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30 November 2015

Britain Wins Davis Cup title first in 79 years

Murray beats Goffin to seal Davis Cup for Britain

 
GHENT, Belgium (Reuters) - The moment Andy Murray has pursued with such fanatical zeal finally arrived, unforgettably, on Sunday when an outrageous lob arced over Belgium's David Goffin to seal Britain's first Davis Cup title for 79 years.
Fittingly for a player who has almost single-handedly guided his country to the title this year, the indefatigable Murray ended Goffin's inspired resistance with a moment of sheer brilliance few could conjure to complete a 6-3 7-5 6-3 victory.
It gave Britain a winning 3-1 lead and started a party that hundreds of visiting fans decked out in union flags and Scottish saltires will keep going long into the night in medieval Ghent.
Murray, who put in a triple-shift over the weekend and looked exhausted at the end of a tense three-hour contest, collapsed on to the claycourt before being swamped by his team mates, including brother Jamie, and captain Leon Smith.
Sportingly he clambered to his feet to console Goffin who had gallantly clung on to the hope of keeping alive Belgium's chances of winning the title for the first time.
Murray then saluted the 'Barmy Army', who roared his every winner over a weekend that rubber-stamped his place in the chronicles of British sporting greatness, if any had doubted it after he ended a 77-year wait for a men's champion at Wimbledon in 2013, a year after winning the Olympics and U.S. Open.
"I probably haven't been as emotional as that after a match that I've won," Murray told reporters later as dance music still reverberated around the vast warehouse-like arena on the edge of the city.
"It's incredible that we managed to win this competition. I didn't know that would ever be possible. It's great."
World number two Murray, whose return to the team in 2013 accelerated Britain's rapid rise from the depths that begun when Smith took charge in 2010, has won 11 live rubbers in this year's run, matching Ivan Ljubicic's total for Croatia in 2005.
He has won all eight singles he played while teaming up three times with brother Jamie for crucial doubles wins, one of which came on Saturday to put Britain 2-1 ahead.
"Really impressive from @andy_murray. One of the best Davis Cup years in history," former U.S. Open champion and world number one Andy Roddick said on Twitter.
The small Scottish town of Dunblane, where the Murray brothers grew up, could justifiably claim its name should be inscribed on the trophy.
Fellow Scot Smith, who took over when Britain were on the verge of relegation to the Davis Cup's fourth division, paid tribute to the whole team but described Murray's mammoth contribution to the country's first title since 1936 as "one of the best achievements of all time."
"It's incredible for all of us to watch how he's managed to win that many rubbers, that many wins," he said.
"Just now what's important is what's been achieved. It's monumental."
Murray is the first player since American Pete Sampras in 1995 to win three live rubbers in a final.
There was a sense of inevitability about the outcome on Sunday with Belgium trailing 2-1 and needing to win both reverse singles. But Goffin, roared on by a soccer-style crowd inside the claustrophobic arena, forced Murray to play his best tennis.
Goffin squandered a break point at 2-2 in the opening set and Murray then pounced, scorching a backhand winner off a weak second serve to take a lead he never relinquished.
There was no chance of Goffin fading though. He played some sensational tennis to stay with Murray in the second set but a tired forehand into the net in 11th game gave Murray a break and the Scot struck a stupendous forehand winner to seal the set.
Murray wobbled briefly when he dropped serve early in the third set but he responded to move 5-3 ahead before providing the most spectacular of climaxes to a memorable year.

Fifteen people - including seven policemen - have been arrested for kidnapping an Iranian "Datuk" businessman

15 people, including seven cops arrested for kidnapping Iranian

 
KUALA LUMPUR: Fifteen people - including seven policemen - have been arrested for kidnapping an Iranian businessman from the oil and gas industry.
The businessman, who is a Datuk, was abducted around 6pm on November 23 at Jalan Ampang Hilir.
Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pic) said the kidnappers had tried to sneak the businessman out of the country.
"However they were unsuccessful," he said during a press conference at Bukit Aman yesterday.
City deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Law Hong Soon said the kidnappers then brought the man to Malacca to evade capture.
"Fortunately the man was released two days later safely," he said when contacted.
Following his release, the police nabbed 15 people including seven policemen.
The 15 were aged from 26 to 55.
Asked about the policemen, Law said they are attached to Kuala Lumpur and Bukit Aman.
He declined to confirm the rank of the seven, but it is believed that most of them were rank and file policemen.
DCP Law said that there was no ransom demand and the motive is believed to be debt-related.
"The case is being investigated under Section 363 of the Penal Code for kidnapping and they have been remanded until December 3," he said.

PAC Questioned former 1MDB CEO Shahrol Azrai today

1MDB: PAC Questions Former CEO Again

SHAHROL: We are happy to provide our answerS and we feel that we have provided sufficient answers.SHAHROL: We are happy to provide our answerS and we feel that we have provided sufficient answers.KUALA LUMPUR: Former president and chief executive officer (CEO) of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi gave his statement for the second time to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today.
Shahrol arrived at 10am at the Parliament building and completed providing his statement at 12.50pm in front of the committee chaired by Datuk Hasan Ariffin.
Shahrol left the Parliament in a hurry and refused to comment much about the meeting today.
“We are happy to provide our answerS and we feel that we have provided sufficient answers. We are ready to continue cooperation (with PAC),” said Shahrol.
He however refused to detail out the questions asked by members of PAC to him.
“I am not in a position which enables me to answer. Sorry, I am not able to answer more,” he said.
On November 25, PAC heard Shahrol Azral's testimony on 1MDB's governance starting from the Terengganu Investment Authority (TIA) in 2009 until the official establishment of 1MDB in September 2009.
PAC however decided that Monday as there was some information which required further clarification.
-Astro Awani

Malaysia has been chosen as the host of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2020


Zahid Hamidi: Malaysia to host CHOGM in 2020

     
    VALLETTA, MALTA: Malaysia has been chosen as the host of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2020, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).
    The Deputy Prime Minister said the appointment was in recognition of Malaysia's significant role as a member of the Commonwealth for the past 50 years.
    "Malaysia has been appointed to host CHOGM in 2020, 31 years after last hosting the meeting," he told Malaysian reporters here after attending the CHOGM 2015 closing ceremony in Malta Monday.
    Dr Ahmad Zahid, who led the Malaysian delegation for CHOGM 2015, said the United Kingdom would host the meeting in 2018.
    During the meeting here, Commonwealth leaders addressed global issues such as climate change, building resilience in small states, trade and sustainable development, the empowerment of youth, and fight against corruption and terrorism.
    Dr Ahmad Zahid said climate change, which has affected the 31 Commonwealth member states, was among the major focus points of the summit.
    "Small island Commonwealth states are anticipated to be submerged in the near future due to global warming that has raised the sea level," he said.
    He said a paper had been presented to the Cabinet to affirm Malaysia's commitment towards reducing climate change, which outlined efforts in environmental conservation, minimisation of deforestation, and renewable energy advocacy and other approaches.
    "We will play an important role in helping to reduce global climate change," he said.
    At the same press conference, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said Malaysia had also urged developed Commonwealth states to provide financial resources to developing state members.
    On the Commonwealth Youth Council secretariat's relocation to Kuala Lumpur, Ahmad Zahid said he had discussed the matter with Anifah and would forward it to the Cabinet for approval as well as to seek an allocation for it.
    He would also hold a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the issue. - Bernama

    In Phone Interview Charles Morais says he was mulling a defamation suit against IGP for calling him a “coward" (video)

    Charles: I did not flee Malaysia

     
    KUALA LUMPUR: Businessman Charles Suresh Morais has denied talk that he fled Malaysia after releasing his statutory declaration (SD), saying there was nothing left for him to do in Malaysia after his wish for a second post-mortem on his brother’s body did not work out.
    The oldest sibling of murdered DPP Anthony Kevin Morais, who left Malaysia after releasing a SD on his brother’s murder, said he was mulling a defamation suit against Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar for calling him a “coward”.
    He said he did not “flee” but that there was “nothing left” for him to do in Malaysia after Kevin’s body was claimed from the Kuala Lumpur Hospital mortuary last week.
    The Morais family had been keeping the body there since September and had been pushing for a second autopsy, claiming the first post-mortem report was “vague”.
    However, Kevin’s youngest brother, Datuk Richard, claimed the body last Monday, the same day the family filed a court order for the second autopsy.
    There is no word on what has been done to the body, though fa­mily members believe it had been cremated.
    “So what is there to stay for? The body is gone.
    “My only reason to stay was to get a second autopsy,” Charles, 52, told The Starafter arriving in Atlanta, Georgia, yesterday.
    Charles reportedly owns a chain of hotels under the Atlanta-based Kronos Hotels and Resorts.
    He has been under the spotlight following a highly publicised SD where he claimed to have received a pen drive from Kevin a month before his disappearance which implicates high-ranking Malaysian officials.
    When asked if he would share the contents of the pen drive, as requested by Bukit Aman, Charles said he was discussing it with his lawyers.
    As for Khalid’s remark that police knew what he did before going to the United States, he said: “I don’t know what he’s talking about. I have no criminal background.”
    Khalid had said that police had opened a case against him for withholding information and for attempting to commit sabotage.
    “We know who Charles Morais is and his background. We know what transpired when he went to the US,” Khalid reportedly said.
    Yesterday, Khalid said police would be calling Charles’ lawyer Americk Sidhu to help in tracking down his client.
    “We have contacted him and he will be coming in to help us in the next couple of days,” he said after attending the closing ceremony of the Police Karate Cup championship here yesterday.

    Malaysian Rizalman pleaded guilty to the indecent assault of a New Zealand woman, he burst into her bedroom naked from the waist down

    Rizalman (left) at the Wellington District Court on Oct 28 last year. - AFP
    Rizalman (left) at the Wellington District Court on Oct 28 last year. - AFP
     
    WELLINGTON: A former Malaysian second warrant officer pleaded guilty Monday to the indecent assault of a New Zealand woman, with a court hearing he burst into her bedroom naked from the waist down.
    Mohammed Rizalman Ismail was serving as second warrant officer at Malaysia's Wellington embassy when the incident happened last year, and the case caused outrage when he fled to his homeland citing diplomatic immunity.
    Rizalman was eventually extradited to face the New Zealand courts and had pleaded not guilty to attempted rape and burglary.
    But with his trial due to start Monday, the original charges were dismissed when the 39-year-old admitted one count of indecent assault against Wellington woman Tania Billingsley.
    Rizalman's lawyer Donald Stevens cited extenuating circumstances including mental illness, although prosecutors contest this.
    A summary of facts read out to the court said that on May 9 last year Billingsley was at home in Brooklyn, the Wellington suburb where the Malaysian embassy is located, when she heard a knock on her bedroom door.
    Rizalman then entered wearing no trousers or underpants. She screamed and struggled with him, managing to push him out of the house before calling police.
    Stevens said Rizalman told police the pair had been to the cinema together that day. The summary of facts did not specify whether Billingsley agreed.
    Prosecutor Grant Burston said experts would be called to dispute Rizalman's argument that he was mentally unwell, saying his behaviour was more consistent with "cannabis use and anxiety".
    Rizalman sat quietly in the dock as an interpreter explained proceedings to him.
    Indecent assault carries a maximum jail term of seven years in New Zealand.
    Judge David Collins said a hearing into disputed aspects of the case would take place on Friday before sentencing.
    He said if a home detention sentence was imposed, and he stressed it was only a possibility, Rizalman may be allowed to serve it at the Malaysian embassy. - AFP

    Siaran Langsung Sidang Dewan Rakyat 20 Nov 2015 Sesi Pagi

    Sidang Dewan Rakyat 20 Nov 2015 Sesi Pagi CC










    The G25 had raised concerns to the prime minister last year about Jakim exceeding its limits as permitted by the Federal Constitution


    G25 calls for audit on Jakim accounts


    Published: 29 November 2015 11:04 PM

    G25 wants to ensure Jakim's activities do not intrude into the private lives of Muslims. – The Malaysian Insider filepic, November 29, 2015.

    The G25 moderates group of prominent Malays and retired civil servants has urged for an audit on the Malaysian Islamic Development Department's (Jakim) accounts, and also said it would launch its own in-depth study on the department.

    In a statement tonight, the group said its study on Jakim was aimed at "reaffirming the place of Islam in the country's constitutional democracy".

    It said it had raised concerns to the prime minister last year about Jakim exceeding its limits as permitted by the Federal Constitution.


    The group added that its study also wanted to ensure that Jakim did not "intrude into the private lives of Muslims" in the country.



    "Jakim's activities are financed by Malaysian taxpayers, it is important for the public to know how their money is spent.

    "We hope to share our findings and recommendations with the government and the public," said the group, which started out with 25 members when it wrote its open letter on Islam in Malaysia to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in December last year, and has now grown in numbers.

    Jakim's relevancy has recently come into question when the son of second deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Tawfik Ismail, called for the department to be abolished since “constitutionally it really has no role”.

    Tawfik is also a G25 member but stressed that his view on abolishing Jakim was a personal one.

    Jakim's budget has gone under scrutiny as well, spending nearly RM1 billion of taxpayer's money on allocations and spending this year alone. – November 29, 2015.

    - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/g25-calls-for-audit-on-jakim-accounts#sthash.i81ZmZxn.dpuf

    Malaysia fast becoming the theme park capital of Southeast Asia, with 16 theme parks and water parks spread around the country.


    Berjaya Times Square, KidZania in CNN’s list of top theme parks in Malaysia


    Published: 29 November 2015 10:59 AM


    KidZania Kuala Lumpur is an educational theme park popular with youngsters. – The Malaysian Insider file pic,

     November 29, 2015.

    Berjaya Times Square Theme Park and KidZania Kuala Lumpur have been listed among Malaysia's best theme parks in an article published on international news network CNN's website.

    The two theme parks were among those listed in an article headlined "Malaysia's greatest theme parks" written by award-winning travel writer David Hogan Jr, who is based in Kuala Lumpur.

    Berjaya Times Square Theme Park, located inside Berjaya Times Square Shopping Mall in the heart of the city, was described as "a great destination for families planning a stay in Kuala Lumpur".


    The indoor roller coaster which loops and turns inside the mall was listed as its star attraction.



    The article also highlighted the mall's strategic location to numerous hotels and shopping malls in Bukit Bintang.

    As for KidZania, an educational theme park for youngsters located at the Curve NX building in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Hogan advised visiters to enjoy it on a weekday to avoid the crowd on weekends.

    Another theme park in Selangor featured in the article was Sunway Lagoon.

    "Adrenaline junkies will love the Extreme Park and scare-seekers can test their courage at the Scream Park.

    "For water lovers, there's the world's largest man-made surf beach and the world's largest water ride: the Vuvuzela," Hogan wrote.

    Legoland in Johor is among the top theme parks listed in the CNN article. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 29, 2015.

    Listing the top theme parks in the country by state, Hogan had included Resorts World Genting and Bukit Gambang Resort City in Pahang; Legoland Malaysia in Johor; A'Famosa in Malacca; and Lost World of Tambun in Perak.

    Also in the list were Escape Adventureplay in Penang which Hogan had described as: "The good old-fashioned fun you'll find here doesn't require electricity or cutting-edge technology".

    The article said Malaysia was fast becoming the theme park capital of Southeast Asia, with 16 theme parks and water parks spread around the country.

    At least 10 more are reported to be opening in the next few years. These include the world's first Twentieth Century Fox World theme park at Resorts World Genting which is set to open late next year. – November 29, 2015.

    - See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/citynews/greater-kl/article/berjaya-times-square-kidzania-in-cnns-list-of-top-theme-parks-in-malaysia#sthash.Ui2G9WwS.dpuf

    Richard Morais: I want to defend Kevin and PM, Family feud carries on as brother challenges brother

    Richard Morais: I want to defend Kevin and PM

     | November 29, 2015
    Family feud carries on as brother challenges brother over high-level links in Kevin's murder
    richard
    KUALA LUMPUR: Richard Morais said today he was defending the honour of his murdered elder brother Kevin, a senior government prosecutor, as well as that of the prime minister by challenging allegations made by his elder brother Charles, a US-based businessman.
    Richard said in a press interview that he was challenging a sworn statement issued by Charles on Wednesday because “it is a sin to implicate other people”.
    “He told Malaysiakini he wanted to “defend Kevin and my prime minister’s dignity” because Najib has been implicated in the sworn statement.
    On Saturday, he had said that Charles had been lying when he made his sworn statement.
    Charles had said in his sworn statement that Kevin had confided that he was working on a case involving Najib and wife Rosmah Mansor. and had also provided files on a computer pen drive which Charles said was in safekeeping in the US.
    However, Richard, the youngest brother, challenged Charles’s statement and said he would seek an appointment to meet Najib.
    He had previously denied having any connection with the prime minister.
    Kevin was also alleged to have drawn up a draft charge sheet to be used against Najib in the government’s investigations into 1Malaysia Development Bhd, and which he had purportedly provided to Sarawak Report. The government has said the charge sheet was fake.
    Kevin, a deputy public prosecutor and a senior member of the Attorney-General’s department, was reported missing on Sept 4. His remains were found on Sept 16 in a cemented drum in Subang Jaya. Six men have been charged with the murder and two others, including a military doctor, accused of abetting the offence.
    Charles Morais, who lives in the United States, has said he did not believe the murder came about because of the case involving sale of equipment from a military hospital.
    He had sought a second post-mortem examination of Kevin’s body. However, the body was claimed by Richard, after two months in the mortuary, before the second autopsy could be carried out.

    Police successfully solved the kidnapping case of a Tan Sri's Sister after 14 suspects were arrested in three separate raids

    NOVEMBER 18, 2015
    SHAH ALAM-Police successfully wrapped up the kidnapping case of a woman after 14 suspects, including the alleged mastermind, were arrested in three separate raids in the Klang Valley yesterday.
    Selangor police chief Datuk Abdul Samah Mat said the suspects were detained for alleged involvement in the kidnapping of the sister of a businessman bearing the title “Tan Sri” on Nov 10 in Kelana Jaya.
    He said in the incident, which occurred around 6pm, the 63-year-old victim was receiving treatment at a traditional treatment centre when she was approached by three men in motorcycle helmets.
    “An employee at the treatment centre was injured after one of the abductors pushed and struck the employee with a motorcycle helmet before carrying off the victim in a Toyota Estima.
    “During the incident, the abductors were believed to have used knives and fake pistols to scare the victim and treatment centre employees,” he said at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters today.
    He said after being detained for six days, the victim was released near the Bandar Baru Sentul Llight Rail Transit (LRT) station around 5pm after a ransom of RM2 million was paid to the kidnappers.
    Following the incident, Abdul Samah said a special police task force was established and four men were arrested at a shophouse in Taman Bukit Anggerik, Cheras, yesterday.
    In the raid, police recovered RM10,740 in cash, a machete and motorcycle helmets believed to have been used during the kidnapping.“At around 1am yesterday, police arrested six men and four women at a café in Jalan Doraisamy and at a club in Jalan Tun Razak.
    “In two other raids, police confiscated cash amounting to RM711,970, mobile phones, fake pistols and a Toyota Estima, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Altis.”Abdul Samah said the motive for the kidnapping was only to collect ransom.
    “We believe that all the syndicate members have been apprehended. We are tracking down the balance of the ransom money supposedly stashed away by the criminals.”He added that the alleged mastermind behind the kidnapping, a real-estate broker in his early 40s, was also in custody.
    Initial investigation determined that the suspect had two criminal records involving burglary and robbery.The suspects, aged between 19 and 40, have been remanded until Nov 23 to help in investigations.
    Abdul Samah said the victim was released unharmed, only suffering minor brusing to the wrists and hands after being tied up and confined in a house in Cheras.The case was being investigated under Section 3 (1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961.-TheRakyatPost


    Full article: http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=606971:tan-sris-sister-kidnapped-rm2-mil-ransom-demanded-after-daring-raid&Itemid=2#ixzz3suv4rzw7 

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