Proposed highway to ease congestion in Ampang

The proposed Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) will ease the congestion in Ampang.

The three-lane dual carriage expressway will serve as an alternative route to Sg Besi, Cheras, Ampang and Ulu Kelang.

PM to meet Dr Chua before deciding on Cabinet reshuffle

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will meet newly-elected MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek soon to get his views on a likely Cabinet reshuffle.

Najib, who congratulated Dr Chua and other winners in the recent MCA election, said a date had yet to be fixed but it would not be long before he met Dr Chua to listen to the latter’s views and suggestions.

However, Najib said, he had yet to decide when the Cabinet reshuffle would take place.

Asked if the positions of Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha would be affected, Najib replied : “ That depends.”

Asked if Dr Chua would be given a ministerial post, Najib said he had yet to make a decision. Dr Chua is not an MP.

“I want to analyse the message sent by MCA delegates and I also need to meet up with Dr Chua to listen to him before making any decision,’’ said Najib.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament lobby here, Najib said all MCA members must accept the result as the election was carried out according to MCA’s constitution.

“All the candidates who contested for the president’s post (Dr Chua, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting) had pledged to unite all factions in the party so that it is solid and strong.

“We need a strong MCA to represent the interest of the Chinese community effectively.

“Time has come for us not to look back but to move forward in carrying out the duties entrusted to us by delegates to restore the confidence of the public in MCA.

“I hope public confidence in MCA is restored,’’ said Najib.

Asked if he thought the party crisis had ended, Najib said he hoped the leaders walked the talk.

“After the election, there should be no more factions and only one MCA,’’ said Najib.

He also dismissed suggestions that moral issues would crop up related to Dr Chua.

"Yes... there will be all kinds of views as usual, but over 900 delegates have given their trust and mandate to Soi Lek, so the strengths and advantages have been prioritised (in reaching their decision)

"Whether this reflects the sentiments of the Chinese community at large is something that has to be evaluated by us," he added.

Dr Chua staged a stunning victory when he was elected the ninth president of MCA on Sunday.

He defeated incumbent Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting at fresh party polls Sunday after a protracted crisis that had dogged the party since its AGM on Oct 18, 2008.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who was aligned to Ka Ting, defeated Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha in a close fight for the deputy presidency.

Many observers see the election results — which had candidates from all three factions winning various posts — as reflective of the desire of members to close ranks and rebuild the party.

New Era College senate head punched while giving speech - The Star Online

Monday January 12, 2009

KAJANG: What started out as a happy event turned chaotic at the New Era College convocation.

A man went up to the stage as college senate chairman Dr Yap Sin Tian was giving a speech and punched him in the face in front of 500 people, including students, parents and guests.

Helping hand: Dr Yap being helped to stop his nosebleed after he was punched yesterday.

However, the attacker managed to flee the scene.

Dr Yap, who is Dong Zong (the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia) president, was ushered to a seat with a fractured cheekbone and nose. An ambulance arrived later to send him to the Kajang Specialist Hospital.

College principal Mok Soon Choong took over the podium to continue the speech and calmed the situation.

Witnesses said the attacker wore a shirt used by members of a fund-raising event in the college. The man has been identified as a former college graduate.

Attack sequence: Stills taken by 8TV showing the man punching Dr Yap while he was delivering his speech during the convocation yesterday.

Dong Jiao Zong Education Centre directors, who were seated near the stage, tried to catch him but he managed to escape.

It is unclear if the attack is linked to an ongoing squabble between Dr Yap and the college’s former principal Dr Kua Kia Soong.

Dr Yap had supported Dong Zong when it did not extend Dr Kua’s contract which expired in December.

The Dong Jiao Zong has made a police report on the attack.

College officials said they would conduct their own investigation.

In Penang, MCA vice-president Datuk Liow Tiong Lai expressed regret over the attack.

“It is sad to see such an incident happening in an educational body. Any problem should be settled without the use of violence,” he said.

Kuantan Syariah Court allows convert to declare himself a non-Muslim - THE STAR

Monday August 18, 2008 MYT 7:30:23 PM

KUANTAN: The Syariah High Court here has allowed an application by a Muslim convert to declare himself as a non-Muslim.

Jeffrey also known as Abdullah and Or Boon Hua, 36, made the application on the grounds that he had not practised the Islamic teachings since converting to the religion 14 years ago.

Judge Datuk A. Rahman Yunus, said in his judgment on Monday that based on the testimonies of four witnesses, it was clear that Jeffrey was not a Muslim, having not practised the Islamic teachings since his conversion to the religion.

"As such, the court finds that the applicant is no longer a Muslim," he added.

He ordered the Pahang Islamic Religious Council to annul Jeffrey's certificate of conversion to Islam. Expressing regret over the matter, A. Rahman reminded Islamic missionary bodies to provide proper guidance to Muslim converts.

He gave Jeffrey 14 days to register his renouncement of Islam and at the same time for Islamic bodies to appeal against his decision.

In his statement of claim, Jeffrey, a contractor, stated that he converted to Islam only for the purpose of marrying a Muslim woman.

He converted to Islam on Jan 20 1994 and married the woman on Nov 16 1996.

He also said that after converting to Islam, and after his marriage, he did not attend any Islamic religious teachings nor was he taught the religion.

Jeffrey applied to leave Islam after divorcing his wife on Nov 27 2001. -