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Dr Mahathir Meets Anwar For First Time In Over 18 Years

Once bitter foes, former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad and the one-time protege he jailed, Anwar Ibrahim, exchanged a previously unthinkable handshake on Monday (Sept 5) that illustrated the country’s topsy-turvy politics.

Dr Mahathir sparked a social media frenzy with a show of support at a court appearance by Anwar, who was jailed again last year by Malaysia’s current government following a sodomy conviction, the same charge Dr Mahathir used against him in 1998.

“Pertemuan pertama selepas 18 tahun 2 hari..sejak 3 September 1998..,” (The first meeting after 18 years 2 days..since 3 September 1998) opposition leader Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also Anwar’s wife, wrote on her Facebook page in Malay as she posted a picture of Anwar and Dr Mahathir shaking hands in a crowded courtroom.

The brief and smiling encounter — images were shared widely online — underlined the political flux in Malaysia, where opposition to current Prime Minister Najib Razak has upended alliances. Mr Najib is facing calls to quit following irregularities in state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) as well as over US$681 million (S$924 million) deposited into his personal accounts. Mr Najib maintained he had not used the funds for personal gain, and has been cleared of any criminal offence.

Dr Mahathir, who was Malaysia’s prime minister for 22 years before retiring in 2003, has led calls for Mr Najib to be ousted and to face justice.

Monday’s meeting capped months in which Anwar and Dr Mahathir have flirted from a distance, reviving memories of their stormy past.

Anwar was deputy premier and heir apparent to Dr Mahathir until he was sacked in 1998 by his boss over political differences, an episode that continues to reverbrate. Charged with sodomy and corruption, Anwar spent six years in jail. But he emerged to lead the previously ineffectual political opposition to strong electoral showings until he was jailed again in 2015 by Mr Najib’s government.

Dr Mahathir played down Monday’s meeting, saying he was merely showing support for a legal challenge launched by Anwar against a new security law. The law, passed by Mr Najib’s government last year, grants Mr Najib sweeping security powers.

“I don’t know about friends but I know I talked to him,” Dr Mahathir said with a chuckle when reporters asked after the encounter whether the two were friendly again.

“I met him and had a long chat with him about what he was doing.”

Anwar said Dr Mahathir’s appearance in court showed the latter “presumably” supported the reform agenda. Anwar said he will continue to “engage” with Dr Mahathir.

“He has showed preparedness to come and pledge his support and wish me well and I presume therefore he supports the reform agenda,” Anwar told the Malaysian media when asked if Dr Mahathir had earned his trust.

“My position is this: No 1 the welfare of the people is paramount, the welfare of the country is paramount, which means whoever wants to engage must accept a reform agenda,” he said, without elaborating on what he meant by “reform agenda’’.

“Now I think I have seen everything,” Mr Eric Paulsen of activist group Lawyers for Liberty said in tweeting an image of the handshake.

It remains to be seen whether any real detente between the political heavyweights can be achieved — or dent Mr Najib. The next general election must be held by mid-2018.

Leading independent pollster Ibrahim Suffian called the handshake “a big deal” and a sign that “Mahathir has come full circle”. “The fundamental problem for the opposition was that Mahathir and Anwar couldn’t get along,” he said. “Their shaking hands means their interests have converged.

Source: TODAY Online

September 7, 2016
Yet To Finish School But Already Top Insurance Agents

He cleared his study loan of $19,000 in one lump sum, and has a second-hand black Audi A4 to his name.

Yet, Mr Chew Zhan Lun, 24, graduated only two months ago.

In 2014, while he was studying banking and finance at Nanyang Technological University, he joined Great Eastern as a financial consultant and managed to earn $36,000 in the 2015 financial year.

He had to sit for six Capital Markets and Financial Advisory Services examinations over two months to attain the requirements needed to be a Great Eastern agent from the Singapore College of Insurance.

He then started going door to door selling insurance.

On school days, he would work three nights a week.

During his school holidays, he worked six nights a week, averaging two and a half hours each night. The avid gamer even cut back on playing computer games to focus on his job.

The going was tough at first.

Mr Chew said: “For every one person who said yes, there were nine who said no.”

He soon learnt to take rejection in his stride and he stuck by a policy of not using a hard sell technique.

Instead, he tried to be patient, proving his expertise to potential clients while becoming friends with them. His philosophy? “Not every friend is my client, but every client is my friend.”

Mr Chew had wanted to become a banker, but he joined the insurance industry to gain experience in the financial industry.

He found it a meaningful line of work and, after half a year, he decided to stay on.

He said: “For example, at a funeral, some professions would be asking for payment from the family, but an insurance agent would be the one handing over money.

“This is something I take pride in and I hope to get more recognition for this line.”

Mr Chew has earned praise from his manager, Mr Alan Phua, 30, who said: “Zhan Lun always stood out for his creative and bold ideas… He has impressive potential.

A Great Eastern spokesman said the company is seeing an increasing number of student financial consultants joining their 3,200-strong team, but said that they are unable to provide specific figures.

She said: “From our experience, the young advisers are dedicated, committed and hard-working in their own way.

“They relate well with their peers and hence are able to effectively communicate to them the importance of insurance and the need for early financial planning.”

Mr Chew has his eye on setting up his own agency in the future.

For every one person who said yes, there were nine who said no.

– Mr Chew Zhan Lun

She is only 21, but the final-year business student at the National University of Singapore qualified for AIA’s rising star club in June.

She also received the Top Sales award during her summer internship at AIA last year.

Miss Marissa Fuad puts in about 20 hours a week during her school term and earns between $1,500 and $2,500 a month.

During school holidays, she invests up to 50 hours a week and earns $4,500 to $5,000 a month.

Miss Marissa got interested in financial planning in her first year of university, after attending a career talk by SP-Win, an authorised representative of AIA.

“You learn about the impact you can have on people when you help them with their claims and savings,” she said.

She found that she connected with people her age and was able to explain financial planning to them.

“At the university level, most students do not know much about financial planning, but as someone in this line, you are the go-to person when people have questions,” she said.

SACRIFICES

Juggling her studies with her work came with some sacrifices.

Miss Marissa said she did not have time to indulge in her favourite Korean dramas and Game of Thrones TV series.

Last year, she gave up going to South Korea for an exchange programme as part of her undergraduate business course because it would take place at the same time as her internship programme at AIA.

An AIA spokesman said that agents who are also undergraduates help in getting their peers to understand the importance of financial planning from a young age.

She added: “Some (student consultants) have really excelled and even received commendations, recognitions and promotions to financial services manager (positions) even before they graduate.”

While AIA declined to reveal specific figures, it confirmed that its number of agents who are still students is increasing.

Ms Wong Sze Keed, chief agency officer of AIA Singapore, said: “The job flexibility, strong mentorship and the AIA brand are some key reasons they have cited for joining us.”

At the university level, most students do not know much about financial planning, but as someone in this line, you are the go-to person when people have questions.

– Miss Marissa Fuad

Would you buy from a student agent?

While the number of students also working as financial consultants has been growing, the reception towards them seems to be mixed, judging by responses from people The New Paper spoke to.

Army regular Chia Mui Sowe, 50, whose family owns six insurance policies, would consider buying policies from a student, as long as he is convinced by the terms of the policy.

Mr Chia said: “It doesn’t matter who sells me the policy, as long as it is something I need.”

Undergraduate Nowell Ng, 21, feels that it depends on the agent’s knowledge of the policies.

She said: “I wouldn’t buy from someone who is very new to the job, (regardless of whether he’s a student or not).”

However, undergraduate Yong Zhen Kang said he would think twice about buying from student financial planners as he doubts their long-term commitment to the job.

Mr Yong, 24, who owns one hospitalisation insurance policy, said: “I don’t want (to be in a situation) where I sign up with a student financial planner (and then he) quits after he graduates.”

Source: The New Paper

September 7, 2016
Enggan Nikah Suami Orang Dilapor Punca Fara Fauzana Batal Kahwin

Tanda tanya di sebalik mengapa personaliti radio Malaysia terkenal, Fara Fauzana, membatalkan perkahwinannya kurang dua minggu sebelum ia dijadualkan berlangsung, nampaknya terjawab sudah.

Fara dikatakan enggan menjadi isteri kedua lelaki tersebut, yang menurut laporan akhbar Harian Metro, merahsiakan daripada Fara bahawa beliau sebenarnya sudah menjadi suami orang.

Akhbar itu, yang memetik sumber yang tidak dinamakan, melaporkan bahawa lelaki berkenaan, Mohamad Hafiz, merupakan ahli jawatankuasa Pemuda UMNO di Lembah Klang.

“SILAP DIA SENDIRI STATUS PERKAHWINAN KANTOI”

Sumber itu memberitahu Harian Metro, semua yang berlaku itu adalah “silap dia (lelaki itu) sendiri” kerana beliau tidak berterus-terang, sehingga status perkahwinannya “kantoi”.

“Silap dia sendiri sebab tak berterus-terang, sepatutnya dia perlu jujur. Akhirnya status perkahwinannya kantoi dengan Fara.

“Dalam perkara ini dia tak boleh sorok. Bukan apa, ia perkara sensitif. Apatah lagi Fara golongan selebriti terkenal. Mahu atau tidak, perkara ini pasti menjadi heboh,” katanya seperti ditukil Harian Metro.

Bagaimanapun, Fara, 36 tahun, mahupun lelaki terbabit belum mengesahkan dakwaan dalam laporan berkenaan kepada mana-mana media.

Bekas penyampai Hot FM itu pada Ahad lalu memaklumkan bahawa pernikahan beliau dengan jejaka tersebut yang sepatutnya berlangsung pada 17 September ini sudah dibatalkan.

BATAL PERKAHWINAN ATAS SEBAB PERIBADI

Menerusi kenyataan media yang dikirimkan kepada BH Online Malaysia, Fara berkata, keputusan membatalkan perkahwinan itu dibuat atas sebab-sebab peribadi yang sukar untuk dikongsi dengan umum.

“Dengan penuh rasa dukacita, saya ingin memaklumkan bahawa hasrat saya untuk menamatkan zaman bujang pada 17 September ini dibatalkan.

“Jujur saya akui, keputusan untuk membatalkan pernikahan ini satu keputusan yang sukar untuk saya,” katanya.

BH Online Malaysia juga menyatakan menurut Fara, keputusan itu dibuat selepas memikirkan perkara itu sebaik-baiknya, selain membincangkan hal berkenaan bersama kedua-dua orang tuanya.

Fara ketika itu menyifatkan perkara yang berlaku sebagai ketentuan Tuhan dan pasti ada hikmah yang menantinya.

“Ketika ini, saya harus mengakui bahawa saya sedang melalui waktu-waktu yang amat sukar dan memerlukan sedikit ruang untuk menenangkan fikiran. Dan saya mungkin tidak dapat menjawab sebarang pertanyaan lanjut daripada rakan-rakan media,” katanya.

Source: Berita MediaCorp

September 7, 2016
Selamat Tinggal Fandi? Pahang Dilapor Berminat

Ikon bola sepak tempatan, Fandi Ahmad, bakal meninggalkan Persatuan Bola Sepak Singapura (FAS).

Ia sekaligus mengosongkan jawatan jurulatih dalam pasukan bola sepak negara sebelum berlangungnya perlawanan Piala Suzuki Persekutuan Bola Sepak ASEAN (AFF) November ini.

Kontrak bekas bintang pasukan Singa itu dengan FAS akan berakhir pada November ini, dan penolong jurulatih pasukan negara itu dipercayai tidak dapat mencapai persetujuan dengan FAS untuk melanjutkan kontrak itu.

FAS AKAN BERTEMU FANDI PADA 8 SEP

Mediacorp difahamkan bahawa FAS akan bertemu dengan Fandi pada Khamis ini (8 Sep) dalam percubaan terakhir untuk mengekalkan legenda bola sepak itu.

Dalam satu kenyataan, jurucakap FAS berkata: “FAS sudah berunding dengan Fandi selama beberapa bulan. Kami melihat Fandi sebagai seseorang yang terus memainkan peranan penting dalam bola sepak Singapura, namun masih terlalu awal untuk memberikan komen kerana rundingan kami masih diteruskan.

“Oleh itu, butiran-butiran kontrak masih harus dirahsiakan. Kami akan membuat pengumuman sebaik sahaja ada sesuatu yang sudah dimuktamadkan dan boleh diumumkan.”

Fandi, 54 tahun, yang kini berada di Indonesia, tidak dapat dihubungi untuk memberikan komen hari ini.

SUMBER: FAS TIDAK DAPAT CAPAI PERSETUJUAN DENGAN FANDI

Isu utama nampaknya tidak ada kaitan dengan kewangan, sebaliknya sumber-sumber mendedahkan bahawa FAS tidak dapat mencapai persetujuan dengan Fandi tentang peranannya di persatuan itu pada masa depan.

Dalam mesyuarat-mesyuarat sebelum ini sejak awal tahun ini, Fandi menyatakan peranan masa depan yang diingininya dan membentangkan rancangannya kepada FAS.

Dipercayai bahawa Jurulatih Terbaik Liga S Tahun 2000 itu mahu fokus terhadap membangunkan pemain-pemain muda. Terutamanya, beliau melahirkan minat membentuk satu pasukan yang layak ke Sukan Olimpik Tokyo 2020.

Namun, meskipun setelah berbulan-bulan berunding, tiada persetujuan dicapai.

FANDI DIKATAKAN PERTIMBANG TAWARAN DARI KELAB M’SIA

Kini, Fandi dikatakan sedang mempertimbangkan beberapa tawaran lumayan dari kelab-kelab bola sepak Malaysia. Beliau dikaitkan dengan jawatan ketua jurulatih di kelab Liga Super Malaysia di Pahang, di mana beliau memenangi Piala dan Liga Malaysia sebagai pemain pada 1992.

Beliau juga dikatakan mungkin kembali ke Johor sebagai jurulatih kelab Liga Premier Malaysia, Johor Darul Ta’zim II.

Langkah Fandi meninggalkan FAS mungkin akan menjejas persiapan pasukan negara menjelang Piala Suzuki AFF pada November ini.

Beliau sudah memegang jawatan sebagai penolong jurulatih Singa – pertama bagi warga Jerman, Bernd Stange dan kemudian penggantinya Sundram – sejak Jun tahun lalu.

Fandi amat popular dan dihormati oleh pasukan Singa, di mana beliau memainkan peranan penting dalam pembangunan pemain-pemain muda negara seperti Gabriel Quak, Madhu Mohana, Izwan Mahbud dan Faris Ramli.

Jika Fandi menyertai kelab Pahang, ia bukan kali pertama beliau akan menjadi jurulatih di kelab Malaysia.

Beliau pernah berkhidmat di Johor Darul Ta’zim pada 2012 dan 2013, sebelum kembali ke Singapura pada 2014 dan menerajui kelab yang kini sudah dibubarkan, LionsXII hingga menjulang Piala FA Malaysia setahun kemudian.

Pahang mencatat prestasi mengecewakan dalam Liga Super Malaysia musim ini, dengan pasukan pimpinan Razip Ismail menduduki tempat paling bawah dalam perlawanan 12 pasukan itu, dan hanya berjaya menang sebanyak tiga kali dalam 19 perlawanan sejauh ini.

Source: Berita MediaCorp

September 7, 2016
Ahmad Stokin: Financial Advisers Are Fake And Insincere, Don’t Let Them Lick Your B****!

Got a call fm a lady who claims to be fm Prudential. She was polite,friendly and all. Started to introduce non stop I had to cut in -“excuse me pls, 1st tell me where you get my number fm?”

She “Oh from our data base” then she continues bla bla bla “are you working,retired or?”

Me “I’m 59 years old not retired,but I dont hv a proper job”

She “Oh in that case errrr this product is only for people with CPF mthly contributions” and suddenly cut off convo, WaterPark!!!!

So why do you think I hate such people. Maybe not all of them but these are the people who make a living thru unsincere smiles and friendly gestures. They can instantly change fm goody friendly sales persons to bitches and morons the moment they knew theyre wasting their own time.

But if they think they can make something out of you,They will go down low, very very low, So low they would even lick your balls!!

P.s. Sorry bitch, cant lick mine today, tomorow Ever!!!

Source: Ahmad Stokin

September 6, 2016