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North Korea sentences American to 15 years hard labour

Posted: 01 May 2013 08:04 PM PDT

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea sentenced U.S. citizen Kenneth Bae to 15 years hard labour on Thursday for committing crimes against the state, a move that will likely see him used as a bargaining chip in talks with Washington.

Bae, 44, was born in South Korea but is a naturalised American citizen and attended the University of Oregon. According to U.S. media, he most recently lived in the Seattle suburb of Lynnwood.

His sentencing comes after two months of sabre-rattling by Pyongyang that saw North Korea threaten both the United States and South Korea with nuclear war.

Bae is believed to be a devout Christian, according to human rights activists in South Korea, who say he may have been arrested for taking pictures of starving children, known as "kotjebi" or fluttering swallows.

Bae was part of a group of five tourists who visited the northeastern North Korean city of Rajin in November and has been held since then.

North Korean state news agency KCNA did not list any specific charge other than crimes against the state, and used a Korean rendering of Bae's name, Pae Jun-ho, when it reported the Supreme Court ruling.

"North Korea has shown their intention to use him as a negotiating card as they have done in the past," said Cheong Seong-chang, senior fellow at the Sejong Institute, a Seoul-based think-tank.

Bae's sentence was heftier than the 12 years handed down to two U.S. journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, in 2009. It took a visit to Pyongyang by former President Bill Clinton to secure their release.

North Korea appears to use the release of high profile American prisoners to extract a form of personal tribute, rather than for economic or diplomatic gain, often portraying visiting dignitaries as paying homage.

"I think his sentencing was hefty. North Korea seemed to consider his acts more severe," said Jang Myung-bong, honorary professor at Kookmin University in Seoul and a North Korea law expert.

Bae was given counsel by the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang, which has consistently declined to comment on the case, as the United States does not have diplomatic relations with the North.

According to North Korean law, the punishment for hostile acts against the state is between five and 10 years hard labour.

(Additional reporting by Christine Kim; Editing by David Chance and Raju Gopalakrishnan)

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

North Korea sentences American to 15 year hard labour

Posted: 01 May 2013 07:35 PM PDT

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's Supreme Court sentenced U.S. citizen Kenneth Bae to 15 years hard labour on Thursday for committing crimes against the North, according to state news agency KCNA.

KCNA said the trial for a man it named as Pae Jun-ho, a Korean rendering of Bae's name, was held on April 30.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by)

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

Boeing board approves new 777 sales - WSJ

Posted: 01 May 2013 06:35 PM PDT

(Reuters) - Boeing Co's board has given its commercial airplanes unit approval to start selling a new version of its long-range 777 jetliner, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing an unnamed person familiar with the decision.

The approval came at a board meeting in Chicago that coincided with Boeing's annual shareholder meeting on Monday, the Journal said.

The Boeing logo is seen at their headquarters in Chicago, April 24, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young

The Boeing logo is seen at their headquarters in Chicago, April 24, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Young

Boeing intends the 777X to be an improvement on its existing 777 models for long-haul service.

The decision allows Boeing to begin formally negotiating deals with airlines for the new jet, the daily said.

A Boeing spokeswoman could not be immediately reached for comment outside regular business hours.

(Reporting by Neha Alawadhi in Bangalore; Editing by Daniel Magnowski)

Copyright © 2013 Reuters

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Marquez calm ahead of Spanish MotoGP

Posted: 01 May 2013 06:27 PM PDT

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, Spain: Marc Marquez became the youngest ever MotoGP winner a fortnight ago but he is not letting that success go to his head as he and his fellow riders prepare for Sunday's Spanish MotoGP at Jerez.

The 20-year-old Spaniard, last year's Moto2 world champion, showed few nerves in capturing the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas, but he says he is not expecting other victories to fall into his lap.

"I have to keep my feet on the ground after my success in the United States because here all the riders have a lot more experience than I do," he admitted.

Chief among those who will be chasing him down will be the Yamaha duo of his compatriot and defending champion Jorge Lorenzo and Italian legend Valentino Rossi.

Lorenzo, who along with Rossi dominated testing in Jerez pre-season, said that the lay-out of the Jerez track would suit him better than the Austin circuit.

He was, however, outridden in this race last year by Honda's now retired Australian star Casey Stoner, who beat him by less than a second.

"The fast bends will make it easier for us here," said Lorenzo, whose third place in the United States was his 100th podium finish 10 years after posting his first with victory in the Brazil Grand Prix.

Yamaha aren't panicking because of Marquez's stunning victory as they had held the upper hand in the opening race when Lorenzo won the Qatar MotoGP with Rossi second.

"The podium is our target," said team chief Wilco Zeelenberg.

"There is no rush to win as there are so many races still remaining."

Marquez's team-mate Dani Pedrosa will also be keen to make his mark after a disappointing start to a season he is hoping will see him finally land the world title that has eluded him since he moved up to this category in 2006.

Pedrosa, 27, has not won at Jerez since 2008 but will be looking to re-establish his pre-season status as number one Honda rider.

British rider Cal Crutchlow too can entertain hopes of victory on his Yamaha M1 as he recorded the fastest time of all the riders in pre-season training.

Ducati have had an even longer wait for victory here than Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden will lead their challenge to secure their first win since Loris Capirossi triumphed in 2006.

The Spanish home crowd will also be praying for wins in the Moto2 and Moto3 races.

Nicolas Terol will be keen to back up his success in Texas - his first win in 18 months - and take the overall lead in the Moto2 standing off consistent British rider Scott Redding.

The Moto3 race looks like being a toss up between three Spaniards Alex Rins, Luis Salom and Maverick Vinales, who has yet to deliver on his pre-season status as title favourite and, unlike his two compatriots, is yet to win this season.-AFP

Motorcyling world championship standings ahead of Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix:

World Championship standings

MotoGP

1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 41 pts, 2. Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Yamaha) 41, 3. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 33, 4. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 30, 5. Cal Crutchlow (GBR/Yamaha) 24, 6. Alvaro Bautista (ESP/Honda) 18, 7. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 18, 8. Nicky Hayden (USA/Ducati) 15, 9. Andrea Iannone (ITA/Ducati) 13, 10. Stefan Bradl (GER/Honda) 11

Moto2

1. Scott Redding (GBR/Kalex) 31 pts, 2. Nicolas Terol (ESP/Suter) 27, 3. Esteve Rabat (ESP/Kalex) 27, 4. Mika Kallio (FIN/Kalex) 27, 5. Dominique Aegerter (SUI/Suter) 26, 6. Pol Espargaro (ESP/Kalex) 25

Moto3

1. Alex Rins (ESP/KTM) 41 pts, 2. Luis Salom (ESP/KTM) 41, 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP/KTM) 40, 4. Jonas Folger (GER/Kalex KTM) 24, 5. Miguel Oliveira (POR/Mahindra) 20

Asyraf reaches second round without lifting racquet

Posted: 01 May 2013 04:46 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: National No. 3 squash player Mohd Asyraf Azan reached the second round of the men's Asian Individual Championships in Islamabad, Pakistan, without lifting his racquet.

The Negri Sembilan player's opponent, Mohammad Hossein Jafari of Iran, did not show up for the first round match yesterday.

The eighth-seeded Asyraf faces local player Ali M.S. Bukhari for a place in the quarter-finals.

"The organisation of the tournament has not been very good. Transportation is poor and information about the tournament is very slow to come out," said national coach Allan Soyza.

"It's pretty chaotic with the organisers, especially with the results, and the way the things are handled."

Malaysia's other two men players – top seed Ong Beng Hee and reigning champion Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan – received first-round byes.

Four-time champion Beng Hee faces his nemesis – local ace and 11th seed – Farhan Mehboob in the second round today.

Farhan defeated Beng Hee in the semi-finals of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

Fourth-seeded Nafiizwan takes on another local player, Farhan Zaman, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Wei Feng and Sonia shown the exit in second round

Posted: 01 May 2013 04:48 PM PDT

THERE was sheer dejection on the faces of World Championships-bound shuttlers Chong Wei Feng and Sonia Cheah after their shock defeats at the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara.

The 25-year-old Wei Feng was sent packing 15-21, 21-16, 19-21 by India's Sameer Verma in the men's singles second round yesterday.

Sameer will take on Hong Kong's Chan Yan Kit, who disposed of Malaysia's 10th seed Mohd Arif Abdul Latif 21-15, 21-18.

World No. 12 Wei Feng, who lost 2kg due to his hectic international schedule in the last two months, took the defeat in his stride.

"I did not play well ... Sameer played a few notches better than me. I knew it was all over when I was trailing 14-20 in the decider. I tried but ...," lamented Wei Feng.

"I know there is no excuse for my defeat today but it's been really hectic for me since the All-England in March. I've been moving from one tournament to another and all that has taken a toll on me.

"But I don't see this as a setback ahead of the World Championships. I still have a few months to get ready for my first major tournament."

It will be now up to Liew Daren, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Goh Soon Huat, Beryno Wong Jiann Tze and Chan Kwong Beng to keep Malaysia's flag flying in the men's singles.

Iskandar faces Lee Dong-keun of South Korea; Soon Huat meets Tanoongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand; Beryno takes on Chen Yuekun of China; Daren against K. Srikanth of India; and Kwong Beng, who trains with coach Li Mao, will be up against Alamsyah Yunus of Indonesia.

Sonia, who has been riding high with several breakthrough wins over higher ranked players in the last one month, was finally brought down to earth with a 21-14, 16-21, 17-21 loss to China-born Liang Xiaoyu of Singapore.

"I came in with high expectations. Unfortunately, I made so many unforced errors," said the 19-year-old Sonia.

"This is disappointing. I have to get back on my feet and be ready for the Sudirman Cup (May 19-26)."

Her elder sister, Lydia Cheah, and World Championships-bound Tee Jing Yi cleared their opening round matches and will take on Indonesia's Hera Desi and Singaporean Xing Aiying respectively for places in the quarter-finals.

There was also another World Champion-ships-bound casualty when Ong Jian Guo-Lim Yin Yoo lost 18-21, 13-21 to Indonesians Praveen Jordan-Vita Marissa.

RESULTS

(Malaysians unless stated)

> MEN'S SINGLES

Second round: Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (Tha) bt Ng Ka Long (Hkg) 21-19, 21-18; K. Srikanth bt Suppanyu Avihingsanon (Tha) 21-9, 21-19; R.M.V. Gurusaidutt (Ind) bt Goh Giap Chin 21-8, 21-9; Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin bt H.S. Prannoy (Ind) 15-21, 21-14, 21-15; Alamsyah Yunus (Ina) bt Loh Kean Yew (Sin) 21-19, 21-19; Goh Soon Huat bt Zulfadli Zulkifli 18-21, 21-16, 21-11; Chan Yan Kit (Hkg) bt Mohd Arif Abdul Latif 21-15, 21-18; Lee Dong-keun (Kor) bt Hwang Jong-soo (Kor) 16-21, 23-21, 22-20; Beryno Wong Jiann Tze bt Takuto Inoue (Jpn) 21-19, 21-17; Daren Liew bt Huang Yuxiang (Chn) 21-18, 21-14; Chan Kwong Beng bt Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub 21-15, 14-21, 21-9; Chen Yuekun (Chn) bt Jiann Shiarng Chiang 21-12, 21-12; Riichi Takeshita (Jpn) bt Kang Yi Gwee 21-6, 21-17; Derek Wong Zi Liang (Sin) bt Hong Ji-hoon (Kor) 21-11, 21-14; Wei Nan (Hkg) bt K. Yogendran 21-13, 21-18; Sameer Verma (Ind) bt Chong Wei Feng 21-15, 16-21, 21-19.

> MEN'S DOUBLES

First round: Bodin Isara-Pakkawat Vilailak (Tha) bt Yonathan Suryatama Dasuki-Hendra Gunawan (Ina) 21-19, 21-6; Takuto Inoue-Yuki Kaneko (Jpn) bt Hafiz Faisal-Putra Eka Rhoma (Ina) 21-17, 21-14; Hardi Hardianto-Agripinna Prima Rahmanto Putra (Ina) bt S. Sanjeeth-Jagadish Yadav (Ind) 21-16, 21-17; Gan Teik Chai-Ong Soon Hock bt Chan Tsz Kit-Lo Lok Kei (Hkg) 22-20, 16-21, 21-17; Chow Pak Chuu-Tan Bin Shen bt Christopher Rusdianto-Trikusuma Wardhana (Ina) 18-21, 23-21, 21-16; Andrei Adistia-Gideon Markus Fernaldi (Ina) bt Chan Yun Lung-Wong Wai Hong (Hkg) 21-15, 21-14; Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong bt Ong Jian Guo-Teo Kok Siang 13-21, 21-13, 21-14; Ronald Alexander-Selvanus Geh (Ina) bt Nelson Heg Wei Keat-Teo Ee Yi 21-12, 21-18; Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han bt Mohd Razif Abdul Latif-Mohd Hafiz Hashim 21-16, 21-12; Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari bt Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Liu Yi (Sin) 15-21, 21-13, 21-12; Terry Hee-Terry Yeo Zhao Jiang (Sin) bt Kazuya Itani-Tomoya Takashina (Jpn) 22-20, 21-18; Maneepong Jongjit-Nipitphon Puangpuapech (Tha) bt Low Juan Shen-Tan Yip Jiun 21-23, 21-19, 21-9; Alven Yulianto-Markis Kido (Ina) bt Fernando Kurniawan-Lee Chun Hei (Hkg) 21-15, 21-11; Chen Zhuofu-Lu Kai (Chn) bt Ashton Chen Yong Zhao-Derek Wong Zi Liang (Sin) 21-18, 21-9; Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong bt Rafiddias Akhdan Nugroho-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (Ina) 21-16, 21-8; Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah bt Wahyu Nayaka Arya Pankaryanira-Ade Yusuf (Ina) 21-18, 21-17.

> WOMEN'S SINGLES

First round: Hera Desi (Ina) bt Chochuwong Pornpawee (Tha) 21-12, 11-21, 21-7; Lydia Cheah bt Millicent Wiranto (Ina) 21-16, 21-17; Tee Jing Yi bt Lee Min-ji (Kor) 21-17, 21-8; Yao Xue (Chn) bt P.C. Thulasi (Ind) 21-18, 21-5; Xing Aiying (Sin) bt Febby Angguni (Ina) 21-10, 21-15; Maria Febe Kusumastuti (Ina) bt Arundhati Pantawane (Ind) 13-21, 21-10, 21-14; Gu Jun (Sin) bt Cheng Shao-chieh (Tpe) 21-9, 18-21, 22-20; Aya Ohori (Jpn) bt Lim Chiew Sien 21-12, 21-12; Kana Ito (Jpn) bt Tanvi Lad (Ind) 21-8, 21-14; Sarita Suwannakitborihan (Tha) bt Kim Soo-jin (Kor) 21-10, 21-17; Nichaon Jindapon (Tha) bt Simone Prutsch (Aus) 21-11, 21-14; Busanan Ongbumrungpan (Tha) bt Anna Rankin (Nzl) 21-5, 21-8; Cheung Ngan Yi (Hkg) bt Kim Hyo-min (Kor) 21-17, 21-14; P.V. Sindhu (Ind) bt Chen Jiayuan (Sin) 21-13, 19-21, 21-13; Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Tha) bt Yang Li Lian 21-15, 21-15; Liang Xiaoyu (Sin) bt Sonia Cheah 14-21, 21-16, 21-7.

> WOMEN'S DOUBLES

First round: Fu Mingtian-Shinta Mulia Sari (Sin) bt Erica Khoo Pei Shan 21-16, 11-21, 21-12; Shella Devi Aulia-Khairunnisa Imma Muthiah (Ina) bt Chau Hoi Wah-Shek Hiu Yiu (Hkg) 15-21, 22-20, 21-18; Melati Daeva Oktaviani-Rosyita Eka Putri Sari (Ina) bt Rie Eto-Aya Shimozaki (Jpn) 21-8, 11-21, 21-14; Gu Juan-Liang Xiaoyu (Sin) bt Anna Rankin-Madelein Stapleton (Nzl) 21-8, 21-8; Chochuwong Pornpawee-Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Tha) bt Maretha Dae Giovani-Melvira Oklamona (Ina) 21-17, 21-13; Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean bt Natcha Saengchote-Sarita Suwannakitborihan (Tha) 21-9, 21-16; Luo Yu-Yaqiang Huang (Chn) bt Teoh Mei Xing-Too Shen Yee 21-4, 21-7; Liang Xiaoyu (Sin) bt Sonia Cheah 14-21, 21-16, 21-17.

> MIXED DOUBLES

Second round: Kai Lu-Luo Yu (Chn) bt Chooi Kah Ming-Chow Mei Kuan 21-15, 22-20; Edi Subaktiar-Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja (Ina) bt Danny Bawa Chrisnanta-Vanessa Neo Yu Yan (Sin) 11-21, 21-17, 21-18; Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying bt Lee Chun Hei-Chau Hoi Wah (Hkg) 21-18, 19-21, 21-17; Gideon Markus Fernaldi-Aprilsasi Putri Lejarsar Variella (Ina) bt Chayut Triyachart-Peerya Munkitamorn (Sin-Tha) 22-20, 16-21, 21-17; Tan Aik Quan-Lai Pei Jing bt Terry Yeo Zhao Jiang-Shinta Mulia Sari 18-21, 21-13, 21-14; Chan Yun Lung-Tse Ying Suet (Hkg) bt Fernando Kurniawan-Shel Hiu Yiu (Hkg) 21-14, 21-14; Praveen Jordan-Vita Marissa (Ina) bt Ong Jian Guo-Lim Yin Loo 21-18, 21-13; Lukhi Apri Nugroho-Annisa Saufika (Ina) bt Markis Kido-Pia Zebadiah Bernadeth (Ina) 21-19, 24-22.

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China retailers ride on junket format

Posted: 01 May 2013 06:24 PM PDT

SHANGHAI: With flagging sales in their mainland stores and increasingly price savvy consumers, luxury companies are taking a leaf out of casinos' play books by offering junkets to wealthy Chinese clients eager to splurge in their Hong Kong stores.

For companies like PPR and LVMH, who have spent the past few years building stores across China, the shift toward overseas spending is forcing them to adapt their strategy in China to the tune of: if you can't beat them join them.

"Luxury companies' results for Q1 certainly suggest that sales to Chinese consumers outside of China continue to grow faster than sales to Chinese consumers within China," said Vincent Liu, managing director of Boston Consulting Group in Hong Kong.

He said about a third of luxury sales from handbags and shoes to cosmetics to Chinese take place in China versus a third in Hong Kong or Macau and a third in the rest of the world.

Luxury goods in mainland China can be anywhere between 30%-40% more expensive than in Hong Kong due to luxury and import taxes as well as pricing strategies.

"Their real stores are in Hong Kong or Paris. Their Chinese stores are just store fronts," said Renee Hartmann, co-founder of consultancy China Luxury Advisors.

Upmarket brands are increasingly holding private events in Beijing or Shanghai for an exclusive clientele events where they pay deposits on items in the mainland and then are flown on an all-inclusive trip to Hong Kong to complete the purchase.

This not only helps manage relationships with wealthy clients, it also functions as an expensive marketing scheme. Industry experts compare this to tactics used by gambling firms to lure high-rollers to casinos by flying them in using private jets and putting them up in five-star hotels.

"For their real VIP customers, they do whatever they think is necessary," said Torsten Stocker, head of Monitor Deloitte's China consumer section. "You see the same with high-end gambling where people get flown to the casinos in Macau or Singapore."

China's new leader Xi Jinping earlier this year announced a crackdown on corruption and urged the political elite to refrain from flashy displays of wealth. This has had a negative impact on the practice of "gifting" where executives or officials are given luxury items in return for favours. This shift is forcing luxury brands to re-evaluate the role of their China stores and overseas stores.

"They are thinking less about Where do I open my next few stores', How can I speed up my expansion' but more, What role do the stores in China play, what roles do the stores overseas play and how many stores in China do I really need?' That's a different way of thinking than maybe two to three years ago," Stocker said.

LVMH, the world's No.1 luxury goods group, said this month that demand in China in the past nine to 10 months had been flattish due to a weakening in economic growth and a government crackdown on gifts for favours. Price increases in Europe have made shopping in Paris and Milan less attractive for tourists from Asia, but it still remains a top desination for Chinese luxury spenders.

LVMH said earlier this year it had put the brakes on Louis Vuitton's global expansion.

The impact from the anti-corruption measures have also hit watchmakers and jewelers. They too are taking to the "junket" format as a way to facilitate the overseas spending. - Reuters

 

Corporates want more transparency and stability in banking sector

Posted: 01 May 2013 06:15 PM PDT

PETALING JAYA: Banks have been encouraged to up the ante in areas such as transparency, stability and financial performance, as corporate executives are increasingly becoming more interested in understanding banks' risk profiles as well as the stability of the banks that they work with.

As more Malaysian businesses expand beyond the border, corporates are beginning to question the stability and financial performance of their banking partners in keeping up with this growth.

According to a survey conducted by Ernst & Young (E&Y), the single largest disparity between client expectation and bank performance has to do with the lack of transparency on key risk parameters.

E&Y partner of financial services Chan Hooi Lam said the report offered relevant lessons to Malaysian and other Asian banks on how to improve their core offerings and relationship with corporate clients.

The survey, "Successful corporate banking: Focus on the fundamentals", measured responses from chief financial officers, treasurers and senior financial executives from 20 of the largest global corporations across nine industries and 11 countries.

Two-thirds of those surveyed thought that their banks' position and transparency on risk, liquidity and capital, and portfolio concentration weree important but only a quarter of those surveyed said their banks were willing to share this information.

More than half of the corporate executives indicated that while they were highly satisfied with the service their banks provided, they questioned their banks' ability to meet several key performance criteria.

The criteria and discussion of the survey focused on several key performance categories, which included service and products, cost, location, technology and innovation, and post-financial-crisis stability.

According to the survey, banks fell short of corporates' expectations on 11 out of the 16 criteria. The key areas were transparency, stability and financial performance, innovative services and products, service and product quality, ability to customise offerings, market coverage, and cost of services.

The after-effects of the global financial crisis and the ongoing challenges faced by the eurozone have forced corporations to focus on the stability of core banks, said E&Y lead global banking analyst Steven Lewis.

"Counter party risk and exposure from core banks have become heightened concerns for large corporates and as a result, we predict that banks will have to be more transparent about their risk profiles," he said.

Corporate banking clients also recommended that banks concentrate on the intangible aspects of relationship management.

"A key takeaway here is listening. If you truly understand a client's needs and wants, then you can more consistently deliver a high-quality product or service. It is important for banks to demonstrate commitment and attentiveness to its corporate clients. And this holds true throughout good and bad economic cycles," Chan added.

More than half of the respondents said that the greatest challenge in working with banks was the lack of consistency and quality of services across geographies.

The second and third challenges were outdated processes and systems, and bureaucracy and inflexibility.

"Corporates expect top-tier banks to come to the table with a certain depth and breadth of products and services. They look to the banks as thinking partners' who provide them relevant solutions they can implement across their businesses.

"The challenge for banks will be making sure their local teams are communicating, aligning compensation and rewards to extract the best work, and reducing personnel turnover to ensure consistency in capacity and service quality wherever they do business," Chan said.

 

Malaysia's blue chips start May in the red

Posted: 01 May 2013 06:15 PM PDT

Published: Thursday May 2, 2013 MYT 9:16:00 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's FBM KLCI, which rose to an all-time high of 1,717.65 on Tuesday, fell in early trade following the weaker regional markets and the overnight fall on Wall Street.

At 9am, the KLCI was down 2.64 points to 1,715.01. Turnover was 7.20 million shares valued at RM13.23mil. There were 43 gainers, 39 losers and 67 counters unchanged.

Hwang DBS Vickers Research (HDBSVR) said it the KLCI was expected to retreat from the resistance hurdle of 1,720 ahead.

It said key US indices fell 0.9% overnight. This followed the US Federal Open Market Committee meeting which revealed that the policymakers would continue their bond-buying programme with an option to either increase or decrease the amount depending on the economic condition.

At Bursa Malaysia, BAT fell 32 sen to RM63 in thin trade while Genting Bhd lost 12 sen to RM10.38 and HL Bank slipped six sen to RM14.40.

FGV, SapuraKencana Petroleum and CIMB fell four sen each to RM4.58, RM3.14 and RM7.70 respectively.

MAS was the most active with 1.29 million shares done, up one sen to 33 sen as it traded ex-rights. AirAsia added one sen to RM2.94.

Nestle rose the most, up 20 sen to RM62 while Maybank added three sen to RM9.65.

 

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GE13: Irate SAPP chief Yong confronts Pakatan leaders over Project IC allegations

Posted: 01 May 2013 08:50 AM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: A furious 45-minute confrontation between the DAP and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) raised temperatures in the Chinese enclave of Foh Sang in Luyang here Wednesday night.

Police had to step in around 9pm to calm the situation, triggered by an argument at a Pakatan Rakyat ceramah over who was to blame for the controversial 'Project IC' in which illegal immigrants obtained identity cards to become voters.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee barged in and confronted DAP leaders at the ceramah, saying he wanted to give his side of the story, after his request for a public debate was turned down by DAP.

Yong left only when requested to by the police. He then walked over to his ceramah, which was being held 50m away.

There, he told supporters that he had gone over to clarify that he was not involved in Project IC.

He said Sabah PKR leader Chong En Leong was ready to take the stage to clarify that Yong was not involved but DAP elections director Fred Fung did not allow it.

Other leaders such Luyang candidate Hieu King Chiew (DAP) and Api Api candidate Christina Liew (PKR) also refused.

"I wanted a chance to reply to their lies in a debate and even then, I was refused," Yong said.

He claimed PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was in the know about Project IC as he was the deputy prime minister in 1994 when Yong was Sabah Barisan Nasional elections director.

"Why are they blaming me when Anwar knows it all? Chong is so close to (former chief minister) Osu Sukam and he knows it all too," Yong said.

He said SAPP would fight and win on the truth.

"We do not want to win on lies," he said, adding that Anwar could easily give Sabah Pakatan leaders a clearer picture on all those involved in Project IC.

"I just don't know why they want to mention my name. This is Sabah. Nobody can bully a Sabahan," he said.

There was no more mention of Project IC in the Pakatan ceramah.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

GE13: Kelantan PAS information officer Abdul Hamid withdraws support for Pakatan

Posted: 01 May 2013 08:25 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Kelantan PAS information officer and speaker Ustaz Abdul Hamid Derani has withdrawn his support for Pakatan Rakyat, saying that existing conflict between the coalition's partners would only worsen if they took Putrajaya.

"I see allies at war with each other over seats, a clear sign of fractures in the coalition. Imagine what will happen when they have to form a government?" he said.

Abdul Hamid, a former Umno member, said this became clear to him on nomination day when several multi-cornered fights between Pakatan allies materialised.

He said although most had been resolved, grassroots tension remained high.

Abdul Hamid said that if Pakatan won, there would be conflict on three major points - who would be Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister as well as Cabinet Ministers.

He reiterated Umno's statements that Pakatan would plunge the country into chaos if given the mandate.

However Abdul Hamid said he wished to remain a PAS member, but acknowledged his statements could cause him to be kicked out.

"I am confident I will be and I leave the punishment up to the central committee. But that is not important as I need to tell the truth," he said.

Amdul Hamid, who was surrounded by Barisan officials at a press conference, added that he felt PKR would not agree to the implementation of hudud law if it formed the government.

"They all have different ideologies and are still fighting over them this close to polling day," he said.

PAS sources said that Abdul Hamid was a former Umno speaker who served as a religious assistant to International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

He defected to PAS in 2007 where he served as a speaker as well as Kelantan PAS information officer.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

GE13: Jenice Lee turns down Kit Siang's offer to plead on her behalf

Posted: 01 May 2013 07:44 AM PDT

PETALING JAYA: Teratai independent candidate and former Selangor DAP Socialist Youth chief Jenice Lee will not withdraw from contesting in the 13th general election.

In a statement Wednesday, she said she appreciated the offer from DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang to plead on her behalf if she withdrew her candidacy, but doing so would amount to betraying her supporters.

"I hope he can give me 30 minutes to meet for one last time, and if he still insists I withdraw, I hope to know the reasons for his insistence," she said.

Lee said Lim did not understand the cause of events in Teratai.

Earlier in the day, Lim said he was prepared to plead on behalf Lee if she withdrew from contesting in the May 5 polls.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

Related Stories:
GE13: Kit Siang ready to plead Jenice Lee's case if she withdraws as Independent

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The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies

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The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies


Woody Allen to make next film in France

Posted: 01 May 2013 12:41 AM PDT

LOS ANGELES: Woody Allen is to make his next movie in the south of France, starring Britain's Oscar-winning Colin Firth and US actress Emma Stone, the project's producers announced Tuesday.

The as-yet-untitled film, to be shot this summer, will be the second set in France by the 77-year-old cult director, who scored his biggest commercial hit ever with 2011's "Midnight in Paris."

Allen has made a series of Europe-based movies in recent years - "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" in 2008 and 2012's "To Rome with Love" - and has hired a number of collaborators from those movies for the new film.

Cinematographer Darius Khondji, production designer Anne Seibel and costume designer Sonia Grande all worked on "Midnight in Paris" and "To Rome with Love," while Grande also worked on "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

The new Gravier Productions film is produced by Allen's longtime associates, Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, who have worked with Allen for a decade and a half, they said in a statement.

After early classics like "Annie Hall" (1977), 1979's "Manhattan" and "Hannah and Her Sisters" in 1986, Allen fans had become used to mild disappointment with his annual output, until the last five or ten years.

"To Rome With Love" made $68 million at the global box office, a decent sum for an Allen film, but way behind the $155 million earned by "Midnight in Paris."

Allen's latest film "Blue Jasmine," a drama co-starring Cate Blanchett, Sally Hawkins and Alec Baldwin, will be released in the United States in July, and in several European countries in August and September. - AFP

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The Star Online: Metro: Central

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GE13: Printing companies working overtime

Posted: 01 May 2013 05:59 AM PDT

THE car sticker trend is heating up just like GE13 as candidates in the Klang Valley scramble to make themselves as visible as possible.

Eureka Reprographic Sdn Bhd proprietor Tommy Chin said the use of car stickers was certainly a growing trend as he had done up more than 50 vehicles even before the campaign period entered its second week.

"The candidates are inspired by their comrades' or opponents' use of the new tool.

"Apart from party logos and mascots, candidates also have half-body photographs plastered on the vehicles," he said.

Tensions run high at Chin's factory in Pudu just like any candidate's war room as the 10 employees struggle to meet the stream of orders despite the printing press running round-the-clock.

"Business during this period is almost three times more than regular days.

"Other players in the industry are experiencing the same, if not more, and some of their earnings are astronomical," he said.

Chin, who has been in the business for 30 years, added that fortunately, when the orders poured in, there was no shortage of ink and sheets on the market but printers had to race to find sticks for the bunting, and there was a price hike.

The company prints bunting, banners and car stickers but Chin said car stickers, which make up only 20% of the sales, were the least welcomed order because the job was time-consuming.

It takes an average of two employees working three hours to complete one job.

"Although you can download designs from the Internet, we still need to get the measurements correct to fit the vehicles they use.

"A lot of work is involved," he said.

Chin said the commercial price to adorn the entire vehicle with stickers could be about RM5,000 but he charged only RM1,000.

Likewise, he charged RM850 to decorate two doors even though it usually cost more than RM1,000.

The trend is further pushed by supporters and Chin said so far, 20 customers had placed orders for car stickers to promote the political parties they supported.

He said the pressure of printing fast increased after nomination day, and most of the orders needed to be delivered within hours.

Asked what happened to the bunting after the election, Chin said, sadly, the materials were not recyclable.

"We cannot do much with the bunting, I can only take back the large posters and send them to Cameron Highlands as some farmers use them to cover the soil.

"The others will be discarded," he said.

During a visit to the factory, Taman Medan independent candidate Kamarul Zaman could be seen placing an order for 3,000 pieces of posters, leaflets and bunting.

"Half of my campaign budget of RM50,000 goes to printing materials," he said.

GE13: Win or lose Dr Lai will provide service

Posted: 01 May 2013 05:54 AM PDT

BALAKONG Barisan Nasional candidate Dr Lai Kwong Choy has pledged to help his constituents regardless of the outcome in GE13.

"As part of my campaign, I pledge to establish a kidney dialysis centre as well as start an education fund for poor and deserving students in Balakong," said Dr Lai during lunch at a restaurant in Impian Ehsan here.

Selangor MCA chairman Datuk Donald Lim was also present.

"The dialysis centre will be funded by a group of factory owners who want to do their bit for charity.

"There are many dialysis patients who cannot afford the treatments.

"As for the education fund, it will help students with financial constraints at the tertiary level.

"Funds for this will be collected via charity dinners and given out on an interest-free basis.

The students can repay the money once they graduate and secure a job.

"This will allow the fund to grow and benefit more needy students," said Dr Lai, adding that both the projects are solely to reduce the burden of people in Balakong.

He added that as he came from a poor family, he understood about hardship and wanted to help.

Dr Lai, who has been living in Balakong for over 20 years, serving the people through his clinic here, said he was grateful for the support shown.

However, he said being a doctor meant he could only attend to one patient at a time, while as an assemblyman, he could serve more people.

"At my clinic, I provide free treatment for single mothers and their children, until they turn 18," said Dr Lai.

Lim, in his speech, said he was confident Dr Lai will win as he was a local and popular among the people, adding that MCA candidates were on the ground going house-to-house and visiting markets.

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The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

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Korean rapper Psy’s story immortalised in comic book

Posted: 30 Apr 2013 08:52 PM PDT

THE story of South Korean rap sensation Psy's ascent to global stardom with his megahit Gangnam Style has now been immortalised in full colour and with appropriate dramatic flourishes in a comic book.

Fame:Psy, which went on sale in the United States and South Korea on Wednesday, focuses mainly on what went into making Gangnam Style, which catapulted the sunglassed singer with the garish jackets to global fame and became YouTube's most popular song ever with more than 1.5 billion hits.

"Has he fallen from the sky? Has he risen from the earth?" the comic begins, with illustrations showing Psy - in the suits he made famous in Gangnam Style and striking poses from his "Horse Riding Dance" - descending from heaven and bursting through the earth.

"It was the end of summer, 2012, when a little-known Asian rapper put his music video on YouTube. It exploded in popularity," continues the 26-page tale, from US publisher Bluewater Productions and South Korean firm able.

"His stubby build and dynamic stage presence caught people's eyes. Psy's not your typical pop star".

In similarly breathless prose, the comic covers the decade of Psy's pre-Gangnam career in Korea, the origins of the video and the dance, and the fame that followed, including scenes of a delighted Psy teaching UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon his dance and performing for US President Barack Obama.

The comic, which also touches on the less happy parts of Psy's past such as being charged with possession of marijuana in 2002, includes a guide that shows readers how to do Psy's dance themselves.

It ends with the release of Psy's second video, Gentleman, last month. The video has racked up nearly 260 million YouTube hits after smashing the previous record of first-day views for songs, and hit fifth place on the Billboard Hot 100 last week. - Reuters

Paramedic: Michael Jackson seemed at end of long illness

Posted: 30 Apr 2013 08:48 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES: The first paramedic on scene at Michael Jackson's home the day he died said Tuesday the singer looked emaciated and like someone at the end of a chronic illness.

On the second day of a trial pitting Jackson's mother against tour promoter AEG Live, paramedic Richard Senneff - the first witness to be called - said doctor Conrad Murray was "frantic, pale and sweating."

"The patient was in pajamas. He looked very pale, very, very underweight," he said, recounting how he was called to the self-styled King of Pop's plush Holmby Hills mansion on June 25, 2009.

"He looked very ill .. To me, he looked like someone who was at the end stage of a long disease process," he added.

Murray - who is serving four years in jail after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 - "looked at me blankly at first," said Senneff, who was among witnesses who testified at the medic's 2011 trial.

"He was frantic, pale, sweating. He identified himself as a cardiologist," Senneff added, answering questions from Katherine Jackson's lawyer Brian Panish at the Los Angeles Superior Court, where the wrongful death trial started Monday.

"It just looked a lot more complicated than dehydration and exhaustion," Senneff testified.

When he asked Murray when the emergency had happened, Murray said: "Just this minute. Right when I called you," he told the court, adding that Jackson's eyes were dilated and his skin cool.

This suggested to him that the star had been dead for as long as an hour, he said.

The 50-year-old singer died from an overdose of powerful sedative and anesthetic propofol, administered by Murray to help the "Thriller" legend deal with chronic insomnia.

At the time of his death, he was rehearsing for a series of 50 shows in London, organized with AEG, in an attempt to revive his career and ease his financial woes.

On Monday the lawyer for 82-year-old Katherine Jackson accused tour promoter AEG of sacrificing the troubled star in a "ruthless" pursuit of profit in the months before his death.

But Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) lawyer Marvin Putnam argued the mega pop star had hidden the evidence of his addiction and health woes from everyone, including his family and the concert promoters.

Putman said evidence to be presented during the trial, likely to last at least three months, would show that Jackson began using propofol to help him sleep as far back as the 1990s, but concealed it from almost everyone. -AFP

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The Star Online: Metro: South & East

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GE13: Johor police personnel cast their votes for GE13

Posted: 30 Apr 2013 04:08 PM PDT

JOHOR BARU: For Insp Nor Azian Nayan, being among the first to cast her vote made her proud to have fulfilled her responsibility as a citizen.

The 31-year-old, who was a first-time voter, felt she now has a purpose and that she had played her part in deciding for the country's future.

"I was posted to the Johor state police headquarters from Perak in August, 2008 but missed the chance to vote then.

"I am glad that we now have the advanced voting option for uniformed personnel who have been deployed elsewhere can cast their respective votes," she said.

She added that despite her first time, she did not feel nervous at all because she asked for tips and advice from her colleagues who had voted before.

"They taught me the procedure and the correct way to mark the ballot paper so I felt like I knew what I was doing," she said.

Her colleague M. Nalini, 24, also a first-time voter, said she had been waiting for years before she could exercise her right to vote.

"I have been paying attention to the news and politics in the country through the newspapers and television and I am glad that I have finally voted.

"I can now proudly show my friends and family the indelible maroon mark on my index finger to show that I have voted," she said.

They were among the total 8,429 police personnel in Johor registered as advanced voters who cast their vote at 53 polling stations statewide including at district police stations.

GE13: Pekan Nenas shopkeeper receives Najib at his shop during his walkabout

Posted: 30 Apr 2013 07:49 PM PDT

PONTIAN: Shop owner Wong Teck Ho, 43, thought he was dreaming when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak walked into his shop to shake his hands during his walkabout here.

"I recognise his face from the television news and newspaper reports but I never thought that he would enter my shop and shake hands with me," he said adding that it was an honour to meet Najib.

Wong said that he had heard news that Najib would be attending an event in town but never thought that it would bring him to his doorstep.

"We never get many big names or celebrities in Pekan Nenas.

"It is just a small town so its definitely a pleasant surprise for us," he said adding that his only regret was that he did not have a camera in hand to photograph the moment.

Siti Mariam Ali Bawah, 54, said that it was exciting to finally be able to shake hands and meet Najib in person.

"I was so excited when I heard that he is coming to town and I decided that I must meet him.

"I woke early and stood outside the shop where he was scheduled to have breakfast about two hours prior to the event just to make sure that I could get in," she said.

Student, Sakinah Umar, 22, said that Najib is a nice person and was unlike some of the claims written in blogs.

"People said that he is arrogant but all I noticed was his warm smile," she said adding that it was nice to see the leader walking through the town and stopping at a normal mamak shop for breakfast.

Najib was also accompanied on his walkabouts by his son Nor Ashman and Barisan candidates for the Tanjong Piai Parliamentary seat Datuk Wee Jeck Seng, Pekan Nenas state seat Wong You Fong and Kukup state seat Suhaimi Salleh.

Also present was his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammud-din Tun Hussein, Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan, Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and other local leaders.

GE13: Debate on hudud is over for now, says Dzulkefly

Posted: 30 Apr 2013 04:09 PM PDT

JOHOR BARU: As far as Johor PAS is concerned, the hudud issue has come to an end in the state, said its deputy chief Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said instead of championing the implementation of hudud, PAS and other Pakatan Rakyat member parties have agreed that their main agenda was to eliminate abuse of powers and corruption in the country. Dzulkefly claimed that the hudud issue which had suddenly resurfaced was a trap set up by Umno and Barisan to scare off voters especially non-Muslims days before polling day.

"We will not fall into their trap. Our main focus now is to win the election," he said.

Dzulkefly said PAS, DAP and PKR would not lose focus in their campaign rounds in Johor even with the hudud issue making headlines now.

"Instead we will beef up our machinery to ensure that people remain with us," he added.

He said the state PAS leadership also agreed with calls made by the PAS central leadership urging its members to stop making comments on hudud in the media as the timing was inappropriate.

Instead, he said, they should remain united to ensure Pakatan victory in the election.

Dzulkefly said that when asked to comment on the statement made by Johor DAP deputy chairman Norman Fernandez urging non-Muslim voters not to vote for PAS as it was serious in wanting to implement its brand of hudud.

In an article written in the blog syedoutsidethebox.blogspot.com, Fernandez had urged voters to reject PAS in the general election.

The senior DAP leader said "non-Muslims must realise that PAS will do what it has set out to do if its gains power".

Dzulkefly also said that even if hudud law was to be implemented in Johor it would be done through the legal process and not at the whim and fancy of PAS as claimed by some people.

"We want to assure non-Muslims that if PAS takes over Johor from Barisan, the implementation of hud-ud will only be imposed on Muslims in the state,'' he said.

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The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health

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Physical activity is good for health

Posted: 01 May 2013 02:31 AM PDT

A regular 'dose' of physical activity is vital for good health.

THE biggest threat to Malaysians comes in the form of non-communicable disease (NCDs). These include diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hypertension and cancer.

The 2011 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) revealed disturbing statistics regarding the rising trend of NCDs. The results of the survey showed that the elderly are not the only ones affected. Even the young are not spared.

You should certainly be aware that the two main culprits for the increasing prevalence of NCDs are unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles (or physical inactivity).

While practising a healthy diet is important, you also need to incorporate physical activity and exercise into your daily routines. This will help push back the rising tide of NCDs.

Reaping the benefits

Although physical activity sounds like a chore, it provides you with great benefits, which include:

*Reduced risk of developing NCDs

Exercise and physical activity help prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and certain cancers. They increase the level of HDL (good) cholesterol, make your heart muscles work by pumping more blood to the body, help stabilise your blood sugar levels, and reduce your risk of developing cancers.

*Weight control

Leading an active lifestyle helps maintain a healthy body weight; this can be achieved by balancing what you eat to match your body's output.

*Improve mood and mental health

Regular physical activity can stimulate the secretion of various chemicals such as endorphins in the brain. These may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed, thus making you feel better about yourself and your appearance when you exercise regularly. This will boost your self-confidence and also improve your self-esteem.

*Increase life expectancy

Better physical fitness means a reduction in the risk of premature death. According to the US Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC), you can increase your life span by doing at least 150 minutes (or five times a week, 30 minutes each time) a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

*Strengthen bones and muscles

Research has shown that regularly carrying out aerobic exercises, together with muscle and bone strengthening physical activities on a moderately intense level, can slow the loss of bone density that comes with age.

Muscle-strengthening activities help you increase and/or maintain your muscle mass and strength; it is vital to protect your bones, joints and muscles as you get older.

Stop delaying, just get started

No time? That's a poor excuse! There are 1,440 minutes (24 hours) in a day, so spending 30 minutes a day to exercise will only take up 2% of your whole day. If there's something you need to quit, it's to quit finding excuses and just start exercising.

The Malaysian Dietary Guidelines (MDG) recommends a mix of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities five times a week for a duration of 30 minutes each, for a total of150 minutes a week.

You can begin by choosing a variety of different ways to boost your activity level. One way is by doing moderate-intensity physical activities such as brisk walking, cycling, or dancing, for five or six days a week, preferably daily.

Participate in activities that increase your flexibility, strength and muscle strength as frequently as two to three times a week. You should aim for at least 30 minutes daily. Your target is to make your body less static; get in gear and move.

Even 10 minutes of exercise counts. The recommendation of 30 minutes of exercise can be split into shorter sessions. Do 15 minutes in the morning, and 15 minutes at night; that's equivalent to 30 minutes a day. As your fitness level improves, gradually increase the intensity and amount of time spent exercising.

Here are some tips on what you can aim to do:

Active anytime, anywhere, everyday

Go the extra mile by moving your body and staying active. Any type of physical activity uses energy/calories.

*Make a conscious effort to take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator.

*Take a walk or cycle when you go somewhere nearby.

*Do more housework around the house like sweeping, mopping, gardening, etc.

*Regardless of whether you drive or take public transport, park or get off the bus/MRT/taxi further away from your destination and walk there.

*Do some stretches, exercises, or pedal a stationary bike while watching television.

*Briskly step up and down the first two steps of your house's staircase. Do this for about 10 minutes in the morning and in the evening.

Work your heart out, five to six times a week

Aerobic exercises burn more calories than normal daily activities and also improve your stamina while exercising your muscles. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of these activities:

*Play badminton, ping-pong, basketball, or any other sport with your friends or colleagues.

*Go for brisk walking, jogging, or cycling.

*Start swimming.

*Get your family involved in sports like football, futsal, badminton racquetball, tennis, squash, basketball, or rock-climbing.

Stretch your muscles and build up your strength and endurance, two to three times a week

Some activities help to build your endurance and muscle strength, and at the same time, improve flexibility too. These activities are equally important for your overall health:

*Work out with weights, a fitness ball, or exercise bands.

*Work out using your own body weight such as push ups, sit ups, lunges or squats.

*Learn and start practising martial arts, dance, tai chi or yoga.

*Be sure to include running and distance cycling to increase your endurance level.

*Spread out any physical activity that targets endurance in order to avoid excessive fatigue and to reduce your risk of injury.

As you can see, you actually have plenty of opportunities to engage in daily physical activities like walking, gardening, doing household chores or walking up and down the stairs. You should keep this up and gradually increase the intensity of these activities day by day.

Ultimately, you should then include a more comprehensive workout routine into your daily life.

This article is courtesy of Nutrition Month Malaysia 2013, an annual community nutrition education programme by Nutrition Society of Malaysia, Malaysian Dietitians' Association and Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity. The NMM 2013 programme is supported by our main sponsor, Danone Dumex (M) Sdn Bhd; and our cosponsors A Clouet & Co (KL) Sdn Bhd (Ayam Brand), Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, Gardenia Bakeries KL Sdn Bhd, Legosan (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Biogrow Oats BG22), Malaysia Milk Sdn Bhd (Vitagen), Nestlè Products Sdn Bhd, Serba Wangi Sdn Bhd (EcoBrown) and Yakult Malaysia Sdn Bhd. To learn more about other interesting nutrition information, join us at the Nutrition Month Malaysia "Eat Right, Be Active: Stay Free From Diet Related Disease" Family Carnival at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre (Hall 1) on Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4, 2013. There will be free nutrition screenings, expert advice from nutritionists and dietitians, exciting activities, and much more. So bring your family along and join in the fun from 10 am onwards. For more information, call 03-5632 3301, visit the Nutrition Month Malaysia Facebook page or www.nutritionmonthmalaysia. org.my.

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