deliver talks or just to motivate people.
"Schools normally come directly to me or my brother and no money is involved. However, for non-governmental organisations and the private sector, there are many middlemen who manipulate the situation.
"This can give rise to things that may lead to such claims," he said when commenting when a report by an opposition newspaper that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar charged RM8,000 per hour for talks.
The report said the astronaut had amassed RM1.2 million from 150 corporations since his return from the International Space Station (ISS) in Oct last year.
Dr Sheikh Muszaphar on Sunday denied that he had had asked for specific amounts to deliver talks on his aerospace experience.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili had said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Major Dr Faiz Khaleed were contracted to the ministry until Dec 31 and thus could not charge for giving talks.
His deputy Fadillah Yusof was reported as saying the ministry would investigate the report.
Sheikh Taufik said he had wanted to reply to the report but was advised against it as it would be a waste of time.
"Their job is to pit one person against another and to rundown the government," he added.
On Dr Sheikh Muszaphar's reaction, he said although the astronaut was disappointed, it was nothing compared to what he had to go through before becoming an astronaut.
"My brother was calm and said the truth will prevail."
He said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar received many invitations but were careful as he did not want to be seen as a celebrity but an educator.
Meanwhile, his father Datuk Sheikh Mustapha Sheikh Shukor denied those who attended his talks were forced to buy the book "My Journey To Space" that related his experience during training and when at the ISS.
"I hope the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will defend my son now that he can be considered a son of the state," he added.
-- BERNAMA
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A contradicting revelation from a famous figure (personality), Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha the Malaysian Angkasawan (NASA called it space participant) who admit accepting contributions (may include money) but denied allegation on accepting payment during his talk to corporate companies.
Bottom line is that money contributions and money payment is still money.
Related posts:
* Sending another space flight participant for vacation
* Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor report going to the Cabinet
From TheStar
Angkasawan admits accepting contributions, denies demanding payment
KUALA LUMPUR: Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha has admitted to accepting contributions when giving talks.
However, he denied that he had received, among others, RM8,000 an hour for giving talks.
He said it was the norm for him to give talks in schools for free.
A news portal recently alleged that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar could have earned up to RM1.2mil, as he had charged RM8,000 for one-hour talks to 150 corporate companies.
“I hope we can resolve this unfortunate incident (allegations) because its negative impact would affect my ability to continue giving talks to schools in the country,” he said.
“I have spoken to Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Fadilah Yusof and given a detailed explanation, and he was happy and satisfied with my explanation,” he told reporters after flagging off and taking part in the Sixth Batik Fun Walk 2008 here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Penyayang chairman Nori Abdullah, who organised the walk, was satisfied with the number of participants, especially since some of the proceeds would be donated to the Penyayang Pesakit Kanser charity.
“I am happy with the number of participants taking part this year, which is about 1,200. This is double the number we had last year.
“It is also heartening to know that these participants will help make life a little easier for cancer patients,” she said.
Her husband, Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin, was also a participant in the event. — Bernama
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Maya Soetoro-Ng is Barack Obama’s younger half-sister. Maya is a high school teacher at La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls where she teaches US History, global studies and peace studies. She earned her PhD in Education from the University of Hawaii as well as an MA in Second Language Studies. She also has an MA in English from New York University. Konrad Ng is Maya’s husband. He is an Assistant Professor in the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawaii. Konrad earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Hawaii and a MA in Contemporary Social and Political Thought from the University of Victoria.
Konrad's father Howard Ng was born in Sandakan and married his mother, Joan from Kudat. Howard and Joan then moved to Canada where Konrad Ng was born there. Though Konrad is a Canadian, his parents are Malaysian (or maybe ex-Malaysian).
Related links:
* Konrad Ng's Blog
* Sabahan root Konrad Ng has a link to Barack Obama
Global perspective as observed by Barack Obama"
"If I am the face of American foreign policy and American power, I think that if you can tell people, 'We have a president in the White House who still has a grandmother living in a hut on the shores of Lake Victoria and has a sister who's half-Indonesian, married to a Chinese-Canadian,' then they're going to think that he may have a better sense of what's going on in our lives and in our country. And they'd be right."
Maya Soetoro, sister of presidential candidate Barack Obama, poses with her husband, Konrad Ng of Burlington, Ont., and their daughter Suhaila, 4, after meeting with Obama supporters in Honolulu in May 2007. (Lucy Pemoni/Associated Press)
Our UMNO led Barisan Nasional leaders should understand and adopt Barack Obama's global perspective in dealing with our deteriorating racial harmony in Malaysia.
Howard Ng (father of Konrad Ng) probably has sensed that and have moved to Canada to become a Chinese-Canadian instead of Chinese-Malaysian (or just plain Malaysian)
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