Category: Sosial

Hasrat Arwah Suami Terkabul Bila Tiga Anak Jadi Jururawat

Hasrat dan doa dianggap terkabul. Itulah yang dirasakan Cik Siti Sapura Abu Shama, 59 tahun, apabila tiga daripada lima anaknya kini bergelar jururawat selepas hasrat tersebut diluahkan sendiri arwah suaminya, Encik Abdul Rahim Mohd Ali, sebelum beliau meninggal dunia pada 1994.

Hasrat tersebut dilahirkan ketika tiga anak mereka masih kecil – Nur Maizura, 11 tahun; Nur Syahida, tujuh tahun; dan Nur Liyana, enam tahun.

Dua lagi anaknya ialah Mohamed Afiq, yang ketika itu berusia sembilan tahun, dan Mohamed Zaid, 11 bulan.

“Semasa hayatnya, arwah suami saya melahirkan hasrat melihat anak-anaknya menjadi guru atau jururawat. Nampaknya bukan seorang tetapi tiga daripada mereka jadi jururawat.

“Alhamdullilah, tercapai juga hasrat dan doa kami,” kata Cik Sapura.

Ketiga-tiga anak perempuannya itu juga berjaya meraih atau sedang memburu ijazah kejururawatan hasil kerja keras dan sikap tidak putus asa.

Cik Nur Maizura, kini 33 tahun, adalah Jururawat Klinisyen di Sengkang Health dan mempunyai ijazah Sarjana Sains (Kepimpinan Klinikal) daripada Universiti Teknologi Curtin; adik ketiganya, Cik Nur Syahida, kini 29 tahun, adalah Instruktor Klinikal Kanan di Hospital Besar Changi (CGH) dan kini mengikuti kursus ijazah Sarjana Muda Sains Kejururawatan yang ditawarkan Universiti Edinburgh; sementara adik keempatnya, Cik Nur Liyana, kini 28 tahun, pula Jururawat Staf Kanan di Hospital Besar Singapura (SGH) dan mempunyai ijazah Sarjana Muda Kejururawatan daripada Universiti Teknologi Curtin.

Cik Nur Maizura, ibu tiga anak, menceritakan bahawa pengorbanan ibunya ternyata menjadi pembakar semangat kepada mereka terus berjaya dalam apa jua yang diceburi.

“Apa yang kami lalui memang tidak mudah. Maklumlah ketika itu ibu hanya bekerja sambilan dan satu- satunya pencari nafkah keluarga. Kami pula semua masih bersekolah ketika itu,” katanya lagi.

Antara lain ibunya itu berusaha mencari nafkah dengan mengambil tempahan menjahit langsir, tempahan memasak, bekerja di gerai makan sekolah dan menjaga anak kenalan.

Mereka hanya menerima bantuan daripada Darul Ihsan dan beberapa kenalan rapat ketika itu.

Di samping itu, mereka menerima bantuan daripada pihak sekolah bagi yuran, pakaian seragam sekolah dan buku teks.

Cik Nur Syahida, yang baru berumah tangga, pula menceritakan bahawa beliau pernah melakukan banyak kerja sambilan semasa mengambil kursus kejururawatan di Politeknik Nanyang (NYP).

“Saya bergantung pada gaji $500 yang saya terima ketika itu dengan bekerja sambilan bagi membayar yuran sekolah dan keperluan sekolah lain,” ceritanya yang belum mempunyai cahaya mata.

Adiknya, Cik Nur Liyana, masih ingat bagaimana beliau membantu ibu mereka menyiapkan bungkusan nasi lemak untuk dijual.

“Kami semua tetap gembira meskipun serba kekurangan dan terpaksa bantu ibu semasa kami masih kecil. Seingat saya, belum pernah rumah kami bergelap atau tiada makanan.

“Ibu sentiasa penuhi keperluan kami sekeluarga selain memberi perangsang semasa kami kecil. Itulah yang mendorong kami melakukan yang terbaik.

“Kini, kerjaya saya dipermudahkan pula dengan kehadiran kededua kakak saya yang menceburi bidang kejururawatan juga,” katanya yang juga baru berumah tangga.

“Kami semua tetap gembira meskipun serba kekurangan dan terpaksa bantu ibu semasa kami masih kecil. Seingat saya, belum pernah rumah kami bergelap atau tiada makanan. Ibu sentiasa penuhi keperluan kami sekeluarga selain memberi perangsang semasa kami kecil. Itulah yang mendorong kami melakukan yang terbaik. Kini, kerjaya saya dipermudahkan pula dengan kehadiran kededua kakak saya yang menceburi bidang kejururawatan juga.”
– Cik Nur Liyana, 28 tahun.

Source: Berita Harian

July 27, 2016
Malaysia’s Najib Gets New Powers Amid Planned Protests Over Fund Scandal

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak will get sweeping security powers on Monday amid planned protests calling for his resignation over U.S. allegations that millions of dollars from a state fund wound up in his personal bank account.

The new National Security Council (NSC) Act, which comes into force on Aug. 1, allows Najib to designate any area as a “security area”, where he can deploy forces to search any individual, vehicle or premise without a warrant. It also allows investigators to dispense with formal inquests into killings by the police or armed forces in those areas.

Najib’s ruling coalition promoted the law as a means to counter threats to security in predominantly Muslim Malaysia, which has long dealt with a fringe element of radical Islamists.

But critics say the law’s expansive powers threaten human rights and democracy in the middle-income emerging nation, and could now be used to silence critics of the One Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund scandal.

“The concern among the civil society and others is because the NSC can be used against anything that the government is unhappy with,” said Wan Saiful Wan Jan, chief executive of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, adding that it could extend to public rallies.

“It does give the PM a huge amount of power to declare emergency zones…,” he said.

NO ROYAL ASSENT

The law was passed on the last day of the legislation session in December, surprising the opposition, as Najib came under mounting criticism over the multi-billion dollar scandal surrounding the 1MDB fund, which he founded and whose advisory council he chaired until recently.

The law was enacted without the customary royal assent from Malaysia’s king, who had asked for some changes.

Pressure on Najib to step down mounted last week after the U.S. Justice Department filed civil lawsuits alleging that over $3.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB. The lawsuits seek to seize more than $1 billion of assets allegedly siphoned from the fund, saying they were part of “an international conspiracy to launder money”.

The civil lawsuits do not name Najib, but refer to a high-ranking government official who received over $700 million of the misappropriated funds. A source familiar with the investigations told Reuters the official, named as Malaysian Official 1 in the lawsuits, was Najib.

Najib, who has denied any wrongdoing, has said Malaysia will cooperate in international investigations of the 1MDB case.

The ruling party suffered unprecedented losses in the 2008 general elections and then lost the popular vote in 2013 under Najib’s leadership. The next general election must be called by 2018.

ANTI-NAJIB RALLIES

The NSC is coming into force amid growing complaints about assaults on civil liberties in Malaysia.

Najib has in recent months used the colonial era Sedition Act and other draconian laws to arrest government critics, jail opposition leaders and stifle free speech by suspending media groups and blogs.

“The likelihood of the NSC being utilized in order to crack down against any act of civil movement is likely to steadily increase as maneuvering space for the PM decreases,” said Sevan Doraisamy, executive director at Suaram, a human rights NGO.

Malaysia’s opposition coalition is planning an anti-Najib rally on July 30. Pro-democracy group Bersih, whose street protests last year drew a 200,000-strong crowd, is also planning a separate rally, but has not set a date.

While rallies can still be organized under the Peaceful Assembly Act, the NSC can declare any area — a building, a street or a city — a “security area”, where protests would be disallowed.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said on Monday he will not allow rallies that demand Najib step down from power.

“Red Shirt” supporters from Najib’s ruling United Malays National Organisation have vowed to hold a counter-rally. They did so last September and it turned rowdy when participants breached security barricades and clashed with riot police.

“I think they (the government) are getting nervous about 1MDB and the reaction of the people,” said civil rights activist and lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan, adding that the public was also “very nervous” about the new security law.

Source: TODAY Online

July 27, 2016
Audited Financial Statements For 2013 And 2014 Should Be Disregarded: 1MDB

Embattled 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) has decided that its 2013 and 2014 audited financial statements should be disregarded, pending a court decision on the civil lawsuit filed by the United States last week to recover more than US$1 billion (S$1.36 billion) in American assets bought with money allegedly misappropriated from the state investment firm.

“Whilst the Board remains confident that no wrongdoing has been committed by 1MDB and that the past audited financial statements continue to show a true and fair view of the company’s affairs at the relevant points in time, the Board has decided that, as a precautionary measure, the 2013 and 2014 audited financial statements of 1MDB should no longer be relied on by any party,” 1MDB said in a statement on Tuesday (July 26).

1MDB’s 2013 and 2014 financial statements were signed off by its auditor, international audit firm Deloitte.

Last Wednesday, the US Justice Department (DOJ) filed a civil lawsuit to seize the assets it said were tied to money stolen from 1MDB, overseen by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Hidden in the US in real estate, art and other luxury goods, the DOJ said the money was embezzled from the fund and moved around the world using secretive shell companies that masked its trail.

The Singapore authorities have also said they seized bank accounts and properties worth S$240 million in a probe on possible money laundering linked to the state investment fund.

Mr Najib had said Malaysia takes good governance seriously and will fully cooperate with investigators. He had also maintained that it would be unfair to pass judgment on the individuals identified in the lawsuit — including his stepson Riza Aziz, a Hollywood producer of films, including The Wolf Of Wall Street as well as financier Mr Jho Low, who is a longtime friend of Mr Aziz and his family— simply for being named in the filing.

1MDB, which was founded by Mr Najib in 2009 shortly after he came to office, has accumulated debts of RM50 billion (S$16.7 billion) as of January this year, as opposed to its assets of RM53 billion. It is being investigated in at least six countries, including Switzerland and Singapore, over allegations it was used to funnel money to politically connected individuals. Both Mr Najib and 1MDB have denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Najib has been under intense political pressure over RM2.6 billion deposited into his private accounts, as well as irregularities in 1MDB.

Malaysia’s attorney-general has cleared Mr Najib of wrongdoing, saying that the money in his bank accounts was a political donation from the Saudi royal family. Despite the controversy, Mr Najib has consolidated his political power, removing officials from the governing party who have criticised him.

Some outspoken activists who used social media to question his conduct also face criminal charges.

1MDB also said on Tuesday that it is committed to finding a new auditor to replace Deloitte, after the latter had notified the firm of its intention to resign on Feb 26 this year.

“Until a new auditor is appointed, Deloitte will remain as auditor on record,” it said.

Expressing its appreciation of the professionalism displayed by Deloitte to date, 1MDB said the auditor will continue to audit the company’s key subsidiaries, including its real estate and energy arms such as TRX City, Bandar Malaysia and Edra.

Source: TODAY Online

July 27, 2016
Bapa Dan 2 Anak Lelaki Dicekup Kerana Mencuri, Pecah Rumah

Kata orang, keluarga yang makan bersama atau sembahyang bersama, akan sentiasa bersama.

Bagi tiga beranak ini – seorang bapa dan dua anak lelakinya – mereka bukan sahaja makan bersama, tetapi juga mencuri dan merompak bersama – termasuk mencuri lori.

Kini mereka juga ditangkap secara bersama-sama serta sama-sama masuk lokap dan kemudian akan masuk penjara sama-sama, setelah kegiatan jenayah mereka terbongkar.

Mereka dipercayai terbabit dalam beberapa kes pecah rumah dan samun di negeri Perlis dan Kedah.

Penjenayah tiga beranak itu diberkas di Kedah minggu lepas.

DIBERKAS DI RUMAH

Ketua Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Polis Kontinjen Perlis, Supt Azahar Muda berkata tiga beranak itu diberkas di rumah mereka di Kampung Pida, Kodiang.

Beliau berkata pihak polis turut menemukan barang-barang curi antaranya sebuah lori, sebuah motosikal, sebuah televisyen dan beberapa peralatan pecah rumah.

Lori tersebut dilapor hilang semasa sebuah stor kilang aluminium di Jitra, Kedah dipecah masuk, katanya kepada pemberita hari ini.

ANAK BERANAK BANYAK REKOD JENAYAH

Azahar berkata bapa tersebut yang berumur 47 tahun dipercayai menjalankan
kegiatannya sejak 10 tahun lepas di Kedah dan Perlis serta mempunyai lima rekod
jenayah lampau.

Beliau berkata anak lelaki suspek yang berumur 24 tahun mempunyai sembilan
rekod manakala yang berumur 17 tahun mempunyai enam rekod jenayah.

Katanya tiga beranak itu dipercayai turut terbabit dalam kes pecah peti besi pejabat Pertubuhan Peladang Padang Siding di Arau pada 4 Julai lepas.

Source: Berita MediaCorp

July 27, 2016
NUS To Crack Down On Sexualised Games

National University of Singapore (NUS) is promising that “strong disciplinary action will be taken” against those responsible for inappropriate orientation activities.

This follows a report in The New Paper concerning sexualised orientation activities. Activities that have continued despite complaints over the past decade.

One student complained that her peers were made to re-enact a rape scene as a forfeit, while another was asked whose bodily fluids she would like to drink.

Netizens expressed outrage with many calling for swift action to be taken against the camp organisers.

Readers also contacted The New Paper and said that it was unbecoming of the school.

Madam Josephine Ng, 46, a mother of two daughters aged 12 and 14, told TNP that the activities are ridiculous and embarrassing.

“When I read the article, I could not believe it. I’ve read past reports, and this is not excusable,” she said.

“Enough is enough. It has been a whole decade and yet nothing has changed.”

“Such activities have a long term impact, not just on students, but on Singapore’s image as well.”

Mr Seah Kian Peng, member of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Education, expressed surprise that such “unnecessary and humiliating” games have not stopped despite complaints over the years.

He told TNP: “They have definitely crossed the line. During the planning process, the leaders should just ask themselves – is this something they would want their younger siblings to go through. If they had a daughter, would they want her to experience this?”

Earlier this evening, NUS released a statement:

The National University of Singapore (NUS) takes an extremely serious view of the recent media report and feedback on instances of offensive and completely inappropriate orientation activities.

Orientation is intended to welcome and introduce our freshmen to the NUS community. The University expects that orientation activities are carried out in ways that are fully respectful of the dignity of all those participating, regardless of gender.

We do not condone any behaviour or activity that denigrates the dignity of individuals, and that has sexual connotations. Our students, particularly freshmen, must feel safe and secure at all times during orientation. If they decide to opt out of an activity, their wishes must be respected.

As is the practice each year, before the start of this orientation period at NUS, the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) had conducted sessions with the students involved in organising and leading orientation activities, including student orientation leaders from NUS Students’ Union, Clubs, Societies, Freshmen Orientation Committees, project directors, and Residential Hall Junior Common Room Committees.

During these sessions, OSA went through with the student leaders the do’s and don’ts of orientation, as well as banned activities. It was mandatory for these students to go through the written materials with examples of “do’s and don’ts”. Students were also made aware that strong disciplinary actions will be taken against offenders. In addition, all proposed orientation programmes and activities had to be endorsed and cleared by the relevant supervisors, such as Hall Masters and Vice Deans, as well as OSA, before they could proceed. Students were asked to remove inappropriate activities.

Separately, from the beginning of the year, OSA had worked with the Deaneries in Faculties, and the Masters of Halls and Residential Colleges on the necessary steps needed to ensure the acceptability of all planned student orientation activities.

We are very disappointed that despite these efforts, instances of offensive and completely inappropriate orientation activities that were not submitted nor endorsed have surfaced. We take these reports very seriously, and are carrying out thorough investigations. Strong disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible.

OSA has met with the student leaders of the ongoing and remaining camps, and briefed them on the guidelines for acceptable orientation activities. NUS staff will also be on site at these camps.

Any student who has concerns with orientation activities can contact the NUS Office of Student Affairs at [email protected] on a strictly confidential basis.

Source: The New Paper

July 27, 2016