Foul!

As published in Mailsport today  Loon Hong in this picture posted by a fan on Facebook. By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my PETALING JAYA — It is a bleak Chinese New Year for the snooker fraternity after legendary billiards maestro Moh Loon Hong passed away yesterday. Loon Hong suffered from cancer of the bladder and passed on at 4.33am at Unversiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). He was 63. The Penangnite was a hit on the green carpet, having won two SEA Games gold medals in the 1991 Manila Games and 1995 Chiang Mai Games. He clinched the bronze at the 1993 Singapore Games. Snooker runs in the blood of the family as his son Keen Ho also excelled in the sport, having won the Asian Junior Championship in 2003 and winning the SEA Games gold medal in Korat in 2007. His daughter Chaw Teng plays pool for the country. Loon Hong was supposed to play alongside Keen Ho in the upcoming Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. “It’s a loss ... I’m lost for words,” said Keen Ho. ...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol HE slaps on a helmet, with hardly any padding within, and does not see the need to buckle up. In shorts and slippers, he sits on his bike — minus rear view mirrors — and goes full throttle paying little attention to his surroundings. Sounds like a Mat Rempit on a kap chai? Not exactly. Even those who own high-powered machines are guilty of such practices. Why is it that motorcyclists, riding on big or small bikes, generally disregard safety? Some say suiting up is an expensive affair despite cheaper alternatives. Others blame it on our weather, saying it’s too hot to wear jacket and gloves while there are those who don’t see the need to wear such attire due to the short riding distance. Then there are those who say they are mocked by their peers when they suit up — this is especially so among those who ride small bikes. But the disregard of such safety and bad riding practices has contributed to the la...

As published in Malay Mail today HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol THE drains are clogged, rubbish strewn everywhere. Rats run around as mosquitoes breed in stagnant waters. Children, some learning to walk, play in such unhygienic conditions. This sums up the living conditions of the pockets of refugee communities in Ampang. Mostly from Myanmar, they live in small houses and make do with what little they earn from carrying out odd jobs. Those staying there are mostly illiterate. They know many among them are sick and some have died. To them, it is a way of life. Heading to the nearest hospital — Ampang Hospital — is a pricey affair. They instead rely on advice by sinseh who run traditional medicine shops nearby their homes. Malay Mail Afternoon, on Jan 11,  highlighted a possible rotavirus outbreak among the community in Ampang following the death of a 15-month-old baby on Dec 26. Another four children, between the ages of six months and three years were admi...

As published in Malay Mail today. IF hypocrisy was competed at the Olympics, we would have won gold a long time ago. Why do I say that? Here goes: Hypocrisy 1 Some two weeks ago I had a chat with some acquaintances.We were discussing the current predicament faced by Malaysians. Hailing from various backgrounds, speaking to them allowed me to better understand the very many sentiments of the average Malaysian on a Light Rail Transit. The subject of racism was raised. The group swore they were Malaysian first and demanded to be treated with respect and equally. They said no one should be judged by the colour of their skin or faith. I asked: “So if you brought a guy or girl of a different colour or faith home, would it be a problem?” One put his head down and said yes. Another in the group blurted: “My parents will kill me.” There was utter silence around the table. So much for respect and equality. Hypocrisy 2 Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali l...

As published in Malay Mail today By Haresh Deol haresh@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — The government will not legalise sports betting despite claims the match-fixing threat has moved from Singapore to Malaysia. Finance Minister II Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani said regulating sports betting would not ensure the long-standing menace would be eliminated. “As far as the government is concerned, we are not going to approve sports betting. Simply put, it’s not a sector we’re looking into,” he said. “What assurance do we have that match-fixing will be eradicated if sports betting is legalised? Singapore legalised sports betting, yet they also had syndicates operating illegally. “We can’t be giving out licences just because there is a demand in the black market. That will not solve the problem.” Johari said there were no records or data to show the amount of “illegal outflow” of the ringgit due to sports betting and that figures bandied around were  merely estimates...

As published in Malay Mail today Soo Siew Lan, 76, dances with staff Khairiah Mad Hassan during a fun therapy session at Kuala Lumpur Hospital on Monday. Medical staff should comfort patients despite budget cuts. - Picture by Hari Anggara (Malay Mail) HARESH SAYS By Haresh Deol I BECAME a father on Oct 24. Having been by my wife’s side every step of the way, we were blessed with our bundle of joy, a baby boy, just days before Deepavali.   Our journey to parenthood was made easy thanks to one man — Datuk Dr Alex Mathews. A well-known figure in the fraternity and beyond, the former Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Malaysia president (1993/1994) comforted us every step of the way through his fatherly-like approach.   The well-groomed tie-wearing doctor, who could pass off as a headmaster, has a keen interest in sports. Having served the government for many years, his experience and wisdom are evident not only through his greyish hair but from his choic...

As published in Sunday Mail Murthy looks at the ruins of his house. - Picture by Azneal Ishak (Malay Mail) By R.Loheswar loheswar@mmail.com.my KUALA LUMPUR — It will not be a Happy Deepavali for golfer S. Murthy as he woke to news of his house having burnt down in the early hours of   Thursday . Murthy was playing in the Perlis Closed which began   on Wednesday . He carded a 76 and looked in good nick to make the cut. When he awoke at   6.30am   on Thursday   he saw he had more than 40 missed calls. “I immediately called my sister and she said the house had caught fire in the wee hours of the morning,” said a dejected Murthy, who represented Malaysia from 1990 to1996.  “We (Murthy and his wife) immediately drove back to Banting.”  The source of the fire is unknown but early indications are a faulty socket might have been the cause. No one was hurt, but Murthy’s father Somasundaram Sadayan, 69, was in the hous...