The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- MH370 search: Drones with sonar may be used
- No fear, the tourists are still coming
- 'Gold thread procedure safe'
| MH370 search: Drones with sonar may be used Posted: 03 Apr 2014 09:00 AM PDT PERTH: Sonar technology may be used to help search for the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 aircraft once its black box battery power runs out, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. He said the equipment used for the search might include robotic drones equipped with sonar and underwater cameras, adding that he had discussed with the Australian government about conducting deep sea recovery. "Let's take it one step at a time. We still got a little time left and, hopefully, there will be some development. "Let us be certain where the plane is first. Then there is technology available to do deep water retrieval of aircraft parts or aircraft," he said here yesterday. A black box's battery usually lasts for about 30 days and there are fears that time may run out before the plane is found. Najib also said Malaysia could send more ships and planes to help in the search. "We are looking at additional assets. We are reviewing the operation on a daily basis," he added. Najib denied a foreign news report that both United States and Britain were seeking to take over the investigations. He said under international law, the ultimate responsibility in the search for MH370 lies with Malaysia. "But because the area of search is closer to Australia, we have credited them to coordinate the effort," he added. Earlier, Najib and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott visited Pearce Air Force base to meet crewmen taking part in search operation. "I came here to express the gratitude of the Government and all Malaysians to those taking part in finding the plane," he added. Najib felt that it would be more meaningful to come here personally. "The search must continue for the sake of the families, whose loved one were on board. Malaysia will not give up as long as there are no conclusive answers to what had happened to MH370," he added. Najib said initial information about where the plane could be was based on data provided by experts, before it was refined and narrowed down. "There was no mistake on the part of the Government. The results were based on methodology which had never been used before." However, he said the search area in the southern Indian Ocean was vast. |
| No fear, the tourists are still coming Posted: 03 Apr 2014 09:00 AM PDT SEMPORNA: Visitors continued to pour into the Singamata Reef Resort even as police personnel combed through the area where a Chinese tourist and a Filipina worker were abducted. The new arrivals said they were undeterred by the incident, adding that the presence of large number of Malaysian security personnel at the resort was reassuring. A visitor who wanted to be identified only as Zhang said he arrived at the resort with a female companion yesterday despite being informed earlier by the staff there about the abduction. "The resort worker asked if we wanted to proceed with our stay. We decided to go ahead since we have paid for it," he said. Another resort guest who wanted to be identified as Mia said she intended to stay for another three days. "I think everything is okay now," she added. Toby Kwok of Guangzhou, who arrived at the resort on March 30, said he was confident of the security there. "I never expected something like this to happen here. I can only hope those abducted are safe," said. Kwok said he intended to stay until Sunday. "I came here to take part in a diving course and I will proceed as planned. "I feel safe. I don't think the kidnappers will dare come back," he said, looking at the several dozen policemen at the resort. He said he did not even know about the incident until a resort worker knocked on his door and asked him and other guests to gather at the restaurant where they were told what had happened. Meanwhile, tour agents in Johor Baru believe the Sabah incident will hamper tourist arrivals from China. Top One Travel Services Corp (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Ricky Hon said his firm was experiencing a 50% drop in bookings from China following the MH370 incident on March 8. He said it was unfortunate that a second incident happened in such a short span of time involving a Chinese citizen. Hon said operators of local tour agencies believe that there might be a backlash from Chinese tourists. "We used to have an average of 40 people in a group tour to China every few days. But it has now dropped to about 15 to 20 people per group," he said. B & T Holidays Tours Sdn Bhd managing director Chuah Boon Seong said at least four groups from Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai have cancelled their trips to Malaysia since the MH370 incident. "I foresee that more (Chinese tourists) will cancel their trips to the country," he said. Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) president Hamzah Rahmat reassured Malaysians that it was still safe for them to travel to China despite the incidents. "There is nothing to fear and we have not seen any adverse reports of Malaysian tourists being treated badly in China. "So there is nothing to be worried about," he said. Related stories: Cook: They were screaming for help Police: Perpetrators may have had inside help KL and Manila in hunt for gunmen Gao's mum gets sms just before attack RM11.5mil the usual price for non-Filipino hostages Websites show Singamata still popular with tourists PM: Abduction may be a deliberate act to complicate things with China |
| 'Gold thread procedure safe' Posted: 03 Apr 2014 09:00 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: A man accused of being a bogus doctor for injecting strands of gold thread into patients has defended himself, saying the procedure was safe. Speaking at a private clinic in Bangsar South yesterday, Dr Lim Yee Peen claimed that he had treated almost 4,000 patients in Malaysia since 2008. "Due to the accusations, I have suffered a huge loss of income over the past month," he said, flanked by several patients who attested to undergoing the procedure with successful results. Asked to present his academic certificates, Dr Lim, who is better known as Dr Helios Y.P Lim, said he had been advised by his lawyer against doing so as he was taking the matter to court. According to a profile of Dr Lim distributed to the media yesterday, he had graduated from the University of Glasgow, majoring in Biomedical Sciences and obtained a PhD in Bio-electro Stimulation from Germany's Heidelberg University. It also states that Dr Lim is a certified acupuncturist.  Clearing the air: (From left) Loh, Dr Lim and former aide to Teresa Kok, Tony Tan, during a press conference at a private clinic in Bangsar South. Last month, MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong highlighted the case of an allegedly bogus doctor having cheated 11 people on the pretext of curing their ailments and beauty problems though the procedure. The report stated that as many as 200 people in Kuching had undergone this procedure. Some of the victims have lodged police reports against Dr Lim. Y.L Loh, who claimed to be a representative of Dr Lim, maintained that the procedure was safe and followed the Health Ministry's review set in 2006. He said only one of the 11 complainants who had appeared during the MCA press conference was a former patient of Dr Lim. In his response, Chong said his team and the complainants were ready to handle the coming legal matter. "We are ready for him. More victims are approaching us and we will be meeting the police soon," he said. Chong said Dr Lim had failed to turn up on four occasions to explain the matter to him. A gold thread implantation is described as a minimally-invasive cosmetic surgery that improves facial wrinkles, sagging skin and other health related matters. |
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