Foul!

Can the relevant authorities like FAM or the Football Association of Penang do something to alleviate (V.) Krishnasamy’s financial situation? This was published in The Star's letters page today: https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2019/04/19/former-national-footballer-in-need-of-help/ It is nice of Kok Foo Leong to voice concerns about his good friend and former national footballer V. Krishnasamy. That shows compassion and the desire to help a friend - a noble trait that must be applauded. But Mr Kok, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) has provided financial assistance to Krishnasamy not too long ago. Then FAM general-secretary (now president) Datuk Hamidin Amin had presented financial assistance to Krishnasamy on Feb 26, 2018. Read the full report here . In fact, a month earlier (Jan 18, 2018) the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) visited Krishnasamy. Berita Harian had then quoted Yakeb's general manager Zuhairi Abdul Manaf as saying: "Hari ini ...

As published in Mailsport today By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — National coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said Faiz Subri has been on the national team’s radar for some time and he would call the Penang player for national training. Kim Swee, who praised Faiz’s mind-blowing freekick during a Super League match against Pahang in George Town on Tuesday, said the 29-year-old Kedah-born could make an impact with the team. “The goal was ... wow ... it was just fantastic,” said Kim Swee. “It was no fluke. If you see the way he executed the shot, it is clear he has been practising it. Perhaps the wind could have played a part but it was still an excellent goal.” He added the goal was even better than the one by Brazilian star Roberto Carlos against France in 1997. “Roberto Carlos was in the middle and had a clearer view of the goal. Faiz was on the far left and his view was limited. It was a tight angle but yet he pulled it off. Now that’s something to...

As published in Malay Mail today Being Frank By Frankie D'Cruz BRAND Malaysia is again being portrayed irresponsibly — this time, schoolchildren in Penang have been thrust into political crossfire instead of being taught the values of independence. Barring students from the Merdeka Day parade in Penang is cheap, silly and unkind to them.  Penang’s slogan ‘Bersih, Cekap, Amanah’, (Clean, Fair, Trustworthy) for this year’s state celebrations as opposed to the national theme #sehatisejiwa (One Heart, One Soul) was pointless.  The nation must stand as one. It is the biggest national event and political differences must be cast aside. However, both the Education Ministry and the state government seem to be at a loss over how to inspire a national day party. They are clearly clueless over how to motivate children to be proud of the nation and respect the great leaps Malaysia has made since independence. They have no idea of the poetry of togetherness and...

As published in Mailsport today KUALA LUMPUR — Fireworks were expected but the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) took an easy way out to avoid a confrontation.  Instead of going head-to-head with the Malaysia Athletics Federation (MAF) over the Malaysia International Marathon (MIM) in Penang on May 23-24, the OCM board yesterday decided to rename the event to avoid having to ask sanctions from the national body.  The about turn is a slap in the face for OCM vice president Rear Admiral (rtd) Datuk Danyal Balagopal, one of the main men behind MIM, who had declared during last week’s launch: “ We do not need MAF’s  sanction. We are OCM ... we can do whatever we want.”  MAF argued OCM had no right to use the words “International Marathon” without the national body’s sanction.  A source privy to the Board meeting in OCM revealed there was a heated debate over the issue during the  three-hour long meeting at Wisma OCM.  ...

Prehistoric ruins at an archaeological site in Bujang Valley some 1,200 years old were secretly demolished by a land developer, a Penang lawmaker said yesterday, even as Badan Warisan Malaysia seeks to list the historical spot as a Unesco world heritage site. Confirming the matter with The Malay Mail Online, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy said he was shocked to discover the ruins of candi (tomb temple) site number 11 dug up from its spot near Sungai Batu and cast aside in a pile of debris. “The candi was located at Sungai Batu and it was demolished by the developer, who is clearing the land for development, more than a month back,” he told The Malay Mail Online after he visited the site yesterday. According to the Penang lawmaker, he received reports of the demolition last week and decided to visit the site to verify if they were true. “This particular candi is hidden from sight behind an old oil palm estate so the developer probably demolished it first before clea...

Efforts are being taken to revive the collapsed multi-million ringgit international tuna port in Batu Maung, Penang. The Malay Mail was informed that a leading property developer, based in Subang Jaya, has been in talks with the Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM), the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries (MoA) and the initial concessionaire holders, Malaysian International Tuna Port Sdn Bhd (MITP). The extent of the company's involvement in the project however, remains unclear. LKIM director-general Datuk Mohat Kazim Hamzah confirmed the matter, but remained tight-lipped over the details, saying it was still a "secret". "It is a government matter. LKIM is eager to continue the tuna port project with a new company," said Mohat. Read more in The Malay Mail today. HD says: So what's the big "secret"?

UPDATE 5.42pm: MITP director wants answers, as published in The Malay Mail today . --- Why on earth did the fisheries authority signed an agreement over something they never owned in the first place? Wouldn't it logical to obtain the required clearance before inking the deal to ensure Batu Maung in Penang transforms into an international tuna port? The Malaysian International Tuna Port Sdn Bhd (MITP) saga continues - this time with documents, agreements and correspondences between Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (LKIM) and MITP revealing the deal started on the wrong note since day one. The concession agreement between LKIM (on behalf of the government as per the letter by the Economic Planning Unit) and MITP was signed on 2004, but letters showed efforts to obtain the land title was only done from 2007. And when the situation got messy, insiders claim a senior government official had then said: "terlepas pandang". Read more in The Malay Mail today. HD s...

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) lambasted those who labelled doctors as being racists without thoroughly investigating the claims. MMA president Datuk Dr N.K.S. Tharmaseelan was "upset" over such claims, adding that grouses should be aired through proper channels. Dr Tharmaseelan was responding to allegations by several patients in Penang that doctors at the Kepala Batas and Seberang Jaya hospitals had verbally abused them and did not offer proper medical assistance. Pinang Tunggal assemblyman Datuk Roslan Saidin had also claimed during proceedings at the Penang state legislative assembly earlier this month that three Malaysian Chinese doctors had refused to treat Malay patients. This was refuted by state Health director Datuk Dr Lailanor Ibrahim, who said the department had not received any complaints. "Using privilege of office to hurl unproven accusations is cowardly and a misuse of such privileges," he said. "If there is basi...

UPDATE June 11, 11.14am:  "It's all just a misunderstanding. I'll look after myself as I want to live to a ripe old age." Read more in today's The Star . ---- UPDATE 9.00pm: World No 1 shuttler Lee Chong Wei pleads for space to sort out family issues as posted in Malaysian Sports . ----- According to NTV7's Mandarin news, Lee Chong Wei's father had apparently tried to commit suicide only to be stopped by the police. The news can be viewed here. Bernama had earlier reported; Police on Sunday foiled two attempts at suicide by the father of a national athlete. The 59-year-old man is said to have tried to have taken his life near the Queensbay shopping mall in Bayan Lepas early Sunday but police who coaxed him out of it.  Read the full report here. If true, this is another blow to his Olympic preparation as the Penangite is still recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the recent Thomas Cup. Chong Wei remains the nation...