ACCORDING to a Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) genetics research, the Kelantan Malays could be the first of its race to have stepped foot in the peninsula, Berita Harian reported.
Their presence was said to have been traced back to 60,000 years.
The research, led by USM health science studies centre deputy dean (research and graduate studies) Assoc Prof Dr Zafarina Zainuddin, was funded with a RM1.4mil grant from the Higher Education Ministry.
The research studied the origins of 10 sub-ethnic groups of Malays in Peninsular Malaysia Jawa Malay (Johor and Selangor), Acehnese Malay (Perak), Minang Malay (Negri Sembilan), Banjar Malay (Selangor and Johor), Bugis Malay (Selangor and Johor), Rawa Malay (Perak), Champa Malay (Perak, Kedah and Kelantan), Patani (Kelantan), Langkasuka Kedah and Kelantan Malay.
“This genetics research is the first of its kind that studied the origins of the Malay race,” said Dr Zafarina.
Of the groups that were studied, only those of the Kelantan Malay presented a unique haplogroup, which is mitochondrial DNA group specific to a particular race and geographic location, she said, adding that their genetic make-up showed links to Jawa Malays.
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
TV station removes controversial public service announcements
PETALING JAYA: Local TV station 8TV will pull out its controversial Ramadhan Public Service Announcements (PSA), following criticism and public outrage.
Media Prima chief executive officer Ahmad Izham Omar sent out a tweet Tuesday that they were withdrawing the PSAs.
"Ok guys. We're pulling out the ads. Thank you very much for your concern," he tweeted.
The PSAs drew a lot of flak from the online community, which accused the station of stereotyping and being racist.
All three announcements, which run for 30 seconds respectively, show the same Chinese girl acting obnoxiously in different situations at Ramadhan bazaar stalls. They depict her being rude, greedy and dressing inappropriately in a public space.
The announcements are then followed by public service messages urging viewers to act appropriately.
All the ads end with three 8TV presenters telling people not to get carried away and to understand the significance of Ramadhan, before wishing its viewers Selamat Berpuasa (Happy fasting).
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
TheStar : Johor folk want taxi coupon system to stay
JOHOR BARU: While taxi drivers have been protesting against the implementation of the coupon system, many passengers are giving it the thumbs up.
Trainee teacher Jane Henry, 28, said the coupon system was definitely a good move as it helped safeguard the rights of passengers.
“Many of us have been cheated by taxi drivers who mark up the price and the coupon system will help put an end to this,” she said at the Larkin Sentral terminal here yesterday.
She added that although the coupon system required users to pay an additional RM2, she was willing to fork out the extra money to ensure she was not cheated.
Angry taxi drivers staging a protest against the coupon system outside Plaza Angsana yesterday. Student Haliza Mohamed, 24, also expressed support for the system.
“There should be more awareness created so that passengers will not be taken advantage of by taxi drivers,” she said, adding that whenever she hired a taxi, she ended up paying more.
Store superintendent M. Vetrivel, 45, also said it was a good move by the authorities.
“We always hear of taxi drivers who charge extra, tamper with their meters or demand excessive fares,” he said, adding that because of this, many people prefer to drive.
Student Nor Khalif Fitri, 18, also welcomed the implementation of the coupon system.
“I don’t mind paying a little extra as many of us have been intimidated by rude taxi drivers,” he said, adding that there should be strict enforcement.
The prepaid coupon system is currently being used at three locations in Johor Baru – Plaza Angsana, Larkin Sentral terminal and the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex.
Over 600 taxi drivers at these areas, however, are unhappy with the system and want it withdrawn.
Sila Baca/ read also : Utusan Malaysia : Kupon RM2 tindas penumpang
Trainee teacher Jane Henry, 28, said the coupon system was definitely a good move as it helped safeguard the rights of passengers.
“Many of us have been cheated by taxi drivers who mark up the price and the coupon system will help put an end to this,” she said at the Larkin Sentral terminal here yesterday.
She added that although the coupon system required users to pay an additional RM2, she was willing to fork out the extra money to ensure she was not cheated.
“There should be more awareness created so that passengers will not be taken advantage of by taxi drivers,” she said, adding that whenever she hired a taxi, she ended up paying more.
Store superintendent M. Vetrivel, 45, also said it was a good move by the authorities.
“We always hear of taxi drivers who charge extra, tamper with their meters or demand excessive fares,” he said, adding that because of this, many people prefer to drive.
Student Nor Khalif Fitri, 18, also welcomed the implementation of the coupon system.
“I don’t mind paying a little extra as many of us have been intimidated by rude taxi drivers,” he said, adding that there should be strict enforcement.
The prepaid coupon system is currently being used at three locations in Johor Baru – Plaza Angsana, Larkin Sentral terminal and the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex.
Over 600 taxi drivers at these areas, however, are unhappy with the system and want it withdrawn.
Sila Baca/ read also : Utusan Malaysia : Kupon RM2 tindas penumpang
Utusan Malaysia : Kupon RM2 tindas penumpang
Sebahagian pemandu teksi bersama Pemuda UMNO, MCA, MIC dan NGO mengadakan piket membantah sistem kupon di Terminal Pengangkutan Awam Larkin, Johor Bahru, semalam.
JOHOR BAHRU 29 Julai - Kira-kira 300 pemandu teksi di Terminal Pengangkutan Awam Larkin di sini, berpiket membantah kaunter tiket teksi yang mengenakan kupon RM2 bagi setiap penumpang yang dikuatkuasakan mulai semalam.
Piket yang turut disertai oleh wakil Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, MCA, MIC dan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) itu tidak bersetuju dengan sistem tersebut kerana didakwa membebankan penumpang.
Seorang pemandu teksi, Samsul Kahar Othman, 45, mendakwa sistem baru itu bukan sahaja menyusahkan penumpang dan pemandu teksi, malah, dilihat menguntungkan Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (SPAD).
“Kita dapati SPAD dan pihak yang ditugaskan mengutip duit iaitu Mesra Indah Jaya Sdn. Bhd. (MIJ) mempunyai kepentingan dan hanya mahu untung ‘atas angin’.
“Bayangkan jika lokasi yang dituju mengambil masa lebih lama daripada biasa kerana kesesakan, sudah tentu tambangnya akan lebih dan ini tentu merugikan pemandu teksi,” katanya kepada pemberita di sini, hari ini.
Rakannya, Rozano Salleh, 47, pula mendakwa sistem itu menyusahkan mereka kerana kupon tersebut hanya boleh tuntut dalam masa seminggu selepas dikumpulkan.
“Keadaan ini membuatkan kami susah kerana apa yang kami mahu makan kalau kena kumpul kupon dalam seminggu lepas itu baru boleh tuntut wang,” katanya.
Seorang penumpang, Ibrahim Azamat, 46, yang menggunakan perkhidmatan teksi di situ setiap hari berkata, sistem itu tidak perlu kerana sistem sedia ada menggunakan meter memberi kepuasan kepada pemandu dan pelanggan.
“Saya berulang-alik setiap hari dari Larkin ke Kampung Majidee dengan tambang RM6 dan sekarang RM8 pula. Bukankah ini bakal menimbulkan kemarahan penumpang,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Ketua Pemuda UMNO Bahagian Johor Bahru, Khaled Mohamad berkata, Pemuda Barisan Nasional (BN) Johor Bahru akan menyerahkan memorandum bantahan kepada SPAD dalam masa terdekat.
Menurutnya, sistem tersebut menguntungkan sebelah pihak sahaja dan perlu mendapat persetujuan persatuan teksi dan penumpang sebelum dilaksanakan.
Presiden Pertubuhan Penyatuan Pembelaan Melayu Malaysia (PPPMM), A. Rahman Mahadi pula berkata, sistem sedia iaitu dengan menggunakan meter adalah paling praktikal dan tidak banyak menimbulkan masalah.
Sila baca TheStar : Johor folk want taxi coupon system to stay
Monday, August 01, 2011
Seafront garden project in Johor
JOHOR BARU: Plans are already in the pipeline to establish the first garden-by-the-sea at Danga Bay overlooking the Straits of Johor.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the 8.09ha seafronting garden would probably be taking shape in the next one to two years.
He said it would be part of the multi-billion development to transform Danga Bay into one of the most sought-after waterfront development addresses in the world.
Several up-scale waterfront property development projects would be coming up along the Danga Bay stretch within the next 12 to 24 months including hotels, office towers and retail complexes.
“We want to position Johor Baru as a City in the Garden by establishing as many green areas as possible within the Johor Baru district,” Abdul Ghani said at the opening of Taman Merdeka at Jalan Tasek Utara here.
The 12.14ha Taman Merdeka, built at a cost of RM13mil, is divided into nine components with each portraying the country’s independence roadmap from the Malay Sultanate era to the Japanese Occupation to the day Malaya was declared independent.
He said a site has been identified in Danga Bay for the proposed garden project which would involve land reclamation.
Abdul Ghani said Johor would ensure that the state would adopt a balanced approach in its development to ensure folk would continue to enjoy greenery and open spaces within the city.
“We are taking a cue from the late Sultan Ibrahim’s far-sighted vision of opening the 53ha Istana Gardens in the compounds of Istana Besar to the public,” he said.
Abdul Ghani said the 90-year-old Istana Gardens is a popular spot among city folk.
Separately, he said developers undertaking massive housing development projects were no longer allowed to sub-divide the 10% compulsory green lung into smaller components within the scheme.
Abdul Ghani said the 10% green lung must be the main component of the entire development or the core of the project to ensure residents were not shortchanged in terms of green areas for outdoor activities.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the 8.09ha seafronting garden would probably be taking shape in the next one to two years.
He said it would be part of the multi-billion development to transform Danga Bay into one of the most sought-after waterfront development addresses in the world.
Several up-scale waterfront property development projects would be coming up along the Danga Bay stretch within the next 12 to 24 months including hotels, office towers and retail complexes.
“We want to position Johor Baru as a City in the Garden by establishing as many green areas as possible within the Johor Baru district,” Abdul Ghani said at the opening of Taman Merdeka at Jalan Tasek Utara here.
The 12.14ha Taman Merdeka, built at a cost of RM13mil, is divided into nine components with each portraying the country’s independence roadmap from the Malay Sultanate era to the Japanese Occupation to the day Malaya was declared independent.
He said a site has been identified in Danga Bay for the proposed garden project which would involve land reclamation.
Abdul Ghani said Johor would ensure that the state would adopt a balanced approach in its development to ensure folk would continue to enjoy greenery and open spaces within the city.
“We are taking a cue from the late Sultan Ibrahim’s far-sighted vision of opening the 53ha Istana Gardens in the compounds of Istana Besar to the public,” he said.
Abdul Ghani said the 90-year-old Istana Gardens is a popular spot among city folk.
Separately, he said developers undertaking massive housing development projects were no longer allowed to sub-divide the 10% compulsory green lung into smaller components within the scheme.
Abdul Ghani said the 10% green lung must be the main component of the entire development or the core of the project to ensure residents were not shortchanged in terms of green areas for outdoor activities.
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