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Six people were injured, two of them with fractured ribs, when a double-decker express bus skidded and hit a hillside at Km363 Raub-Bentong road at dawn Sunday. Raub police chief Supt Wan Mohd Samsuddin Wan Osman said the Mahligai express bus was ferrying 39 passengers to Kuala Lumpur from Kota Baharu when the accident occurred at 5.30am. He said the victims with fractured ribs were admitted to the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital here while four other injured passengers were treated at the Raub Hospital. The bus driver was tested negative for drugs, he added. - Bernama

Perak Syariah Court judge Hassan Basri Markum was sentenced to a total of 19 years’ jail and fined RM210,000 after he was found guilty of seven corruption charges by the Sessions Court here. He is the first Syariah judge to be sentenced for corruption. However, as Sessions judge Tan Hooi Leng ruled yesterday that some of the sentences are to run concurrently, Hassan Basri, 56, will only need to serve 10 years in jail. In passing judgment, Tan said the defence had failed to cast reasonable doubt on the charges against Hassan Basri. ”The court cannot accept the money was meant to pay off a loan,” she said. Tan, however, allowed the defence’s application for a stay of execution pending an appeal and set RM5,000 (total RM35,000) bail for each charge. As Tan was reading out her judgment, Hassan Basri’s wife Maznah Idris was seen sobbing in the public gallery. Hassan Basri, who was charged under the Anti-Corruption Act 1997, was accused of: > Soliciting a bribe of RM3,000 from Moh

THERE is so much on his plate, yet British High Commissioner Simon Featherstone is excited about being London’s man in Kuala Lumpur. The good-natured envoy even made a recce trip to KL to check out his new job before taking up his posting in October. Featherstone: Excited to be London’s man in Kuala Lumpur.   “I’ve actually been here two months and it’s been a fascinating first eight weeks. I think I’m going to enjoy the posting enormously,’’ he tells The Star in his maiden interview. With trade, education, people and politics as the key areas for him to focus on, the good-natured Mandarin-speaking envoy says he intends to build on the strong political framework for these activities to flourish. Your forte is trade as exemplified by your work as Ambassador to Switzerland and consul-general in Shanghai. How much of that is going to weigh down here? Trade and investments are key parts of our relationship with Malaysia and indeed the new (British) Government very much wants high c

Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who was warded at the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian since last Thursday, has been discharged on Tuesday. His press secretary Mohd Fadzli Shaari said however Nik Abdul Aziz still needed to rest at home. "He left the ward at about 10am on Tuesday," he said on Wednesday. Nik Abdul Aziz, 79, was warded for back problems due to an old spinal injury he sustained after falling off a horse in the past. Mohd Fadzli said the Mentri Besar would be required to do follow-up treatment at the hospital on Saturday

Memorandum Isu Penstrukturan Semula Industri Perkhidmatan Air di Selangor Darul Ehsan Kepada: Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Al-Wathiqu Billah Al-Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Al Muktafi Billah Shah Yang Dipertuan Agong, Malaysia Daripada: Rakyat Selangor, Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya serta Kerajaan Negeri Selangor Darul Ehsan 2010 Dengan nama Allah s.w.t., Tuhan Yang Maha Pengasih dan Maha Penyayang. Selawat dan salam buat junjungan besar Nabi Muhammad s.a.w., pesuruh Allah s.w.t. yang sangat mencintai dan menggesa umatnya berlaku adil. Assalamu'alaikum w.b.t. Ampun Tuanku beribu ampun, sembah rakyat harap diampun. Dengan keinsafan bahawa kehidupan asasi manusia cukup bergantung dengan akses kepada air yang bersih pada kadar harga munasabah, Dengan kesedaran perkembangan kos sara hidup rakyat kian meningkat berbanding pendapatan, Dengan ketegasan menentang penyelewengan, salah guna kuasa dan kepura-puraan, Dengan iltizam menegakkan

SETIAUSAHA KERAJAAN KELANTAN KENYATAAN AKHBAR Menjunjung titah perintah Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Muhammad Ke-V, al-Sultan Kelantan, saya memaklumkan bahawa Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Muhammad Ke-V, al-Sultan Kelantan, telah mengampuni perkenan perkara berikut: 1. Menarik balik Darjah Kerabat Yang Amat Dihormati (D.K.) (Al-Yunusi) serta Tauliah Pelantikan Ahli Yang Pertama (Seri Paduka) Bagi Darjah Kebesaran Mahkota Kelantan Yang Amat Mulia (S.P.M.K.) (Al-Muhammadi I) yang telah dianugerahkan kepada Yang Berhormat Mulia Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, No. K/P: 370413-03-5083, sebelum ini, mulai pada 2 Disember 2010. 2. Menarik balik Tauliah Pelantikan Ahli Yang Kedua (Dato’ Paduka) Bagi Darjah Kebesaran Jiwa Mahkota Kelantan Yang Amat Mulia (D.J.M.K.) (Al-Ismaili II) serta Pelantikan Jaksa Pendamai (J.P.) yang telah dianugerahkan kepada Dr Haji Yaacob Hussain Merican, No. K/P: 380920-03-5597, sebelum ini, mulai pada 2 Disember 2010. Kedua mereka yang terbabit dal

The number of women contracting HIV was four times higher in Kelantan compared with other states. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said for every 100,000 people in Kelantan, 47 women were infected with HIV in 2008 and 37 women last year. He said statistics showed that 13.3 and 10.8 people for every 100,000 from other states were infected with the virus in the corresponding period. Overall, he said, Kelantan had the most number of women infected with the virus with 1,211 cases, Johor (1,124) and Selangor (1,107). "Kelantan also has the highest proportion of people when measured against its population to have been infected with HIV over the last five years," he said when launching the national-level World AIDS Day celebration in Pengkalan Chepa yesterday. His speech was read by his ministry's deputy director-general (public health) Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman. Liow also urged the authorities in Kelantan to organise more programmes to create awareness and e

Women-only transport has been stepped up a gear in Malaysia, it was reported Thursday, after the launch of female-only buses to help counter sexual harassment. The buses follow ladies-only pink train carriages on the transport system to give the Muslim majority country's females the option of travelling separately from men. Bus company RapidKL, a state-owned firm, started the special service for its female passengers on Wednesday on seven routes in the Malaysian capital during peak hours, the New Straits Times newspaper reported. "This is based on feedback received from our customers, especially females, who shared with us their discomfort during peak-hour travels," the firm's chief operating officer Mohamed Hazland Mohamed Hussain said. The official did not say whether the firm has received any sexual harassment complaints. "I will feel safer, not because I do not trust men, but for someone my age, it's hard to fight for space during peak hours,&qu

Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said has expressed concern over irresponsible people passing off the low quality batik they produced as the genuine stuff from Terengganu. Their inferior products would undermine the image of the high quality batik produced by the state, he said. “This has a negative impact on the genuine batik industry of Terengganu,” he said at the Seri Iman Terengganu Darul Iman Trophy 2010 Gala Night here Wednesday night. Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah attended the event. Ahmad said the state government had launched a special logo to identify the genuine batik of Terengganu in an effort to stop the practice of the irresponsible people. This would enable buyers to differentiate between the genuine batik and imitation products, he said, adding it was hoped that the batik art would be appreciated not only in Malaysia but also around the world. At the event, held to reward new and modern batik creations, Mohamad Hafizi Mohd Radzi Woo of UiTM Shah

Nearly 8,000 civil servants working at state agencies had received RM800 as a surprise gift from the state government in recognition of their contributions. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the reward is also a special form of financial assistant to those with school-going children. “We hope the money would come handy and help ease the burden of many parents who are busy preparing for their children returning to school,” he said. The money had been banked into the civil servants bank accounts on Tuesday. Lim said the state had set aside RM25mil for this purpose.

Suhakam has found that suspended Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) sergeant N. Tharmen­dran is safe in military remand and was not subjected to abuse. Suhakam commissioner Detta Samen told reporters that an investigation found no signs of abuse and that he was well cared for. “We have seen him and interviewed him. He told us he is ok,” Samen told reporters Wednesday at the military detention centre at the Batu Cantonment Camp in Jalan Ipoh where Tharmendran is currently held. Samen earlier met with RMAF provost marshal Lt. Col. Mohd Razif Ramli for a discussion. Tharmendran was charged with abetting in the theft of two RMAF F5 jet engines in Dec 2007 with Senior Airman Mohamad Shukri Mohamad Yusop at the Sungai Besi air base’s Material Processing Shed. He was released on a RM50,000 bail on Sept 6 but was re-arrested by military police on Nov 25 on grounds of absence of duty.

SULTAN SELANGOR (kiri) menyampaikan cenderahati kepada pembentang kertas kerja, Prof. Emeritus Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi di Shah Alam semalam.   Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah bertitah baginda sedih dan dukacita kerana ada segelintir individu yang berhijrah ke negeri itu, terutama orang Melayu, sanggup mempersoalkan peranan institusi Raja Melayu serta kedudukan dan hak keistimewaan bangsa Melayu. Baginda bertitah, golongan itu turut mempersoalkan kerelevanan institusi Raja Melayu serta peranannya dalam sistem pemerintahan negara ketika ini. “Matlamat mereka agar sistem Raja Berperlembagaan ini disemak dan dikaji semula atas alasan negara telah menjalani arus pemodenan dan sistem yang diamalkan sekarang ini sudah tidak bersesuaian adalah amat tidak bertepatan,” titah baginda pada majlis pembukaan Wacana Raja Berperlembagaan - Perspektif Sejarah, Kini dan Masa Depan di sini semalam. Sultan Sharafuddin bertitah, terdapat juga suara lantang di kalangan orang Melayu sendiri y

Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk T. Murugiah menyuarakan kebimbangan terhadap peningkatan kes membabitkan penjawat awam berlaku biadab dan bersikap perkauman terhadap orang ramai. Beliau berkata, masalah salah laku penjawat awam terutama yang bertugas di barisan hadapan tersebut disedari meningkat berdasarkan peningkatan aduan yang diterima oleh Biro Pengaduan Awam (BPA). "BPA menerima lebih 60 aduan dari seluruh negara setiap bulan yang membabitkan penjawat awam bersikap kasar, biadab dan menyentuh isu perkauman sehingga menimbulkan rasa kemarahan pengadu dan rakyat," katanya pada sidang akhbar di pejabat BPA Perak di sini semalam.

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir has won his suit against the PKR over a defamatory article published by Suara Keadilan. Senior assistant registrar Noordura Mohamed Din on Monday allowed the application by Dr Zambry to enter judgment against all the defendants in his RM100mil suit. Dr Zambry's lawyer Firuz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin said it was a judgment on liability in respect of a major part of his client's claim against the defendants. Damages are to be assessed. Dr Zambry had on Feb 25 filed the suit against PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, her deputy Datuk Dr Syed Husin Ali and two others over the article published by the party’s monthly newspaper. In his statement of claim, Dr Zambry said Suara Keadilan had published and circulated an article titled “Zambry disyaki pengganas gagal masuk ke Amerika Syarikat” (Zambry denied entry to US on suspicion of being a terrorist) in its Dec 29, 2009 - Jan 5, 2010 edition which contained defamato

The Health Ministry will work directly with the governments of Egypt, India and Pakistan to hire qualified medical specialists to help resolve the shortage of these experts in Malaysia. The ministry previously advertised in the foreign media for specialists but those who applied were not very good, minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said. “The doctors who replied to our advertisements were qualified but many of them were sent back because of attitude problems,” he told reporters during a visit to the Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim Hospital in Kulai near here, yesterday. “Of course, these doctors also had to go through an interview locally. Concerned: Liow talking to a woman who was waiting for her turn at the Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim Hospital’s emergency unit during his visit yesterday. — Bernama “But, sometimes, they could not perform according to our expectations,” he said. “By working directly with the governments, we would be able to hire better doctors, a

There has been no improvement in community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programmes for disabled persons despite RM64mil being allocated three years ago, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. She lamented that until now there was no specialised work to upgrade facilities for disabled people like many other Asia-Pacific countries. She added that she would personally monitor the programmes from now on through monthly meetings with disabled development department directors and social welfare officers. She would also oversee the economic empowerment programmes to tap the potential of disabled persons and ensure that CBR centre staff be trained to use new technology for communication to help the disabled. Shahrizat said the CBR centres should be easily accessible to disabled persons and alternative communication for the disabled should be looked into in view of the IT era. “I’m not happy. The CBR has yet to improve the disabled facilities

Three men were seriously injured after they were attacked for honking at two stalled cars in Jalan Genting Klang here. The incident occured at 5.30am yesterday when the victims, who were in a lorry, noticed a BMW and a Toyota Alphard moving haphazardly before stopping in the middle of the road. Sentul OCPD Asst Comm Zakaria Pagan said the lorry driver decided to honk at the two cars to the chagrin of the drivers who stormed out of their vehicles. The lorry driver sped off but the two cars caught up with the vehicle at a traffic light near Danau Kota. Ten suspects then alighted from the two cars and assaulted the three men with knives and wooden bats. ACP Zakaria said the victims, who sustained injuries to their head, hands and legs, were sent to a nearby clinic by some passers-by. The trio, aged between 25 and 48 years, were later transferred to Hospital Kuala Lumpur because of their serious condition. He urged those with information to contact the nearest police station.

Hamburg, Germany (CNN) -- When Osama bin Laden was being bombed at Tora Bora, Dr. August Hanning was Germany's foreign intelligence chief charged with hunting him down. "He was watching the bombing," Hanning told CNN in an exclusive interview. "I know this," Hanning told CNN without elaborating on his source of information. After bin Laden escaped from the mountain in December 2001 Hanning said he had agents feeding him information about the al Qaeda's chief's movements. Frustratingly however, their information never led to actionable intelligence that would have allowed Western agencies to move against al Qaeda's leader. "We have got information always on where he was. And that's the problem -- days, week later. But he was present there. He hadn't left the region," Hanning told CNN. Hanning says that after bin Laden escaped from Tora Bora the search for al Qaeda's leader became much harder. "I knew there was a chanc

It was April 1975 when I was packed into a military transport plane with two of my siblings as the Vietnam War ended. We left Vietnam to escape communist rule and eventually, take on an additional identity. I was 8 years old, and being separated from both parents for the first time in my life was confusing and scary. My mother decided to stay behind with my five remaining siblings to wait for my father to return. An officer in the South Vietnam Army fighting alongside the Americans during the Vietnam War, my father spent the next seven years in the communist prisons, which were euphemistically called "re-education camps." It was many years later when our family was reunited. The challenges I faced growing up were probably not that different from the struggles all other immigrants face when they first arrive in the United States. I suppose most immigrants, regardless of origin, would have to deal with obstacles such as the language barrier and unfamiliar customs. I vividly

Malaysian student Muhammad Akmal Shahiran Marzukhi's dream to become a doctor was cut short after he was killed in a road accident in South India on Thursday. Akmal, a first year student at the JJM Medical College in Davangere in the state of Karnataka, was riding pillion on a motorcycle ridden by another student when the accident happened. His friend had tried to avoid an auto rickshaw (three-wheeler) but lost control of the motorcycle, which skidded off the road and fell into a ditch. Akmal suffered multiple skull fractures and died on the same day in a local hospital. His friend survived. The 19-year-old Mara-sponsored student arrived in India to pursue his medical course last September. Davangere is located about 260 km from Bangalore. Malaysia's Consul-General Anuar Kasman said the body was flown out of Bangalore to KL International Airport early Saturday morning. His funeral would be held in Kuala Kedah.

The cabinet has decided to take concrete measures to attract non-Malays to the armed forces, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. The Cabinet decided at Friday's meeting to take steps to increase the participation of Chinese and Indians in the armed forces which is currently at an all-time low, he told reporters here. "This is a positive move," Koh said, but did not elaborate what the measures were. According to recent reports, 8,151 or 90% of those who joined the armed forces last year are Malays. Only 82 Indians and 26 Chinese enlisted in the armed forces last year, while the remaining 795 were from Sabah and Sarawak. Koh said that efforts to bring more non-Malays into the armed forces should be carried out, but stressed that the limited participation of the other races should not be a subject of polemics. "As the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) said, we should stop with the polemics. If we continue, nothing can

The Pas-led Kedah government became the second state under Pakatan Rakyat to penalise the media for what it deemed as a manipulation of news. A letter, signed by the press secretary to the menteri besar, said that certain media organisations would be banned from covering the budget session of the state assembly beginning tomorrow. The Kedah move followed the banning of the New Straits Times from covering the DAP-led Penang government functions and events, effective March last year. The Penang ban on NST has not been lifted despite appeals from some of the biggest names in Pakatan Rakyat, including DAP chairman Karpal Singh. Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Ken Liang described the Kedah action as censorship and contrary to Pakatan Rakyat’s pledge to promote press freedom. “The state assembly sitting is of public interest and every media house should be allowed to attend and cover the meeting,” he said. Yesterday, National Union of Journalists president Hata Wahari asked

More holistic approach to sexual health lessons for Forms 1, 2 and 4 ready to be implemented, but not compulsory.   The module for a more holistic approach to sex education is ready to be implemented in Forms one, two and four, the National Population and Family Development Board revealed. Its director-general, Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman, told the New Straits Times the module, co-developed with several non-governmental organisations, would also be geared towards helping curb sexual abuse among children and promoting responsibility in taking care of reproductive health. Aminah, one of the key figures involved in developing the module, said it was meant to address a range of issues including baby dumping, teenage pregnancies and lack of parenting skills. While the module has yet to receive any formal acknowledgement from the government, part of it is currently being taught in five schools in Kelantan, Pahang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. “This is just a trial run. Holistic se

The floods in Kedah claimed the lives of two young sisters yesterday, bringing the total number of fatalities in the state to four since Monday. The situation in Perlis is still precarious with two-thirds of the state inundated by floodwaters, while in Kelantan it is easing up. To date, however, more than 33,000 victims are being housed in relief centres in the three states. The two latest victims — Siti Nadia Syukur, 13, and Sharipah, 8 — were believed to have drowned after they fell off a motorcycle, ridden by a neighbour, into an irrigation canal in Kampung Telaga Emas, Langgar in Pokok Sena about noon. The neighbour, Intan Malik, 14, also fell into the canal but she held on to a tree and was saved by villagers. The two earlier victims were identified as a 64-year-old German woman, Erna Fischer, who drowned in Kampung Kota Giam near Jitra on Monday night and schoolboy, Mohd Zaki Shaari, 13, who fell into a pond in Kampung Charok Bongor on Tuesday. Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk

A man drowned while attempting to rescue his new bride after both of them were swept away by strong currents during a family picnic at a recreational spot in Kampung Pasir Kubur, Sungai Lembing here on Friday. It is learnt that Mohd Hazrul Abdul Jalil, 26, had taken his wife Norfaridah Mohd Amin, 26, together with his mother and younger brother, Mohd Helmi, 25, to the spot for a picnic at 10.30am. Relating the incident, Helmi said his brother and his wife had gone for a dip at the deeper end of a river flowing by when they were suddenly swept away by strong currents. "My brother tried to push his wife up to the surface before they were swept away to a shallow part of the river where passers-by hauled them up to the river's bank," he said. He added that one of the passers-by performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on his brother, but paramedics who arrived soon pronounced him dead. The wife escaped unhurt. Helmi said his brother, who worked at the Farmers' Org

The number of flood evacuees in the four affected districts here remained high yesterday, with Kota Setar being the hardest hit. Its number increased by more than 2,000 from Friday. In Perlis, the people were warned to be prepared for a possible second wave of floods. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak called on all agencies to give their all to alleviate the suffering of flood victims in Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu. Sultan of Kedah Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah expressed sadness at the plight of those affected by the floods, the worst in the state in recent years. He urged all political parties, whatever their affiliation, to help those affected. Read more: Help them http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Helpthem/Article/#ixzz14alnsZ7D

Washington yesterday hailed Malaysia’s promotion of religious moderation, pledging its “whole-hearted” endorsement of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s call for a Global Movement of Moderates (GMM). Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the United States stood behind Malaysia in its stand that moderates should not lose out to extremism as it was not the path to building sustainability and stability, as well as peace and democracy. “Extremism promotes only conflict and hardens hearts. “We very much welcome the prime minister’s call for a global movement of moderates and we are eager to support him and urge other leaders to take up his call to promote interfaith dialogues,” Clinton said at a joint press conference with Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman at Wisma Putra. Najib had, at the United Nations general assembly in September, called for the GMM, which aims to rally Muslim leaders and intellectuals to state their stand against extremism. Clinton sa

Women should change their mindset and aim for a higher degree of success, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the prime minister, said yesterday. “This is to ensure that women are continuing meeting the challenges at both the local and global level.” Rosmah said as the only constant in life is change, women should hold this as their mantra. “Change is no longer a choice, but a requirement in order to remain with the quickly shifting times.” She was speaking at the KWAP Leadership Series on women and leadership organised by the Retirement Fund Incorporated. She said women must be creative and do away with the norm and think out of the box. “They must seek opportunities to form strategic alliances, smart partnership and strong networking in order to strengthen their positions so that their voices will continue to be heard,” Rosmah said. She urged women not to be discouraged by the challenges they are facing along the leadership journey. “Women should remain focused and not get d

The floods in Kedah claimed the lives of two young sisters yesterday, bringing the total number of fatalities in the state to four since Monday. The situation in Perlis is still precarious with two-thirds of the state inundated by floodwaters, while in Kelantan it is easing up. To date, however, more than 33,000 victims are being housed in relief centres in the three states. The two latest victims — Siti Nadia Syukur, 13, and Sharipah, 8 — were believed to have drowned after they fell off a motorcycle, ridden by a neighbour, into an irrigation canal in Kampung Telaga Emas, Langgar in Pokok Sena about noon. The neighbour, Intan Malik, 14, also fell into the canal but she held on to a tree and was saved by villagers. The two earlier victims were identified as a 64-year-old German woman, Erna Fischer, who drowned in Kampung Kota Giam near Jitra on Monday night and schoolboy, Mohd Zaki Shaari, 13, who fell into a pond in Kampung Charok Bongor on Tuesday. Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk

The family of murdered victim Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya has filed a suit agst N. Pathmanabhan and five others claiming for damages amounting to RM60 million over her wrongful death. The suit was filed at the Shah Alam High Court registry through Messrs Kamarudin & Partners at 8.45am today. Sosilawati's children Erni Dekritawati Yuliana, Erwan Suwari Rizuwan, Md Erwan Nasri, Erni Erinawati Sofia, Erni Rineelawati and Siti Nur Fatimah named N. Pathmanabhan, R.Kathavarayan, R.Matan, T. Thilaiyalagan, K. Sarawanan, and U. Suresh as respondents. The respondents were charged over her murder. Pathmanabhan and his farm hands Kathavarayan, Matan and Thilaiyalagan were charged with murdering the cosmetic queen while Sarawanan and Suresh were charged with disposing of evidence. The two were sentenced to seven years jail for the offence. The plaintiffs are claiming for RM20 million in general damages and RM40 million in exemplary damages. Read more: Sosilawati's family file R

The victim who lost both his legs in the Genting Sempah bus crash said the bus was in a bad condition from the start. Adip Ramli, 20, said the bus could hardly move at certain stretches. “When we passed Grik, we felt the bus might break down anytime. We heard all sorts of noises,” he said at Kuala Lumpur Hospital yesterday. He was saddened with the irresponsible attitude of the bus company. “First, they hire a bus driver with no licence and then they give us an old bus,” he said. He also hoped stern action would be taken against the bus company and the driver. During the accident, he said he heard all his seven friends who died screaming. The first-year architecture student hopes to pursue his studies to keep his mind occupied. His mother, Zainab Abdullah, 56, was in tears when she said she will look after her son. The housewife has nine children and Adip is the seventh. Next to his bed was the driver of the bus which crashed on Oct 29. Nurses at the unit said the driver had gone int

Baling Umno division chief Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim bertanya asking Dr Fadlina Mohtar (right) about the condition of accident victim Mohd Adid Ramli ’s amputated legs at Kuala Lumpur Hospital yesterday. Adid’s legs were amputated from the knee onward. The driver of the bus that crashed at a Genting slip road on Friday apologised unreservedly to the victims and their families for causing so much grief. "I am so sorry and I wish I could undo what had happened," the 36-year-old said from his hospital bed in Hospital Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. Speaking to reporters with his 35-year-old wife by his side, the driver looked remorseful and became teary when relating the incident. He said he had been a driver for the last five years despite having no driving licence. He said he was blacklisted by the Road Transport Department (RTD) about 10 years ago for owning a lesen terbang (illegally obtained licence). Desperation drove the father of three to continue driving, despite his

DID you know that breathing has a far greater impact on our physical, mental and emotional well-being than diet, exercise or sleep? According to Russian medical doctor Dr Konstantin Buteyko, most diseases of modern-day civilisation stem from over-breathing, or hyperventilation. Since over-breathing is not obvious, it’s called hidden hyperventilation. Its symptoms include upper chest breathing, regular yawning, sighing, sniffing, large breaths prior to talking, panting, shortness of breath, and lack of stamina or endurance. Most of us don’t give the quality of our breathing much thought even though breathing is a fundamental part of our life. It’s only when something goes wrong with our breathing, or if we require breath training for sports, singing or a medical condition, that we stop to think about the way we breathe. Breath is life. It’s the beginning of life, it sustains life, and no life remains when breath is gone. Through the ages, the “breath of life” has been equated with

Six secondary school students and their trip coordinator were killed when a chartered bus skidded and hit a divider before landing on its side on the the Genting slip road about 300m from Karak Highway last night. The bus, ferrying 44 members of Pusat Belia 4B from Kampung Siong, Baling, Kedah, was on its way back from here when the accident happened at 7.50pm. At least 17 others others were seriously in jured. The dead were Form One student Mohammad Amirul Mohd, 13; Form Four students Muhamad Khairy Mo hammad and Mohd Firdaus Rosedi, both 16; Form Five students Mohd Ridzuan Husin, Mohamad Yusoff Akhis and Muhamad Fahmi Mustafa, all 17; and ustaz Mohd Zaidi Mohd Sufian, 28. At press time, several fire engines and ambulances were at the scene. Resorts World Berhad security personnel also helped to take the victims to the hospitals. Federal Territory Fire and Rescue Department assistant director Azizan Ismail said the remaining passengers had minor injuries. The bus driver, in his 4