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  • System Malfunction Forces AirAsiaX Flight To Return To Kuala Lumpur

    System Malfunction Forces AirAsiaX Flight To Return To Kuala Lumpur

    KUALA LUMPUR: A system malfunction forced the pilots of an AirAsia X flight from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah to abort the flight and return to Malaysia on Sunday (Feb 8) , the AirAsia Group’s CEO said.

    The incident sparked fresh questions on social media about the Malaysian airline’s safety record as it struggles in the aftermath of the loss of Flight QZ8501 in late December with 162 people on board.

    “One auto-thrust not functioning properly. Actually okay to fly but we just returning it to base,” Tony Fernandes told AFP in a text message, calling it a “minor issue”. “One auto-thrust not functioning properly. Actually okay to fly but we just returning it to base,” Tony Fernandes told AFP in a text message, calling it a “minor issue”.

    Auto-thrusters are systems that are used to ensure a plane continues to travel at a steady speed. Fernandes confirmed the Airbus A330 — operated by the long-haul arm of the AirAsia Group of carriers, AirAsia X — landed safely at Kuala Lumpur’s international airport late on Sunday afternoon.

    Flight-tracking websites indicated AirAsia X flight D7172 flew several wide circles over the Strait of Malacca to burn off fuel. Fernandes called the manouevre a “routine” precaution as the plane was heavily laden with fuel that normally would have been used up during the several-hour flight to the Saudi Arabian city.

    “Just burning off fuel as has lots of fuel as was going to Jeddah,” he said, adding that the plane would be changed and the flight would continue onward.

    Explaining why the flight had to circle for hours to dump fuel, flight-tracking website Flightradar24 said the plane “needed to get weight down to make a safe landing”. It added that if it was an emergency, the flight would have landed immediately.

    Although QZ8501 was the AirAsia group’s first deadly accident, it followed two other deadly Malaysia Airlines incidents last year that killed over 500 people and raised concerns among many travellers about the safety of the country’s carriers.

    “What is happening with Malaysia and airplanes? This is really, really scary,” posted one Twitter user.

    Flight QZ8501 went down in stormy weather on December 28 in the Java Sea during what was supposed to be a short trip from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.

    Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared last March after inexplicably diverting from its Kuala Lumpur-Beijing course. The airliner, carrying 239 people, is believed to have crashed in the Indian Ocean, but no trace has been found.

    MH17 went down last July in rebellion-torn eastern Ukraine — believed hit by a surface-to-air missile — killing all 298 aboard. Malaysia Airlines had previously had a solid safety record.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

  • The Debate On Female Modesty – #SaveYourDaraCampaign Vs #LearnRespect

    The Debate On Female Modesty – #SaveYourDaraCampaign Vs #LearnRespect

    A lot of stupid things have been said in the great debate over women in this country, and you hear a lot of victim-blaming arguments from those who somehow believe that women need to restrict themselves to live safely in a society of supposedly dominant men. The idea that a woman must carry herself meekly or swaddle her body in “modest” clothing to avoid attracting male attention is ridiculous, and shows not only a lack of self-restraint but also a lack of respect for 50% of the world’s population.

    Thus, it’s understandable that outrage erupts over hare-brained ideas like a certain local magazine’s#SaveYourDaraCampaign.

    The effectiveness of campaigns like this one aside – it doesn’t work; ask the Christians, they’ve been trying it for ages – the major issue here is not the idea of abstinence-only sex education, as it looks to combat the social ills of baby dumping and illegitimate children. While teaching young women about contraception would arguably be a lot more effective than abstinence, we can see how it would be favourable in the eyes of the more puritan members of our society.

    The issue that everyone is up in arms about is that “a lot of importance was given to how we carry ourselves, how we dress to not arouse men,” according to one of the participants.

    Why is this a problem? It’s simple. This is victim-blaming at it’s most insidious level, subliminally suggesting to young women that the burden falls on them to control men’s sexual impulses by becoming meek, by dressing modestly or conservatively. It’s as if men are not physically or mentally capable of being in control of their own sexuality, and thus the women must limit theirs or face threats to their chastity. Not only is this idea demeaning to women, but also to men as it paints them as little more than lustful animals with no self-control, slaves to their impulses.

    Certainly, there are some men who buy into this way of thinking, populating online forums with proclamations against the dressing and behaviour of women in this day and age, screaming obscenities and graphically describing the sexual things they would do to those same women. This maladjusted community of disenfranchised men is more of a concern that needs to be addressed than#SaveYourDara, if we’re to be honest with ourselves.

    I am not condoning women who wear revealing clothes at all times. Civilized society does ask that we maintain a modicum of modesty after all, and a well-dressed woman is just as appealing as a seductively dressed lady. However, a woman should not be forced to deny her own sexuality and her right to dress as she pleases for fear that it be held against her in the facetious argument that she is “asking for it”. A woman does not necessarily dress up for men. It is not an open invitation for sexual advances or assault, and we need to come to terms with that fact as a society.

    The campaign we should be conducting is #LearnRespect.

    As men, we must learn to respect that women have the right to dress in ways that are appealing to them, whether conservative or not. We must respect that sex and all the pleasures that come with it are not owed to us in any way. It doesn’t matter if you bought her a RM1,000 necklace or took her to dinner at a 5-star restaurant. You are owed nothing, least of all a woman’s body.

    As men, we need to respect ourselves and learn self-restraint. We are not animals driven crazy by the mating instinct; we are in control of our every action and as such we must take responsibility for our mistakes, our lapses in judgement.

    Some will say that women too need to learn self-respect when it comes to their dressing and demeanour, and I will not argue the point as all of us need to learn to respect ourselves. But enough of blaming the victim whenever undesirable sexual situations arise. We need to be a better society than that, and teaching our young women, the hopes of our nation, that they must make themselves less for the sake of those who refuse to learn self-control is not the way forward for anyone.

     

    Source: www.freemalaysiatoday.com

  • Mufti Mesir Gesa Agar Cari Huraian Yang Adil Dan Elak Gunakan Keganasan

    Mufti Mesir Gesa Agar Cari Huraian Yang Adil Dan Elak Gunakan Keganasan

    Muslim yang berasa sedih dan terguris akibat penghinaan ke atas Nabi Muhammad saw menyusuli penerbitan karikatur di majalah Charlie Hebdo, diajak mencari huraian yang adil berdasarkan perundangan negara dan mengelak daripada menggunakan keganasan.

    Reaksi terbaik bagi umat Islam menangani kejadian sedemikian ialah mencontohi amalan Nabi Muhammad yang membalas setiap keburukan dengan sifat kebaikan.

    Demikian pesanan Mufti Besar Mesir Sheikh Dr Shawki Allam di Seminar Asatizah yang berlangsung di Hab Islam di Braddell Road semalam.

    Seminar anjuran Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis) yang dihadiri sekitar 200 peserta itu membawa tajuk Penguasa Agama dan Pembentukan Sebuah Masyarakat Harmoni dalam Dunia Majmuk.

    Antara yang hadir di acara itu ialah Ketua Eksekutif Muis, Haji Abdul Razak Hassan Maricar dan Mufti Dr Mohamed Fatris Bakaram.

    Di seminar itu, Sheikh Dr Shawki diminta mengulas tentang isu penerbitan karikatur yang menghina Nabi Muhammad saw oleh majalah Charlie Hebdo di Paris dan serangan oleh sekumpulan lelaki bersenjata ke atas pejabat majalah itu yang mengakibatkan 17 nyawa terkorban.

    “Kita rasa sedih dan terguris apabila kita mendengar atau melihat penghinaan ke atas Nabi Muhammad saw.

    “Namun kita harus mencari huraian yang adil kepada semua menerusi perundangan atau sistem negara,” kata Sheikh Dr Shawki.

    Sebagai anggota masyarakat yang bertanggungjawab, beliau menekankan individu tidak berhak menjatuhkan hukum dengan sewenang-wenangnya apabila berdepan dengan sesuatu yang tidak menyenangkan atau apabila menyaksikan sesuatu jenayah.

    Cara yang lebih berhemah menurut beliau ialah mencontohi amalan Nabi Muhammad saw yang membalas setiap keburukan dengan kebaikan dan cara yang berakhlak.

    Terdapat banyak contoh dalam riwayat Nabi yang mempamerkan sifat beliau yang berahlak.

    Sheikh Dr Shawki menukil kisah seorang jiran yang selalu membuang najis dan kotoran di hadapan kediaman Nabi Muhammad saw.

    “Suatu hari, Nabi Muhammad saw mendapati tiada kotoran yang dibuang di hadapan rumahnya dan beliau diberitahu jiran yang sering mengotori lamannya sedang sakit.

    “Nabi Muhammad bersifat mulia dan menziarahi jiran berkenaan,” kata beliau.

    Sheikh Dr Shawki berada di sini dalam rangka lawatan empat hari bermula kelmarin di bawah Program Pelawat Unggul (DVP) Muis.

    Ini kali pertama ketua agama itu, yang dilantik menjadi Mufti ke-19 Mesir pada 2013, mengunjungi Singapura dan rantau ini.

    Sheikh Dr Shawki seorang pemimpin Islam dan ulama yang dihormati dan dikenali kerana dedikasi dan usahanya ke arah keamanan menerusi pemahaman masyarakat yang pelbagai dan berbeza.

    Semalam beliau menghadiri jamuan malam bersama pemimpin berbilang agama.

    Hari ini beliau dijadualkan bertemu Presiden Tony Tan Keng Yam dan Perdana Menteri Lee Hsien Loong di Istana.

    Selepas itu beliau akan mengunjungi Pusat Sumber dan Kaunseling, Kumpulan Pemulihan Keagamaan (RRG) di Masjid Khadijah.

    Malam ini pula beliau akan menyampaikan Ceramah Muis di Hotel Orchard.

     

    Source: http://beritaharian.sg

  • Singaporean Man Living With HIV

    Singaporean Man Living With HIV

    It had started with a fever, rashes, then fatigue. When the symptoms persisted for weeks, alarm bells went off for Daniel.

    The 28-year-old homosexual man got himself tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The results were positive.

    “Although I had previously gone for regular HIV testing at anonymous test sites, the diagnosis came as a shock because I was in a monogamous relationship at that time and I thought the risk was low,” said Daniel.

    Fortunately for him, timely diagnosis and treatment have helped him keep his condition under control. Currently working as a senior executive in the public sector, Daniel is able to live a normal life. Besides his day job, he also juggles part-time degree studies and volunteer work.

    THE NUMBERS IN SINGAPORE

    Not everyone learns about his or her HIV status early enough. There were 155 new cases of HIV infection among Singapore residents in the first six months of this year, showed the latest figures from the Ministry of Health. Nearly half (49 per cent) had late-stage HIV infection when they were diagnosed — an increase from 41 per cent last year. Currently, about 0.1 per cent of the population in Singapore is living with HIV.

    Dr David Lye, senior consultant at the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), said people with a late-stage HIV diagnosis face a higher risk of death, even if they receive treatment as soon as possible.

    The virus, which is spread mainly via sexual transmission in Singapore, wreaks havoc on the immune system. It may eventually cause infections, cancer, memory loss as well as heart, liver and kidney diseases.

    The two biggest groups at risk here are heterosexual men who engage in casual or commercial sex, and men who have sex with men.

    SEEK TREATMENT EARLY

    A person with HIV is said to have Aids (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) when his CD4 (a type of white blood cell) count is less than 200, said Dr Lye. This increases his risk of infections and death.

    On the other hand, people who detect their condition soon after the infection and start on HIV medication immediately can expect to have a normal life span. “Detecting HIV as early as possible and starting treatment early can preserve the person’s immune system. Adherence to treatment and medical follow-up ensures a healthy long life,” said Dr Lye.

    TTSH sees 70 per cent of HIV patients in Singapore. More than 95 per cent of patients on HIV medication are doing well, said Dr Lye. Stigma and misconceptions about the disease prevent at-risk groups from testing and seeking treatment early.

    Dr Lye shared that even with a HIV diagnosis, some patients do not seek treatment because they think they will not be able to afford HIV medication.

    “Medisave can help cover the costs of medication. For patients with limited resources, Medifund can provide coverage too,” said Dr Lye.

    People with HIV can use up to S$550 per month from their Medisave to pay for their HIV medication. The cost of medication can range from S$300 to more than S$800, depending on the individual’s condition, said Ms Lin Jingyi, a medical social worker at the Department of Care and Counselling at TTSH.

    Since September, anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV treatment have been subsidised for lower- to middle-income patients receiving treatment at public hospitals and institutions, as long as the drugs have been assessed to be clinically necessary and appropriate for treatment.

    MISCONCEPTIONS AND SOCIAL STIGMA

    A common misconception is that HIV is a death sentence or that treatment will fail after several years. That is not true if the patient takes his medication on time daily without skipping doses, said Dr Lye. These misconceptions, coupled with the immense social stigma of the disease, often cause newly diagnosed patients to bear the burden of the disease without adequate support.

    Ms Lin said HIV patients tend to live in secrecy because of the fear of stigma and discrimination. “Often, family members may have misconceptions, concerns and fears about HIV and its spread,” she said.

    Faced with family rejection, Daniel left home and, for over a year, struggled to come to terms with his illness, the side effects from the medication and dwindling finances without the support of his loved ones. He broke up with his partner shortly after the diagnosis.

    Thankfully, he had the support of his close friends, employer and colleagues. He also joined the HIV Orientation Programme and AGAPE Support group at TTSH, where he befriended people with HIV and learned to cope with the condition.

    At TTSH, every newly diagnosed HIV patient is referred to a medical social worker, who also counsels and educates family members about the condition.

    “Engagement of the patient’s family is important because family support can be a key determinant of how a patient would cope,” said Ms Lin.

    Today, Daniel is a peer mentor at the TTSH HIV Orientation Programme, where he motivates newly diagnosed HIV patients. His family has accepted his condition and asked him to move back to live with them.

    “The journey might be hard at first, but it will get better. There will always be a light for you in dark times, even when all the other lights go out,” he said.

     

    Source: http://www.todayonline.com

  • Yaacob Ibrahim: Greater Communication Required Between Communications Team And Policymakers

    Yaacob Ibrahim: Greater Communication Required Between Communications Team And Policymakers

    The Government recognises that there is room to simplify some of its policies, in order for people to understand them better. And this may require the communications departments to work more closely with policymakers.

    Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim shared this during a Question and Answer segment of a forum held at the National University of Singapore on Wednesday evening (Nov 26).

    Dr Yaacob said there has been feedback that policies like the Pioneer Generation Package and MediShield Life are complex and some have asked if they can be simplified. But he also emphasised that the Government is dealing with complex issues such as an ageing society and the need for a universal medical scheme.

    He said that the Government is working to get its communications and policy people to work together at an early stage to improve the way such policies are communicated.

    Dr Yaacob also addressed concerns from the audience on data protection as Singapore moves towards its vision of becoming a Smart Nation. He said data is needed to become a Smart Nation and to come up with new services and policies, but that this will be protected and anonymised.

    LOCAL TELEVISION CONTENT

    Dr Yaacob was also asked to comment on local television content and how it can be made more interesting for the Singapore audience. He said the Government has invested heavily in public service broadcasting, and – together with MediaCorp – is producing content that is relevant to Singaporeans.

    He said: “We must give local content a chance. From the quality point of view, MediaCorp will have to ramp up its capability and produce good quality content, but accessibility is also important so that ordinary Singaporeans can see it and will want to watch it.

    “But by and large, in the last few months, you can see the figures in terms of eyeballs watching local content is ramping up quite gently after a lot of effort on our part together with MediaCorp, because I think they are trying their very best.”

    ONLINE NEWS LICENSING SCHEME 

    Meanwhile, Dr Yaacob said the aim of the online news licensing scheme, also known as a Class Licence, which was introduced last year, was to give parity to online news sites and traditional news platforms.

    While this brought about a lot of reactions, he said the move placed the online and traditional news sites on a more consistent regulatory basis.

    Dr Yaacob said licensing does not affect the everyday operations of online news sites.

    “They still enjoy the same level of freedom – under the same content standards found in the class licence. So really nothing has changed, but we recognise that because as news sites you are reporting on Singapore, traditional mainstream media is also reporting on Singapore and so therefore, we have to find parity between the two platforms,” he said.