Malaysia News

Thursday, 24 January 2013

Real Madrid, Barcelona top football's rich list

Real Madrid has remained football’s biggest money maker for the eighth straight year as many of Europe’s leading football clubs shrugged off the economic hardship engulfing the continent and boosted their revenue.

The Spanish champions became the first sports team anywhere to break the (euro) 500 million ($666 million) revenue barrier as they stayed ahead of Spanish rival Barcelona in the Football Money League compiled by accountancy firm Deloitte.

Both teams saw their income rise by 7% during the 2011-12 season with Madrid taking in (euro) 512.6 million ($683 million) and Barcelona (euro) 483 million ($643million).

While the top six teams remained unchanged, only third-place Manchester United revenue’s dropped, with a fall of 3 percent to 320.3 million pounds ($507 million) after exiting last season’s Champions League at the group stage. -- AP

PM IN GAZA: Najib's groundbreaking visit

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said his ground-breaking visit to Gaza on Tuesday was humanitarian in nature and should not be misconstrued as an interference into the domestic affairs of Palestine.

Najib said he would have visited the Fatah-ruled West Bank if not for the constraints placed by Israel's air control over the Palestinian Territories.

"It was my every intention to also visit Ramallah (de facto capital of the Palestinian Authority) but since I have to fly to get there and the sky is controlled by Israel, I could not make the trip," he said at the end of his three-day visit to Gaza and Egypt.

For Israel to give permission to fly into Ramallah would have meant that Malaysia would have to recognise Tel Aviv.

Najib was asked to comment on reports that his visit to the Hamas-controlled Gaza on Tuesday -- the first by a Malaysian prime minister -- had drawn reactions from the office of Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Najib said he had spoken to Abbas over the phone before leaving for Cairo onward to Gaza to explain the humanitarian nature of his visit and again met Palestinian Waqf Minister Mahmoud Al-Habash of Fatah in Cairo on Tuesday night to do the same.

"My visit to Gaza was purely humanitarian and we wanted to show our solidarity and support for the Palestinian cause.

"It was also to show support to Fatah and Hamas for their quest to form a unity government as soon as possible," he said, adding that Gaza was now an issue because it bore the brunt of Israel's eight-day aggression last November.

"I had the opportunity to see the destruction caused by this aggression and clearly saw that the targets had no significant military value."

Asked how he felt after making the risky visit to a conflict area, Najib said he had wanted to visit Palestine "for a long time".

"I had followed the Palestinian issue for a very long time and it is close to my heart because I had in the past adopted two Palestinian children."

Najib had supported the children until the programme ended with the death of Dr Elijah Gordon of the Malaysian Social Research Institute.

"I had sent money to the children every month since I was at the Education Ministry and later at the Defence Ministry.

"I would have looked for my adopted children during my visit but it is impossible to locate them. They are probably in the West Bank."

Najib expressed satisfaction over his Gaza trip, saying he was happy that he could represent Malaysians who had for so long provided assistance and shown strong support for the Palestinians.

Najib also expressed his condolences to the family of a Malaysian killed in the hostage drama in Algeria.

"I sympathise with the family for the tragedy. This is something that can happen (to anyone) and very hard to predict. I hope the families (involved) will remain strong in facing this test."

Najib said there had been discouraging reports about the fate of the Malaysian still missing, but Wisma Putra was monitoring the situation closely.

Najib left for Davos yesterday to attend the World Economic Forum.

Wednesday, 23 January 2013

Petronas mulls Evonik pact

Petroliam Nasional Bhd, Malaysia’s state energy company, aims to start a specialty chemicals venture with Germany’s Evonik Industries AG after cancelling a similar partnership with BASF SE, a person familiar with the matter said.

Petronas, as the company is known, may announce the proposal with Germany’s biggest closely held chemicals company today, said the person who asked not to be named as the information is private. Terms of the transaction are still being discussed, the person said.

Petronas and BASF had planned to invest a total of 1 billion euros (US$1.3 billion) on the project in Malaysia’s southern Johor state and expanding an existing joint venture, according to the European manufacturer’s website. The companies said in a statement Jan. 21 that they mutually agreed to terminate the partnership after failing to agree on terms.

Azman Ibrahim, a Petronas spokesman, wasn’t immediately available for comment by phone. Peter Meinshausen, Evonik’s regional president, couldn’t immediately be reached by phone at his office in Kuala Lumpur today.

The proposed Johor project is part of a US$20 billion refining and petrochemicals complex planned by Petronas in Pengerang, bordering Singapore. BASF will continue with expanding its existing chemicals partnership with the national energy company in Malaysia’s Pahang state, the companies said. -- Bloomberg

Pahang stay top

Strong second-half performance powers Dollah's side past Terengganu

PAHANG came out sharper in the second half, and it helped them open a two-point lead at the top of the Super League as they thrashed Terengganu 3-0 in Kuantan yesterday.

Armed Forces overcame Felda United 2-0 in Paroi to occupy second position on goal difference over Selangor, who were held 1-1 by Perak in a tense match at Lumut Stadium

After an eventful 75 minutes, Pahang opened accounts through substitute Hafiz Kamal's swerving free kick in the 77th minute before Fauzi Roslan's header extended their lead with his fifth goal of the season a minute later.

Hafiz completed the rout with a splendid strike inside the penalty box in the 89th minute.

"We wasted so many chances in the first half but luckily we made amends after the breather," said coach Dollah Salleh in Kuantan yesterday.

"Overall, I am happy with my players' performance and this immediate response after last weekend's defeat to Selangor will keep them motivated.

"We have opened a two-point lead and hopefully we can maintain it when the league resumes."

Forces scored a goal in each half for a 2-0 victory over Felda United, courtesy of goals from Marlon Alex James (16th) and Shukor Adan (56th).

The match officials made headlines in Lumut for making controversial decisions in Perak's 1-1 draw with 10-man Selangor.

Abdul Hadi Yahya thought he had scored a goal for Perak in the 16th minute but it was ruled off side but video replays suggested otherwise.

Referee Zulkifli Ahmad then showed Selangor's Amri Yahyah a yellow card for diving in Perak's box in the 35th minute but video replay showed that the attacking midfielder was held by defender Khairi Kiman.

Seven minutes later, the referee gave Amri a straight red after the match official had warned Selangor coach Irfan Bakti for being too vocal along the touchline.

Despite playing with one man short, Selangor returned for the second half stronger as they opened accounts through Forkey Doe's spectacular long range effort in the 66th minute.

The Liberia international picked up a loose ball and evaded two defenders before hammering home, giving Perak goalkeeper Khairul Amri Salehuddin no chance at all.

Perak equalised through Abdul Hadi in the 80th minute after Mohd Failee Ghazali was fouled in the box by Selangor captain Asraruddin Putra Omar.

In Shah Alam, Johor's Darul Takzim earned an important 3-1 away win over PKNS.

Safee Sali (19th), Ahmed Ezrie Shafizie Sazali (61st) and Daniel Guiza (87th) were on target for Darul Takzim while Faiz Isa replied for PKNS in stoppage time.

In Kota Baru, Kelantan were held 0-0 by Negri Sembilan while T-Team edged Singapore's LionsXII 1-0, courtesy of Badril Hisyam's 75th penalty in Kuala Terengganu.

T-Team's former Dutch international, George Boateng, was out injured while Caleb Folan, who used to don Republic of Ireland colours, was on the pitch for only 45 minutes before pulling a hamstring and had to be substituted by Fazuan Abdullah.

T-Team coach Peter Butler, impressed with the gritty performance of his players, especially in the second half when they were playing without Folan, said it was the fighting spirits of his young players that won them the game.

"They showed real character and I thought they controlled the game for a long spell before getting a penalty which was converted by Badrul (Hisham Morris) with about 15 minutes left on the clock.

Lions XII coach, V. Sundramoorthy said they had to pay the price for losing six key players to injuries and National Service commitments

"My boys played well under the circumstances and a draw would have been a fairer result but that was just an afterthought," he said.

DPM: Help find the boy

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday made a personal appeal to all Malaysians to help find William Yau Zhen Zhong.

"I share the family's grief and I truly hope that the boy is found safe and sound.

"This is why I am making an appeal to Malaysians to come forward and help find the boy. Any leads they have must be immediately chanelled to the police or the Social Welfare Department.

"Any information, no matter how small, could help find William and return him back safely to his family."

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, made this appeal after handing out the RM100 schooling aid to students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tun Haji Abdul Malik in Cheng, here.

In Kuala Lumpur, the RHB Banking Group has joined in efforts to locate 6-year-old William.

Under its Missing Children-Reuniting Families programme, RHB has mobilised staff in all 200 branches nationwide in an effort to bring public attention to the missing child.

"When the information was received via the Nur Alert System on Jan 18, all RHB branches nationwide were directed to print and distribute the missing child's posters to the public," said RHB's director of group corporate services Norazzah Sulaiman.

The directive saw RHB staff and volunteers distributing posters at toll plazas, shopping malls, bus stations and even taxi stands nationwide.

William's poster was also uploaded on the bank's Facebook page and its corporate website to ensure the online community was also roped in to help with the search.

"These cases of missing children, though small in number, have a debilitating effect on entire families and communities, regardless of religion, race or age groups," Norazzah said.

She said when RHB began studying reports of missing children, it found that there was limited involvement by the public and there was no real commitment to assist the authorities to look for them.

"As such, we started exploring a working environment with the police to see how we could be of help."

"The RHB Banking Group has made it a priority to safeguard our young and we will continue to invest our resources in the protection of children through our Missing Children-Reuniting Families programme."

The financial banking group launched its programme in 2007 in partnership with the police and was involved in cases of 12 missing children.

Meanwhile, as of yesterday, 11 million copies of the boy's photograph have been distributed nationwide.

This figure was revealed by police as the search operations entered its seventh day.

The prints comprised pamphlets, newspapers and flyers.

The KK group of companies has also joined in by distributing more than 25,000 copies of William's photograph.

Its chief executive officer, Datuk Dr Douglas K.K. Chai, said another 15,000 copies were being printed.

"We have distributed the flyers at 130 KK Mart outlets nationwide. We are also working with our staff, suppliers and contractors to distribute the copies.

"Our staff have also distributed the flyers at their respective housing areas. All we want is to reunite William with his family.

PM IN GAZA: Solidarity with Palestine

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak set foot here yesterday in a historic humanitarian visit where he pledged solidarity with Palestinians and offered to facilitate renewed reconciliation efforts between Hamas and Fatah.

Najib, who entered the tiny Palestinian enclave via the Rafah crossing from Cairo, became the first Malaysian leader ever to visit Palestine.

Upon his arrival at the Gaza immigration complex in Rafah, Najib was met by Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ziad al-Zaza and head of Hamas International Relations, Usamah Hamdan.

Speaking later in Gaza, Najib said Malaysia was ready to offer Palestinians the experience it had facilitating peace talks in the southern Philippines.

"Should it be needed, we stand ready to offer you the benefit of that experience.

"Malaysia, always a friend of the Palestine people, is willing to help facilitate the reconciliation plan in whichever way we can," he said after being conferred with an honorary doctorate degree from Al-Aqsa University (Gaza).

"We believe in the rights of all people to live in peace, security and dignity, and we hope that the rights are realised for the people of the Palestinian soon."

Najib said Malaysia had stood firmly with the Palestinians in their struggle towards a just resolution to the Palestine-Israel issues.

He added that Malaysia wished to see an independent and unified Palestine enjoying the peace and security that everybody deserved.

The reconciliation plan, sponsored by Egypt, seeks to end the division between the two Palestinian movements that began in 2007, with Hamas taking over the Gaza Strip and Fatah the West Bank.

It provides for the formation of a national unity government between the two factions.

Fatah and Hamas plan to implement the plan, which they had signed in Cairo on May 4, 2011, between now and Jan 30.

Najib said Malaysia stood ready to offer the Palestinians the benefit of its experience in facilitating peace talks in the Philippines, which culminated in the signing of a framework peace agreement signed in Manila in October.

The agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signalled an end to 40 years of civil war that had taken 120,000 lives and displaced millions more.

Najib offered scholarships and placements to qualified Palestinian students intending to study in Malaysia, both at the first-degree and post-graduate levels.

"It is our hope that such an arrangement will assist you in the reconstruction and development of your country."

Najib, who was accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, arrived at the Rafah crossing at 10.40 am (4.40pm Malaysian time).

He was received by Haniyeh. Later, Negaraku and the Palestinian national anthem were played. He inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Palestinian police force.

Najib and his entourage had earlier travelled 55km by road from the El-Arish airport in Egypt to the Rafah crossing.

After the welcoming ceremony, Najib laid the foundation stone of the new Hamas Prime Minister's office. The old office was destroyed in an Israeli bombing last November.

He also visited the site of the Malaysian-funded school in Gaza, Al-Madrasah Al-Malaziah.

Later, he met Haniyeh's cabinet members and members of parliament.

Rosmah had a separate programme that included a visit to Nasser Hospital for Children, where she placed the foundation stone of the hospital's trauma centre.

Najib and his entourage left for Cairo later yesterday to pay a courtesy call on Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

Najib's visit is the second by a head of government or state after Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, who entered Gaza, also from the Rafah crossing, last October.

It was also reported that Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki will make his first visit to the Gaza Strip on Feb 9.

The visits were made possible in part by Egypt's decision to loosen some of the restrictions on travel through its Rafah crossing.

Palestinians the experience it had facilitating peace talks in the southern Philippines.

"Should it be needed, we stand ready to offer you the benefit of that experience.

"We believe in the rights of all people to live in peace, security and dignity, and we hope that the rights are realised for the people of the Palestinian soon."

Najib said Malaysia had stood firmly with the Palestinians in their struggle towards a just resolution to the Palestine-Israel issues.

He added that Malaysia wished to see an independent and unified Palestine enjoying the peace and security that everybody deserved.

The reconciliation plan, sponsored by Egypt, seeks to end the division between the two Palestinian movements that began in 2007, with Hamas taking over the Gaza Strip and Fatah the West Bank.

It provides for the formation of a national unity government between the two factions.

Fatah and Hamas plan to implement the plan, which they had signed in Cairo on May 4, 2011, between now and Jan 30.

Najib offered scholarships and placements to qualified Palestinian students intending to study in Malaysia, both at the first-degree and postgraduate levels.

"It is our hope that such an arrangement will assist you in the reconstruction and development of your country."

Najib, who was accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, arrived at the Rafah crossing at 10.40 am (4.40pm Malaysian time).