Isnin, 31 Mac 2014

The Star Online: Metro: Sunday Metro

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The Star Online: Metro: Sunday Metro

Ban on Ashley Madison site stands
Serial upskirt offender jailed
Malaysian in checkpoint breach may face more charges

Ban on Ashley Madison site stands

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

THE founder of extramarital dating portal Ashley Madison has not given up on trying to get the ban on the local edition of the website lifted – months after it was blocked by the authorities.

This even after the Media Development Authority (MDA) had earlier this month rebuffed the latest attempt by Canadian businessman Noel Biderman to negotiate a review of the ban.

His lawyers had sent a letter to the MDA on Feb 3 requesting a meeting, but the regulator replied on March 5, saying it intended to stand firm on its decision to block the site here.

An MDA spokesman said yesterday that the letter from Avid Life Media, which Biderman heads, "discloses no basis in fact or law to merit any review of MDA's decision to block the Ashley Madison website".

"As such, we have declined their offer to meet on the matter," she added.

The Canada-based portal, known for its tagline "Life is short. Have an affair", apparently has 24 million users across 36 territories, including Hong Kong and Japan, according to a boilerplate on the website.

It first stirred controversy here last October, when it was revealed that a Singapore edition of the website had been planned.

This spurred a protest on Facebook. The page "Block Ashley Madison – Singapore" was set up and gathered more than 14,000 "likes" in three days. It now has over 27,000 followers.

The MDA eventually announced that it would block the site on Nov 8. — The Straits Times/ Asia News Network

Serial upskirt offender jailed

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

A SYSTEM technician was jailed for nine months for taking upskirt videos of women at various places, including Resorts World Sentosa.

Dominic Chia Hooi Chuan, 26, who worked at RWS, had admitted to nine counts of insulting the modesty of women and one charge of having obscene films in his smartphone at his flat in Elias Road.

Eighty-five other charges of insulting modesty were taken into consideration.

The court heard that he had been taking upskirt videos of women at RWS, VivoCity and White Sands since 2011.

Once he spotted a female whom he felt was good-looking, he would follow her onto an escalator.

While on the escalator, he would place his phone on his thigh, propping it up by stepping onto the next step of the escalator.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Paul Wong said Chia was caught on May 23 last year by a member of the public for taking upskirt videos of a 13-year-old girl's inner thighs and underwear at VivoCity.

When his phone was checked, a substantial number of photos and videos of women's inner thighs and underwear were found. Police raided his home and seized a laptop.

Ten other similar videos were found in his iPhone. His victims could not be identified in eight of the videos.

In passing sentence, District Judge Christopher Goh noted that such offences were on the rise, and that Chia had committed the offences over a span of three years.

Chia could have been jailed for up to one year and/or fined on each charge of insulting the modesty a woman. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network

Malaysian in checkpoint breach may face more charges

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

THE 64-year-old Malaysian man who allegedly breached a security barrier at Woodlands Checkpoint is likely to face more charges under the Customs Act.

This was revealed by the prosecution yesterday when Tan Chu Seng was further remanded for another two weeks for psychiatric assessment. Tan, a delivery driver, is represented by S. Radakrishnan who took over from his previous lawyer Jeffrey Ong.

Tan had been accused of committing a rash act and vandalism when he allegedly drove his Singapore-registered car recklessly, causing injury to auxiliary police officer Safie Mahrom at about 4pm on March 8.

The Singapore permanent resident is said to have damaged the cat-claw security barrier when he drove into it.

This after he had apparently driven through the checkpoint after being stopped for a boot check. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star eCentral: Movie Buzz

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The Star eCentral: Movie Buzz

Samuel L. Jackson takes things in his stride

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 12:35 AM PDT

In an interview with the actor in Beijing, China, Jackson talks candidly about playing his bigger-than-life Marvel character, Nick Fury.

Samuel L. Jackson, 66, has played the mysterious character Nick Fury in six Marvel movies now but he is far from being bored of it all. In fact, he is ready to get back to work and start shooting the highly anticipated Avengers: Age Of Ultron, which is slated for a release next year.

Jackson had a chat with reporters earlier this week in Beijing, China, where he and cast mates Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans, as well as directors Joe and Anthony Russo, promoted their latest film together, Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

How would you describe Nick Fury?

Nick Fury is a master manipulator, that's what he does. He's an ordinary guy inside of this spectacular world, who seems to have a way of making extraordinary people bend to his will. Most times that involves him telling some lies.

Like he says (in the movie), he compartmentalises everything, so he goes 'you do that, they do that, I know how to hold puzzle pieces together; you just do your part.' It's fun for me to be able to do those things.

How do you think he has evolved throughout the years in all the different Marvel movies he's appeared in?

He didn't evolve so much as they've given him more to do, really. He's always been 'that guy'. In Iron Man, he shows up and goes, 'you're Iron Man I want you to be part of the Avengers Initiative.'

In Iron Man 2, he says, 'I'm not so sure we want you to be part of this anymore. You're a little reckless.'

In Thor, well he's finding out about the Tesseract and all these other things and in Captain America, there he is waking this guy up saying, 'we want you to be part of S.H.I.E.L.D, I know you don't know what that is, but you will!'

Then all of a sudden in Avengers, he's got them all together and he's trying to get the Avengers Initiative going so there he is manipulating everyone again. telling lies here and there.

And now (in The Winter Soldier), we actually find him at work, being Nick Fury. He's coming in to work at S.H.I.E.L.D, that's where Captain America works, where Black Widow works and a few other people we all know about. You see his boss (Alexander Pierce, played by Robert Redford) and everyone else. So as much as this is a Captain America movie, this is also a S.H.I.E.L.D movie.

Did you ever ask Marvel why it took them so long to show this side of Nick Fury?

I don't ask them anything, I just don't want them to kill me! Actors get very quiet when things start to happen (in movie franchises) because they don't want their characters to die. It's the same thing I used to do on Star Wars (where he played Mace Windu in three films) – I just show up and keep quiet.

Do you see a bit of yourself in Nick Fury?

Well, he's tall, I'm tall. He's black, I'm black... he's brave, I'm not. He's losing weight, I am too, thank you.

Every character has a little bit of you, in some way or another. You have to play them in a way that makes sense and is honest to you. I'm a bit cynical and a bit suspicious of everybody like he is, although I am not as mistrustful of people as he is.

Is it hard to act with an eye patch?

You only need one eye to act. One eye, one leg, one arm... I didn't discover – until Nick Fury had more stuff to say – that you literally have to learn your lines with one eye closed because your mind processes the information differently with two eyes than one. If you learn your lines with two eyes and then you have to close one eye to act, half the page disappears. I'm serious!

What's it like acting with pretty much the same people in so many films?

We like each other. We spend a lot of time together in different places, we're not just together on set but we go out together, eat together, we hang out – we enjoy each other's company. And it's great to get back in the saddle and hang out even more.

A lot of times, like in this movie, you know, we're the kids who run the playground. The Russo brothers are the new kids on the block. They come in and we have our costumes on and we're all looking at them and they've got to convince us that we want to play with them.

So who's Robert Redford in this 'playground', then?

Robert Redford's this old dude...

Robert Redford is a guy who lends his credibility in a way to this movie, you know what I mean? I respect him. I followed his movies before I got to Hollywood and I am impressed by the work that he did, and still does. That worked greatly for me when we were doing our scenes together – he was my boss and Nick kind of looked up to him and they used to do all these things together.

And (as an actor) he was great, he came in and fell right into the groove. Scarlett knew him too because she worked with him when she was just a kid on the Horse Whisperer.

>> Captain America: The Winter Soldier is now playing in cinemas nationwide.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

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The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

Michael Rapaport has 'bad' days - and he's loving it!
Lego unveils 10 more characters from 'The Simpsons'
Andy Samberg feels super lucky to be doing what he loves

Michael Rapaport has 'bad' days - and he's loving it!

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

Michael Rapaport is the latest villain du jour on Justified. He says it's been a kick playing the wicked antagonist.

"My favourite part is just being able to say and do things that you can't do in real life, and behaving in a way that's just not really acceptable in the real world," he says. "And then when I see the episodes, I get off on the little things, the little sort of things, the lines in between the lines of dialogue.

"It's like playing cowboys and Indians. When you're playing this bad of a character, it's obviously not reality for someone who's not living that life. So that's been the most fun. The challenge has been just the intensity of the work schedule, the accent and my own personal standards." – McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

Lego unveils 10 more characters from 'The Simpsons'

Posted: 28 Mar 2014 04:00 PM PDT

The complete collection of The Simpsons mini figures will be available in May when the show's Lego-lised episode debuts.

Sixteen characters from The Simpsons have been transformed into Lego mini figures. Available from May, the new collection includes all the members of the Simpson family as well as some of Springfield's most famous residents.

Lego first launched the collection earlier this year with a new construction set allowing fans to build the Simpsons house. Available in US stores and through Lego's US website, the set comes with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson, along with Ned Flanders.

Now Lego has unveiled 10 more characters in mini figure form. Fans will recognise Grandpa Abraham Simpson, Milhouse, Ralph, Chief Wiggum, Mr Burns, Apu, Krusty the Clown, and Itchy and Skratchy. Each mini figure will be available from May.

The Simpson family's home network Fox will take part in the launch by airing a special episode, Brick Like Me, on May 4 in the US. In this 550th episode, Homer will wake up to find that everyone around him is made of Lego blocks.

The network is currently airing the 25th season of The Simpsons. After this landmark anniversary, the show will return yet again in fall 2014 for year 26. – AFP/Relaxnews

Andy Samberg feels super lucky to be doing what he loves

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 10:15 PM PDT

The award-winning actor has been commended for his work on Brookly Nine-Nine.

Andy Samberg's transition from Saturday Night Live to a weekly comedy has certainly worked out well for him. Not only did Fox give Brooklyn Nine-Nine an early second season renewal, but critics championed the show. It would go on to win two Golden Globe awards – one for Best Comedy and a Best Actor nod for Samberg. And the show and Samberg seem to be shoo-ins for Emmy nominations in a few months.

"I'm feeling lucky. Super lucky," Samberg told TheWrap of the critical praise and awards. "We really love making the show and the fact that people we consider smart and having the same taste as us are liking it is very satisfying." Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows a team of detectives and the newly appointed captain of the fictional 99th Precinct of the New York City Police Department in Brooklyn. Samberg plays Jake Peralta, the precinct's effective but childish detective.

What drew you to this project in the first place?

I wanted to work with people I respect creatively and to make people laugh. That is always my goal. I love comedy. I've always loved it since I was a little kid. I feel lucky that that's what I get to do for a living. Anytime I decide to try something, it's usually based on whether I think someone is going to laugh at this and does it make me laugh.

Chemistry between the cast members didn't seem to be a problem for Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Why do you think that worked out?

When a cast generally gels and gets along off-camera as well as have chemistry on-camera, it's what you're always hoping for. Obviously, I think it's a huge testament to (show creators Daniel Goor and Michael Schur) and Allison Jones, who cast our pilot. They just picked a really good group and tailored it like the best sports teams where everybody has a role, no one's getting in each other's way, everybody can kind of score while making each other look good. We have good performers, generous performers who are daring and willing to try things. Everybody's getting better.

Andy Samberg, Joe Lo Trulio and Stephanie Beatriz in Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Why do you think the viewers haven't followed after the critics and awards? Do you even look at ratings?

I try not to. So much of the discussion about that right now is people are watching it after it airs on DVR, On Demand, iTunes, Hulu and Netflix, potentially. Everyone I know watches stuff after it airs. I think the type of show we are, the type of comedy we're doing, it feels like it's that kind of a show. But, obviously we're all still really new and comedies, especially, can take a while to grab a bigger audience. Sometimes you never do, but the audience you have is the best audience ever.

How are you taking to the schedule of a weekly comedy?

It took some getting used to. I've done a couple of movies obviously, so it was close to that in terms of getting up at 5am, 6am most days, which coming from years of stand-up and seven years on SNL, it's not my favourite schedule. If we're being honest, I prefer to sleep in and work late. But, you also get your weekends off and there's no Saturday work. I've adjusted.

It's less stressful for me, because I'm not in charge of conceiving what we're shooting every second where at SNL you're in charge of your own destiny. Now, I show up, get handed a great script, act it a bunch of times and maybe pitch new jokes.

Are there any current plans to appear on SNL again?

Not that I know of, but those things come together pretty fast. I'll never say no. I went out there for (Seth Meyers') last show. That was very important to me. I was very flattered that he asked. I'll always consider SNL home and family. It was the most special time in my life and the most pivotal thing in my career was getting hired on that show. — Reuters

>> Brooklyn Nine-Nine airs every Wednesday at 9pm on Diva (Astro Ch 702).

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The Star Online: Business

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The Star Online: Business

Singapore's OCBC offers US$4.95bil for Wing Hang bank
Golsta Synergy falls as takeover offer deadline nears
Cautious start for KLCI in April

Singapore's OCBC offers US$4.95bil for Wing Hang bank

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 05:38 PM PDT

SINGAPORE: Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp Ltd, Singapore's second-biggest lender, made a formal offer to buy Hong Kong's Wing Hang Bank Ltd for a slightly lower than expected HK$38.428bil (US$4.95bil).

It is offering HK$125 a share to buy all shares of Wing Hang, according to a joint announcement, after having reached a deal with the bank's biggest shareholder to purchase a nearly 45% stake.

The offer price is below earlier expectations, with sources previously estimating the deal could be worth US$5.3bil.

The offer price translates to a book value of 1.77 times for Wing Hang Bank based on its book as of Dec. 31.

The deal will give OCBC a much sought-after gateway to China and help bridge the gap with bigger Singapore rival DBS Group Holdings, which operates Hong Kong's fifth-biggest bank.

OCBC will purchase the stake from members of Wing Hang's founding Fung family, their affiliates and related family trusts, and BNY International Financing Corp.

Share trading in OCBC and Wing Hang was suspended on Friday ahead of the announcement. - Reuters

Golsta Synergy falls as takeover offer deadline nears

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 06:51 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Golsta Synergy Bhd shares fell to a month's low of RM2.50 on Tuesday ahead of the takeover deadline this Friday, April 4 for minority shareholders to accept the takeover offer of RM2.10.

At 9.39am, it was down 18 sen to RM2.50 - the lowest since March 3. There were 152,300 shares done.

It had surged to a high of RM3.94 on March 10.

The FBM KLCI fell 4.73 points to 1,844.48. There were 316.73 million shares done valued at RM161.56mil. There were 176 gainers, 200 losers and 246 counters unchanged.

Businessman Tan Sri Clement Hii Chii Kok had made a conditional mandatory general offer at RM2.10 a share after he emerged as a major shareholder in Golsta Synergy with a 36.69% stake on Feb 21.

Hii is group managing director of SEGI University Group.

Golsta's core business are industrial machinery (such as rubber-processing machinery) and engineering.

The company also owns a 17-level office tower in Kota Damansara, Selangor, which it bought about two years ago as part of the company's strategy to venture into property development-related businesses.

Cautious start for KLCI in April

Posted: 31 Mar 2014 06:26 PM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's blue chips started off April on a cautious note, with the key FBM KLCI down more than two points on mild selling of plantations, Genting and BToto.

At 9.10am on Tuesday, the KLCI was down 2.69 points to 1,846.52. Turnover was 135.30 million shares valued at RM53.12mil. There were 130 gainers, 82 losers and 168 counters unchanged.

Hwang DBS Vickers Research (HDBSVR) said the firmer overnight close on Wall Street might have limited spillover effects on Malaysian equities due to its recent strong performance.

It said the KLCI, after rising 44.1 points or 2.4% since mid-March, could be consolidating with its immediate support line currently seen at 1,840.

PPB fell the most, down 24 sen to RM16.38 and KL Keping 22 sen to RM23.98 with just 100 shares done.

However, RHB Research is maintaining its bullish view of the plantation sector as the recent price pullback is a buying opportunity before the next upswing.

Petronas Chemicals and Genting Bhd fell 10 sen each to RM6.81 and RM9.90.

Infrastructure-property based Gamuda fell 10 sen to RM9.90 while BToto shed five sen to RM3.92.

However, JT International jumped RM1.20 to RM7.70 after its parents made a conditional takeover offer at RM7.80. BAT rose 54 sen to RM59.66.

CMSB rose 38 sen to RM10.18 after it proposed a one-into-two share split and a bonus share on the basis of one for two subdivided shares.

Public Bank rose eight sen to RM19.24. The bank is looking forward to achieving another year of growth by focusing on its local operations after the group exceeded the RM4bil mark in net profit for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2013.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies

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The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies

Samuel L. Jackson takes things in his stride

Posted: 27 Mar 2014 12:35 AM PDT

In an interview with the actor in Beijing, China, Jackson talks candidly about playing his bigger-than-life Marvel character, Nick Fury.

How would you describe Nick Fury?

How do you think he has evolved throughout the years in all the different Marvel movies he's appeared in?

He didn't evolve so much as they've given him more to do, really. He's always been 'that guy'. In Iron Man, he shows up and goes, 'you're Iron Man I want you to be part of the Avengers Initiative.'

In Iron Man 2, he says, 'I'm not so sure we want you to be part of this anymore. You're a little reckless.'

Then all of a sudden in Avengers, he's got them all together and he's trying to get the Avengers Initiative going so there he is manipulating everyone again. telling lies here and there.

Did you ever ask Marvel why it took them so long to show this side of Nick Fury?

Do you see a bit of yourself in Nick Fury?

Well, he's tall, I'm tall. He's black, I'm black... he's brave, I'm not. He's losing weight, I am too, thank you.

Is it hard to act with an eye patch?

What's it like acting with pretty much the same people in so many films?

So who's Robert Redford in this 'playground', then?

Robert Redford's this old dude...

And (as an actor) he was great, he came in and fell right into the groove. Scarlett knew him too because she worked with him when she was just a kid on the Horse Whisperer.

>> Captain America: The Winter Soldier is now playing in cinemas nationwide.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Nation

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The Star Online: Nation

Najib hopes MH370 tragedy won't impact tourist arrivals
Kin to be flown to Perth if debris is found
Rick Astley was never gonna give up visiting Malaysia

Najib hopes MH370 tragedy won't impact tourist arrivals

Posted: 30 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

LANGKAWI: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hopes the tragedy of missing flight MH370 carrying 239 passengers and crew members will not significantly impact tourist arrivals.

The Prime Minister added that 28.8 million people are expected to visit Malaysia this year, an increase of 12% compared to last year.

"Hopefully, the tragic loss of MH370 will not significantly impact our Visit Malaysia Year target.

"We are now the second-most visited destination in all of South-East Asia," said Najib in his speech during the official unveiling of Perdana Quay masterplan and ground-breaking ceremony of The Burau Langkawi at the site formerly known as Mutiara Burau Bay Resort.

The Perdana Quay masterplan, to be undertaken by Tradewinds Corporation Bhd, is a massive 97ha mixed development with a gross development value of RM4bil over the next decade.

Najib said Malaysia is expected to receive 36 million tourists in 2020, and revenue of RM168bil or more than RM3bil per week.

He added that tourists were also spending more while vacationing here. Last year, each tourist spent an average of more than RM2,500 during their stay – an increase of 5.2% compared to 2012.

"This did not happen by chance. Over the years, we've focused our efforts on attracting high-end tourists, improving our attractions and services, and enhancing connectivity to priority markets.

"It is an ambitious target and we are well on the way of reaching it," he said.

Najib said tourism is a key element of the Economic Transforma-tion Programme to turn Malaysia into a high-income nation by 2020.

"Tourism contributes an ever-growing share of the nation's Gross Domestic Product, a share that is expected to reach 12.5% this year. And when the nation's economy expands, all Malaysians will benefit."

He said that in 2011, he launched the Langkawi Tourism Blueprint, a five-year plan to make the resort island as popular as the Seychelles, Mauritius and the Maldives.

Also present were Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

Present as well were Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, the Albukhary Group owner Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, Tradewinds International Sdn Bhd chairman Mohamed Ali Rashed Alabbar, Langkawi Development Authority chief executive officer Tan Sri Khalid Ramli as well as Tradewinds Corporation Bhd group chief executive officer Shaharul Farez Hassan.

Kin to be flown to Perth if debris is found

Posted: 30 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines will fly affected family members to Perth only after any physical wreckage found is officially confirmed to be that of MH370.

MAS chief executive officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya (pic) said arrangements would be made as soon as the relevant government agencies provide MAS the clearance to bring family members to the site where the aircraft wreckage would be kept.

"A Family Assistance Centre (FAC) will be established in Perth. The FAC will become the focal point for all activities that have been planned for the families including briefings, religious and prayer services," he said in a statement yesterday.

Ahmad Jauhari also reiterated the airline's commitment and support of efforts by the relevant foreign governments to continue searching for the aircraft.

In addition to its continued cooperation with all authorities involved in the investigation, the national carrier has also been providing support to the families concerned.

Rick Astley was never gonna give up visiting Malaysia

Posted: 30 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

SEPANG: Eighties pop icon Rick Astley's first time in Malaysia and he is having a blast.

"I have never had the chance to visit many countries here or in South America, so when the opportunity came for me to come to Malaysia, I took it.

"The Sepang International Circuit is simply amazing and you can see that it was designed to accommodate the prestigious Formula One race," he said when met at the Mercedes Petronas Formula One pit garage yesterday before the Petronas Formula One Grand Prix was held.

Astley, who is currently enjoying a revival of his iconic status, said the circumstances under which the race was taking place, however, was unusual due to the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 crisis.

"I believe that the race is a good thing as it will help the people take their minds off the incident," said Astley, who is a die-hard Formula One fan.

Astley also said that he was looking forward to watching this season because his favourite team, the Mercedes Petronas Formula One team, was demonstrating good results.

"I hope Lewis Hamilton does well this time but Nico Rosberg is one of the drivers to look out for as well," he added.

The 48-year-old singer, who is well-known for his hit Never Gonna Give You Up, also said that Malaysians were friendly and welcoming.

Astley was supposed to perform at the 2014 Twin Towers Alive Concert scheduled for March 29 in conjunction with Earth Hour.

The concert, however, was cancelled in view of the MH370 tragedy.

One minute of silence was observed before the race began yesterday as a mark of respect for those affected by the crisis.

It was led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone when the drivers lined up at the starting gird.

Also in attendance at the event were Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir as well as SIC chief executive officer Datuk Razlan Razali.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf

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The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf

The Good Luck of Right Now
The First Phone Call from Heaven
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly

The Good Luck of Right Now

Posted: 30 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

Bartholomew Neil is a middle-aged man whose entire life revolves around his mum, his church and the library. Then, illness gets the better his mum and she dies. After her death, he struggles to get by on his own, without a clue of where to start. His therapist tell him to "find his flock and leave the nest", but he has no idea how to begin to learn how to fly.

His search for answers leads him to his mum's underwear drawer, where he discovers a "Free Tibet" letter from Richard Gere outlining the atrocities committed in Tibet by neighbouring China. Bartholomew suspects a connection with Gere when, in her final days, his mum calls him Richard.

So he begins a journey to find his biological dad, and his quest leads him to Canada. Along the way, he's joined by some quirky characters – a "girlbrarian" on whom he has a crush, her foul-mouthed brother, and a priest who has left his parish.

The book, told in a series of soul-baring letters addressed to Gere, follows the endearingly deranged Bartholomew and his equally strange friends as they grapple with life and their struggles with grief. All the characters have their own experiences, beliefs and philosophies, but their interwoven stories captivate from the start. Bartholomew's thoughts Catholicism, the Dalai Lama, alien abduction, cat telepathy and other far-out subjects make for an excellent read.

Those who loved Silver Linings Playbook or are fans of the movie should enjoy The Good Luck of Right Now. Matthew Quick's novel is more than a poignant tale of strangers turning into friends – and later, a family – on their path to self-discovery. It's something that everyone with a little crazy in them can relate to.

If you've ever felt different, or that you didn't fit in, this is the book for you. It's an entertaining read told with heart, honesty, humour and a voice that feels real – and not from a high horse by a writer who's seen it all, done it all, is trying to sound smart or worldly, or is hoping to score another movie deal. (Though for the record, The Good Luck of Right Now has already got a film option and is currently attached to actress Brie Larson.)

In an interview with Quick, he says the idea for the book came when he received a similar letter and was thrilled at the thought of holding something signed by an actor, even though Quick knew it was a mass produced form. This set the groundwork for the novel, that there are people lonely enough to believe Richard Gere would actually write them a personal letter.

Quick draws us into Bartholomew's world by treading carefully on issues of mental health, anxiety and depression, as the author gives each character a depth that allows them to grow on you, though some seem annoying at first. His writing is light and humorous as he weaves in stories of friendship, family, love and sorrow into his book. You'll want to read the book all over again as soon as you've finished it.

The First Phone Call from Heaven

Posted: 30 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Mitch Albom puts on his detective cap for a 'phoning dead' story about believing in miracles.

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly

Posted: 30 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

[unable to retrieve full-text content]A captivating animal-speckled tale that's bound to become a children's staple for years to come.

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The Star Online: Lifestyle: Arts & Fashion

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The Star Online: Lifestyle: Arts & Fashion

Art show 'Dark Light & Deconstruct' is strange, bizarre and fantastic
'Tangkap Gambar' explores diversity through photographs
Peranakan arts festival promises to be a cultural melting pot

Art show 'Dark Light & Deconstruct' is strange, bizarre and fantastic

Posted: 29 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

Local artists Skinner and Art:tech have a fascination with the nightmarish and the weird, and their works are reminiscent of the Twilight Zone. It's positively Kafkaesque.

TW Chang hasn't had a haircut in three years. Whether he realises it or not, the tall and lanky artist – better known as Skinner – emulates his physical self in his work somewhat. In a double solo exhibition with fellow artist Muhammad Najib Timiran aka Art:tech, Skinner is in fine morbid form. Skinner's Deconstruct collection features 15 works of bones and all, while Art:tech delivers 16 works in his Dark Light series.

Can one gallery, in this case Artemis Art, contain such an amount of weirdness and the macabre?

"While it's probably noticeable that Dark Light & Deconstruct is a big stylistic departure from the other exhibitions we've had previously, it does fit within what we set out to achieve," says gallery owner S Jamal Al-Idrus. "One of our key focus areas has been to promote young art and young artists, including outsider artists who may have not gone through the traditional fine art route."

MONOLisa, Indian ink and grouache, is Skinner's fractured portrait of Leonardo da Vinci's enigmatic lady.

Skinner, 35, has a respectable profile in the homegrown indie pop culture scene. Apart from regular group exhibitions, his work was showcased at last year's Urbanscapes festival, while local street art events have introduced him to other audiences. He also holds a degree in computer science.

Skinner's Deconstruct collection illustrates a literal anatomical deconstruction where his subjects are stripped to the bone, leaving behind more than hair, clothes and eyes for expression. "Most of (Deconstruct) is a mixture of history and modern art. Some of the subjects are my friends. Instead of a portrait, I'd do a skull," says Skinner.

The obvious pieces of the series include MONOlisa (an exposed version of the Mona Lisa), The Undead with the Pearl Earring (from Vermeer's The Girl with a Pearl Earring) and Trippy Night (a reinterpretation of Van Gogh's Starry Night ). There are also skeletal portraits of Audrey Hepburn, the Chinese Monkey God Sun Wukong and a selfie of one of Skinner's friends.

With the exception of one piece that uses shimmering violet florescent acrylic, the other works were made with Indian ink, pigment ink and watercolour, and aim to make a bolder statement that goes beyond detailed simplicity.

"The Undead with the Pearl Earring", Skinner's homage to 17th century Dutch painter Johannes Vemeer.

Artemis Art is no stranger to Skinner's imagination. "We first featured his works in Emergence, a group exhibition in 2012. The exhibits were a mix of very different styles, from Skinner's darker-themed pen and ink works to oil impasto scenic paintings by another young artist, Shyevin S'ng," says Jamal.

"Everyone has a skull. It's part of being human," Skinner adds. "I don't like people labelling skulls as scary and (associating them with) death. These skeletal impressions show the subjects as themselves."

Another notable characteristic of the young artist's work is the cosmic backdrop set in all his pieces. This intentional decision is a homage to him overwhelming appreciation of the night sky. "It's like the universe!" he proclaimed. "The universe is too gempak (awesome)!"

Meanwhile, Art:tech's work consists of detailed black lines that symbolise the contradicting symbiosis between darkness and light – that without the other, each would be meaningless.

The most eye-catching piece of his Dark Light series is Legasi, a sizeable digital print on canvas that features local indie musicians in faceless forms. There are singer-songwriters Yuna and Zee Avi, Noh Salleh from Hujan/Da Vagabonds, Lan of Azlan & The Typewriter, and Aizat Amdan with his inverted triangular head. Legasi is also the planned artwork and title for Aizat's upcoming EP.

Each character was illustrated individually in pencil on plain A4 paper before being scanned and combined to create the final piece, which could be seen as five pop artistes combining their musical talents into recording one album.

Legasi by Art:tech, a digital print on canvas, features Nor Salleh, Zee Avi, Aizat Amdan, Lan and Yuna.

Art:tech, 30, is a self-taught artist, illustrator, designer and drummer from KL, a dapper young man who graduated with a multimedia diploma from Polytech Mara College in 2006. "This is the first time I've exhibited my original sketches," he says. "Usually I exhibit canvas prints because my final artworks are digital."

This technique explains his pseudonym of choice, Art:tech being an abbreviation of "art is technology". As a pop art surrealist, he creates intriguing pieces that feature a juxtaposition of seemingly random items. Also in his Dark Light series is a piece called Smoke, created to accompany a mystery short story of the same name that portrays an unconscious boy falling onto a larger-than-life cigarette below a magnifying glass above a flat head.

Elsewhere, Art:tech's piece The Silence, created in pencil and gold ink, features a fictional tribal girl with woven hair and an intimidating stare. In the details of her clothes are miscellaneous icons that include a fox, a key and an anchor. "I think for most of my artwork, I don't look for references," Art:tech says when asked where his ideas stem from. "Over the years, I've looked through many books and stuff, so somehow I think I've just combined everything."

"Dark Light & Deconstruct" is showing at Artemis Art, Lot 21 & 22 Level G4, Publika at Dutamas, Block C5 Solaris Dutamas, KL, until April 20. Open Monday–Saturday, 10am–7pm. For details, visit artemisgallery.com.

'Tangkap Gambar' explores diversity through photographs

Posted: 29 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

Tangkap Gambar wants us to look beyond the technical and mechanical aspects of a picture, and challenge our understanding and perception of photographs and photographers.

Photography, with its aesthetic consideration, can certainly be art. Purists in the field, however, might frown on today's selfie generation and point-and-shoot culture. For most modern-day photography enthusiasts, the fear concerning expenditure, time and space needed to maintain a darkroom has been framed out. Photography is for everyone now. But to say that photography has moved away from technical craft, or doesn't require hours of training and hard work, is absurd.

Documenting this evolution and journey of photography and shutterbugs is the new exhibition called Tangkap Gambar: Sebuah Dokumentasi, by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Visual Arts Organisation (Pertubuhan Pengkarya Seni Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor, or KSEVO). It features 20 works by five photographers, including one of Malaysia's most distinguished scholars, Professor Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof. The other photographers are Elias Yamani Ismail, Ady Ezwan Nordin, Halim Rahim and Associate Professor Hasnul Jamal Saidon.

"Subjek" by Elias Yamani Ismail, his own take on 3D graffiti and artful mischief.

Elias, KSEVO chairman and also the curator for Tangkap Gambar, says that the direction of the exhibition is "to take photography to another level". This is not solely on the technical aspects of photography, "but also one that challenges your understanding and perception of photography as an audience" he says.

This is important, Elias adds, because he believes people are afraid to talk about photography. "Because they associate it with the mechanical aspects," he says, and so a change of perception is necessary. And that is KSEVO's mission: to engage the masses and make art – visual art in particular – accessible to them. "My personal view is that the role of the artist is becoming too exclusive," says Elias.

Ady, who is experienced in traditional Malay art and heritage, adds that KSEVO, through its initiatives, will eventually move into other realms of art. The exhibits at Tangkap Gambar aren't entirely straightforward. They range from conventional to experimental, with actual objects in the photographs placed next to it. Pos Box 1 by Elias is his own take on the graffiti movement. He says he "disrupted the spaces with the post box" and other objects, like any other graffiti. "You won't find a post box on cars or billboards," he quips.

There's a flip side to this. Tailoring an exhibition to an intended end is crucial, Elias explains, more than just mounting artworks on the wall. A narrative that pricks the imagination and perception is necessary. The exhibition design is also crucial. "Everything is placed very fluidly and precisely. We were very calculative about it as we had to think about the audience's point of view. Like when a person turns left, what does he see, and when he walks straight, what does he see," says Elias.

Though the public is free to roam the exhibition space, Tangkap Gambar is designed in chronological fashion. It begins with the works of Ghulam, whose black and white prints show Zainab Samad, one of the leading performers of mak yong from the 1950s. Taken in 1975 as part of his research, the photographs show Zainab – or Mak Nab Raja, as she's fondly known – as an elderly woman in full vigour and vitality. The manner in which he frames the image focuses our attention on her graceful and dextrous dance moves.

"Ghetto Hero 2" (top) and "Parking Hero" (above) by Hasnul Jamal Saidon captures urban myth and street edge.

From film-based photography, the exhibition moves into the modern and the conceptual. Ady's images of boats from a Kuala Selangor fishing village aren't hanged on the wall like other photographs. They're video projected onto a wall, so the images keep moving in a loop. Actual objects from the village are placed in the room to recreate the environment and atmosphere of the actual place.

"It is up to the audience to find a relation between these objects and the photographs and create their own story. I will not dictate how they should perceive the photos just because I had my own thought process behind it," says Ady. As with the rest of Tangkap Gambar, the evolution of photography comes with the evolution of photographers.

"Guna Jika Perlu" by Halim Rahim is a snapshot of blue-collar life in sharp focus.

Tangkap Gambar: Sebuah Dokumentasi" is at Galeri Shah Alam, Persiaran Tasik, Tasik Barat, Shah Alam until April 25. Open daily 9am–5pm. Free admission. For more details, click on http://goo.gl/tVtPg8 or call (03) 55105344 / 6045.

Peranakan arts festival promises to be a cultural melting pot

Posted: 29 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

Amboi! Baba Meets Nyonya Arts Festival will show audiences the way of the Peranakans, and lead actress Pearlly Chua to her 200th performance of Emily of Emerald Hill.

With a country as diverse as ours, arts festivals inspired by different cultures are aplenty. For the first time, Peranakan culture comes alive at the Amboi! Baba Meets Nyonya Arts Festival next month. The inaugural month-long festival, which takes place at the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) in Damansara Perdana, PJ from April 3-27, aims at capturing diverse works inspired by the illustrious story of Peranakan culture.

The word Peranakan in Malay simply means "locally born", and is Malaysia and Singapore's most fascinating hybrid culture descended from unions between China and South India merchants with local women.

Before coming up with the idea of the festival, co-producer Adrian Teh did extensive research at the Peranakan Museum in Singapore, then approached DPAC to hold the festival.

"They turned around and asked me to manage it instead! So I decided to work on a story instead of showcasing just the Peranakan artefacts and ornaments. Yes, we will have those things on display and sale, but the highlight will be the monologue, Emily of Emerald Hill," says Teh.

Pearlly Chua will reprise her role in the one-woman play as the indomitable Nyonya matriarch, Emily Gan. Written by Singaporean playwright Stella Kon, the play chronicles the life of Emily, whose grit and determination takes her out of an impoverished childhood to ultimately becoming the owner of the prestigious Emerald Hill mansion.

Fairuz Sulaiman's Main Wayang: Hikayat Sang Kancil is a performance docudrama in reference to the Sang Kancil character in Malaysian folklore.

Fairuz Sulaiman's "Main Wayang: Hikayat Sang Kancil" is a performance docudrama about Sang Kancil.

Emily of Emerald Hill premiered at the Guthrie Chemara Club House, Seremban in November 1984. Directed by Chin San Sooi, another Malaysian actress, Leow Puay Tin, helmed the title role. Since then, it has gone on to create Malaysian and Singaporean theatre history by being the most performed play in full, abridged, added or without the playwright's permission, locally and abroad. The play has also been introduced as a literary work in schools, colleges and universities.

Chua, a theatre stalwart, first took on the challenging role of portraying the protagonist in 1990 and has since performed it 165 times. She literally knows the script like the back of her hand. With 35 performances scheduled for the festival, she will reach her 200th milestone for the play.

"I'm excited!" Chua gushes. "The Peranakan culture, though preserved through the efforts of many Baba Nyonya associations, is slowly dying. Hence, I would like to be able to use the play to keep this culture alive. I'm looking forward to reaching out to the younger generation and see how the play can synthesise with current times. Yes, I have the words under the folds of my sarong, so I just focus on living in the moment and concentrate on the nuances."

Once again directed by Chin, certain scenes in the upcoming performance have been tweaked to give it a different feel. Although the script has full stage directions, Chin will try to give it a new spin by taking away all the paraphernalia and making it a minimalist show.

"Every time we revive Emily, we change it a little to give it a different interpretation. This is my 24th year of doing this, and I take it as a compliment that people want to see me take on the role again," Chua adds. "The most challenging aspect is to wrap your head around this woman and breathe life into her after two decades. My sentiment is for people to learn English and have some fun."

Amboi! Baba Meets Nyonya Arts Festival co-producer Adrian Tehdid extensive research on the Peranakan culture.

"Over the years, I've begun to understand why my mum and aunties think in a certain way, say a certain thing, and act in a certain way. It's an art. There's an Emily sort of spirit and character in everyone's lives. It's okay to be wrong," says Chua, who has lived a quarter of her life on stage as Emily.

The two-hour play can take its toll on Chua, who sometimes does two or three shows a day, but she takes it in stride by eating healthy and getting lots of rest. "There are no designs. I don't know what will happen after 200 shows," she says

Apart from theatre, Amboi! Baba Meets Nyonya Arts Festival will roll out media, visual art and dance events, as well as hosting guest speakers from academic, media and business. There will be talks, exhibitions and performances programmed weekly. Other events include the Sembang-Sembang Talk series facilitated by Vernon Emuang, where a panel of five arts practitioners meet guests for an afternoon tea with Nyonya desserts.

Meanwhile, DPAC has commissioned Five Arts Centre co-founder Marion D'Cruz, multimedia artist Fairuz Sulaiman and comedian Kuah Jenhan to create a new work based on the title theme. The trio will present 2-Minute Solos (D'Cruz), Main Wayang: Hikayat Sang Kancil (Fairuz) and Good, Bad, Nasty! (Kuah). Kon will also give a playwright workshop on April 5.

On top of all that, there will be art exhibitions featuring Peranakan culture and a festival bazaar at the festival venue. "We're holding it over a month because we want to create loyalty and traffic to DPAC," Teh says. "It's intended as a family festival and there's something for everyone."

Amboi! Baba Meets Nyonya Arts Festival runs at Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) in Damansara Perdana, PJ from April 3-27. For details and tickets, visit dpac.com.my or call (03) 4065 0001 / 0002.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

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Beefing up security at Woodlands, Tuas checkpoints

Posted: 30 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

THE police want to beef up security at both of Singapore's land checkpoints with a new perimeter detection system.

Vendors were invited from March 13 to submit proposals for a Perimeter Intrusion Detection System for the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints. The system will provide an additional layer of security to existing fencing at the checkpoints.

It must be able to immediately detect and locate any physical intrusion at the checkpoint fences, whether by someone attempting to scale or cut the fence. It should also be able to detect when and where sensors or electronic parts are being tampered with.

A police spokesman said the new system would improve checkpoint security by pinpointing the location of any attempted intrusion, thus allowing security forces to respond "in a timely manner".

He added that the idea for such an intrusion detection system came from a review in 2012.

The Woodlands checkpoint suffered two recent security breaches, which prompted calls for stronger security measures. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network

Many in Geylang speak of undercurrent of fear

Posted: 30 Mar 2014 09:00 AM PDT

AT dusk, like clockwork, streetwalkers in skimpy outfits emerge from alleyways. They flirt with men, both foreign and local. Off-corner massage parlours and hotels with hourly rates do a roaring trade.

Nearby, peddlers sell sex drugs with names such as Super Magic and Tiger's Prestigious Life.

This is Geylang, Singapore's notorious red-light district and another foreign worker hot spot now in the spotlight after police commissioner Ng Joo Hee said last week that the area was a bigger concern than Little India, where last December's riot took place.

"If Singaporeans are irked by the littering, the noise and the jaywalking in Little India, they'll certainly sense that there exists a hint of lawlessness in Geylang," he told the Committee of Inquiry into the riot.

Last year, Special Operations Command forces were deployed to Geylang on 41 occasions, compared with 16 in Little India.

Hooligans, Ng said, are not afraid of standing in the way of police work. He recalled how an officer was once beaten up when he tried to detain an illegal gambling stall operator.

Residents say some shops in Geylang are just fronts for criminal activities. Yet Geylang is also home to many migrant workers.

Electrician Chai Zhi Yuan, 41, from Jiangsu, China, admits it could get "chaotic" at night and on weekends.

Bangladeshi construction worker Tarikul Islam, 20, prefers to stay in at night.

"When I go out to buy food at night, the police often stop me and ask for my permit," said Tarikul.

"Maybe I am somewhere, not doing anything bad or causing trouble, but because they see me there, they think I'm also trouble."

Although MPs, grassroots activists and most residents are calling for Geylang to be cleaned up, the businesses have a different perspective.

One provision shop owner said: "I really think no shop in Geylang will tell you, I want all this crime to stop. All these activities attract people, attract money."

Added a liquor wholesaler: "Yes, police patrols will be good to bolster security, but it won't do us any good if the vice is completely stamped out either." — The Straits Times / Asia News Network

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Isnin, 31 Mac 2014