MyCen PR

Appointment of New DG and Deputy DG of Immigration - Media Statement from Chief Secretary

Kenyataan Akhbar Oleh Y.Bhg. Ketua Setiausaha Negara

Pelantikan Ketua Pengarah Dan Timbalan Ketua Pengarah
Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia

Sebagaimana termaklum, Y.Bhg. Dato’ Wahid bin Don, bekas
Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia dan Encik Yusof
bin Abu Bakar, bekas Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan
Imigresen Malaysia telah ditahan oleh Badan Pencegah Rasuah
(BPR) berhubung kes rasuah. Selaras dengan amalan dan
prosedur semasa demi memelihara kepentingan awam, keduadua
pegawai telah ditukarkan ke Jawatan Kumpulan,
Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) mulai 14 Julai 2008.

2. Sukacita saya memaklumkan pelantikan Y.Bhg. Datuk
Mahmood bin Adam, Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha
(Pengurusan), Kementerian Pertahanan, P.T.D. Gred Utama B
sebagai Ketua Pengarah, P.T.D. Gred Utama B, Jabatan
Imigresen Malaysia, Kementerian Dalam Negeri mulai 21
Julai 2008 sebagai menggantikan Y.Bhg. Dato’ Wahid bin Md
Don.

3. Y.Bhg Datuk Mahmood bin Adam, 55 tahun, berkelulusan
Ijazah Sarjana Muda dalam bidang Hubungan Antarabangsa dari
Universiti Malaya. Beliau memulakan kerjaya dalam
Perkhidmatan Awam pada 5 Mei 1981 sebagai Pegawai Tadbir
dan Diplomatik. Pengalaman kerjaya Y.Bhg. Datuk Mahmood
bin Adam adalah seperti berikut:
• Penolong Setiausaha, Cawangan Perancangan dan
Penyelidikan, Bahagian Dasar, Kementerian Pertahanan
(1981-1986);
• Ketua Penolong Pengarah, Bahagian Perundingan, Jabatan
perkhidmatan Awam (1986-1992);
• Ketua Penolong Pengarah, Bahagian Kabinet, Jabatan
Perdana Menteri (1992-1996);
• Ketua Penolong Setiausaha Pentadbiran, Perhubungan dan
Keselamatan, Kementerian Luar Negeri (1996-2003);
• Ketua Pegawai Keselamatan Kerajaan, Jabatan Perdana
Menteri (2003-2006);
• Setiausaha Dewan Rakyat, Parlimen Malaysia (2006-2007);
dan
• Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha (Pengurusan), Kementerian
Pertahanan mulai 10 Disember 2007.

4. Saya juga ingin memaklumkan pelantikan Encik Abdul
Rahman bin Othman, Pengarah, Bahagian Pekerja Asing,
Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia, Kementerian Dalam Negeri, P.T.D
Gred M54, sebagai Timbalan Ketua Pengarah
(Pengurusan), Jabatan Imigresen, Kementerian Dalam
Negeri, P.T.D Gred Utama C mulai 21 Julai 2008 sebagai
menggantikan Encik Yusof bin Abu Bakar.

5. Encik Abdul Rahman bin Othman, 50 tahun, berkelulusan
Ijazah Sarjana dalam bidang Pengajian Keselamatan dari
University of Hull, United Kingdom serta Ijazah Sarjana Muda
Undang-Undang dari Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM). Beliau
memulakan kerjaya dalam Perkhidmatan Awam sebagai Pegawai
Tadbir dan Diplomatik pada 13 Januari 1986. Pengalaman
kerjaya Encik Abdul Rahman bin Othman adalah seperti berikut:
• Penolong Setiausaha, Bahagian Kabinet, Jabatan Perdana
Menteri (1986-1990);
• Penolong Setiausaha, Bahagian E, Kementerian Dalam
Negeri (1991-1994);
• Penolong Setiausaha, Bahagian Latihan, Jabatan
Imigresen, Kementerian Dalam Negeri (1995-1999);
• Ketua Penolong Pengarah, Cawangan Pengurusan
Pembangunan, Bahagian Perkhidmatan, Jabatan
Perkhidmatan Awam (1999-2000);
• Setiausaha Sulit Kanan kepada Y.B. Menteri Pendidikan,
Kementerian Pendidikan (2000-2004);
• Setiausaha Sulit Kanan kepada Y.B. Menteri Belia dan
Sukan, Kementerian Belia dan Sukan (2004-2005);
• Ketua Penolong Setiausaha, Bahagian Pengurusan Sumber
Manusia, Kementerian Pertahanan (2005-2006); dan
• Pengarah, Bahagian Pekerja Asing, Jabatan Imigresen,
Kementerian Dalam Negeri mulai 1 Disember 2006.

6. Semasa pertemuan saya dengan Y.Bhg. Datuk Mahmood
bin Adam, saya telah memberikan amanat supaya
kepimpinan Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia yang baru
mengembalikan keyakinan, kepercayaan dan rasa
hormat orang ramai terhadap kewibawaan Jabatan Imigresen
Malaysia. Dalam hubungan ini, selain mengekalkan tahap
integriti diri sendiri, beliau perlu menerapkan dan
membudayakan integriti di kalangan pegawai dan kakitangan
Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia melalui penghayatan dan
amalan sepanjang masa. Y.Bhg. Dato’ Mahmood bin Adam
telah memberi komitmen untuk memastikan semua warga
Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia memiliki tahap integriti yang tinggi
dan tidak akan bertolak ansur ke atas sebarang
penyelewengan dan salah guna kuasa yang mencemarkan
integriti Jabatan.

7. Saya berkeyakinan penuh pengalaman luas dan ciri-ciri
integriti yang dimiliki oleh kedua-dua pegawai itu akan
membolehkan mereka memperkukuhkan dan meningkatkan
tahap kecekapan, ketelusan dan keberkesanan sistem
penyampaian Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia dengan penuh
integriti sejajar dengan kehendak, harapan dan kepentingan
rakyat serta negara.

8. Sehubungan itu saya ingin menekankan bahawa tindakan
tegas tetap akan diambil terhadap mana-mana pegawai
Perkhidmatan Awam yang menyalahgunakan kuasa. Dalam
pertemuan saya dengan anggota-anggota Perkhidmatan
Awam sama ada di kalangan ketua-ketua jabatan, pegawai6
pegawai kanan mahupun pegawai-pegawai yang baru menyertai
Perkhidmatan Awam, saya sentiasa menekan prinsip-prinsip
berikut untuk dijadikan amalan dan pedoman dalam
melaksanakan tugas seharian, iaitu:
• Kita mesti menyampaikan (melaksanakan tugas)
(we must deliver);
• Kita mesti menyampaikan dengan penuh integriti
(we must deliver with integrity); dan
• Melainkan kita menyampaikannya dengan penuh
integriti, orang lain akan menyampaikannya bagi
pihak kita (unless we deliver with integrity, someone else
will do it for us).

9. Dalam erti kata yang lain, adalah amat penting anggota
Perkhidmatan Awam di semua peringkat melaksanakan tugas
masing-masing dengan berwibawa, amanah dan
berintegriti.

10. Saya tidak akan bertolak ansur berhubung aspek
integriti. Integriti bukan sekadar bermaksud menghindari dari
perlakuan rasuah dan salah guna kuasa yang melibatkan wang
ringgit. Integriti merangkumi skop yang lebih luas seperti
integriti dalam pengurusan masa, integriti dalam memberikan
perkhidmatan yang terbaik, integriti dalam menyampaikan
maklumat dan sebagainya. Saya percaya sekiranya anggota
Perkhidmatan Awam melaksanakan tugas dengan jujur, ikhlas
dan beramanah, mereka akan beroleh keberkatan dan
mendapat kepuasan bekerja yang sebenarnya.

11. Saya juga ingin menjelaskan di sini bahawa sebenarnya
terdapat lebih ramai penjawat awam yang berdedikasi dan
komited dengan tugas mereka walaupun wujud salah laku
negatif yang dilakukan oleh segelintir penjawat awam. Situasi
yang serupa terdapat di Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia di
mana jabatan tersebut sebenarnya telah menunjukkan satu
anjakan prestasi yang cemerlang dalam sistem
penyampaian perkhidmatannya.

12. Sebagai Pengerusi Bersama Pasukan Petugas Khas
Pemudahcara Perniagaan (PEMUDAH), saya memperolehi
maklum balas dan statistik daripada sektor swasta dan
orang awam yang menganggap Jabatan Imigresen
Malaysia sebagai contoh jabatan Kerajaan yang telah
berjaya melaksanakan transformasi dari segi dasar dan
tindakan ke arah mewujudkan persekitaran amalan perniagaan
yang memberangsangkan di Malaysia. Ini terbukti menerusi
tindakan penambahbaikan yang diambil oleh Jabatan
Imigresen Malaysia bagi mempermudahkan dan
mempercepatkan proses permohonan pas pekerja untuk
golongan ekspatriat dan keluarga mereka. Satu lagi contoh
kejayaan yang membanggakan dan menjadi benchmark kepada
lain-lain jabatan adalah pemprosesan permohonan pasport
antarabangsa yang kini boleh diperolehi oleh rakyat Malaysia
dalam tempoh 2 jam sahaja.

(TAN SRI SIDEK HASSAN )
Ketua Setiausaha Negara
19 Julai 2008

TNB Responds to YB Gan Pei Nei on CAR Project

Siaran Akhbar - Press Statement from TNB

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is requesting the Kg Sg Terentang residents in Rawang to wait for the state government's official decision before making any conclusion on the future of the Central Area Reinforcement (CAR) project.

This is in response to the statement by Rawang state assemblyman YB Gan Pei Nei, as reported in The Star on 16 July 2008. TNB wishes to clarify that the seven (7) km alternative system proposed by the Kg Sg Terentang resident-appointed technical consultant involves a stretch that will cross the existing National Grid system at two points. This makes the route not feasible and not recommended.

One of the options proposed by the consultant requires new transmission lines to be stretched across and over the existing lines connected to the National Grid. A 50 metre tower will have to be built to provide enough clearance above the existing National Grid. On top of that, to build this overhead system, it is necessary to shut down the existing stretch on the National Grid lines.

Obviously this is not possible as a shutdown at any point on the National Grid will cause disruption to the national power supply for the Klang Valley. The other option proposed by the consultant is to build an underground transmission system on the stretch that crosses the National Grid. However, any system that combines both underground and above ground transmission lines has been proven to be unreliable. Underground cables more complex to maintain as it is difficult to acquire an exact location of any fault that may occur on the transmission line. Typically, underground systems also require longer maintenance and restoration times.

On that note, TNB wishes to inform that public that we have invited the technical consultant representing the Kg Sg Terentang villagers for discussion on any other technical alternatives. However, for some reason, the consultant has never responded to TNB’s invitation. Neither has this consultant been present at any of our meetings. We have sent out invitations to the consultant on several occasions.

TNB wishes to reiterate our stand that we be allowed to complete the CAR project based on the existing plan. This plan requires only four (4) new towers to be built. To ensure minimal disruption, TNB proposes to build monopole towers in place of the more common galvanized steel lattice structure.

All TNB’s transmission systems require a compulsory rentice of 20 meters wide. This means that TNB does not allow any construction under its transmission lines. This rule is applicable across the nearly 18, 000 km stretch of TNB transmission lines and is enforced for public safety as well as for maintenance work to be carried out from time to time. TNB’s towers are designed to withstand earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters.

However, we cannot discount the possibility of a tower collapse, and therefore the rentice width is necessary. For this purpose, under the Akta Bekalan Elektrik Seksyen 37, no one is allowed to construct any permanent structure under transmission lines without permission from TNB. However agriculture activities are allowed as long as the height of the tallest plant is less than six feet.

TNB wishes to state that the CAR Project is a plan for upgrading of the 33 kV transmission grid systems. The approved rentice area for the upgrade plan has been in existence since the 1960s. The Kg Sg Terentang villagers acquired rights to land titles in the 1980s. Nonetheless, as a national utility provider, TNB wishes to emphasize that the CAR Project needs to be resumed as soon as possible to ensure the security and reliability of power supply to the Klang Valley.

Released on 17 July 2008 in Kuala Lumpur

Background of CAR Project
The Central Areal Reinforcement (CAR) transmission system upgrading project has been on the country’s development plans for over a decade. Upon completion, the new transmission system is expected to be able to provide an additional transmission capacity of 1000 MVA at voltage 275kV to Klang Valley.

Since 13 January 2005 blackout in Klang Valley, the Government decided to improve the country’s transmissions grid system to ensure reliability, safety and increasing demand of electricity supply in the country, especially within the Klang Valley.
The approved route line from the Selangor State Government and relevant government agencies would weaves through villages, housing areas, forest reserves and several inner cities. It starts off at Bukit Tarek, Rawang and ends in the final leg of Kg Chubadak in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.

The project involves the construction of 275kV towers and transmission lines stretching for 60 kilometers which would serve the busy city centres in Klang Valley area including Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Selayang, Rawang and Kuala Lumpur. At present, Klang Valley has the higher power consumption in the entire country. The increasing power demand in the Valley has resulted in more complexities in providing satisfactory power supply. This is the reason why the CAR project needs to be resumed immediately.

MYMEX Returns to Johor Bahru for the 2nd Year

15 July 2008, Kuala Lumpur – The machine tools and metalworking manufacturers and supplies industry players will once again gather at the MYMEX 2008 to promote the latest technologies and solutions for the manufacturing industry. MYMEX 2008 is organised by Premier Exhibition Services Sdn Bhd and will be held from 25-27 July 2008 at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Johor Bahru.

MYMEX is billed as the largest Southern Malaysia specialised machine tool and metalworking exhibition, endorsed by the SME Association of South Johor and supported by Johor State Government and the Johor State Investment Centre (JSIC).

Albert Lai, Managing Director of Premier Exhibition Services, said ''MYMEX is an extension of the country’s largest and most successful metalworking exhibition - MetalTech Malaysia which has been held yearly in Kuala Lumpur since 1994. We inaugurated MYMEX in the Iskandar Malaysia region last year to support a main pillar of business activities and meet the growing demand from the manufacturing sector in Southern Malaysian. The locale is also strategically located within the Malaysia–Indonesia–Singapore Growth Triangle, with logistic-centric facilities to support the export market of machine tools and metalworking equipments.''

''With the strong support from industry players around the region, MYMEX has become a pivotal event for the manufacturing sector in the Southern territory,'' Lai added.

President of SME Association of South Johor, Teh Kee Sin said, ''The objectives of SME Association of South Johor are to advocate the interests and needs, as well as help promote and develop the small and medium scale enterprises in South Johor. MYMEX is an excellent platform to promote our members’ business as it provides an opportunity for SMEs to be exposed to the regional market and help them expand their business horizon.''

Malaysia’s manufacturing sector is identified as one of Malaysia’s key growth areas, with 30.2% accounted for the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2007.

The Third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3) has been charted to ensure that the manufacturing and services sectors continue to play a pivotal role for the Malaysian economy and remain globally competitive. From January to April 2008, MIDA has reported 19 projects with proposed investments of more than RM 377 million approved for the machinery and equipments sector. Foreign investments amounted to RM 115 million (30.5%) while domestic investments totalled RM 262 million (69.5%).

This year’s presentation of MYMEX will expect more than 300 exhibiting companies covering an estimated exhibition area of 4,000 gross square meters. Exhibits will include a comprehensive range of machineries, equipment, tools and robotics for metalworking and manufacturing automation such as machine tools for cutting, splitting and milling; sheet metal, wire and tube working machines; metal forming machine tools; precision tools, diamond tools, measuring tools; CAD/CAM; automation solutions, technologies and components; material handling and storage technology; software for entire manufacturing technology area; surface finishing technology; control systems; machine and systems for mould and dies, rapid prototyping, model construction; instrumentation and control technology; welding, cutting, hardening and heating; mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and electronic accessories for manufacturing processes; coolants, lubricants as well as pump and valve, all under one roof.

MYMEX 2008 is poised to be a dynamic platform for industry players to network and trade, and it is expecting to showcase over RM30 million of exhibits. MYMEX 2008 also incorporates AutoMEX 2008, Malaysia’s Automation Technology Exhibition.

For more information about MYMEX 2008, please contact Albert Lai or Eric Chan at telephone number 03-5635 6086 or log on to www.tradelink.com.my/mymex

Event Information

MYMEX 2008

The 2nd Malaysia’s Machine Tool & Metalworking Exhibition; incorporating

AUTOMEX 2008

The 2nd Malaysia’s Automation Technology Exhibition

Date : 25-27 July 2008

Time : 10.30am – 6.30pm daily

Venue : Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Johor Bahru

Press Release is issued for and on behalf of Premier Exhibition Services Sdn Bhd for MYMEX 2008, by Sanns Communications Sdn Bhd

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Aw Li-Ann
Sanns Communications Sdn Bhd
Suite D-05-05, 5th Floor, Block D
Plaza Mont’ Kiara
50490 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: +603 6201 9877, Fax: +603 6201 9887, E-mail: li-ann@sannscom.com

Press Statement from Office Of Anwar Ibrahim

--- PRESS STATEMENT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ---

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16, 2008 3:30 PM

This afternoon at 1:05 PM Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, was arrested outside of his home in Kuala Lumpur. He was due to issue a statement at IPK KL (Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters) at 2:00 PM based on an agreement reached with the police on Tuesday.

Anwar Ibrahim was returning from the Anti Corruption Agency to his home after giving a statement pertaining to the police report that has been filed regarding suppression of material facts in the case involving him in 1998. He was accompanied by his senior legal team, staff, and security.

As he entered the neighborhood of his home, a contingent of ten police cars, half unmarked and half patrol, forced the two cars in Anwar Ibrahim’s entourage to stop. There was a contingent of 20 balaklava-clad masked commandos (UTK) who accosted him, reminiscent of the forces sent to arrest Anwar Ibrahim at his home in September 1998.

An officer approached Anwar Ibrahim and demanded that he accompany the police in an unmarked vehicle to the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters. His lawyers were not permitted to travel with him to the police station.

This arrest has taken place less than fifteen hours after Anwar Ibrahim appeared live on Malaysian television for the first time since 1998, and announced to millions of viewers his intention to stand for election, and upon the formation of a new government, to lower the domestic price of fuel by 50 sen. The overwhelming majority of Malaysians expressed their support of his televised statement.

These events are deeply disturbing to us and indicate that this entire episode is a repeat of the actions taken against Anwar Ibrahim in 1998. During the last few weeks the government owned mainstream media has demonized and vilified him. His staff has been harassed and we see a conspiracy being hatched to thwart the political change that is imminent in Malaysia.

Under no circumstances will the people of Malaysia and the international community tolerate any harm coming to Anwar Ibrahim. We remind Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi of the promise he made to ensure Anwar Ibrahim’s protection.

We have been able to communicate with Anwar Ibrahim, who calls upon his supporters and the people of Malaysia to remain calm and to reject any attempts at provocation, which will give a pretext for an emergency situation to be declared.

OFFICE OF ANWAR IBRAHIM
CONTACT PRESS@AICASSOCIATES.COM

SAS launches first ever Sustainability Management Solution

SAS Sustainability Management to make going 'green' easier

Kuala Lumpur (July 15, 2008) – Leading business intelligence provider SAS Malaysia, today launched its Sustainability Management Scorecard, the first in the Sustainability Management Solution suite designed to help organizations accurately measure, manage and improve the impact of their operations on the environment.

The SAS Sustainability Management Scorecard launch is in conjunction with the 2008 SAS Forum Malaysia themed “Intelligently Green” with the participation of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia and the Environmental Envoy for Malaysia, Maya Karin.

The SAS Sustainability Management Solution is an industry breakthrough as it is the first ever decision-support software that enables organizations to proactively identify innovative strategies that address complex environmental, social and economic situations while achieving stakeholder objectives.

Thomas Spiller, SAS Senior Director of International Programs says that while most executives support ‘green’ business strategies, few actually know how to prioritize and incorporate the strategies into their business operations.

“Many organizations are struggling to understand the complex business-social situation that requires them to balance between good environmental practices whilst concurrently pursuing profitable economic situations. At the same time, they lack tools that can enable them to properly measure the actual benefit and impact of their business strategies on the environment, in a manner that is accountable and reportable.”

“With SAS Sustainability Management Scorecard, organizations can now manage holistic strategies for sustainability that take into consideration the interrelationship between social and environmental programs. It enables effective execution of these strategies as well of reinvestment of savings from here into other areas of the business”, explained Spiller.

According to a McKinsey survey1, environmental issues such as climate change top the agenda in executive suites worldwide. But measuring and managing environmental impact is difficult as it involves massive, intricate work that spans across an organization’s entire operations. Causal relationships connecting issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, use of scarce resources, ethical sourcing and regulatory compliance make it extremely complex to invest in green technology and expand sales of products and services with measurably better environmental performance.

SAS Sustainability Management Scorecard helps establish an integrated, consistent source of quality information where you can bind initiatives to a common sustainability framework, while being able to predict valid sustainability strategies, identify causal relationships and forecast improvement scenarios. The solution is based on the SAS Enterprise Intelligence Platform and uses the Global Reporting Initiative framework to report on Triple Bottom Line indicators.

Jimmy Cheah, Managing Director of SAS Malaysia says “In the emerging landscape of sustainability, it is not enough just to talk green. Organizations need to identify the green-related metrics that apply to the business as well as find the right data to describe and measure those metrics.”

“SAS Business Intelligence and Analytics solutions have long been used to take costs out of business, so it's not much different to take carbon out. With SAS, organizations can optimize business strategies for minimizing risks and costs, developing new lines of business, and improving resource use, environmental or otherwise” he ends.
.
About SAS

SAS is the leader in business intelligence and analytical software and services. Customers at 44,000 sites use SAS software to improve performance through insight from data, resulting in faster, more accurate business decisions; more profitable relationships with customers and suppliers; compliance with governmental regulations; research breakthroughs; and better products and processes. Only SAS offers leading data integration, storage, analytics and business intelligence applications within a comprehensive enterprise intelligence platform. Since 1976, SAS has been giving customers around the world THE POWER TO KNOW®. www.sas.com

A1GP goes HD

London, Great Britain - A1GP World Cup of Motorsport enters a new era as the 2008/09 season approaches, moving to the forefront of technology by becoming one of the first international racing series to offer its World Feed TV Broadcast in High Definition (HD).

A1GP is carried by more than 45 broadcast licensees worldwide, reaching nearly 180 countries and territories around the globe. They will all now be given the option to receive A1GPs host broadcast in HD, while broadcasters without HD channels will still be able to receive the Standard Definition feed.

The World Feed is generated in a state of the art HD Outside Broadcast facility that is transported around the globe to each race event to ensure the series continues to provide top quality television, regardless of its location. From there, pictures from 60 cameras situated around the track, in the pits and on the A1GP cars can be selected for broadcast.

The highly experienced crew consists of 130 production staff and engineers, who are all specialists in their fields. The international broadcast team is dedicated to capturing the essence of A1GP's racing action, along with all the vibrant characters in the paddock and the colour of each competing nation.

As well as offering pictures in HD, there are a number of exciting new developments set to enhance A1GP's TV broadcast next season. A1GP Productions have been working closely with the designers of the new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car since its inception to integrate new and exciting On Board Camera positions. There will also be further telemetry available from the car, alongside more advanced TV graphics to give viewers a greater insight into the efforts of the driver inside the cockpit.

Richard Dorfman, Director of Broadcasting: "It's an extremely exciting time for A1GP as we head into the 2008/09 season with plenty of interesting developments in the pipeline. We are always looking at ways to enhance the television viewers' experience, and we are proud to be at the cutting edge when it comes to quality TV production as A1GP continues to lead the way in motorsport broadcasting."

ABOUT A1GP WORLD CUP OF MOTORSPORT
Pitting nation against nation in the World Cup of Motorsport, A1GP unites 23 countries in a competition where human bravery, skill and excellence determine victory. Racing identical single-seat cars, the deliberately equalised technology allows countries as diverse as the USA, Lebanon, France, China and South Africa to compete on a level playing field.

With three days of on-track action, an A1GP event offers a rare opportunity for fans to interact with teams and drivers. Exclusively inclusive, A1GP brings the thrill of international motorsport to billions of fans across the globe.

Now preparing for its fourth season, A1GP takes in a mix of established world-famous venues plus exciting new state-of-the-art facilities and tight twisty street circuits, delivering high-speed adrenalin fuelled action at every turn.

218-Language Resource To Debut In An Asia-Pacific Library

Subang Jaya, 21 April – At present the best Internet search engines can translate only a handful of major world languages, with less than 30 bilingual combinations available. But a quantum leap ahead is possible when a 218-language resource is put on-line.

This vision is on the brink of realization now that a New Zealand translation company has published a World Languages Dictionary (WLD) compact disk last November, containing electronic dictionaries in all these languages.

Mr Robert Goh, Director of the Auckland-based publisher CEM Translations Ltd, said today that his company had gained full rights to use the project due to an arrangement with a debtor company from a leading western European nation.

''I am now prepared to consider suitable partners who wish to join forces in this commercial venture,'' he said.

The CD contains the same corpus of 8,000 general US/UK English entries translated into 217 languages and dialects from all over the world. Consequently over 40,000 bilingual translation possibilities were there.

Apart from the legal deposit copies in the National Library of New Zealand, the CD is expected to debut at another leading Asia-Pacific national library next month.

Seremban-born Goh graduated from Canterbury University as a Colombo Plan scholar and then worked for the Singapore Government, as a journalist in Malaysia and New Zealand, and as Press Officer with the Australian High Commission.

His bilingual and trilingual dictionaries in Chinese, English and Malay, published by Federal Publications (now Marshall Cavendish) in the mid-1990s, were bestsellers.

Goh is making a stopover in Malaysia/Singapore en route back to Auckland. He had joined the New Zealand delegation to the signing of the historic China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement in Beijing, China on 7 April.

''Discussions are proceeding with two Chinese partners, including a leading translation agency in Beijing, to market the WLD for the 2008 Beijing Olympics which commences in August,'' he added.

For further information, please contact:
Mr Robert Goh (Subang Jaya Tel: 5635 4223 or 012-673 2985)

SAS takes part in WCIT Again

Kuala Lumpur, 21 April 2008, - SAS Institute, the world's leading business intelligence (BI) software provider, today announced that it is participating in the 16th World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT). SAS is the only independent BI vendor sponsor for WCIT 2008 to be held in Kuala Lumpur from May 18 - 22, 2008.

This is also the second time that SAS is taking part in this global IT event of Olympian-stature that is held once every two (2) years.

SAS' involvement in WCIT 2008 flourished from a private meeting between YAB Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and SAS CEO Dr Jim Goodnight during his inaugural visit to Malaysia in June 2007; where Dr Goodnight advocated for a greater adoption of BI and Analytics within the Malaysian government to gain competitive edge.

During WCIT 2008, SAS will be represented by Jim Davis, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer who will be speaking on the topic "Information Evolution" during the CIO perspective segment.

SAS Malaysia Managing Director, Jimmy Cheah says, "Asia is seeing an upsurge in BI adoption in various industries, quickly upstaging its western counterparts. Data volumes are predicted to double in quantity every single day in 2010 and corporations that leverage the power of BI and Analytics on their data will be the ones that gain competitive edge for better decision making and management."

"WCIT is a strategic platform for IT corporations to build strategic partnerships and gain insight into global trends and the latest innovations. SAS is proud to be part of this global event to showcase our leading enterprise intelligence and performance management solutions," says Cheah.

Themed "The Global Impact of Information and Communications Technology: Enable Businesses, Empower Societies, Enrich Economies", this five (5) day event is expected to draw more than 2,500 delegates from over 80 countries.

About SAS SAS is the leader in business intelligence and analytical software and services. Customers at more than 44,000 sites use SAS software to improve performance through insight from data, resulting in faster, more accurate business decisions; more profitable relationships with customers and suppliers; compliance with governmental regulations; research breakthroughs; and better products and processes. Only SAS offers leading data integration, storage, analytics and business intelligence applications within a comprehensive enterprise intelligence platform. Since 1976, SAS has been giving customers around the world THE POWER TO KNOW(r). www.sas.com

MetalTech Malaysia 2008 Fortifies the Manufacturing Sector for FDI and Kicks-Off its Welding Competition for the Second Year

18 April 2008, Kuala Lumpur – MetalTech Malaysia 2008 (MTM 2008), the most established and largest metalworking products and engineering technology event in Malaysia, continues to fortify the manufacturing sector with high expectations from the exhibitors for a dynamic platform of business opportunities and a conspectus of the industry.

MTM has been a key major exhibition in the industry’s calendar, attracting local and overseas industry players’ participation looking to gain access into the market as well as to evaluate market response and competition.

MIDA has reported that for the months of January and February 2008, the total capital investment for the overall manufacturing sector has amounted to RM7.488 billion where domestic investment racked up RM5.131 billion while RM2.356 billion comes from foreign investments, naming Japan, Germany, USA, India, Iran, Singapore, China, Netherlands, Australia and Korea as an important source of FDI. A total of RM 50.2 billion of investments has been reported for 2007. Business transactions expected at MTM 2008 will contribute towards a robust manufacturing industry worth RM452.5 billion and accounts for 74.8% of total exports reported for Malaysia in 2007.

Albert Lai, Group Managing Director of Trade-Link Exhibition Services Sdn Bhd, organiser of MTM 2008, said, “Whilst the market demand in the metal industry is certain to meet manufacturing, construction, automotive, furniture and a cross section of industries’ book orders, the question is just how much. With significant investors’ interest in the manufacturing industry and continued confidence in Malaysia as an ideal offshore location, MTM has become an important platform for overseas exhibitors to gauge the region’s market scenario first hand. This has resulted in an expansion of 2 new halls of over 2,000 sqm and an overall exhibition size of 40,000 square meters. MTM is expecting its exhibitors to leverage on this platform to introduce their latest products and innovations into the market.”

The exhibition also incorporates the 2nd MetalTech Malaysia Welding Competition 2008, organised by the Welding Institute Malaysia Bhd and sponsored by Trade-Link Exhibition Services. The competition is organized as a collaboration between government, welding learning institution and private sectors.

The preliminary round has started with the Eastern Region at Institute Kemahiran Mara (IKM) Penang, subsequently the Northern Region on 14 April 2008 at IKM Sungai Petani, Kedah, followed by Southern Region at Akedemi Binaan Malaysia, Johor Bahru on 21st April, and the last preliminary as well as the national finals will be held at MTM 2008 from 7-11 April 2008.

The 2nd MetalTech Malaysia Welding Competition 2008 is opened to all Malaysians above 18 years old, the winners will stand to win a total of RM4,000 and a recognition certificate as the Best Welder in the Country. The organizers are still accepting entries to the competition.

MTM 2008 will also play hosts to seminars with key industry leaders to mindshare on the latest trend and know-how on manufacturing processes and how to optimize productivity. Amongst one of the key topic presented is “Manufacturing Excellence with the MES HYDRA® for Production, Personnel and Quality – Lean Manufacturing in the Metal & Plastic Precision Engineering at its best!” by Mr Shasha Graef, Managing Director of MPDV Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore.

The seminar further affirms the need to stay in control of the internal value-adding manufacturing processes, believed to be the heartbeat of every discrete manufacturing company. The system introduced will provide unmatched information transparency for operational areas of production, personnel and quality management, hence optimising machine / workplace efficiency and effectiveness, improving job scheduling and delivery times, control material movement as well as optimize personnel placement within the outlet.

With more than 1,500 exhibiting companies and an estimated value of RM350 million of exhibits on display, MTM 2008 is poised to draw a targeted 25,000 trade visitors from around the world. MTM 2008 will be held from 7 to 11 May 2008 at the Putra World Trade Center.

For more information about MetalTech Malaysia 2008, please contact Eric Chan at telephone number 03-5635 6086 or log on to www.tradelink.com.my/metaltech

About MTM 2008

Date : 7-11 May 2008

Time : 10.30am – 6.30pm daily

Venue : Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur

MetalTech Malaysia 2007 is organized by Trade-Link Exhibition Services Sdn Bhd, and is the 14th ASEAN international metal working, machine tool, CAD / CAM, metrology, mould & die, surface & heat treatment, sub-contracting, foundry, industrial automation, robotics, precision engineering and welding technology exhibition.

Incorporated into MTM 2008 is the Industrial Automation Exhibition 2008 (IATech 2008), the 8th Malaysian International Industrial Automation Exhibition, and the Welding Technology Exhibition 2008 (Weldtek 2008), the 8th Malaysian International Exhibition on welding Equipments & Technology, Welding Services & Welding Competition.

Co-located with MTM 2008, is MTA Malaysia 2008 (MTA 2008), the 5th Malaysia International Precision Engineering, Machine Tools and Metalworking Exhibition.

Press Release is issued for and on behalf of Trade-Link Exhibition Services Sdn Bhd for

MetalTech Malaysia 2008, by Sanns Communications Sdn Bhd

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Aw Li-Ann

Sanns Communications Sdn Bhd

Suite D-05-05, 5th Floor, Block D

Plaza Mont’ Kiara

2, Jalan Kiara

50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: +603 6201 9877 Fax: +603 6201 9887

E-mail: li-ann@sannscom.com

Best Result Of Season For Malaysia

Shanghai, China, 12 April 2008: A1 Team Malaysia produced their best result of the season in today’s Sprint race at the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, Shanghai, China. A strong fourth place finish preceded a sixth place in the main Feature race for Malaysia with Alex Yoong driving the nation's car.

The customary first lap drama of A1GP began immediately the green flag dropped for the rolling start, with the USA and New Zealand cars clashing on the main straight while Yoong was challenging for position and battling with arch-rival Narain Karthikeyan in the Team India car. A superb move on Karthikeyan put the Malaysian car up to fourth place before the first lap had been completed. From that point onwards Yoong held position, determined to defend from the bulk of the field behind him.

With a strong race pace he comfortably held off the Indian car behind. Portugal, the team ahead of Yoong, had been one of the quickest cars all weekend and was one of the few that Yoong could not match on pace. Although closing on Portugal as the race progressed he was unable to get past him, finishing fourth at the chequered flag.

It was a clean start for the grid off the starting line for the Feature race, with Yoong racing hard to the first corner from his sixth place start. Jostling with the cars around him Yoong maintained his grid slot after the opening lap. With championship contender New Zealand breathing down his neck, Yoong needed all his wits to keep defending his position while also trying to challenge India ahead. With both cars making their first pitstop on the same lap it was a close match in times for the crews to change the tyres, but New Zealand just pipped the Malaysian car to take away sixth place. However Malaysia then took India to reclaim the spot.

As the race headed to mid distance the pace settled with the field strung out and Yoong running a few seconds behind New Zealand. The second stop saw the leading teams pit early in the 'window' for the tyre changes. Yoong was amongst these and the crew gave him a quick change of rubber to put him back on the track without losing position. The remainder of the race passed without incident, with the Malaysia car crossing the line in sixth place.

Yoong said of the races, ''It’s great to have two good finishes. The sprint race was a good start to the day and I’m pleased we were able to make a pass on India to snatch fourth as we were reasonably competitive. The feature race gave us another good result although I was struggling with understeer whereas this morning it had been oversteer, but that just shows the fine balance that is needed to get the best out of the car. After the second pitstop we dropped the tyre pressures and the car was very strong with some very strong lap times, so I was hoping for a safety car to bunch every one up – I think I would have had a good shot at taking another place or two. Overall it has been a good weekend for us.''

Jack Cunningham, Chief Executive of the team, added, ''We’ve seen the results today that have eluded us for much of this season and it’s given us a very big boost as we head to the final round of this season. We had two strong finishes with strong teamwork in the pitstops and great reliability as well. When all the ingredients come together, the results come to us as they have done this weekend. I hope we carry this momentum through to the final round in the UK.''

The final round of the 2007/08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, the third season of the Series, takes place at Brands Hatch in Kent, UK, from 2-4 May 2008.

Prison Break Live! In Lynton V Harris’ SCREAM PARK at Sunway Lagoon

Bandar Sunway, Kuala Lumpur - Lynton V Harris’ SCREAM PARK, a brand new, and multi-million (MYR) live interactive experience, with four brand new ‘Adventures in the Dark’ opens at SUNWAY LAGOON….a world first in Malaysia! Mr. Aaron Soo, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Lagoon Theme Park and Mr. Lynton V. Harris himself officially launched Scream Park on the 2nd of April 2008 at the Zazu Restaurant in Sunway Lagoon Theme Park at 3:00pm.

Lynton V Harris’ SCREAM PARK will showcase four exciting, and scary adventures headlined by the awesome Prison Break LIVE! attraction. Prison Break ‘LIVE!’ is an intense, exhilarating, live interactive ‘scare’ experience based on the Fox mega-hit TV series bringing to life the intense atmosphere from the popular series is this world premiere live attraction.

The Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company has the Prison Break LIVE! license from Twentieth Century Fox Television in Hollywood.

Attached herewith is the post release bundle for the above-mentioned event. We sincerely hope that you would make some space in your esteemed publication for our story to appear. If you would like to schedule a one-on-one interview with the any Sunway personnel, please feel free to contact us. We will be more than happy to make the necessary arrangements for you.

Issued by GO Communications on behalf of Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

For Media enquiries, please call:-
Sharmila Ramanath (012-907 8847)
Sarah Jane Cheong (012-604 8832)
Tel: 603 7710 3288 I Fax I 603 7710 3289
Email: sharmila@goldpr.com.my / sarah@goldpr.com.my

Team Returns To Outreach School To Present Computers

A1 Team Malaysia is proud to represent the nation in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, showcasing the country around the globe, but the team has also established a supporting programme which takes the team to the heart of the nation, forging links with outlying communities and opening up young people to the world of motor sport and the excitement of racing.

Following the first initiative of the team’s Outreach programme which took drivers, Alex Yoong and Aaron Lim, to SJK(T) Kroh in Pengkalan Hulu, Perak earlier this year, two members of the team returned to the town to present five brand new desktop computers to the school, the final phase for the team’s support of the school. This gesture from A1 Team Malaysia aims to further enhance the excellent educational programme that the school delivers to the local population through the availability of the latest technology which is a gateway to the wider world for pupils and locals.

Owen Leed, Commercial Director and Kristie Lee, Marketing Executive travelled from the team’s KL headquarters to Pengkalan Hulu on Monday in a vehicle donated by Mayflower Car Rental for the purpose of the trip and were greeted by the Principal of the school Mr. S. Veeramuthu, who was highly appreciative of the team’s gifts.

Leed said of completing this first Outreach initiative, “We’re overwhelmed with the welcome we received on our return to Pengkalan Hulu and the joy on the faces of the students and teachers when they saw the computers. We know that they will be very valuable items of equipment that will be put to good use and contribute to the teaching facilities that the school offers. We’re pleased to be able to expand the work of A1 Team Malaysia into outlying communities and, in a small way, to make a difference to the lives of the young people. “

The team helped to refurbish the school just before Christmas last year with the A1 Team Malaysia mechanics deploying their painting skills at the school with teachers and parents joining in the refurbishment activity. The team returned to Pengkalan Hulu with the drivers to meet and greet the 160 students of the school and over 1000 visitors from the town and other nearby schools, as well as putting on go-karting demonstrations and bringing the A1 Team Malaysia car.

Leed concludes, “This is our third and final part of our support for this community and it has been a very rewarding programme. Everyone has been so appreciative of our efforts that it makes it very worthwhile. Outreach is devoted to making small differences to small communities within Malaysia and this first activity has been an unqualified success. We hope that we will be able to instigate further programmes in other areas of the country in the coming year. We are highly appreciative of the management team at our long term partner, Mayflower Car Rental, who donated the use of one of their MPV’s to make this trip and in future we would welcome the participation of all of our partners in this valuable community based programme.”

A1 Team Malaysia intends doing 4 Outreach activities per year and anyone in Malaysia who feels that they could benefit from the programme should email the team at info@a1teammalaysia.com.my for further information.

Cultural Showcase At The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

Kuala Lumpur, 2 April 2008 – Tapping into Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) is offering delegates the not-to-be-missed cultural experiences of batik-painting, pewter-smithing, basket-weaving and songket-weaving at all international and regional conferences held at the Centre.

Showcased to the sounds of the gamelan (traditional Malay orchestra) – a cadence of bronze instruments only found in South East Asia – metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs, bamboo flutes, and bowed and plucked strings— this platform gives international visitors a peek into Malaysia’s thriving cultural roots, in modern Kuala Lumpur.

According to Mr Peter Brokenshire, General Manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the initiatives are in line with the Centre’s vision to “provide fresh and exciting cultural exposure and insights to our growing legion of international visitors. In addition, we want to give back to the community by promoting traditional art.”

Batik-painting – Batik refers to the painstaking process of wax-resist and dye painting to produce a multi-coloured intricate design. A versatile art that lends itself to any kind of creative expression, batik is expressed in a variety of fabrics.

Songket-weaving – Another Malay craft is songket, a hand-woven fabric in either cotton or silk with fine gold or silver threads. As reflected in the Centre’s stately décor, its preferred songket motifs include bunga tabur (scattered flower blooms) and pucuk rebung (bamboo shoots).

Pewter-smithing – Re-live the experience of olden-day pewter making at Royal Selangor’s School of Hard Knocks. With just a few simple tools; hammer, mallet, wooden mould and scraper, one will be able to craft one’s own pewter dish. It is also a good tool to release stress.

Basket weaving – Basket weaving is one of the widest spread craft in the history of human civilisation. It is the craft of weaving together fibrous or pliable material, anything that will bend or form a shape and includes, but is not limited to pine straw, different types of grass, thread, branches, rattan and wood.

Gamelan – The gamelan is a gong-based orchestra of bronze instruments only found in South-East Asia, said to have originated in the Bronze Age when local craftsmen experimented with the metal. When one strikes the instruments, the different sounds of resonation create something unique.

The cultural showcase is in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s call to promote high-quality Malaysian handicraft at international exhibitions, conferences and summits.

About the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) is a component of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and is managed and operated by Convex Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture company between KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd and Ogden International Facilities Corporation Pty Ltd, Australia.

Winner of the TravelWeekly (Asia) Industry Awards 2007’s “Best Convention and Exhibition Centre in Asia”, the Centre is a wholly-owned facility of Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Sdn Bhd which in turn, is owned by KLCC (Holdings) Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS).

The Centre has received the ISO 9001, ISO 22000 and OHSAS 18001 certifications and achieved the Green Globe Benchmarked status (environment) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Certification (HACCP) recognition, the international food safety system for international convention facilities and five-star hotels.

The Centre, which consists of two auditoria (seating 3,000 and 500 respectively), 9,710 sq metres of exhibition halls, a Grand Ballroom which seats 2,000 diners, a Banquet Hall for 500, a Conference Hall for 1,800 and 20 other meeting rooms, represents an investment of RM550 million (approximately USD146 million) and 20,059 sq metres of function space in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

For further information, please contact:
Peter Brokenshire
General Manager
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
Tel: +603 2333 2888
Fax: +603 2333 2882
Email: info@klccconventioncentre.com

TQPR (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Tel: +603 2092 4300
Fax: +603 2092 5972

CFM Warns of SMS Scams

Kuala Lumpur - Communication & Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM) has become aware of Short Messaging Service (SMS) scams that may lead consumers to inadvertently incur high charges on their phone bills and can even cost their savings.

CFM urged public to ignore and delete hoax SMSes promising rewards and cash prizes. It is learnt that many people, who thought that they had won prizes, had been tricked to bank in money into a particular account before receiving their prizes.

Example of the scams:

“SIMKAD ANDA TELAH TERPILIH MEMENANGI HADIAH WANG TUNAI RM 12000 SILA HUBUNGI PIHAK PETRONAS MALAYSIA 00628178055xx”

"Tahniah kerana memenangi simkad bonus cek hadiah bernilai 15 000 dari Petronas , sila hubungi 0062813802137xx"

"Pengumuman, Tahniah anda terpilih bagi pihak Petronas Malaysia di atas simkad anda yang bertuah mendapat duit ganjaran sebanayak RM 14000 berupa cek tunai, sila hubungi nombor 0062815243303xx"

“TANIAH.Simcard Anda Meme-nangi hadiah Cek Tunai RM. 15000 Plus Reload Kredit. 250 dari Peraduan CELCOM.Sila hubung 0062815249239xx.Terimakasih”

CFM advice is to lodge a police report if you received SMSes asking for your bank account information; especially account number and personal identification number (PIN).

Mobile phone operators in Malaysia are facing growing complaints from customers who had previously ignored mobile scam. Those with unresolved complaints about SMS scam can lodge their complaint to CFM by calling CFM toll free number 1-800-18-2222, email aduan@cfm.org.my or by visiting CFM website www.cfm.org.my

For information, please contact:

Arie A Gabor

Awareness, Education & Membership

Consumer Forum of Malaysia

Tel: +603 7805 1800

Fax: +603 7808 2088

Email: arie_gabor@cfm.org.my

Story Of A Girl

One morning, in August, 2007, a one year old stray mongrel, was seen hit by a car speeding along Kesas highway on the third lane while she was trying to cross over the highway from the divider.

Witness saw the horror incident and the dog was lying on the floor without movement while another bus driver swayed his bus from the second lane to the third lane intended to run over the dog again !

The witness drove away after the bus was gone but her mind was very confused and she finally made her decision to make a U-turn back to the accident spot.

The poor dog was still survived, bleeding with pain but trying very hard to get up!

Luckily , it was in the morning when the heavy traffic was just over. The frightened witness managed to seek assistance from a kind passer-by to help carry the poor dog into the car before sending it to the nearest vet clinic.

The lucky creamish stray mongrel was named ' Girl '

1. 0998 - Girl at the clinic immediately after the accident, she was terribly shocked !
2. 0992 - After dressing and resting in the kennel. Girl looked exhausted but her state of shock was very much stabilized
3. 1003 - 6 months later..... Girl reaching Furry Friends Farm, taking her first socializing class. A warm welcome by Furry Friends Farm's representative, Jenny. Girl was trying to introduce herself to Jenny.
4. 0992 - A Happy Girl. Learning sit and stay with leash while Joey, Furry Friends Farm's resident dog demonstrating without a leash at the back.
5. 0998 - Learning obedience with her new friends at the farm .Standing next to her are Andy and Jenny.

Girl survived from multiple bruised and deep wounds from the car accident. She had also spinal bone fracture that caused her paralysis.

Girl is one of the luckiest stray dog which was rescued and was provided with much tender loving care by a team of dedicated vets and staff members and also the witness whom had made her committment to visit Girl regularly.

Girl recovered from her multiple spinal bone fracture without surgery but the intensive 6 months of physiotherapy programme carried out by the dedicated vet and his team had given Girl a second chance to live.

Special thanks to the vet and his team at Sri Petaling.

Stary dogs and puppies encountered many mishaps in their lives wandering along streets and highways.

Their lives are being threaten by the harsh handling of dog catchers and from members of the public who practise inhumane acts by pouring boiling water, cold water on rainy days, being kicked to the drains ,( especially for the defenseless puppies begging for food ), stoned by mischeivious children, hit by car ,etc.

Much difficult challenges in life have to be faced by strays in order to survive.

The cruel and sad scenarios can be changed with the help of humans in changing their attitudes towards caring of pets.
We hope with all the rescued cases of strays by Furry Friends Farm, awareness will be created to promote pets neutering , responsible pet ownership and love your pets for life .

Sabrina Yeap
Furry Friends Farm

Soon-to-launch Accord to feature new customer-savvy technologies

Petaling Jaya, 17 March 2008 – Malaysia will have reasons to rejoice as the latest generation of one of the world’s bestselling car models -- the Accord, will finally make its way here! The All New Honda Accord is said to move the world of mainstream transportation to a refined, dynamic and sophisticated direction with an expanded range of innovative technologies designed for more power, greater fuel efficiency and enhanced safety across the entire line-up of Accords.

According to Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Atsushi Fujimoto, the eighth generation Accord was designed to exceed expectations with premium technologies. “Amongst the technical innovations,” he said, “are the fuel economic and environmental Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) System; the handling refining Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) Steering; the power transition-easing Shift Hold System; and further enhanced safety features”.

The All New Accord has three variants: the enhanced 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter i-VTEC engines, which provide balance between performance and fuel economy; and the new 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine, the first ever and most powerful in the Accord line-up. The 2.4-liter i-VTEC model at 180 ps has the highest engine power of its class.

Touching on the key improvements of the 2008 Accord, Mr. Fujimoto said: “To the delight of our customers, it will be more powerful, even more fuel-efficient than before, and all engines will come with 5-Speed Automatic Transmission to offer a smoother drive”.

The 3.5-liter V6 model will incorporate the Honda developed Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology, which enables the achievement of an optimal balance between fuel economy and power. It does so simply by operating in a six-cylinder mode for power, and four- and three-cylinder modes for efficiency – this means the engine has the ability to switch between the three modes of combustion according to driving needs and situations.

For instance, when a car climbs uphill or accelerates, high output is required. In this situation, the engine will operate on all six cylinders to deliver the required power. At moderate or high speed and climbing up mild hills, the engine will activate only four cylinders. During cruising or low engine loads, the system will isle on one bank of three cylinders.

The innovation lies in the VCM system’s ability to intelligently close both the intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders that are not in use, thus pumping losses associated with intake and exhaust are eliminated, making the car more fuel efficient and environmental. To top it all, the engineering feat is achieved without affecting the driving performance of the car.

To ensure a quiet, vibration-free and seamless switch-over in cylinder operations, a noise and vibration reduction system was developed to complement the VCM technology. This innovative system consists mainly of the new Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) and the Active Noise Control (ANC).

The ACM anticipates VCM-generated vibration by monitoring changes in engine revolutions-per-minute (RPM). It then actuates two engine mounts to create out-of-phase vibration to nullify or cancel out the force of vibrations resulting from cylinder switching operations.

The Active Noise Control (ANC) cancels out booming noise relating to VCM function by emitting a sound wave with the same amplitude and the opposite polarity to the original sound from the audio sound system.

Together, the ACM and ANC functions minimise noise and vibration generated during VCM to create a smooth, disturbance-free and pleasurable drive for Accord owners.

Handling gets even more precise in the 2008 Accord with the newly improved Variable Gear Ratio (VGR) Steering, which enhances the whole driving experience in terms of performance, comfort and safety. The mechanism gives better stability for straight and high speed driving, and smoother and more responsive handling for low speed driving. A point to note is the smaller turning radius, which comes in handy especially during parking.

In terms of gear shift management, the All New Accord will feature a Shift Hold System which prevents up-shifts to higher gear (4th & 5th) in repeated winding-road situations. Automatic transmission for all grades has this system to reduce unwanted gear shifts for more responsive and linear acceleration on winding roads and other similar situations. This reduces disturbance to the chassis and ensures strong power is available without a down shift. What this means for the Accord driver is a more confident and smoother drive without any shock caused by frequent gear shift during cornering. It also offers a comfortable ride for all passengers on winding roads.

Drivers of the new Accord will find the vehicle body more lightweight and rigid due to extensive usage of high-tensile steel, which creates an improved body for enhanced riding and handling as well as better safety (collision) performance.

Through a comprehensive and evolving approach to vehicle safety, Honda seeks to provide a high level of occupant (driver and passenger) and pedestrian protection in the All New Accord. The eighth generation model will integrate sophisticated safety technology including G-Force Control Technology, the revolutionary Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, Pedestrian Safety features, Advanced Airbags System and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).

Honda’s G-Force Control (G-CON) is an advanced technology developed to control the G-forces or crash energy that the driver, passenger, car and even pedestrian can experience during a collision.

The ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure is an extension of G-CON technology designed for better front collision performance. As opposed to a conventional body structure which focuses the collision energy primarily on two side frame rails, the ACE body design helps to spread out and disperse the impact and energy over a larger surface, thus limiting cabin intrusion to effectively minimise injuries.

Honda’s commitment to safety also includes the most vulnerable of people traveling on roads – the pedestrians. To better understand the real-world dynamics of pedestrian related traffic accidents, Honda created the world’s first, most advanced pedestrian dummy to help develop technologies to improve pedestrian protection and reduce life-threatening injuries.

In case of an accident, the All New Accord hood and fender brackets were designed to deform if contacted by a pedestrian. The hood hinge, wiper pivots and windshield base have either energy absorbing, bending or break-away structure to help decrease injury level.

Additional safety features in the 2008 Accord includes an Advanced 6 Airbag System with two side curtain airbags, two sets of front dual stage airbags and two side airbags with Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) in the 3.5-liter V6 model; and the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) to enhance active safety of front wheel drive cars in both the 3.5-liter V6 and 2.4-liter models.

The eighth generation Accord is not only more powerful and fuel efficient, it is also an environmental-friendly vehicle. It meets the Euro 4 standard in terms of emission, and it uses more environmental-friendly materials -- such as materials with reduced Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) contents in the car interior fittings and body undercoating.

With such exciting and innovative customer-driven technologies, the soon-to-launch All New Accord is no doubt the most dynamic of its line-up ever to be designed and introduced. Keep a lookout for it as it hits the road in April 2008!

For more information, please call Honda Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or log on to Honda Malaysia’s website at www.honda.com.my for more details.

###

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Monique Low

Marketing Division, Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Tel : 03-7957 5885 Fax: 03-7957 4301

Email : monique.low.tt@honda.com.my

Website: www.honda.com.my

Ms Kaylee Chang / 012-366 9555 / kaylee@ktalystinternational.com

Ms Jean Ng / 012- 302 3780 / jean@ktalystinternational.com

Ktalyst International Sdn Bhd

Tel / Fax: 03-7727 7784

Website: www.ktalystinternational.com

Top Ten Finish For A1 Team Malaysia In Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico, 16 March 2008

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport’s eighth round was held today in Mexico City with overflowing grandstands of local fans enjoying two thrilling A1GP races. A1 Team Malaysia with Alex Yoong driving scored a ninth place finish in the Sprint race, but after a drive through penalty in the Feature race, it was a disappointing 15th place position at the chequered flag.

The weekend has been tough for the Malaysian team and everyone has worked hard over the last two days to prepare the car for today’s races and develop the setup for optimal performance. With a 14th place start for the Sprint race and 11th place for the Feature race, the Malaysian team was aiming for two points scoring finishes.

The rolling start of the Sprint race produced early drama, with the Pakistan car hitting the back of the China car, flying upwards and landing in the middle of the track. With other cars caught up in the incident and the Pakistan car stranded, the race was red flagged. After a short interlude the field of A1GP cars returned to grid formation for the restart.

The Sprint restart was a drag race in to the first corner and Yoong charged down to it, passing cars as he drove hard and reached 11th place by the end of the opening lap. As the race progressed Yoong kept out of trouble and benefited from South Africa falling out of the race to lie 10th by mid-distance. With five laps to go a mistake by the Czech Republic left the car in a dangerous position on track and this brought out the Ferrari safety car. As racing resumed Yoong continued to race hard, pushing for position and with just two laps to go passed Brazil to take ninth place, which he then kept until the chequered flag.

He said after the Sprint race, “We had an excellent start and by the end of the first lap we were up to 10th. I was quite pleased with my move on Brazil to take ninth. We have finished in the points, which was the aim.”

Lining up on the sixth row for the Feature Race Yoong was ready for another tense, fierce battle. After a starting lights glitch forced an aborted start, the grid formed for a second time and after the red lights went out, the pack raced down the long front straight to the first corner with Yoong quick off the mark from 11th place. He had improved to ninth place at the end of the first lap, but dropped back during the early part of the race to lie 13th at the first round of pitstops. Quick pit work from the Malaysian crew put Yoong back out on track in 11th place and he maintained position as the race reached the halfway point, chasing the China car ahead while also defending from Portugal behind. New Zealand sliding off track gifted Malaysia 10th place, but with Yoong fighting to control his car he lost two places to Portugal and Brazil. A drive through penalty for a racing regulation infringement dropped Yoong further back, with the team finishing 15th after the 47 lap race.

The Malaysian driver said after the race, “It is the story of what might have been. Our start was good and we were up to seventh but I flat spotted the tyres at the chicane and then the front tyres weren’t good and I was just falling back. The boys did a cracking stop to put me back up, but I got passed because I was struggling with the balance of the car. The second stop was another superb job by the pit crew, but I had a drive through penalty for making a mistake on the exit, which put us out of contention for points. I’m hugely disappointed with that result.”

Jack Cunningham, Chief Executive, A1 Team Malaysia, comments, “We drove in two highly competitive races today and we’re pleased to have taken away a couple more points. It’s disappointing though that the superb work of the pit crew came to nothing for us in the Feature race. It’s tough when everyone in your team works so hard and with such commitment not to get the level of results that you feel is deserved, but unfortunately that’s the nature of motor racing.

We’ll keep our spirits high as we know we have a strong team, and there are still four more races in which to add to our points tally. We’ll look forward to racing back in Asia next month.”

The A1GP World Cup of Motorsport heads to Shanghai, China in four weeks time, for the penultimate round of the 2007/08 season. The Series has travelled the globe since its first event in Zandvoort, the Netherlands, visiting Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and America over the course of seven months.

Rusty Rossi Crashes In Sepang On Day One

Returning to action after a long lay-off, five-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi looked rusty in his first ride since November as he crashed on the first day in the first MotoGP pre-season testing of 2008, which opened at Sepang Circuit today.

Downed by a broken right wrist after crashing at the final leg of the 2007 season at the Valencia Grand Prix in November, the Doctor returned to action, mounting the new 2008 YR-M1 MotoGP machine and sporting a new crew cut look.

From the start of the session, Rossi was clearly not fully satisfied with the handling of the bike by the gesture of his explanation to his Fiat Yamaha Racing team crew as seen from outside the guarded pits.

Entering his 20th lap at noon, Rossi crashed at the entry of the sharp Turn 2 after his front wheel gave in and the Italian rider jumping off his bike to escape injury. He then walked back to the bike; picking up the machine.

As he rode slowly to the pits, Rossi, winner in Sepang in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2006, was seen holding his left hand with the new machine badly dented on the right side.

New team-mate Jorge Lorenzo also had a crash during the morning session as the Fiat Yamaha concluded a disappointing morning session with Rossi clocking the eighth fastest time of 2 minutes 3.295 seconds. Lorenzo was fifth fastest with 2 minutes 2.871 seconds.

Twenty riders participated in the tests which saw Dani Pedrosa of Repsol Honda topping the morning charts, recording a time of 2 minutes 1.864 seconds. Despite the achievement of clocking the fastest time, Pedrosa also had mixed fortunes, crashing at Turn 1 at noon.

The Sepang tests, which would run for three days until Thursday, is the first test session for the riders and teams after a seven-week mandatory; effective on December 1, 2007.

After Sepang, the teams and riders would proceed to Phillip Island in Melbourne, Australia before returning to Sepang early month from February 4 to 6 for a second round of test around the 5.543-km Malaysian track to prepare for the 2008 season.

Sepang MotoGP Test – Day 1 – Morning Session
Top 10 riders

1.Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) – Honda 2:01.864s
2.Randy de Puniet (Honda LCR) – Honda 2:02.536s
3.Colin Edwards (Yamaha Tech 3) – Yamaha 2:02.549s
4.Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) – Suzuki 2:02.689s
5.Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha Team) – Yamaha 2:02.871s
6.Chris Vermeulen (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) – Suzuki 2:02.905s
7.John Hopkins (Kawasaki Racing Team) – Kawasaki 2:03.129s
8.Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team) – Yamaha 2:03.295s
9.Andrea Dovizioso (JIR Scot Team) – Honda 2:03.313s
10.James Toseland (Yamaha Tech 3) Yamaha 2:03.344s

--

irwan a. rahman
executive
media relations department
sepang international circuit
jalan pekeliling
64000 klia
selangor MALAYSIA

did : +603 8778 2246
fax : +603 8783 1020
email : irwan@malaysiangp.com.my
: press@malaysiangp.com.my
: srikencana@gmail.com
web : www.malaysiangp.com.my

MBO to open its flagship cineplex at Klang’s premier mall

Local cineplex operator MCAT Box Office Sdn Bhd (MBO) sets expansions plans into motion with a multi-million investment for its largest operations to date at HARBOUR PLACE

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 January 2008 - MCAT Box Office Sdn Bhd, a locally established and upcoming cineplex operator, today announces its partnership with HARBOUR PLACE for its largest and most ambitious cineplex operations to date, at the Klang mall which is scheduled to be opened by mid-2008.

According to Ikmal Nizam Ariffin, chief operating officer of MBO, the launch of MBO Cineplexes @ HARBOUR PLACE will mark one of the first of a series of cineplex openings by MBO throughout the country, as part of the company’s aggressive expansion plan for the next 3 years.

“By far, it has been MBO’s strategy to target suburban locations to set up its cineplexes to tap the huge market of 18-35 year olds who want to catch movies without the hassle of going into the city center,” says Nizam. He adds that MBO’s existing cineplexes are experiencing tremendous success with
its movie ticket sales.

Nizam shares that MBO Cineplexes @ HARBOUR PLACE will have a total of 10 screening halls, covering up to 40,000 square feet.

“Besides providing top quality and advanced audio visual equipment, MBO has up its sleeves with a new concept for the interiors of this new cineplex - which we believe will be a surprise and hit with our target crowd,” he says.

MBO Cineplexes will be one of the key tenants at HARBOUR PLACE which is positioned to be a lifestyle and entertainment precinct that caters to Klang and surrounding areas such as Shah Alam.

Lifestyle and Entertainment Focus at HARBOUR PLACE

Kenny Chin, General Manager of HARBOUR PLACE, says that the MBO Cineplex will be located on the 7th floor - which is the mall’s dedicated entertainment level.

“The entertainment component is a crucial factor to drive crowds for the center and its retailers, especially so at ‘lifestyle and entertainment’ specialty malls like HARBOUR PLACE - where families can shop, dine and be engaged in a range of exciting activities the whole day in complete
leisure.”

“HARBOUR PLACE will have a sophisticated beat and feel to it, as never before available in Klang. HARBOUR PLACE’s sophisticated retail and F&B offerings are totally in tandem with what today’s shoppers want; so we are confident that this MBO-HARBOUR PLACE partnership will be a cohesive and highly successful one,” says Chin.

Nizam says that with MBO opening at HARBOUR PLACE, Klang movie goers will enjoy MBO’s key advantage of competitive ticket rates while enjoying all the same movies, with quality premise and services.

“We believe HARBOUR PLACE’s location at Persiaran Raja Muda Musa, Klang is strategic, and is an excellent ‘catchment’ point which is central to surrounding and upcoming residential areas. No longer do Klang-ites staying at these areas have to drive to Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Subang, or even Klang town itself to enjoy a movie.”

“No doubt, with its opening at HARBOUR PLACE, MBO Cineplexes will be exactly where you need it to be,” ends Nizam.

###
About HARBOUR PLACE

HARBOUR PLACE is a retail and office development by Chestar Properties Sdn Bhd. Located at Persiaran Raja Muda Musa, this mall is designed for the young, and young at heart - inspiring customers to shop, dine and entertain under one classy roof.

Built to burst with people-centric design, HARBOUR PLACE will feature an understated sophistication that marks it as Klang’s first lifestyle entertainment mall that will inspire the local retail scene.

With 450,000 square feet of retail space and a carefully planned tenant mix under one roof, HARBOUR PLACE is scheduled to be opened by mid-2008. For more information, visit www.harbourplace.com.my

About MCAT Box Office Sdn Bhd (MBO)

Established in 2004, MBO currently operates three cineplexes - namely MBO Galaxy Cineplex (Ampang, Selangor) with 10 screens; MBO Cineplex in Kluang, Johor with 5 screens; and MBO Cineplex Melaka (Ayer Keroh Melaka) with 7 screens.

Besides its cineplex operation business, MBO deals with film distribution, importing film from independent studios around the region. It is also a movie rights distributor, providing selected movie international rights from independent Thai, Chinese, Malay and English movie houses to its industry peers. For more information, visit www.mbocinemas.com

For more information:-
Jade Lo
Sirius PR Sdn Bhd (680878-V)
Tel: (03) 7805 2700
jade.lo@siriuspr.com.my

PETRONAS Syntium Team Conclude Successful Tyre Test

Sepang, 19 January – After a break of more than a month since completing the team’s first season in the Japanese Super Taikyu Endurance Series last November, the drivers from PETRONAS Syntium Team were back strapped to the BMW Z4M Coupe this past weekend for a pre-season tyre test at the Sepang International Circuit.

The 2008 season of the Super Taikyu Endurance series will see a new partnership between the PETRONAS Syntium Team and Japanese tyre manufacturer ADVAN Yokohama. In preparing for the upcoming season, which will start in April, the team scheduled a one-day tyre test at Sepang to help evaluate the different compounds and construction of the ADVAN Yokohama tyres.

On hand to take on the driver duties for the test were Japanese Masataka Yanagida and the 2007 Asian Touring Car Champion Fariqe Hairuman. Both drivers were also confirmed by the team for the 2008 Super Taikyu Endurance Series.

Test Programme:

The PETRONAS Syntium Team had a productive day’s testing at Sepang, without any major problems. The test was conducted with the 2007 Merdeka Millennium Endurance-spec BMW Z4M Coupe to help the team evaluate the various tyre compounds and construction provided by the team’s new tyre partners, ADVAN Yokohama. Both Masataka Yanagida and Fariqe Hairuman ran several short and long stints over the full course of the Sepang circuit throughout the day. The dry and warm conditions also enabled the drivers to work with the Yokohama tyre representatives to evaluate the different grip levels of the different compounds of the tyres with positive feedback.

Team Principal of the PETRONAS Syntium Team, David Wong summed up his impression of the Yokohama tyre test:

“We are very encouraged with what has been a very positive and productive test for the team. We are delighted to welcome our new tyre partners ADVAN Yokohama who have done a great job today and would like to thank Mr Akinori Takieda, the General Manager of Yokohama Motorsports department and his entire team for their incredible support at this test. Through the short and long runs throughout the course of the day, both drivers were able to complete a lot of mileage and collect valuable data that we can use in preparation for the season ahead. There is still a lot for us to do to prepare for the season but with the data that we collected today and from the positive feedback from the drivers, the results from this test has boosted our preparations and we are definitely looking forward to the season ahead.

“We are also happy to note that we have confirmed the driver line-up for the 2008 Super Taikyu Endurance Series with the team retaining the services of Masataka Yanagida (29, JPN) and Fariqe Hairuman (25, MAS) to take on the team’s challenge this year. The partnership between Masataka and Fariqe has already proven to be a strong one and I am confident that both drivers will be able to get the maximum out of the car and be competitive.”

What comes next:

The PETRONAS Syntium Team will be testing again at the Twin-Ring Motegi circuit in Japan in March. The first round of the 2008 Super Taikyu Endurance Series will take place at the Suzuka Circuit from 25 – 27 April.

Farah A Aziz

Communication & Resource Management

PETRONAS Motorsports

Level 71, Tower 1

PETRONAS Twin Towers

Kuala Lumpur City Centre

50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

[T]: +60.3.2331 3970

[F]: +60.3.2051 2636

@: farah.a.aziz@gmail.com

@: farhaniaisyahaziz_aghani@petronas.com.my

Visit us at www.petmos.com.my

for information on PETRONAS, visit us at www.PETRONAS.com.my