The Star Online: Nation

Haze: All schools to reopen Thursday
Visa-free travel from July 1 for Malaysians visiting Japan
Guard claims trial to outraging teen student's modesty, performing unnatural sex on her

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 08:17 AM PDT

Published: Wednesday June 26, 2013 MYT 11:16:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday June 26, 2013 MYT 11:17:25 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: All schools in the country will reopen Thursday as the haze condition and Air Pollutant Index (API) showed a marked improvement with readings not exceeding 250, said Education director-general Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud.

He said the Education Ministry found the situation in Klang and Petaling Jaya in Selangor and Manjung in Perak, which recorded readings exceeding 250 on Tuesday, had improved Wednesday.

Abd Ghafar said the API in other parts of the country had also improved.

"Following the prevailing conditions, all state Education directors have been informed that schools should start operations as normal tomorrow," he said in a statement.

Abd Ghafar said the Education Ministry was continuously monitoring the haze and API to ensure the health of students was not at risk. - Bernama

Visa-free travel from July 1 for Malaysians visiting Japan

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 07:42 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: Effective July 1, Malaysian nationals who hold ordinary biometric passports with an embedded microchip will no longer need to obtain a visa for a short-term stay in Japan.

The Embassy of Japan, in a statement Wednesday, said the Japan government introduced the measure as part of its celebration of the 40th anniversary of Asean-Japan's friendship and cooperation.

"This development is expected to further enhance the exchange between Japan and Malaysia with increased visits of tourists from Malaysia to Japan and increased convenience in business between the two countries," the statement said.

"Malaysian nationals who do not hold an ordinary biometric passport with an embedded microchip that is compliant with ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation standards will remain advised to obtain a visa," the statement said. - Bernama

Guard claims trial to outraging teen student's modesty, performing unnatural sex on her

Posted: 26 Jun 2013 07:09 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR: A security guard pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here Wednesday to two counts of outraging the modesty and performing unnatural sex on a college student last week.

Mohammad Nazri Mohd Damin, 28, claimed trial when he was charged with using criminal force on the 17-year-old girl with the intention of outraging her modesty and performing unnatural sex with her in a toilet for persons with disabilities (OKU) at Berjaya Times Square, Jalan Imbi here at about 6pm on June 17.

He was charged under Section 354 and Section 377C of the Penal Code and faces up to 20 years' imprisonment, a fine and whipping if convicted.

Judge Emelia Kaswati Mohamad Khalid allowed Mohammad Nazri bail of RM10,000 in one surety for both charges and ordered him to report to the nearest police station every Friday.

She set July 25 for re-mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Henry Tan appeared for the prosecution, while Mohammad Nazri was represented by lawyer Mohd Shamril Afzan Mohamed Hasim. - Bernama

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Rabu, 26 Jun 2013