Khamis, 24 November 2011

The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

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The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio

CheeK-y touch
Red FM’s hot contests
988 plays Santa

CheeK-y touch

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 02:10 AM PST

The Kitchen Musical is one uniquely garnished musical that teases the palette.

THERE is a lot of Cheek in The Kitchen Musical. No, not that sort of cheek, we mean CheeK, creator and director of the food-musical amalgam that has taken South-East Asia television by storm.

According to the 40-something CheeK (real name Cheah Chee Kong), there are a lot of his own interests and personality in the show.

"Someone once asked me what sort of woman I like and I told him to take a look at all the female characters in the show and combine them all together!" he said with a laugh.

If The Kitchen Musical (TKM) were a dish, its ingredients would comprise all the lessons CheeK has learnt throughout his life. "It's as though everything I learnt in the past was preparing me for this. It has acting, directing, music, stage, interior designing elements, graphic design… everything I've done before in the past. And I just love food!" said the Penang-born producer/director, who is also the executive vice-president and creative director of Singaporean production house The Group Entertainment.

TKM truly is an ambitious project, mixing the gleeful exuberance of musicals with the meticulous structure of cooking shows into one unique "food musical" pot which is then garnished with a good amount of gripping soap opera-ish drama and suspense.

At the centre of the show is young Maddie Avilon (Karylle Tatlonghari), a fresh graduate of a Parisian culinary school who starts working for The Avilon, a prestigious French food restaurant owned by her father. Her colleagues include head chef Alex Marcus (Stephen Rahman Hughes), sous chef and Maddie's best friend Daniel Ray (Filipino singer/actor Christian Bautista), sexy sommelier Selena (Hong Kong model Rosemary Vandenbroucke) and general manager Harry Shaw (New York-based Filipino actor Arthur Acuna).

Spanning a total of 13 episodes, CheeK reckoned that TKM is the hardest project that he has ever undertaken. For one, he had to direct all the 13 episodes because it was so hard to find a director who could not only understand his vision, but also juggle the different elements of the show at the same time.

"When I was looking for directors, none of them had any idea what I was looking for, because something like this had never been done before. Someone who is good at music videos may not be good with directing actors, others who know how to direct actors, but they can't do music. So in the end I had to direct it myself!," he said during an interview in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Fortunately, CheeK is no stranger to tough challenges. Despite studying arts, political science and sociology in university, his first job in the IT industry was as a systems analyst with IBM in Singapore. Thirteen months into the job, he realised it wasn't the path he wanted to take and left IBM in 1991 for the Television Corporation of Singapore.

"I wanted to change the world and be a journalist, so I did a lot of documentaries and current affairs programmes at that time, but I eventually gravitated towards music and entertainment," he recalled.

CheeK eventually joined MTV Asia in 1995, and was instrumental in the success of the music channel around the region, setting up offices in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Indonesia as well as making household names of the channel's VJs, which include Denise Keller, Donita Rose and Nadya Hutagalung.

He later produced the station's first MTV dramatic series, Rouge. As the former senior vice president of creative and content for MTV Japan, he organised and produced the MTV Video Music Awards Japan, the largest of such awards outside of the United States.

And that's not all. CheeK is also the award-winning film director of Singaporean film Chicken Rice Wars back in 2000, which went on to win the Discovery Award at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival and Best Adaptation of a Classic at the Buenos Aires International Film Festival.

CheeK reckoned that making TKM was only possible today because he has paid his dues and picked up so many different skills along the way.

"I've had the idea for TKM for a long time now, but never got around to doing it. I think the reason why it took me such a long time was because I was unconsciously building up my own capability to handle it," he said. "In terms of skills needed, I now know exactly what I am capable of. I'm more in control of my craft now – I understand what happens if I push something this way or talk to an actor that way… and that is a very nice and comfortable position to be in."

That doesn't mean that making TKM was as easy as frying an egg though. "I always wondered why no one had ever thought of doing something like this in the past. Now I know why – it's just so hard to execute properly!" he said. "TKM had so many moving parts that needed to be assembled and delivered on time; we ended up working 18-hour days just to make sure it all comes together."

All that hard work has paid off, as the runaway success of TKM has drawn attention from all over the world, with growing interest from countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, the United States and Italy to produce local versions of the show. There is also a stage version of TKM lined up for next year, to be produced by the Singapore Repertory Theatre.

CheeK, however, is looking forward to handing over the reins to a new director for the second season of the show, so he can concentrate on other projects.

"I'm hyper active… I can't do just one thing! I am very curious about what the next phase of entertainment is going to be, and my next project will probably be another high concept project," he said. "One of the key mantras of The Group Entertainment is that we want to increase people's happiness quotient. I want to do something that can entertain and make people's lives better."

One thing is for sure, whatever he decides to do in the future, you can be certain there will be a healthy dose of cheek in it.

The Kitchen Musical airs on Ntv7 (Tuesdays at 8.30pm) and AXN (Astro Ch 701 on Saturdays at 8pm).

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Red FM’s hot contests

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 11:39 PM PST

The station offers you easy cash!

IT'S nerve-racking, mind-numbing yet highly rewarding and that pile of cash could be yours in a flash if you get the correct answers to Red FM's Blankety Blank and Red FM's What's The Movie contests.

Designed to get your mornings going, the Red FM's Breakfast Show With Rudy And Jeremy (Monday to Friday, 6am-10am) serves a platter of Today's Best Music, entertaining features and exciting contests. And one contest that can start the day off right is Red FM's Blankety Blank where you stand a chance to win a generous cash prize. All you have to do is guess the missing word from a sentence given out by the lively duo. For example, "She went to the *blank*."

If you haven't been able to figure out the missing word, you have another shot at sweeping up the prize money on the Red FM's Drive Show With Terry (Monday to Friday, 3pm-7pm).

Have a fun-filled journey as you make your way back to home sweet home. Put your passion for the movies to the test with Red FM's What's The Movie.

A short sound clip from a movie will be played, just correctly identify the clip and win the money that's up for grabs.

With the prize money for each contest snowballing if no one gets it right, it will get you cracking to find the answers.

Check out Red FM's website at www.red.fm as all the wrong answers are put up to help increase your chances of guessing the right word or movie.

You can also log on to the website for terms and conditions. Join the Red FM Malaysia Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/redfm.my) and follow them on Twitter (@iloveredfm) for the latest updates of the contest.

Red FM is owned and operated by The Star.

Red FM's station frequencies: Taiping, Kedah, Perlis and Pulau Langkawi: 98.1 FM; George Town and Seberang Prai: 107.6 FM; Ipoh: 106.4 FM; Klang Valley, Negri Sembilan and Tapah: 104.9 FM; Kuantan: 91.6 FM; Batu Pahat and Malacca: 98.9 FM; Johor Baru and Singapore: 92.8 FM.

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988 plays Santa

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 11:40 PM PST

THIS Christmas, local Chinese radio station 988 wants to spread more Christmas cheer around town.

The station's deejays Anson, Hau Min, Yi Hui and Nick bring you a brand new Christmas song entitled It's Merry Xmas Now to celebrate the festive season.

It's Merry Xmas Now is produced with great dedication, from the concept, songwriting to music and music video production. The song is written by Dickson Chai. DJ Anson, one of the singers, said: "For once, this year, we're having a new Christmas song instead of the classic Christmas collections. Hence, we're very determined to make it as awesome as possible."

When asked about their desired Christmas gifts, the four deejays humorously wished for romantic interests so that they do not have to spend the festive season alone. However, they were quick to add that they would most probably be celebrating with friends.

During the festive season, 988 remembers the less unfortunate – the flood victims in Thailand.

In conjunction with a fund-raising charity concert to be held this Sunday at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, from noon till 5pm, 988 is donating 500 copies of the CD single for sale and all proceeds will be channelled to the flood victims.

The song, sung in Mandarin and peppered with English, is now played exclusively on 988 so try to catch it on air. For more information, visit www.988.com.my. 988 is owned and operated by The Star.

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The Star Online: World Updates

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The Star Online: World Updates

Several killed in central Nigeria religious violence
Italy's brightest look abroad for opportunity
Syria faces Arab sanctions deadline over monitors

Several killed in central Nigeria religious violence

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 03:20 PM PST

JOS, Nigeria (Reuters) - Several people were killed in religious violence in central Nigeria Thursday, prompting the military to impose a 24-hour curfew in one region at the border between the West African country's mostly Muslim north and largely Christian south.

Christian and Muslim gangs fighting over ownership of cattle and fertile farmland clashed in Barkin Ladi, an area in the central city of Jos, the capital of Plateau state. Witnesses said they counted at least 10 dead bodies.

"The STF (Special Task Force) has imposed 24 hour curfew in Barkin Ladi. No movement to and out of the council. Lives have been lost. House have been burnt. We don't know how many casualties but the loss is enormous," said Charles Ekeocha, spokesman for the STF in Jos, capital of Plateau state.

Nigeria has a roughly equal Christian-Muslim population and more than 200 ethnic groups live side by side, largely peacefully, but violence flares up in Plateau and other parts of the "Middle Belt" from time to time.

Violence in Plateau can quickly escalate into a series of tit-for-tat attacks. More than 50 people were killed inside a week in September, and hundreds died there early this year.

The tensions are rooted in fierce competition for local political power and control of fertile farmland, and local government policies have done little to calm them.

The unrest is an unwelcome challenge for President Goodluck Jonathan, who is already dealing with near-daily attacks in the northeast by the Islamist sect Boko Haram.

(Reporting by Shuabu Mohammed; Writing by Joe Brock; Editing by Tim Pearce)

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Italy's brightest look abroad for opportunity

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 03:19 PM PST

ROME (Reuters) - After working as an unpaid intern for 18 months in Italy, Massimo Fantini decided to try his chances abroad. Within five years he had a good job in a major multinational, had bought a house and had got married.

"If I had stayed in Italy, none of this would have been possible," said Fantini, speaking by telephone from New York.

"When I talk to my friends who stayed behind, I can hear their frustration. They are losing their energy and their dreams. That is the worst thing you can do to someone," added the 34-year-old accountant.

Fantini is one of a growing number of highly qualified young Italians who feel forced to take their skills elsewhere because of the economic turmoil, bureaucratic red tape and deep-seated cultural constraints that weigh on their ageing country.

The problem has become so acute that the Italian parliament has passed legislation trying to entice the emigrants to return, but newly installed Prime Minister Mario Monti will have to go much further with the reforms if he hopes to halt the exodus.

Italy has a long tradition of emigration, with an estimated 25 million Italians searching work abroad between 1876-1970. Whereas in the past, it was mainly the unskilled and uneducated who packed their bags, now it is well-trained graduates.

Although there are no official statistics specifically on university leavers, Italian business lobby Confimpreseitalia estimated in a recent report that 120,000 young Italians moved abroad in 2008/09, 70 percent of whom were graduates.

Sergio Nava, a journalist who has written a book and blog tracking what he terms the "la fuga dei talenti" (the flight of the talented), believes the economic crisis that has engulfed Italy in recent months has only made matters worse.

"Italy is a country dominated by old men. They give work to people they know and trust, rather than to those with the best qualifications. It is a nightmare for young people," he said.

"This is bringing Italy to its knees," he added.

NOT MUCH WORK, EVEN LESS PAY

Italy has far fewer graduates than most EU countries, with just 19.8 percent of Italians aged between 30 and 34 holding a degree against an EU average of 33.6 percent, according to the European Union statistics office, Eurostat.

And yet, Italy had the highest number of jobless graduates for more than six months (58 percent), while average monthly pay for those lucky enough to find work was put at just 1,078 euros ($1,535) in 2009 by AlmaLaurea, a higher education jobs service.

By contrast, the average starting salary for graduates in the United States that year was $4,042 (2,610.10 pounds) and $2,800 in Britain.

To make matter worse, Italian firms invariably offer graduates a string of short-term, or "precarious" contracts, reserving the perks and job protection for older workers.

The lack of work, low pay and shaky contracts means that nearly a third of Italians in their early 30s still live at home with mamma and papa -- a figure that has tripled since 1983 and forced people to delay starting families.

"If I went back to Italy I would have to give up most of my independence," said Fantini, who co-founded an association to help other Italian professionals moving to New York.

"Do our leaders, who are all in their 60s or older, understand that? Can they put themselves in our shoes?"

Monti, 68, was sworn into office on November 16 by Italy's 86-year-old president, Giorgio Napolitano. The average age of his cabinet of technocrats, tasked with digging the country out of a gathering debt crisis, is 63.

Calling the young one of Italy's "great wasted resources," Monti promised to free up the economy and reform closed-door guilds - 28 professional bodies that guard their long-standing privileges ferociously, making it hard for bright youngsters to get ahead in a broad range of jobs.

ATTACKING THE CARTELS

Various governments have tried to take on these wealthy lobbies in the past and have almost always failed, to the despair of graduates who complain that the cartels foster rampant nepotism while strangling competition in key sectors.

"Some great talent is leaving Italy because of its medieval approach to hiring people. It is not what you have done, but who you know, or who you have slept with," said Alessandro Capata, a Rome academic actively seeking work abroad.

"If you want to work in a supermarket you can find a job. But if you want to be an architect, a dentist or a journalist then you will really struggle. It is a feudal system."

Berlusconi had promised to tackle the problem, but Stefano Saglia, the undersecretary for economic development in his administration, acknowledged that little headway was made.

"Certainly someone needs to have the courage to carry out a reform," he told Reuters. "Politicians are always frightened of protest ... but perhaps a government of technocrats will have more success because they aren't running after every vote."

Saglia co-sponsored a rare cross-party bill in 2010 which offered tax breaks to Italians under 40 who were living abroad to try and lure them home. There is no sign that the measure is having an impact, and all the while Italy is losing out.

A study by the Italian Competition Institute estimates Italy lost four billion euros over the past 20 years in terms of revenues from patents that expatriate Italian scientists filed abroad. The Confimpreseitalia business group estimates that Italy's brain drain had cost the country 5.9 billion euros.

While graduate emigration is not unique to Italy, the Organisation for Economic Coordination and Development, says very few educated foreigners want to come here, despite the fine weather and great food. In a 2001 survey, it said that only 57,515 graduates from OECD countries worked in Italy, while 395,229 Italians with tertiary education had moved abroad.

However, Nava, who has a weekly show on Radio 24 where he interviews Italian expatriates, is convinced that the flows could be reversed, if the government acted decisively.

"Many of the people I talk to want to come back. They see that the country is in great difficulty and that there isn't much time to sort things out. But before they return, Italy will have to become a more attractive place to live," he said.

(Editing by Giles Elgood)

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Syria faces Arab sanctions deadline over monitors

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 03:17 PM PST

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria faces a Friday deadline to sign an Arab deal allowing monitors into the country or incur sanctions over its crackdown on protests including halting flights, curbing trade and stopping deals with the central bank.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani (front R) and Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi (2nd R) attend a meeting for Arab foreign ministers in Cairo, to discuss the situation in Syria, November 24, 2011. REUTERS/Stringer

Arab foreign ministers warned in Cairo that unless Syria agreed to let the monitors in to assess progress of an Arab League plan to end eight months of bloodshed, officials would consider imposing sanctions on Saturday.

Under a November 2 Arab League initiative, Syria agreed to withdraw troops from urban centres, release political prisoners, start a dialogue with the opposition and allow monitors and international media into the country.

Since then hundreds of people, including civilians, security forces and army deserters, have been killed as the unrest which the United Nations says has claimed at least 3,500 lives since March continued unabated.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based opposition group, said at least 47 people were killed in Syria on Thursday, including 16 soldiers and 17 army deserters, mostly around the rebellious city of Homs and near the town of Rastan to the north.

The violence has prompted former ally Turkey to bluntly tell President Bashar al-Assad to step down and led France to propose "humanitarian corridors" in Syria to help transport medicines or other supplies to civilians in need.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said he would discuss the idea with the Arab League but a source at the 22-member body said the proposal was not brought up at the Cairo meeting.

"In the case that Syria does not sign the protocol ... or that it later violates the commitments that it entails, and does not stop the killing or does not release the detainees ... (Arab League officials) will meet on Saturday to consider sanctions on Syria," the Arab ministers said in a statement.

They said possible sanctions, which were not intended to affect ordinary Syrians, included suspending flights to Syria, stopping dealings with the central bank, freezing Syrian government bank accounts and halting financial dealings.

They could also decide to stop commercial trade with the Syrian government "with the exception of strategic commodities so as not to impact the Syrian people," the statement said.

Syria's economy is already reeling from the eight months of unrest, aggravated by U.S. and European sanctions on oil exports and several state businesses.

"HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS"

After months in which the international community has seemed determined to avoid direct entanglement in a core Middle East country, the diplomatic consensus seems to be changing.

The Arab League suspended Syria's membership two weeks ago, while this week the prime minister of neighbouring Turkey - a NATO member with the military wherewithal to mount a cross-border operation - told Assad to quit and said he should be mindful of the fate of fallen dictators such as Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Libya's deposed leader Muammar Gaddafi.

France became the first major power to seek international intervention in Syria when it called for "humanitarian corridors" in Syria to alleviate civilian suffering.

A Western diplomatic source said the French plan, with or without approval from Damascus, could link Syrian civilian centres to the frontiers of Turkey and Lebanon, to the Mediterranean coast or to an airport.

Its aim would enable transport of humanitarian supplies or medicines to a population that is suffering.

Juppe insisted the plan fell short of a military intervention, but acknowledged that humanitarian convoys would need armed protection.

"There are two possible ways: That the international community, Arab League and the United Nations can get the regime to allow these humanitarian corridors," he told French radio. "But if that isn't the case we'd have to look at other solutions ... with international observers."

Asked if humanitarian convoys would need military protection, he said: "Of course... by international observers, but there is no question of military intervention in Syria."

"MOST DANGEROUS PHASE"

The Syrian Observatory said 15 army deserters were killed in clashes with the military west of Rastan and in raids by security forces. Eleven military and security personnel were killed by army deserters in the city of Houla, it said.

Alongside the mainly peaceful protests, armed insurgents have increasingly attacked military targets in recent weeks.

State media have reported the funerals of 34 soldiers and police in the last four days. Since the outbreak of the uprising officials have blamed armed groups for the violence and say 1,100 members of the security forces have been killed.

"The Syrian crisis may or may not have entered its final phase, but it undoubtedly has entered its most dangerous one to date," the International Crisis Group said.

"Many in Syria and abroad are now banking on the regime's imminent collapse and wagering that all then will be for the better. That is a luxury and optimism they cannot afford."

Washington repeated an appeal on Wednesday for U.S. citizens to leave Syria: "The U.S. Embassy continues to urge U.S. citizens in Syria to depart immediately while commercial transportation is available," the embassy said on its website.

Assad, 46, seems prepared to fight it out, playing on fears of a sectarian war if Syria's complex ethno-sectarian mosaic shatters and relying on support of senior officials and the military to suppress the protests, inspired by Arab uprisings which toppled the leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen.

However many experts say Assad, who can depend mainly on the loyalty of two elite units dominated by his Alawite minority community, cannot maintain current military operations without cracks emerging in the mainly Sunni Muslim army.

(Additional reporting by Khaled Yacoub Oweis in Amman, Dina Zayed, Marwa Awad and Ayman Samir in Cairo, John Irish in Paris; Editing by Jon Hemming)

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The Star Online: Sports

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The Star Online: Sports

Ecclestone dismissive of Austin contract offer
Tsonga sends Nadal packing after power show
Passion has been missing, admits Nadal

Ecclestone dismissive of Austin contract offer

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 05:09 PM PST

SAO PAULO, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Organisers of a planned U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, have told Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone that they will pay a sanctioning fee for next year's race if he revises an "unrealistic and unfeasible" contract.

The 81-year-old Briton responded on Thursday by casting further doubt on the event going ahead.

Ecclestone has already made clear that he has lost patience and last week gave the city's Circuit of the Americas a deadline of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix to pay the required fees and sign a contract.

"We have been ready to send Mr. Ecclestone a sanctioning fee check for some time now," said Bobby Epstein, founding partner of Circuit of The Americas, in a statement.

"He hasn't received it yet because the new contract presented to us two weeks ago contained unrealistic and unfeasible demands.

"We have signed and returned a contract similar to what we anticipated receiving. This race should be a reality, but if we are going to make the 2012 race date, we must receive a counter-signature in the coming few days."

Asked by Reuters at the Interlagos circuit whether he thought the Texas race might now happen, Ecclestone was dismissive.

"I doubt it," he said, with a copy of the Austin statement in his hands. "The truth is they're not complying with the terms and conditions of the contract. And as we make the contract, we will award the event or not award the event. They are not awarding anything to us.

"It's normal," he added.

"They have been messing around now for four months, there's two partners arguing and two different groups arguing with each other and in the end none of them have got the money."

Asked whether his contract was really "unrealistic and unfeasible", Ecclestone replied: "Yeah, well they shouldn't sign it. My advice to them is don't sign it. And they probably won't get the opportunity."

The race would have marked a return to the United States for Formula One, which last staged a race at Indianapolis in 2007.

Since Austin was announced, Ecclestone has also done a deal for a race in New Jersey against a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline for 2013.

Construction was halted at the Austin circuit this month while the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has ruled out the state paying any public funds in advance of the race being held.

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Tsonga sends Nadal packing after power show

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 05:08 PM PST

LONDON, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal bowed out of the ATP World Tour Finals on Thursday as for the second time in 48 hours, the Spaniard had no answer against an inspired opponent, this time in the imposing form of French powerhouse Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

While Roger Federer's thrashing of Nadal was a masterful demonstration of the sport's classical arts, Tsonga's 6-7 4-6 6-3 victory in the final match of Group B was a sustained barrage of heavy artillery that eventually overwhelmed the former world number one.

Tsonga, 26, joined group winner Federer in the semi-finals after the Swiss maintained his 100 percent record with a 6-1 3-6 6-3 defeat of American Mardy Fish in a dead rubber.

Defeat extended Nadal's mediocre record at the season-ender.

In the five years he has qualified he has only made the final once, losing to Federer at the O2 Arena last year.

This year he never looked like adding the prestigious title to his 10 grand slams from the opening day when he laboured past tournament debutant Fish in three sets.

"I think I didn't play well tonight," the 25-year-old, who since winning the French Open for a sixth time in June has not won another title, told reporters.

"The first two sets I didn't play bad, but I didn't play well, and to win these kind of matches you have to play well. I played without anything special tonight."

While Nadal was clearly disappointed with the level of his performance it would be harsh to take anything away from Tsonga who produced one of the best performances of his career to reach the semi-finals of the event for the first time.

"Tonight, I just played amazing tennis," Tsonga told reporters, adding that he spent the day before the match looking at the video of his run to the Australian Open final in 2008 when he also beat Nadal.

"I was looking at that and I thought, 'Wow!' Before I had lots of energy and I was running faster, hitting harder, but I was crazy on court. This year, maybe I've improved this, but I'm better in my head." Crunching huge groundstrokes off both wings and storming the net to pound down smashes and some silky volleys, Tsonga continually worried the Nadal serve without being able to engineer the break his play deserved.

Nadal hung on but Tsonga produced a superb tiebreak, moving 6-2 ahead before sealing the set with an ace.

The second set was a similar story, although this time Tsonga suffered a brief dip in the 10th game and Nadal pounced on his fourth set point to set up a late-night decider in front of an entralled 17,500-capacity crowd.

The majority inside the cavernous arena would have expected Nadal to complete the comeback but as he later put it, the third set turned into a "disaster" for the Mallorcan.

Tsonga broke Nadal's serve at 1-1 when his drop volley proved elusive for the Spaniard and he repeated the trick to forge into a 5-2 lead. Three double faults halted his charge to the finish line but Nadal surrendered his serve, and the match, cheaply in the next game.

"The third set was disaster," Nadal, who still has the consolation of a Davis Cup final next weekend against Argentina, said. "He'a dangerous player. Best of luck for him. Jo deserved it more than me."

The composition of the semi-finals will become clear on Friday when world number one Novak Djokovic takes on fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic and David Ferrer, who is already assured a last-four berth, faces Tomas Berdych.

Defending champion Federer warmed up for the semis with a one hour 47 minute workout against weary American Fish who gave a spirited display despite already being knocked out after defeats against Nadal and Tsonga.

Fans with expensive day session tickets must have feared the worst when Federer cruised through the first set in half and hour but they were given value for money as Fish made a match of it thereafter.

"Bottom line is I'm going away 0-3, which is hard but I had a great experience just being part of this," said Fish. "It gives me a lot of ammunition to come back next year."

Federer is now just two wins away from a record sixth title at the season-ender, moving ahead of the five he shares with Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras.

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Passion has been missing, admits Nadal

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 05:07 PM PST

Former world number one Rafa Nadal admitted he has struggled of late to rekindle his passion for tennis on Thursday after defeat by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga sent him spinning out of the ATP World Tour Finals at the group stage.

The 25-year-old Spaniard ended 2010 as the dominant force in men's tennis after completing his career grand slam but apart from a sixth French Open crown in June, this year has been a disappointing one by his sky-high standards.

His 7-6 4-6 6-3 defeat by French powerhouse Tsonga came just two days after he was thrashed in an hour by great rival Roger Federer and the zip and spark is clearly missing from his game.

Nadal, who has played just three tournaments since losing to Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final, one of several painful defeats this year by the Serb world number one, offered an explanation in a packed news coneference.

"Seriously I could talk for one hour about that," the 10-times grand slam champion said.

"It's because of lots of things. Because probably I was little bit less passionate for the game, probably I was a little bit more tired than usual.

"I'm happy how I practised the last three weeks. But to compete I wasn't in the right way. We can find excuses, we can find problems, but it's not the moment to say that."

"In your career you have moments where you come back, then you go down. Today is not my best moment."

While one grand slam title and defeats in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals would be rated as a massive achievement by mere mortals, 2011 will certainly not be one he looks back on particularly fondly.

However, he said after trying to win the Davis Cup for Spain in Seville next weekend he would get himself ready to come back firing at the Australian Open in January.

"I'm going to continue with the right practice like I had the last three weeks," he said.

"That's the only way to try to arrive to the 2012 season. I'll try to arrive in 2012 in very good condition. I'm going to do all I can to be perfect for the beginning of 2012.

"This end of the year wasn't easy for me. That's hard to accept. But at the same time that's given me little bit more desire and a little bit more of a goal for 2012."

Nadal said he was not worried about his form going into the Davis Cup final against Argentina, a tie that will be played on his favoured clay. "On clay I have more time to think. The movements are a little bit easier for me," he said.

"I will try my best every day to try to win the Davis Cup for my country. I'm lucky, the team, not only myself, if I'm not in the right conditions, the captain can choose another player."

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The Star Online: Business

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The Star Online: Business

KLCI can still hit 1,700 points next year, says analyst
KLCI sees red at market open
Australia's Woodside says 2011 production target now 64bil barrels

KLCI can still hit 1,700 points next year, says analyst

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 06:29 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) is still able to hit 1,700 points by the end of next year despite concerns over the global economy slipping into recession, an analyst said.

Affin Investment Bank Bhd Head of Retail Research Dr Nazri Khan Adam Khan said the country, backed by high liquidity supported by the government-linked investment companies and strong interest on the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) projects, was still resilient compared to regional counterparts.

"The downside that we made is actually less compared to Indonesia and Singapore, this means we are more resilient," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the 16th Malaysian Capital Market Summit here today.

Nazri Khan said commodity prices are expected to remain firm next year and would push up stocks, especially in plantation and oil and gas sectors, which makes up about 40% of Malaysia's market capitalisation.

He said the implementation of ETP projects had attracted huge market interest due to its focus on longer term gains. This was evidenced by foreign funds being the net sellers in October with RM1.4bil foreign inflows, he said. He said the FBM KLCI gained nine percent year-on-year in September since the ETP was launched last year.

Overall, he said, the country was still in a good position to overcome the challenging global uncertainties and sectors like property, construction and tourism would benefit from the ETP. - BERNAMA

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KLCI sees red at market open

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 06:16 PM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM-KLCI opened lower in line with regional markets as France and Germany remain sharply divided over proposals to solve the euro zone's debt turmoil.

At market open, the FBM-KLCI fell 8.68 points to 1,439.31. Losers led gainers 226 to 140 while 176 counters traded unchanged. Volume was 364.7 million shares on turnover of RM136.19mil.

In a note to clients, Hwang DBS Vickers Research said that without an overnight cue from Wall Street (which was closed for a public holiday), Asian equities would probably swing sideways today pending the emergence of fresh market leads. Over in Europe, most stock exchanges were either flat or marginally weaker yesterday.

On the home front, the research house said after staging a technical rebound yesterday, the FBM-KLCI could slip below its immediate support level of 1,445.

Top gainers this morning were Hong Leong Bank which added 20 sen to RM10.40, TDM 16 sen to RM3.45, and Knusford 16 sen to RM1.95. Losers were Nestle which shed 40 sen to RM50.20, MISC 19 sen to RM5.94, and Tradewinds 19 sen to RM9.30.

The actives were Malayan United Industries, Compugates, JCY International, Pan Malaysia Capital, and MBF Holdings.

Reuters reported that although France and Germany agreed on Thursday to stop bickering openly over whether the European Central Bank (ECB) should do more to rescue the euro zone from a deepening sovereign debt crisis, it has not proven to be a salve for investors.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy said Paris and Berlin would circulate joint proposals before a Dec 9 European Union summit for treaty amendments to entrench tougher budget discipline in the 17-nation euro area.

German chancellor Angela Merkel has stayed steadfast in her opposition to France's suggestion that joint euro zone bonds be created alongside the boosting of the ECB's role as a lender of last resort, but this impasse has roiled markets.

In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index lost 276.32 points to 17,658.78, Seoul's Kospi Index fell 5.95 points to 1,789.11, Australia's S&P ASX shed 62.1 points to 3,982.1, and Singapore's Straits Times Index fell 11.28 points to 2,665.87.

Japan's Nikkei 225 was the only gainer, adding 8.11 points to 8,173.29.

Nymex crude oil stood at US$96.43 per barrel and the ringgit was quoted at 3.19 to the US dollar. Spot gold was at US$1,693.60 per ounce.

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Australia's Woodside says 2011 production target now 64bil barrels

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 04:42 PM PST

SYDNEY, Nov 25 (Reuters) Australia's Woodside Petroleum on Friday narrowed its 2011 production target range to between 63 million and 64 million barrels of oil equivalent from 62 million to 64 million previously but said next year would be higher.

Next year it said it expects higher production of between 73 million and 81 million barrels of oil equivalent.

The forecast is comprised of a range of 56 to 60 MMboe for the underlying business and 17 to 21 MMboe for the company's new Pluto liquefied natural gas project, it said in an update for investors.

Australia's biggest independent oil and gas producer also said amount its need to invest capital in new projects would drop to around A$2.3 billion in 2012, 45 percent below 2011's level as completion of the Pluto foundation project nears.

The 2012 production target allows for variations in the time required to ramp up output of LNG from Pluto, with the first cargo targeted for next March, according to the company.

The overall Pluto project is underpinned by 15year sales agreements with Kansai Electric and Tokyo Gas. Both companies became project participants in January 2008, each acquiring a 5 percent interest in the foundation stage.

The initial phase comprises an offshore platform in 85m of water, connected to five subsea wells on the Pluto gas field.

Gas will be piped in a 180km trunkline to an onshore facility, located between the North West Shelf Project and Dampier Port on the Burrup Peninsula in far western Australia.

Woodside said it remained committed to finding a mutually acceptable solution with the East Timor government on its stalled Sunrise LNG project.

East Timorese officials have told media in recent weeks that Woodside had agreed to revisit the idea of onshore processing from the Greater Sunrise gas field in the Timor Sea, which the East Timor government wants in order to create jobs, instead of a floating liquefied natural gas facility.

Woodside shares were trading 5 percent lower at 2353 GMT against a more modest decline in the S&P/ASX200 index

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The Star Online: Nation

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The Star Online: Nation

Four states hit by floods, evacuations increase
The Star bags three prizes at Asian Digital Media Awards
Govt hands out RM28mil in aid to 55 religious schools in Kedah

Four states hit by floods, evacuations increase

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 07:37 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The number of flood evacuees in the country stood at 3,610 on Thursday evening, as Pahang became the fourth state to be affected by floods.

Eleven people moved out of their homes in Pahang Thursday, 13 still remain at a relief centre in Johor and the number of evacuees in Kelantan has risen to 1,184 from 1,132 in the morning.

Terengganu saw a decline in the number of evacuees, from 2,678 in the morning to 2,402 in the evening, but the situation in the flood-hit areas has not changed.

The floods have claimed three lives in Kelantan, two of them brothers, aged 14 and 16, in Bachok and a two-year-old boy in Pasir Mas. A teenage girl is missing in Pasir Mas.

The weatherman has no good news for the people in Terengganu, Pahang and Kelantan, at least until Friday.

The Meteorological Department has forecast intermittent heavy rain in the three states and warned of the possibility of floods in low-lying areas.

In KELANTAN, the state flood operations room spokesman said the 1,184 evacuees are being accommodated at 27 relief centres in seven districts.

"As of Thursday evening, Pasir Mas is the worst-affected district where 11 relief centres have been opened," he said.

He said the level at two major rivers Golok River at Rantau Panjang and Kelantan River at the Guillemard Bridge - were also at the danger point.

In TERENGGANU, the 2,402 evacuees were in Setiu (1,540), Besut (573), Kemaman (166), Hulu Terengganu (112) and Marang (11).

Rivers in Setiu, Besut and Hulu Terengganu have also breached its danger level.

In PAHANG, 11 people were evacuated from Kampung Chendor Batu near Kuantan.

Pahang police spokesman said the floods victims were moved to the relief centre at the Kampung Chendor community hall after waters rose to half a metre on Wednesday night.

Sungai Triang, Sungai Belat, Sungai Lembing and Sungai Kuantan have also breached its safety level, a Pahang Drainage and Irrigation Department spokesman said.

"People living near these rivers have been advised to be on the lookout for floods," he said.

In JOHOR, 13 evacuees still remain at the relief centre at the Kampung Cahaya community hall in Air Hitam.

A Johor disaster operations room spokesman said the Johor National Security Council was monitoring the situation in view of intermittent heavy rain in several areas of the state. - Bernama

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The Star bags three prizes at Asian Digital Media Awards

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 05:59 AM PST

HONG KONG: Star Publications (M) Bhd proved that Malaysia is the best in digital media in Asia when it won two gold and one bronze medals at the Asian Digital Media Awards 2011.

Its youth platform R.AGE won gold in the social media category, beating countries like Singapore and China, while the other prestigious gold award was for The Star iPad app in tablet publishing.

The bronze award was for The Star Online TV for its online video "Disappearing Underwater Rainforest?" on coral reef preservation.

The awards were presented during a ceremony, organised by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-Ifra), in conjunction with the Digital Media Asia 2011 conference on Thursday night.

Clove editor Ivy Soon, The Star Online TV senior assistant producer Lee Mee Yook and The Star iPad representative and assistant chief editorial artist Nor Shalina Abdul Samad received the awards.

Commenting on The Star iPad award, The Star executive director and group chief editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said: "It's a victory for Malaysia and The Star. A recognition of our efforts in setting a new benchmark.

"We are proud of the teamwork involved and are certainly proud to be recognised by the industry at the Asian level."

WAN-Ifra deputy chief executive officer Thomas Jacob said The Star's tablet edition provided readers with a unique and innovative experience.

"It just stood out among the entries," he said.

As for social media, he said news publishers have to use the tool to connect with the readers.

"The Star was one of the early movers. Judges found it to be an excellent way to connect with the young readers," he said.

Jacob said the international jury found the online video impressive.

"It was world class quality," he said.

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Govt hands out RM28mil in aid to 55 religious schools in Kedah

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 05:49 AM PST

SUNGAI PETANI: Fifty-five religious schools in Kedah received Federal Government aid totalling RM28.26mil Thursday.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who presented the financial aid, said the money was given to improve education facilities and for teachers' training.

Thirty-four public religious schools were given a total of RM3.186mil, 17 government-aided religious school received RM140,000 each and four national secondary religious schools got RM200,000 each.

Muhyiddin also presented RM21.9mil for the construction of five government-aided religious schools in the state.

"The Federal Government will continue to give aid to public religious schools as long as they are registered with the Education Ministry.

"The aid could be in the form of infrastructure development and for the training of teachers," he said at the function held at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) branch campus in Merbok near here.

Muhyiddin was on a one-day visit to Kedah.

Earlier, the Deputy Prime Minister spent an hour visiting traders in Pekan Sungai Lalang here.

He also had breakfast with about 100 people outside Sungai Lalang Health Clinic after his walkabout.

In his speech, Muhyiddin said he believed Barisan Nasional in Kedah was getting stronger.

He hoped Kedahans would make a wise decision in the next general election.

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Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies

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The Star Online: Entertainment: Movies

Bunohan picks up Netpac Award
More to cheer
Laughter cure

Bunohan picks up Netpac Award

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 04:58 AM PST

MALAYSIAN director Dain Said's Bunohan has picked up its first accolade. The movie, which has already made waves at film festivals abroad and been picked up by Universal Pictures for distribution, has just been granted the Netpac Award at the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival.

Producer Nandita Solomon confirmed the win on Thursday evening via text message.

The Netpac (Network for the promotion of asian cinema) award is given to promote Asian cinema by spotlighting exceptional films and discovering new talents.

Prior to this, Bunohan had played to full houses and earned promising reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival and Fantastic Film fest in Austin, Texas in the United States.

Set in Kelantan, close to the Thai border, Bunohan is the story of three men - a tomoi fighter on the run, a hired killer and a shrewd businessman. It is also a story about estranged brothers and their ailing father, and the violence that men sow.

The movie stars Zahiril Adzim, Faizal Hussein and Pekin Ibrahim. It is slated to be screeened in Malaysia next March.

The Taipei Golden Horse Festival culminates November 26. 　

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More to cheer

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 02:12 AM PST

MBO opens its latest cinema in an eco-friendly mall in Shah Alam and you get to enjoy movies for free too.

THE movie-going experience provided by MBO Cinemas brings the silver screen to rural and suburban Malaysia, and it promises to be wholesome fun for family and friends.

Having already reached to the likes of Kluang, Batu Pahat and Skudai in Johor, Ayer Keroh in Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Kuching in Sarawak, Subang Jaya and more, MBO's latest cinema opens today at Space U8, an eco-friendly mall along Bukit Jelutong and Taman TTDI Jaya in Shah Alam, Selangor, and is a testament to its promise of taking the silver screen to rural and suburban Malaysia.

The cinemas boast spacious ergonomically-designed stadium seats and Dolby Digital Surround EX system for great sound too. And it's not just blockbusters that make it onto MBO screens but international movies as well.

The cinema chain also has a membership plan: if you sign up, it will cost you RM110 (administrative fees takes up RM10 for West Malaysia and RM20 for Sabah and Sarawak) for the membership plan, and you'll get a debit card to check out the latest offerings.

In conjunction with the opening of its 14th outlet, MBO cinemas is giving away free tickets to four movies which are being re-run from today until Saturday (Nov 26) at the MBO cinema in Shah Alam's Space U8 mall (www.spaceu8.com.my).

All you have to do is cut out this article and present it to the customer service counter.

The movies that will be screened are Nasi Lemak 2.0, Johnny English Reborn, The Smurfs and KL Gangster (which recently picked up four awards at the 24th Malaysian Film Festival and is certified as the biggest box office film this year, so try not to miss it!).

Only originals of this article will be accepted (no photocopies). Each article can be exchanged for two tickets, which will be given away on a first come, first served basis.

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Laughter cure

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 02:11 AM PST

Hong Kong director Jeffrey Lau returns with East Meets West 2011, 18 years after The Eagle Shooting Heroes.

IF you were one of those who grew up on a staple diet of Hong Kong comedies, you would surely remember Tony Leung Chiu Wai's swollen "sausage lips"in 1993's The Eagle Shooting Heroes.

That look alone became a much-buzzed-about moment in Cantonese pop culture, along with many scenes in the Jeffrey Lau-helmed comedy, which parodied Louis Cha's classic martial arts novel The Legend Of The Condor Heroes and starred the biggest Hong Kong stars as oddball characters in a bizarre wuxia (martial arts) world.

The movie was completed in 27 days, when filmmaker Wong Kar Wai failed to deliver his arthouse masterpiece Ashes Of Time on time within budget. Lau, who co-owned Jet Tone Films with Wong, was pressured by producers to rush out another film with a completely contrasting plot and tone, starring the same cast, including Leung, Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Tony Leung Kar Fai, Carina Lau and Joey Wong.

With its supreme star power and mo lei tau (nonsensical) humour at its best, The Eagle Shooting Heroes is a 100-minute laugh fest – a gem in its genre, unsurpassed even after so many years.

Lau recalled learning about the impact it had on a generation of Chinese moviegoers, through a conversation he had with a reporter in Beijing two years ago.

"She told me that whenever she's unhappy, she would watch The Eagle Shooting Heroes to cheer herself up. That got me thinking: why not come up with a new one for today's generation?" said Lau, 59, in a phone interview with Malaysian press recently.

The result is East Meets West 2011, the director's laughter remedy for a world that's becoming colder and more cynical.

"I think people nowadays are distant. Everyone seems to be in a rush. Hopefully, this movie can make you think: Do we need to be in such a rush all the time? Maybe the greatest happiness comes from the simplest things. I hope this new version can have a similar "healing effect"as the previous one. Then everyone can save on medication," he quipped.

Lau's latest work has a contemporary setting, and stars singer Bee and singer-actors like Eason Chan, Ekin Cheng, Karen Mok, William So and Jaycee Chan, to play gods who are banished to our world as ordinary folks due to their incessant fighting. They can only regain their powers and return to heaven once they learn to get along with one another.

Bee's character is a has-been musician who is separated from his vain and materialistic wife. If it sounds familiar, that's because it's based on none other than Bee himself, who rose to fame being part of 1970s pop band the Wynners and whose divorce from socialite Teresa Cheung was widely covered by the press back in 1999.

While Bee does not have to look far for his role, Mok might need to stretch her imagination somewhat, playing a thirtysomething who claims that she doesn't "buy the idea of love and marriage" in the movie.

Off-screen, the Hong Kong singer-actress found happiness and tied the knot with her German first love Johannes in Italy on Oct 1.

The inspiration for her image was derived from a conversation he had with his teenage daughter.

"I asked why girls her age tend to go for smoky eyes, black lips and weird hairdo. She replied: 'It's cool.' She explained that if a girl looks like that and a guy still courts her, that shows how much he likes her. I think it's a brilliant idea. For Mok's character, we are trying to portray the image of a thirtysomething unmarried woman who longs for love but acts as if she doesn't need it," he explained.

While stars like Bee and Mok made drastic changes to their appearances, Ekin Cheng does not even have a line in the movie and communicates in sign language.

"He had it tougher than the rest of the cast. Two months before filming, he had to take classes to learn sign language.

"He had to rely solely on his eyes and body language to convey his emotions. He had never done that before. He pulled it off and I enjoyed his performance a lot. He also agreed that the role was a good training and challenge," said Lau.

He roped in singer-actors for this movie because he sees "a carefree quality" in musicians' performances that's different from actors.

"To me, their language of music is very interesting. I'm thrilled to have Jonathan. He was shy and uncomfortable on the first day, but slowly got used to it and turned in a convincing performance as a father," he said.

Even Jackie Chan's son Jaycee surprises by playing a character that is not so likeable at first glance.

"His character tends to betray or take advantage of those around him, but there's goodness in him, too. At the end of the day, he will not hesitate to lend a helping hand," said Lau.

"This movie conveys a simple message. The characters represent people from all walks of life. It shows that when we unite, we can protect the earth," Lau concluded.

East Meets West 2011 screens in cinemas nationwide starting today.

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Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

The Star Online: Metro: Central

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The Star Online: Metro: Central

Metro Watch

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 02:29 AM PST

POWER DISRUPTION

COUNTER services at the Petaling Jaya Road Transport Department (JPJ) branch has been affected due to a power disruption caused by a small fire at the main power switch box. Repair works are being carried out and is expected to be completed within two days. Customers are advised to proceed to the JPJ branch in Jalan Padang Jawa, Seksyen 16, Shah Alam. License renewal, road tax renewal and summons payment can also be done at post offices. For enquiries, call 03-7960 9440 (JPJ PJ branch) or 03-5566 9555 (Selangor JPJ branch).

UPGRADING WORKS

THREE RapidKL Monorail stations (Tun Sambanthan, Maharajalela and KL Sentral) are undergoing upgrading works from now till the end of January. Meanwhile, upgrading works for three other stations (Medan Tuanku, Imbi and Raja Chulan) are due to be completed at the end of December. Traffic and public safety arrangements including flagmen, blinkers, notices and signages have been put in place to facilitate traffic flow and to ensure public safety. For further information, call Prasarana at 03-2267 9898 or email suggest@rapidkl.com.my

COUNTERS CLOSED

ALL payment counters at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council will be closed next Monday in conjunction of Awal Muharam, which falls on Sunday. They will reopen on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the public can still make payments online or at the machine kiosk located at Level 1 and 4 of Menara MPAJ in Pandan Indah.

OVERDUE WATER BILLS

THE Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) is conducting an operation to recover outstanding water bills from now till Nov 30 at Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang and Shah Alam. Users are urged to settle their bills immediately.

FREE TALK

THE Alcazar GTC is organising a free talk on Social Media Business Revolution Formula this Saturday from 9am to 2pm. Learn how to generate more sales or income by utilising social media tools for your business. Get tips and ideas on how to setup and run an online business from scratch from home or anywhere. Register at http://myalcazar.com/SocialMedia.html. For details, email shaheen@alcazar.com.my or call 012-411 7786. Limited to 40 pax only.

ANNIVERSARY DINNER

IN conjunction with Inti's 25th Year Anniversary, Inti Alumni of Malaysia will be organising the INTI Alumni Gala Dinner 2011 on Dec 2 at 6.30pm at Empire Hotel Subang. For details, call Lee at 016-221 9392, Goh 017-333 3981, email admin@intialumni.com or visit www.facebook.com/inticam2011

REUNION LUNCH

STUDENTS of the Class of 1978 of Convent Sentul are invited to a reunion lunch on Dec 10 at Bangsar. For details, call Margaret at 012-339 0000.

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Top surfers from the region to take part in three-day competition

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 02:29 AM PST

SURFERS from this region can show off their skills at the Terengganu Quiksilver Best Event Surf Contest 2011 from Dec 2 to 4 at the Batu Burok Beach, Kuala Terengganu.

Surfers from all over Southeast Asia are expected to compete in four divisions — Men's Short-board Open, Women's Short-board Open, Master Short-board Open and Body-board Open.

The competition offers a prize of US$10,000 (RM32,000). The Terengganu government will offer cash prizes to the top eight positions. Registration fee is RM50 for each division.

Surfers from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, Australia and Maldives will compete in the three-day competition.

The contest is endorsed and supported by government and public sector organisations.

It will provide local surfers the opportunity to gain valuable experience competing at an international level, be familiar with the rules and regulations of Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) sanctioned events and have the chance to compete in ASC competitions held throughout Southeast Asia and the world.

Terengganu Quiksilver Best Event event director Bryan Ng told a press conference that the monsoon season between November and March was ideal for surfing (surf season).

"While it is the low season for some; for surfers, it is the high season.

"There is not enough exposure about the sport and we hope to introduce surfing and introduce Terengganu and Malaysia as a surfing destination.

"Such events benefit the young generation. They will learn how to surf and live a healthy lifestyle," he said.

As for concerns about safety, he assures that there is a leash attached to the surf board, which acts as a floating device.

"Every sport has its risks. Learn the right technique from a surf school," he siad.

Quiksilver Malaysia chief executive officer K.C. Choo said there was an increase of active surfers in Malaysia.

"In the past years, we have attracted spectators by the thousands to surfing events. I am confident that Batu Burok will be a popular tourism destination," he said.

ASC chief executive officer Tipi Jabrik hopes to see more of such competitions and is confident Malaysia will have a good future in surfing.

"I hope this sport will grow in the region and that there will be collaborations with the (respective) local government," he said.

Quiksilver Pro Surfers Ry Craike from Australia and Dedde Suryana from Indonesia will be demonstrating their skills at the expression session.

There will also be a Quiksilver Surf Clinic for tourists and visitors, surfing demonstration by Quiksilver Surf Team, games and beach activities.

Also at the launch were Terengganu State Secretariat Office events management and promotion manager Nik Mohd Syahrom Nik Md Hashim and Quiksilver Southeast Asia marketing executive Holly Monkman.

According to Ng, there is no official website for the contest but those who want to know more can go to their Facebook page.

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Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Khamis, 24 November 2011