“I was amazed by Chong Wei’s fightback despite trailing early in the final yesterday. But in the end his determination to win made all the difference in achieving victory over his young Japanese opponent,” he said when contacted by Bernama here on Monday.

He said Chong Wei’s win was also proof that Malaysians were capable of taking on the best in the world.

“The success in good for Chong Wei himself and all Malaysian badminton fans,” he added.

Chong Wei, the top ranked singles player in the world and the top seed at the championship which entered its 100th edition this year, overcame a gritty challenge from unseeded Kenichi Tago to clinch the title in straight sets of 21-19 and 21-19.

It was only the third time Malaysia had lifted the much coveted title with the first time having been in 1966 through Tan Aik Huang.

It’s understood Dr Yudhoyono also raised the fate of 173 Indonesians held in Australian jails, accused of people-smuggling.

The five sought by Jakarta include three Indonesians believed to be living in Australia.

Indonesian Sofyan Sarabin, whose whereabouts is not known, and Australian Christopher John James, 36, from Mackay, are wanted for alleged fraud offences and their names are listed on the Interpol website. The other Australian named by Indonesian authorities is Peter Dundas Walbron, who is wanted over alleged acts of violence against children.

One of the two Indonesian nationals is Andrian Kiki Ariawan, a former Bank Surya chief convicted in absentia of corruption and embezzlement and sentenced to life imprisonment. He is alleged to have fled to Australia. Accused forger Jason Tanuwijaya is also thought to be living in Australia.

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A spokesman for Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor said the government did not comment on extradition requests, but did not deny the five were being sought by Jakarta.

Last week, the state-run Antara news reported Indonesia’s Law and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar as saying a request for extradition had been sent to Canberra.

“We have fulfilled Canberra’s request for the extradition of three of its criminals convicted in Indonesia but Australia has not done the same on our request for the extradition of five convicts now living in Australia,” Mr Patrialis said.

“I have told the Australian Attorney-General and the Immigration Minister that we have to be balanced regarding the extradition cases,” he said.

The three extradited to Australia were named as alleged pedophile Charles Alfred Barnett, 68, a former Adelaide priest; alleged people-smuggler Hadi Ahmadi; and Paul Francis Callahan, sought on child sex allegations.

It’s understood the Indonesian leader raised concerns about 173 nationals accused of people-smuggling — some currently before the courts. “SBY is concerned because he believes most of them are ordinary fishermen,” a Jakarta source said.

Samsung has confirmed that its range of 3D TVs will be available for retail next month.

Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn Bhd marketing director Jimmy Tan said there would be multiple choices available – starting from 40-inch models – but prices had yet to be determined.

“We are very excited with this new technology,” he said. “This is a new offering to the customer and will add on to his enjoyment of watching movies and sports content.
Excited: A woman watching a 3D TV using light-emitting diodes at the main office of Samsung Electronics in Seoul in this recent filepicture. — AFP

“There are limited opportunities to watching 3D movies in theatres but now customers can bring it into their homes. This is a totally new dimension in television for customers and something they can look forward to,” said Tan.

However, Panasonic Malaysia corporate communications and branding general manager Azizah Wahid said there is no news yet on the availability of Panasonic 3D TVs in Malaysia.

Last week, delegates to the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2010 held here were treated to a demonstration of the 3D TV.

The exhibit was brought in by Benchmark Systems (S) Pte Ltd, which also gave a demonstration of 3D post-production, the first of its kind in the region.

Viewers have to wear specially-designed polarising glasses to perceive a stereoscopic 3D image. Without the glasses, the picture would appear blurry, with ghosted double images.

“This is the best 3D effect I have seen on television,” said Benchmark’s exhibitor Mithun Dsouza.

“The image depth is excellent, as well as the brightness and richness of the colours,” he said.

The recent success of 3D movies such as the Oscar-winning Avatar, has sparked massive increase in the technology and manufacturers have been scrambling to bring their products into the market.

Panasonic and Samsung have started selling 3D TVs in the United States while other manufacturers such as Sony and LG will be launching their models this year.

Units range from US$2,500 to US$3,300 (RM8,300 to RM11,000).

The unit demonstrated during the symposium was from Japanese manufacturers JVC, whose monitors were used extensively during the production of Avatar.

Japan’s Kenichi Tago came out with all guns blazing in the first game and ran the top seed close in the second but Chong Wei patiently withstood those tough spells to secure a 21-19, 21-19 win in 47 minutes for the first major success in his career.

A much anticipated final against Olympic champion Lin Dan didn’t materialise after the China ace faltered in the quarter-finals as Chong Wei became the third Malaysian in 44 years to win the All England men’s singles title.

Tan Aik Huang also defeated a Japanese player H. Akiyama to capture the title in 1966 while Hafiz Hashim shocked the field to win the coveted event seven years ago.

Chong Wei hadn’t even seen action when Hafiz emerged victorious but the former has grown from strength to strength and the All England victory is a testament of his perseverance over the years.

Lin Dan denied Chong Wei the title last year but the former’s exit eased the way for the Malaysian.

It has also been a perfect start for Chong Wei this year as he has now captured all three Super Series, including Korea and Malaysia Opens, this year.

Kenichi led 4-0 in the first game and 15-11 before Chong Wei finally nosed ahead at 16-15. Though Kenichi managed to save three set points, he finally yielded at 21-19.

In the second, Chong Wei led 6-1 and 11-7 but the tough Japanese levelled at 14-14. The Malaysian then stretched out to 20-17 and although Kenichi saved two match points, a final shot from Chong Wei landed just in the baseline to hand him the triumph.

The pressure was immense on Chong Wei as he was possibly the only Malaysian capable of winning and the scream of delight when he clinched the winning point said it all.

Meanwhile, Tine Rasmussen of Denmark dealt a killer blow to China when she defeated World No 1 Wang Yihan 21-14, 18-21, 21-19 in 60 minutes to secure her second All England women’s singles crown.

Young pair Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei of China denied two-time world champions Nova Widianto-Lilyana Natsir of Indonesia, playing in their last All England, with a 21-14, 18-21, 21-19 win in 90 minutes.

In the men’s doubles, former world champions Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen were involved in an all-Denmark final against Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen late last night.

Results — (All Finals) Men’s Singles: Lee Chong Wei (Mas) bt Kenichi Tago (Jpn) 21-19, 21-19.

Women’s Singles: Tine Rasmussen (Den) bt Wang Yihan (Chn) 21-14, 18-21, 21-19.
Doubles:

Mixed Doubles: Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei (Chn) bt Nova Widianto-Lilyana Natsir (Den) 21-14, 18-21, 21-19.

Kadar dividen itu diumumkan setelah KWSP memperoleh pendapatan bersih tertinggi pernah dicapai sebanyak RM19.63 bilion tahun lepas.

KWSP dalam kenyataannya di sini berkata, pendapatan bersih itu merupakan peningkatan 34.82 peratus berbanding RM14.56 bilion yang dicatatkan pada 2008.

Kadar dividen 2009 menyaksikan peningkatan ketara sebanyak 115 mata asas berbanding kadar 4.50 peratus yang dibayar pada 2008.

“2009 merupakan tahun penting bagi KWSP kerana berjaya keluar daripada krisis kewangan global walaupun berdepan dengan persekitaran ekonomi yang kurang memberangsangkan. KWSP juga masih berupaya memberikan prestasi kukuh pada tahun ini,” kata Pengerusi KWSP, Tan Sri Samsudin Osman di sini hari ini.

Menurut Samsudin, berikutan meningkatnya kadar dividen itu, KWSP memerlukan sejumlah RM3.43 bilion untuk membayar satu peratus dividen kerana jumlah ahli yang juga telah bertambah.

“Jumlah itu meningkat 7.86 peratus berbanding RM3.18 bilion yang diperlukan bagi membayar satu peratus dividen pada 2008,” kata beliau.

Samsudin berkata, para pencarum KWSP boleh menyemak dividen 2009 yang dikreditkan ke dalam akaun mereka mulai Isnin ini.

Mengulas lanjut tentang pencapaian tahun kewangan itu, beliau berkata, pada 2009 sebanyak 72.53 peratus pelaburan KWSP dilaburkan dalam instrumen berpendapatan tetap selaras dengan pendekatan pelaburan berhemah yang diamalkan diikuti pelaburan ekuiti (27.05 peratus) dan selebihnya dalam hartanah.

Samsudin berkata, sehingga 31 Disember lalu portfolio pelaburan KWSP meningkat 8.55 peratus atau RM29.25 bilion kepada RM371.26 bilion berbanding RM342.01 bilion pada tahun sebelumnya.

Dana KWSP antara lain dilabur dalam Sekuriti Kerajaan Malaysia sebanyak RM93.11 bilion, pinjaman dan bon (RM152.96 bilion), ekuiti (RM100.43 bilion), instrumen pasaran wang (RM23.21 bilion) dan hartanah (RM1.55 bilion).

Samsudin menambah, prospek 2010 bergantung kepada prestasi ekonomi negara dan global.

“Pada masa ini, keadaan pasaran kewangan global masih tidak stabil dan boleh memberi kesan kepada nilai pelaburan dan pendapatan masa depan KWSP.

“Bagaimanapun, KWSP akan terus memberi tumpuan kepada matlamat utamanya melindungi simpanan ahli dan memberikan pulangan nyata yang munasabah,” tambah beliau.

Masakah tidak, bakal suaminya ialah anak kepada jutawan terkaya di Indonesia, Aburizal Bakrie iaitu Ardie Bakrie. Bertuah Nia ya!

Nia Ramadani dan Ardie Bakrie Adakah Nia memang menanti lelaki dari kalangan berada untuk dikahwini? Kata Nia, saat awal pertemuan dengan Ardie dia sebenarnya tidak tahu pun siapa keluarga lelaki itu. Dia mengenali Ardie dalam satu majlis ulang tahun seorang kenalan pada tahun 2007.

“Awalnya tidak tahu dan dia juga tidak memperkenalkannya nama di belakang namanya. Setelah beberapa kali pertemuan barulah saya tahu siapa dia,” kata Nia kepada media di Indonesia.

Kata Nia status Ardie sebagai anak bongsu ahli perniagaan terkaya di Indonesia tidak pernah mempengaruhi hubungan mereka, malah sikap Ardie yang matang dan menerima segala keburukannya membuatkan dia tertarik kepada lelaki itu.

“Aku sengaja menunjukkan sikap buruk dan dia menerima seadanya dan dia tetap bersama aku dalam apa juga keadaan. Itu bermakna dia menerima aku seadanya,” kata Nia.

Reka gaun pengantin

Nia mahu kelihatan cantik pada hari bersejarah dengan mereka sendiri gaun pengantinnya. Dia berbincang dengan pereka untuk menghasilkan gaun yang diilhamkan.

[Bahagia...] Tak sangka Nia memiliki bakat mereka fesyen. Malah pakaian yang dikenakan pada majlis pertunangan pada 17 Oktober lalu. Nia juga menyiapkan sendiri hiasan sejadah yang bakal dijadikan buah tangan tetamu.

Majlis pernikahan akan dijalankan dalam adat Sunda manakala resepsi pada 2 April akan dijalankan dengan adat Lampung. Bapa Nia, Priya Ramadani dari Sunda manakala ibunya, Chanty Mersia dari Lampung.

Tema warna emas menjadi pilihan kerana Nia memang meminati warna tersebut.

Ada khabar mengatakan rumah tersebut pemberian buah hatinya, Raul Lemos.

“Rumah itu adalah pelaburan saya untuk melakukan tugas-tugas saya di KD Production. Studuo lama itu digunakan oleh Anang,” kata Kris atau mesra dengan panggilan KD.

KD juga menafikan rumah tersebut pemberian Raul sebagai hadiah pernikahan mereka.

“Demi Allah saya belum bernikah,” kata KD.

KD juga mengatakan dia tidak tinggal di situ sebaliknya dua pekerjanya yang menginap. KD juga meminta wartawan tidak berkerumun di depan rumah tersebut kerana ia bakal mengganggu jiran.

CHE LI: Banyak masalah bila berlaku perceraian.

Umno-led BN’s persuasive arguments have caused a seismic shift in the mindset, especially among some PKR representatives who defected to become independents friendly to BN. Like a hungry tiger, it is craving for more!

PKR is seen as the weakest link in the political chain – the party with many political representatives and members who once belonged to Umno in particular and also fellow BN component parties.

It would be more challenging to destabilise the largely principled and disciplined PAS and DAP, albeit they too have suffered a mega setback in Perak recently. One can expect Pakatan Rakyat will take all these political wounds in its stride, regarding them as birth pangs with hope of a beautiful political ‘offspring’; thereafter to regroup and respond with a fresh political tsunami – if it can re-create one one more time.

To some quarters, one set lost is not ‘game over’. The political tide can yet change, they argue, if new East Malaysian political parties are formed to partner Pakatan in their quest for real political power and change for a ‘better Malaysia’.

Or, East Malaysian political parties, supportive of or sympathetic to Pakatan’s long-term cause or ideals are prepared to come forth publicly to Pakatan’s aid, which will broaden Pakatan’s base. Indeed, a strong, healthy and lasting broad-based political partnership with shared concerns and ideals and mutual respect are needed for it to truly represent and govern the nation.

Pakatan is hoping that East Malaysian political parties can see the opportunity is now or never. Pakatan’s ongoing and painstaking efforts to woo their East Malaysian counterparts may yet prove to be the winning shot in this titanic battle, although counter-strategies such as Umno’s promise not to enter into Sarawak politics are beginning to make their mark.

Significantly, however, Umno’s promise not spread its wings to Sarawak comes conditional, ie, ‘as long as the state BN backbone, PBB, keeps winning seats for the coalition’.

All things said, the political game is also a matter of perception as much as it is for real, and if one may add, also a dream. Pakatan will surely yearn and pray for Martin Luther Jr’s ‘I have a dream’ to become a reality in Malaysia come the next general election!

All these for a better change, provided Malaysians are prepared to give them ‘1Chance’. Will they?

Pakatan members and supporters believe it’s a resounding ‘yes’ while Pakatan sympathisers are also rooting for the greatly handicapped underdog to upset the massive political heavyweight that is BN in the way Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Cory Aquino had triumphed against their nemeses all odds.

The Umno-led BN, however, is wishing and hoping for ‘business as usual’ in its political dominance for another 50 long years. It’s your call, Malaysians!

Tup… tup… sejak berkahwin dengan gadis yang lebih kurang 30 tahun lebih muda, nama dan wajah Shidee ada di mana-mana. Teman tumpang gembira juga kerana setelah sekian lama membujang, akhirnya naik pelamin dan bergelar suami juga. Tetapi alih-alih timbul kontroversi kerana timbul cerita kononnya wujud elemen ‘cinta tiga segi’. Namun, Shidee dan isterinya yang tidak kurang cantiknya itu, Siti Fairunnissa Aziz, menafikannya. Sudah empat tahun bercinta dalam diam dan Shidee pula memang tidak langsung menaruh hati dengan Jamaliah Hassan. Dalam lain perkataan, mentua boleh, tetapi nak jadi isteri susahlah.

Dalam pada kebanyakan kita gembira dengan berita pernikahan Shidee yang bakal menjadi penyampai trofi dalam ABPBH 2009 pada malam kemuncak 4 April ini di Genting Highlands bergandingan dengan anak Normadiah, Azlina Aziz, ramai juga yang tidak berapa berkenan apabila Shidee mengeluarkan kata kurang manis tatkala mengulas perkara ini sehingga mengguris hati sesetengah wanita yang sudah bergelar janda.

Teman rasa Shidee tak berniat pun mengeluarkan kata-kata sebegitu, maklumlah sudah lama tidak berdepan dengan kontroversi cinta, kahwin, amarah dan air mata. Saat dia sewajarnya berbulan madu dengan isteri, cerita hangat pula yang timbul. Jadi sebelum semuanya sudah terlambat dan mendapat kecaman lebih baik minta maaf saja. Tak luak pun kalau kita minta maaf, janji ikhlas. Jangan jadi macam sesetengah orang, minta maaf di mulut saja sedangkan hati masih berbulu. Apabila hati tak ikhlas terpancarlah nur tak ikhlas pada wajah.

Seperti teman mengharapkan perang Shidee dan ibu mentuanya berakhir, begitulah juga dengan kemelut yang dihadapi aktres cantik lagi jelita, Maya Karin. Kecoh juga kisahnya kerana tiba-tiba saja timbul cerita rumah tangga Maya berantakan. Kalau dalam internet lagilah sensasinya sehingga ada yang kata ia berpunca daripada kehadiran orang ketiga. Remy Ishaklah, VIP kacak itu lagilah.

Biasalah tu Maya… apabila wujud pergeseran dalam rumah tangga artis, cepat sajalah mulut bercerita. Apatah lagi jika ia berlaku kepada artis yang popular macam Maya. Nasihat teman, jangan peduli sangat apa orang kata kerana ikut kata orang memang macam-macam cerita. Tengok Siti Nurhaliza, apa orang tak kata mengenai rumah tangganya. Banyaklah yang nak jadi ahli nujum dan ramailah yang membuat spekulasi, tetapi alhamdulillah mereka semakin bahagia. Malah gosip dan spekulasi itulah yang sebenarnya menguatkan cinta pasangan popular ini.

Kisah rumah tangga ini ada baiknya disimpan saja kerana kalau banyak sangat campur tangannya boleh jadi lain cerita. Lagi pun kisah rumah tangga juga memang tak berkesudahannya. Sedangkan lidah lagikan tergigit, inikan pula suami isteri yang sahih memiliki dua personaliti dan cita rasa berbeza. Duduk pula dalam satu rumah, bukan calang-calang cabarannya. Yang itu kata ini, yang ini kata itu. Ada yang boleh bergaduh gara-gara berebut bilik air. Tak kurang yang berperang kerana perkara remeh seperti memilih warna bilik dan ruang tamu.

Banyak bertolak ansur, itulah yang sebaik-baiknya. Ada perkara yang boleh dicerita, ada perkara yang ada baik disimpan saja. Cerita seks, kelambu, katil dan posisi paling baik adalah antara perkara yang tak payahlah nak kongsi dengan mana-mana orang pun. Tak juga dalam Facebook. Tetapi ada orang bagi tahu teman, ada seorang artis yang sudah agak senja suka sangat bercerita soal seks. Apabila bercerita hal ini kata sumber itu, seri wajahnya memang semacam saja.

Begitulah rencah dunia artis yang tidak pernah sunyi. Oh ya… untuk merancakkan lagi dunia artis, kalau tiada aral melintang teman akan berada di Village Mall, Sungai Petani pada 5 dan 6 Mac ini untuk bersama-sama menjayakan jelajah promosi ABPBH 2009. Kalau kebetulan anda pembaca budiman berada di Sungai Petani, datanglah meraikan kedatangan Hujan, Aznil Nawawi, Fizz Fairuz, Mawi, Raja Azura, Meet Uncle Hussain, Akim, Rozita Che Wan, Isma AF, Along Raja Lawak, Didie Alias, Enot dan Bintang Idola, Farlyana.

Macam-macam aktiviti yang team teman sediakan untuk memeriahkan lagi siri roadtour itu. Kalau rasanya hendak tunjukkan bakat menyanyi, sertai saja Bintang Idola. Sesi uji bakat akan bermula selepas solat Jumaat di Village Mall itu sendiri. Kalau sekadar hendak berhibur dan melihat dengan dekat artis pujaan anda datang saja pada 6 Mac itu mulai jam 3 petang kerana mereka akan membuat persembahan. Sesi road tour bukan saja sekadar promosi tetapi lebih sebagai platform artis meraih undi daripada peminat mereka. Tetapi ada juga yang buat tak kisah saja. Soal itu lain kali saja teman cerita. Jumpa lagi!

Tuntutan komitmen yang tinggi membuatkan Agnes atau nama sebenarnya, Agnes Monica Muljoto, 23, tidak berpeluang berfikir soal kekasih. Bahkan, pelakon Rezky Aditya, 24, yang kini dikait rapat dengannya diakui sekadar teman biasa.

Agnes berkata, tiada apa yang istimewa dalam hubungan dijalin bersama Rezky. Ini kerana, buat masa ini dia belum terfikir inginkan kekasih. Menurutnya, jadual yang sibuk menyebabkan dia senang tidak berkasih walaupun ia tuntutan naluri setiap wanita.

“Saya yakin ketika ini diri belum bersedia untuk ada kekasih. Bagi saya biarlah sekarang bersahabat saja termasuk bersama Rezky. Lagipun, selain sibuk dengan karier, saya juga perlu memberi tumpuan kepada pelajaran yang belum habis.

“Sekarang ini, saya masih mengikuti kuliah Sains Politik di University Oregon State. Jadi, ke mana saja saya pergi, memang ditemani buku dan komputer riba. Boleh dikatakan setiap waktu bersama dan tiada masa untuk fikirkan soal lain,” katanya.

Berpegang teguh dengan kenyataannya sebelum ini, Agnes berkali-kali menafikan tiada hubungan intim berputik antaranya dan Rezky selain sebagai sahabat saja. Ujarnya, memang dia sudah memaklumkan kepada Rezky bahawa takkan ada cinta.

“Dari dulu saya sudah jelaskan kepadanya (Rezky) yang hubungan persahabatan kami takkan berubah menjadi cinta. Justeru, hingga ke saat ini saya tidak pernah mengubah kenyataan. Apa yang saya katakan dulu tetap sama dan tak perlu dihiraukan.

“Apapun, jika soal ini masih diperbesarkan lagi pastinya ia bukan datang daripada saya. Sebenarnya, kalau ingin menjadi kekasih, semestinya hubungan itu bermula dengan persahabatan. Jadi, sekarang ini hati saya belum berteka-teki.

“Malah, bagi saya soal hati tak boleh ditipu atau disembunyikan. Oleh itu, jujurnya saya mengaku sekali lagi hubungan dengan Rezky hanya teman biasa dan kami belum berfikir untuk ke arah lebih serius,” kata Agnes penyanyi lagu Matahari dan Tak Ada Logika.

Katanya lagi, dengan pencapaian serta kejayaan cemerlang diraih pada usia muda, bukanlah mustahil jika dia berpegang pada prinsip tidak mengimpikan kehadiran kekasih. Baginya, cinta masih terlalu awal.

“Hidup saya tetap bahagia, ceria dan gembira saja walaupun masih tiada kekasih. Oleh itu, sekarang bukan masanya untuk saya bercinta. Malah, saya tak perlukan kekasih. Kalau dulu, saya mengaku pernah mencintai seseorang dan sangat menyayanginya.

“Namun, disebabkan memilih orang yang salah akhirnya saya tidak gembira. Justeru, daripada pengalaman itu banyak yang dipelajari. Saya harus menemui lelaki yang boleh menerima diri ini seadanya dan bukan untuk gembira semata-mata.

“Sekarang ini pun yang paling penting bagi saya ialah sokongan keluarga dan rakan. Jadi, jika saya mahu membawa masuk seseorang ke dalam hidup ini, biarlah dia seorang yang boleh memberi ketenangan, keamanan dan baik padaku,” katanya.

Biarpun status kariernya kini bertaraf antarabangsa, Agnes berkata meskipun sekarang dia tidak memerlukan kekasih, itu tidak bermakna dia menolak cinta. Katanya cinta tetap cinta dan ia sukar dijangka atau diramal dengan mudah.

“Apapun, jika ditakdirkan saya jatuh cinta nanti, biarlah urusan yang satu ini hanya untuk diri sendiri. Sebagai wanita, saya ingin dicintai dan mencintai, cuma persoalan ini biarlah menjadi hak milik peribadi. Jadi, tak mengapa jika ia tidak dihebah,” katanya.

Muncul dengan album Sacredly Agnezious tahun lalu selepas Matahari, Agnes popular pula dengan single kedua, Godai Aku Lagi. Menerusi single itu, jumlah muat turut dicatatkan Godai Aku Lagi mencecah 1.5 juta Sekali gus, melayakkan lagu itu menerima platinum berkembar tiga.

PROFIL
NAMA: Agnes Monica Muljoto
PANGGILAN KOMERSIAL: Agnes Monica/Nez
TARIKH LAHIR: 1 Julai 1986
USIA: 23 tahun
ASAL: Jakarta, Indonesia
KARIER: Penyanyi, pelakon, penari, penerbit album dan komposer.
ZODIAK: Cancer
ALBUM: Si Meong (1992), Yess! (1993), Bala-Bala (1993) ..And the Story Goes (2003), Whaddup A.. ‘?! (2005), NEZ (2008) dan Sacredly Agnezious (2009)
SINETRON: Antaranya 1999: Lupus Milenia, Mr Hologram (1999), Amanda (2002), Pernikahan Dini (2002), Ciuman Pertama (2002), Cinta Selembut Awan (2002), Cewekku Jutek (2003), Cantik (2004), Bunga Perawan (2004), Ku Tlah Jatuh Cinta (2005), Pink (2006), Kawin Muda (2007), Jelita (2008) dan Kawin Masal (2008)
DRAMA LUAR NEGARA: Romance In The White House (Taiwan- 2005) dan The Hospital (Taiwan- 2006)
PENCAPAIAN: Antaranya, Anugerah Penyanyi Wanita Terbaik di Asia Song Festival 2008, Penyanyi Wanita Paling Popular di Kids Choice Awards 2008 dan Anugerah Platinum Berkembar 3 (lagu Godai Aku Lagi).

Bagaimanapun, penyanyi lagu Makhluk Tuhan Paling Seksi itu mengaku pada masa ini beliau masih belum memiliki sebarang calon.

“Perkahwinan tidak seharusnya dirahsiakan. Pastinya semua individu ingin berkahwin,” kata penyanyi berusia 31 tahun itu.

Ibu dua anak itu turut menyatakan, pada masa ini, beliau lebih mengutamakan anak-anaknya.

“Seluruh hidup saya kini adalah untuk anak-anak. Mereka adalah individu paling penting dalam hidup saya dan mereka bakal mempengaruhi semua keputusan yang akan saya buat.” Dewan Rakyat kini membincangkan akta yang akan mengharamkan perkahwinan tidak didaftar atau dikenali sebagai nikah siri (perkahwinan rahsia).

Ulama dan artis yang menyokong poligami bagaimanapun menolak rancangan mengharamkan nikah siri manakala majoriti wanita pula menyokongnya.

More than 20 bodies have been recovered, including two children, according to Priyadi Kardono, a spokesman for the country’s Disaster Management Agency. About 50 people remained unaccounted for and were presumed dead.The mudslide in the village of Pasirjambu in West Java happened about 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Mr. Priyadi said authorities did not learn of the situation until eight hours later due to poor communication lines in the village, which is located about 125 miles southeast of Jakarta, the capital.

“I think also that people were panicking and so focused on saving their own lives and the lives of their family members that they didn’t think to contact the authorities sooner,” Mr. Priyadi said.

Villagers placed markers where they believed that people had been buried. Rescuers found two survivors under the mud and they were being treated a local hospital.

Most of the victims were plantation workers — who are typically women — or their family members.

The rescue effort has been complicated by the remoteness of the village, which sits in a valley and is normally accessible only by a small road using all-terrain vehicles or motorbikes. Heavy rains and flooding in recent days worsened the road conditions and the search was delayed overnight.

Backhoes and other heavy equipment began to arrive in the village Wednesday morning. The Indonesian vice president, Boediono, also traveled to the scene on Wednesday.

Fearing more landslides, the government evacuated about 1,000 people from the valley. The military set up temporary camps on higher ground nearby.

Although large-scale deforestation is often the cause of landslides in Indonesia, Mr. Priyadi said the heavy rains had likely set off the mudslide. He also said that a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck West Java last September could have caused the hills in the area to crack and become unstable.

He said a survey should have been done to determine whether the area might be vulnerable to landslides.

The island of Java, the country’s most populated, has been deluged by rain this month, resulting in floods that have displaced thousands. In the city of Bandung, 55 miles from Tuesday’s mudslide site , flooding has displaced an estimated 10,000 families.

Thousands of people in Jakarta also were forced from their homes last weekend after city canals overflowed during heavy rains.

Eighty-two PML contract workers and 46 of its staff were working there when the explosion occurred at 11.37am on Monday but no one was hurt.

Two fire engines from the Labuan Fire and Rescue Service and the PML rescue unit rushed to the scene and controlled the situation within 30 minutes.

Speaking at a news conference, PML production chief Mohd Kamis Abdul Manap said a detailed investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the explosion.

“We will conduct a comprehensive investigation before operations can continue. We will identify if there was weakness in the safety aspect,” said Mohd Kamis.

The PML plant was built in 1984 and its biggest customer is Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) in Kuantan, Pahang.

Other markets include Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Taiwan and China.

In 2007, two Petronas sub-contract workers were seriously burned in an explosion while carrying out works at the PML plant in Rancha-Rancha. — Bernama

In a statement here Wednesday, AirAsia said the promotion will be available exclusively online via its website at www.airasia.com during the promotion period for a travel period from March 23 -May 31 this year.

The discounts for its domestic and international destinations will be available for AirAsia’s nine regional hubs namely Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Bangkok, Phuket, Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya and Bandung stretching across 20 countries to over 130 routes.

The promotion excludes domestic destinations within Thailand and the new routes to India (Banglore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai from Kuala Lumpur and to Chennai from Penang) for which sales were opened recently, where promotional fares are still available online until February 21.

Its regional head of commercial, Kathleen Tan said guests will be able to book flights to favourite destinations such as London, Australia, China as well as regional favourites like Siem Reap, Bali, Phuket, Bangkok, Jakarta, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City during the four-day promotion.

Those planning on domestic travel in Malaysia will also benefit from the promotion as domestic destinations are included, she said

The RM40mil water park – a component of Bukit Gambang Resort City – officially opened its doorS to the public in July this year.

Its sales manager Louis Ong said that all 578 accommodation units in the resort’s Caribbean Bay Suites were available complete with a club house, gymnasium, jacuzzi, infinity pool, steam room and MICE (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition) facilities.

Ong said the accommodation comprised 140 studio suites, 18 deluxe suites and 420 family suites in seven blocks.

“The units were sold to locals and foreigners including Singaporeans and leased to us.

“Investors are assured of rental returns for five years free of furniture, fittings and maintenance charges.

“Due to the overwhelming response, another 400 units are being built and will be completed over the next two years,” he told Star Metro in an interview.

Ong said the water park was slowly but surely gaining popularity particularly among those residing in the east coast states, Johor and the Klang Valley.

Family fun: Guests enjoying a horse-carriage ride.

He said the number of visitors was rising and the highest number registered so far was on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri in September with over 5,000 visitors.

“Based on this trend, we are confident of hitting the 500,000-visitor target in the first year,” he said, adding that, during the mid-year Matta Fair, they chalked up sales of RM90,000.

Other activities in high demand were the ATV (all terrain vehicle) fun ride, jungle trekking, pony rides, paintball warzone and target shooting.

Ong said that visitors could use the tram and horse-carriage rides to and from the Caribbean Bay Suites for a minimal fee. There are other fun activities for children such as sand art, air brush tattoo and DIY handicraft.

To keep guests occupied in the evening, magic shows and movie screenings were held free of charge at the multipurpose hall, he added.

Meanwhile, general manager Edmond Quah said the resort was planned to be the first and largest water theme park in the east coast.

Cool sensation: The journey of ice around a tunnel at the Penguin Island.

He said the water park was one of the main components of the resort estimated to cost RM1bil in total investments and expected to be completed over eight years.

“This forest resort over 202ha will be rolled out in stages and is poised to make Pahang, particularly Kuantan, a prime family holiday destination.

“The first phase comprising the Caribbean Bay Suites, water park and active academy team-building centre cost about RM140mil.

“Under the second and third phases, we will introduce the adventure park, forest park, east-coast bazaar, global heritage and heritage square.

“In the later stages, the public can look forward to themed accommodation namely Andaman Bay, Arabian Bay, Mediterranean Beach and Hawaiian Beach,” he said.

Quah said that each parcel of the project would have its own identity and the distinctive logo of a bird exclusive to its architectural and thematic concept.

For example, he said the Caribbean Bay Suites featured the toucan bird which was native to the tropics while the water park would adopt the fun-loving and happy-go-lucky penguin.

The water park has four main components – Coco Beach, Penguin Island, Tree-top Hill Slides and Garden Terrace.

The main attraction of Coco Beach is a wave pool with a 1km man-made tropical beach.

The first-of-its-kind aqua play structure, glacier river family ride and journey of ice around a tunnel are the highlights at Penguin Island, in addition to the family river raft, galaxy, canopy and crystal slides.

Companies can use the Garden Terrace to hold telematches or private functions.

“In short, not all water parks are created equal. We strive to be the best in the east coast and Malaysia and hope to live up to our tagline Leisure At Its Best,” Quah said.

Presently, the park is offering a promotional rate of RM19.90 for adults and RM12.90 for children.

Its operation hours are 10am to 6pm daily throughout the school holidays.

Gambang Resorts
Penguin Island
Penguin Aqual Play structure
Coco Beach
Water Park
Forest Park
Adventure Park
Hotel & Villa
East Coast Bazaar
Heritagen Square
Scenic Ocean Ville
Global Heritage Resort Villa
Location Map