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FAS Chief Lim Kia Tong Calms Job Fears Over Nasi Briyani And Teh Tarik

The newly-elected Football Association of Singapore (FAS) council began its first official day in charge by organising a lunch yesterday for the near-80 staff to allay any fears they might have after a turbulent few weeks prior to Saturday’s polls.

Over nasi briyani and teh tarik, FAS president Lim Kia Tong assured the employees their jobs were safe and there would be minimal upheaval as the new administration sought to revive the ailing sport.

“This lunch is important because looking back, the staff was hardly engaged previously,” Lim, whose team had beaten the Game Changers, a slate led by Hougang United chairman Bill Ng 30-13, at the election, told The Straits Times.

The 64-year-old lawyer and former FAS vice-president added: “The election also created some psychological uncertainty in their minds as they could be worried who will come into power.

“This might determine their tenure at FAS and it certainly created an air of uncertainty.

“Having met them for lunch, this tells me a story that the staff is more relaxed now. They are pleased to know that a familiar figure will continue to lead them.”

While the future of FAS general secretary Winston Lee, who attended the lunch, has been subject to intense speculation, both Lim and vice-president Edwin Tong stressed that Lee’s position was not being discussed yet and he will continue to help run the association.

It echoed Lim’s post-election press conference words when he said: “We’ll deal with each staff behind closed doors. We have to respect the terms of their employment contracts.

“We won’t make any comment on his (Lee) future and it is best left to be decided much, much later.”

Lee, Ng and his wife Bonnie Wong, and former FAS president and former MP of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Zainudin Nordin were arrested two weeks ago as part of an ongoing police investigation. All are out on police bail.

The atmosphere was more light-hearted at the FAS office at Jalan Besar Stadium yesterday.

Lydia Lim-Goh, office manager of technical director Michel Sablon’s department, said that she felt relieved to see Lim elected.

“I have known Kia Tong for a long time (Lim first joined FAS as a disciplinary committee member in 1992),” said the 66-year-old, who has been with the association for 44 years and has worked under numerous presidents including R. B. I. Pates, N. Ganesan, Teo Chong Tee and Major Abbas Abu Amin.

“He has really grown into his role. He is very down to earth and even though he is a lawyer, he does not talk down to people.

“The staff are looking forward to working with the new council and we are very happy to support Kia Tong and his team.”

Staff members, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that previously, employees were not allowed to interact with or have direct contact with council members.

But Tong believes the new council will institute changes to make FAS a more transparent and more engaging organisation.

He said: “One of the priorities after the election is to introduce ourselves (to the FAS staff) and reassure them that our style is quite different.

“We want to reiterate the point that we are consultative and we want to invite all of them to share their views.

“They are the domain experts and they see to it (the running of Singapore football) day to day.”

Lim had promised that his team would hit the ground running and they were true to his word.

The council gathered at the FAS boardroom at 6.30pm for its first official meeting yesterday.

Apart from deputy president Bernard Tan, who is away in Chicago on a business trip, 14 of the 15 council members were present.

Lee also attended the meeting but his position was not part of the agenda raised, noted Tong.

Instead, over the course of three hours and 15 minutes, issues like the FAS’ administrative structure, governance and youth development were discussed.

Another key area raised was the S-League, which has struggled to retain fans’ interest.

To address it, a task force was formed and will be spearheaded by vice-presidents Teo Hock Seng, S. Thavaneson and council member Forrest Li.

The purpose of the meeting, said Tong, was to come up with broad structures to reshape Singapore football.

“The members were very forthcoming,” he said. “We have at least two names for each of the 16 standing committees (which touch on areas like administration, finance, facilities, women’s football, referees, competitions and audit).”

On the back of the $500,000 donation saga, governance is an area the new council wants to tighten.

“Partly,” Tong replied, when asked if the review was done in light of the controversy.

“But also because the new council wants to start off on a clean slate. We want to make sure there are no blind spots.”

At 9.45pm, the meeting was adjourned, marking the end to a very long day for many in the council. Yet their faces bore no hint of tiredness, only resolve to make good on their election promises.

Rilek1Corner

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com

May 3, 2017
Letupan Kereta Bukit Batok: Pemandu Diberkas, Didakwa Atas Tuduhan Perbuatan Nakal

Kereta yang meletup di sebuah tempat letak kereta di Bukit Batok minggu lalu disebabkan perbuatan nakal, dan pemandunya sudahpun ditangkap, menurut polis pada malam Selasa (2 Mei).

Beberapa kanister kecil yang mengandungi gas butana, ditemui di tempat kejadian di Blok 290H, Bukit Batok Street 24.

Seorang lelaki berusia 32 tahun turut dibawa ke hospital kerana mengalami kecederaan.

Lelaki berkenaan didakwa di mahkamah pada Sabtu lalu atas tuduhan melakukan perbuatan nakal dengan menggunakan api.

Dia juga akan ditahan reman bagi siasatan lanjut, menurut polis.

Rilek1Corner

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

May 3, 2017
Nura J Buka Salon Muslimah Pertama Di Orchard Rd, Mahu Dampingi Pelanggan Luar Negara

Niat awalnya untuk mengisi jurang dalam pasaran jagaan rambut muslimah ternyata berjaya dilaksanakan. Namun kini, beliau maju lagi setapak dengan menawarkan khidmatnya di kawasan utama Singapura pula.

Malah, buat julung-julung kalinya, beliau memberi nafas baru dan berhasil membuka salon Muslimah yang pertama di kawasan Orchard Road!

Pemilik salon muslimah terkenal Pearlista dan juga personaliti tempatan, Nura J, bahkan mengorak langkah berani dengan membuka cawangan ketiganya itu di kawasan bandar tersebut.

Nura J memberitahu BERITAMediacorp: “Idea itu tercetus sekitar dua bulan lalu selepas saya selesai makan malam bersama suami di Far East Plaza. Kami sudah merancang untuk membuka cawangan ketiga, tetapi pada awalnya tidak begitu pasti tentang lokasinya.

“Bagaimanapun, setelah melihat banyak salon rambut biasa yang dapat bertahan, kami berpendapat salon muslimah kami juga mungkin dapat berkembang maju di sana.”

BERPOTENSI DAMPINGI SEGMEN PASARAN BERBEZA

Terletak di Far East Plaza, Nura J malah merasakan bahawa cawangan tersebut dapat mendampingi segmen pasaran yang berbeza selain menyasarkan kepada mereka yang tinggal di bahagian tengah Singapura.

Ini memandangkan pusat beli-belah itu terletak berhampiran dengan Hotel Grand Hyatt dan Royal Plaza on Scotts.

“Cawangan Pearlista Orchard mungkin berhadapan dengan sasaran pelanggan yang berbeza. Malah kini, ia mungkin dapat mendampingi para pengunjung dari Brunei, Indonesia dan Malaysia yang menginap di hotel-hotel yang berdekatan. Dan tentunya, peluang ini tidak akan disia-siakan,” kata Nura J.

Meskipun begitu, beliau bertekad untuk tidak memberikan kelebihan ketara kepada cawangan terbarunya itu, berbanding dengan cawangannya di kawasan kejiranan.

Menurutnya, ini agar beliau dapat mengekalkan tahap konsisten bagi khidmat salonnya di kesemua cawangan yang disediakan.

“Kami tidak boleh mempunyai pemikiran bahawa, hanya kerana ia terletak di Orchard, ia harus diberikan keutamaan atau kelebihan tambahan. Malah, kami harus memastikan khidmat kami diselaraskan di kesemua cawangan agar tidak menjejas mutu yang ditawarkan kepada pelanggan tetap di cawangan-cawangan lain,” katanya kepada BERITAMediacorp.

Pertama kali dilancarkan pada hujung tahun 2014, Pearlista kini sudahpun berjaya membuka tiga cawangan dalam masa kurang tiga tahun, selain giat menjalankan operasi di cawangan Icon@Changi di Eunos dan CityVibe di Clementi.

GENERASI ‘M’ PACU PENGEMBANGAN PASARAN MUSLIMAH

Nura J, yang juga berkhidmat sebagai seorang ejen hartanah, bahkan menjangkakan pasaran jagaan rambut muslimah akan terus berkembang pada masa hadapan.

“Kaum muslimah kini datang dari Generasi M (“money”), yang mampu dan lebih rela untuk berbelanja. Selain memastikan khidmat yang diberikan haruslah bermutu tinggi, kami juga harus menyerlah dan mencari tukikan sendiri, seperti khidmat ‘Creambath’ kami,” katanya.

“Bagaimanapun, kami tetap memberi tumpuan khusus kepada masalah rambut sebenar seperti keguguran rambut dan kelemumur, dan berhasrat membantu kaum muslimah menyelesaikan masalah tersebut,” tambah Nura lagi.

Meskipun begitu, Pearlista masih harus tetap mengikut arus trend gaya rambut dan rawatan yang terkini, selain sering menghantar pasukan pendandan rambutnya ke kursus-kursus bersama rakan syarikat rasmi, Wella Academy, menurutnya.

“Peluang untuk bertemu dengan wanita dari segenap bidang pekerjaan, dan bagi mereka untuk terus menyokong dan kembali semula, ia sesuatu yang sangat saya hargai. Setiap maklum balas yang diterima juga membuat kami merasakan bahawa ia suatu pekerjaan yang mulia juga,” katanya.

(Gambar-gambar: Nura J/ Instagram)

PESAING PEARLISTA ADALAH… DIRINYA SENDIRI

Dengan bertambahnya perniagaan salon muslimah di negara ini, Nura J juga merasakan bahawa pesaing terhebat Pearlista adalah, Pearlista sendiri.

“Saya sudah lama bekerja sendiri dan saya percaya pada etika bisnes. Jika kita menjejas perniagaan orang lain, kita seperti tidak percaya pada rancanganNya.

“Pesaing Pearlista adalah dirinya sendiri, kerana jika kita sering melihat kepada pesaing lain, kita mungkin akan menjejas kebolehan sendiri. Malah, kita seharusnya berkongsi kegembiraan bersama-sama dan mendakapi persaingan dalam bidang ini,” kata Nura, berkongsi sekelumit falsafah perniagaannya kepada BERITAMediacorp.

Salah satu cara untuk terus menarik perhatian golongan muda, menurut Nura, adalah untuk mengekalkan sistem online yang cekap. Bahkan, Pearlista juga giat menghasilkan produk rambut jenama sendiri sebagai sebahagian daripada rancangannya untuk memperluaskan perniagaannya.

“Harapan saya adalah agar Pearlista akan terus bersinar, berkembang maju melalui produk dan cawangan barunya serta dapat terus memberi peluang pekerjaan kepada golongan gadis yang membantu membangunkan jenama Pearlista,” katanya.

Pearlista Orchard di Far East Plaza mula beroperasi hari ini (2 Mei) dan tempahan boleh dibuat melalui lamannya atau aplikasi Booksy.

Pelancaran rasmi Pearlista Orchard dijangka diadakan menjelang hujung bulan Mei.

Rilek1Corner

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg/

May 3, 2017
Experts Not Convinced Malaysian IS Terrorist Muhammad Wanndy Is Dead

KUALA LUMPUR: Security officials, reacting to a Facebook post by the wife of notorious Islamic State (IS) terrorist Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi that he is dead, doubt its accuracy.

“This is probably a ruse by Muhammad Wanndy to escape from those on his heels,” said a source.

The source said Muhammad Wanndy, 27, had probably staged his own death to “emerge as a new person” and avoid detection.

“He is really desperate and will try anything,’’ the source added.

News of Muhammad Wanndy’s alleged death on Saturday was triggered by a Facebook post by Nor Mahmudah Ahmad, 28, that day.

She said Muhammad Wanndy could have been killed in Syria in a drone strike.

Stating that she accepted her husband’s fate, she vowed to carry on with his struggle in Syria.

“My Mujahid, finally it is your time to go. I will remain here and carry on with the work you started. I accept this as fate,” Nor Mahmudah wrote in her latest posting.

(A mujahid is one engaged in a jihad, especially as a guerrilla warrior.)

Muhammad Wanndy, who is from Durian Tunggal in Malacca, left for Syria in 2014 with Nor Mahmudah.

Known as a top IS recruiter, he is on the United States’ most wanted list for his involvement in funding and providing operational support for the terror group.

In an exclusive report in The Star on Wednesday, intelligence sources were quoted as having said that Muhammad Wanndy had lost the faith of IS militants as he had failed to carry out attacks in Malaysia as planned.

The report stated that Muhammad Wanndy had “limited time” to try and convince his Syrian leaders of his ability to conduct terror attacks.

One source had said that he had until the end of the year to prove himself, or risk having his status as the IS’ Malaysian leader stripped.

Sources said yesterday that several Malaysian and Indonesian militants were unhappy with Muhammad Wanndy as he had used up sympathisers’ donations.

“Fellow IS fighters in Raqqa are looking for him. He has been on the run for about two weeks,” said a source.

Other militants also took to social media to post pictures of the car that Muhammad Wanndy allegedly was in when the drone attack happened.

“Even the wordings in his wife’s post sounds more like Muhammad Wanndy’s writing,” said a source.

The source added that Muhammad Wanndy was the mastermind behind many failed IS attacks in Malaysia “and he is not a fighter in Syria”.

“It was long suspected that he used funds donated towards the IS cause to settle his family expenses in Syria and other debts.

“He cleverly used the IS platform for his own gain. His cover has been blown open,” said the source.

It is believed that Muhammad Wanndy, also known as Abu Hamzah Al-Fateh, had accumulated RM100,000 in donations from sympathisers.

“He used some of it to fund attacks in Malaysia but most was for his own use.

“It can be said that he enjoyed life in Syria while others did the fighting for him,” another source said.

Bukit Aman Special Branch director Comm Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said they were trying to find out whether Muhammad Wanndy was in fact dead.

“We are checking. We want to know quickly,’’ he added.

Comm Mohamad Fuzi had said earlier that the Counter Terrorism Division was working closely with the United States to hunt down Muhammad Wanndy, who has been on Bukit Aman’s wanted list for the past two years.

Source: www.thestar.com.my

May 2, 2017
Malaysia’s Islamic Battle Takes A Heavenly Path

In the Islamists version of hell, that is the one in Malaysia, voting against the PAS is a vote to hell.

This is part of the campaign to promote a united PAS-UMNO front in Malaysia, and the elite of the Islamist party are going national in their attacks against Muslims who are resistant to the idea.

“It is important to unite PAS and UMNO in order to eliminate the DAP,” says a WhatsApp group message.

The group – unknown since the name is not published on the posting in a pro-opposition Facebook page – changed its Icon to that of a PAS-UMNO hand shake.

The message continue: “If you want to enter hell, you can vote DAP.”

But if you wan to enter paradise.”Vote PAS”

The message does not end there.

It goes further into declaring – similar to an Islamic edict or Fatwa – that people who does not vote the PAS will be made ‘kafir harbi.”

The threats are not new in Malaysia.

On 23 June 2016, the Mufti of Pahang shocked Malaysians by stating that it is a sin for Muslims to support the Democratic Action Party (DAP), which he labelled as Kafir Harbi (infidels against whom war can be waged).

The statement received mixed reactions from the Muslims: some voiced their support while many opposed it. For non-Muslims, it became a source of fear, given recent threats announced by the Malaysian Islamic State (IS) based in Syria, and the first bombing incident by IS in Malaysia.

Following the overall rejection of the labeling by Muslim scholars and intellectuals who claimed that the label was invalid and unsuitable under contemporary circumstances, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that no Malaysians should be placed under the Kafir Harbi category.

There is in Malaysia an unfortunate practice of using the term Kafir Harbi for political reasons, and for demonising certain opposition political parties and certain non-Muslim groups.

Source: www.theindependent.sg

May 2, 2017