Clipmarks | Malaysia Clips

Dinner Bell Rings for Financial Feeding Frenzy

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 23:09:01 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: AIG today revealed what many private-equity firms, banks and asset managers want to know about the company’s asset sales to pay back an $85 billion government loan: What’s for dinner?

AIG CEO Edward Liddy put an end to the suspense today. Here is what AIG is putting on the block: the U.S. life, retirement and pensions businesses, the personal-lines property-casualty business and at least a minority stake in its foreign life insurance business. All of AIG’s non-insurance businesses, including aircraft leasing, consumer finance division, U.S. auto insurance, a reinsurance business and asset manager, are also likely to be put on the block.

Clip Source: blogs.wsj.com

Nearly every major private equity firm with an interest in finance, including Hellman & Friedman, TPG and Corsair Capital, are expected to pore very closely over AIG’s portfolio. AIG CEO Edward Liddy knows that this has been the sale that many have been waiting for. On a conference call today, he said “dozens and dozens” of acquirers would step up and that “demand for these properties will be very high.”

AIG will sell nearly its entire life insurance business, which includes its life insurance operations in the U.S., Latin America and Japan, but will keep a controlling stake in AIA, its life insurance division in China, India, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The company expects earnings growth of around 20% in those developing markets.

Clip Source: blogs.wsj.com

Afternoon Reading: Hell Hath No Fury Like a Citi Scorned

Clip Source: blogs.wsj.com

Winners & Losers in Wells Fargo's Bid for Wachovia

Clip Source: blogs.wsj.com

WSJ Video: Analyzing the Bailout Bill

Clip Source: view.atdmt.com

Tags: aig $85 bn loan, major equity firms, life insurance

The Danger of Smoking

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:13:00 GMT

clipped by: ColoradoRight
clipper's remarks: And what I want to know is - did the ritual actually work? Did he quit smoking before he died?

Clip Source: www.msnbc.msn.com

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Relatives beat a Malaysian couple to death in a ritual apparently meant to help the man to stop smoking, police said Friday.

The couple died of head injuries after being beaten with broomsticks and motorbike helmets during a family gathering at a Kuala Lumpur home Wednesday, said Ku Chin Wah, head of the city's crime investigations department.

According to those detained, a nephew suggested the beating ritual after the man said he could not stop smoking and the woman complained of a liver ailment, Ku said.

It is not clear who was responsible for the deaths, but local media reported that the nephew convinced all the members of the Muslim family to beat each other.

Tags: malaysia, smoking

curbing Malaysia

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:15:55 GMT

clipped by: Jozef Cyprich

Clip Source: www.alibaba.com

Shark with webbed feet

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 23:10:07 GMT

clipped by: Kelika
clipper's remarks: Landshark!

Clip Source: weirdnewsfiles.com

Penang, Malaysia – A woman made an unusual find when she bought a one-metre long shark from a fisherman at the Batu Maung jetty this week.

“When I was about to cut the shark I found two webbed feet sticking out from the lower part of the body.

Looi said she dared not cook the fish after consulting her husband Gooi Man Kaw, 57, who told her that according to Chinese belief, eating fish with unusual features could bring disaster or ill luck.

“Immediately, I returned the fish to the fisherman that night at about 10pm.

“He threw it back into the sea,” said Looi.

When contacted, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Muka Head marine research station head Prof Dr Zulfigar Yasin said this is the first time he had heard of fish with legs found in the Malaysian waters.

“There is a possibility that the fish could have swum from other waters into Malaysian waters.

Tags: weird

Asian Search Marketing by Country July 2008

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 21:57:09 GMT

clipped by: fuordigital

Clip Source: blogs.zdnet.com

Asian search market by country in July 2008

Country	Audience, 000	Searches, mln.	Searches per user
Total Internet	335,124	27,059	80.7
China	143,502	10,994	76.6
Japan	61,117	6,162	100.8
India	23,397	1,192	51.0
Korea	20,429	2,101	102.8
Taiwan	10,002	748	74.8
Australia	8,380	855	102.0
Malaysia	6,710	431	64.2
Hong Kong	2,812	228	81.0
Singapore	1,662	152	91.2
New Zealand	1,564	136	87.2
Source: comScore

Radioactive leak: MP blasts Mindef

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:40:43 GMT

clipped by: walski69
clipper's remarks: The issue here is the complacency of the Ministry of Defence, and also the Ministry of Environment, merely because "no report had been lodged".

Granted, the leak was very, very minor. Perhaps if a Blinky-type creature suddenly appeared, only then people would take notice?

Clip Source: www.malaysiakini.com

Klang MP Charles Santiago hit out at the Defence Ministry's ‘complacency’ regarding the 2006 radioactive leak at Westport, Klang, by the US nuclear-powered submarine

USS Houston.

While Japan and Singapore have asked the US for more information on and put into place mechanisms in response to the incident, Mindef has said it has not received any information on it.

Because no report has been lodged on the leak, there is no probe into the matter, Mindef public relations director Col Fadzlette Osman Merican had said.

“I am appalled to note that the Malaysian Defence Ministry had been complacent about the radioactive leak by the US nuclear-powered submarine USS Houston, which berthed at Westport, Klang from Sept 16-21, 2006.

“This has implications for health, environment and quality of life of my constituents in Klang.

Tags: radioactive leak, submarine, malaysia, environment, health

Syed Hamid confirms signing RPK’s detention order

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:09:30 GMT

clipped by: walski69
clipper's remarks: Yes, it was him... whose view of nation building means ONLY seeing it from UMNO's point of view. If there were an Academy Award for Hypocrisy, Syed Hamid should be the rightful receipient...

Clip Source: thestar.com.my

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar on Tuesday confirmed that blogger and Malaysia Today portal editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin has been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) at the Kamunting Detention Camp, Taiping, for two years.

Syed Hamid said he himself had signed the detention order on Raja Petra on Monday after he was satisfied with the reasons given for his detention.

Syed Hamid said the people should understand why the Government decided to use the ISA, as what was important was to turn offenders into members of society who could contribute to nation building.

He said to date, he had not received any official proposals to free the other ISA detainees.

”If there are, I will look at them. But again what is more important is for the detainees to change to be able to return to society and together with other citizens, take part in nation building,” he said.

Tags: hypocrisy, law, isa, malaysia, injustice

Syed Hamid: Raja Petra’s articles ridiculed Islam

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:00:55 GMT

clipped by: walski69
clipper's remarks: It's nice to be able to be a one-man judge, jury and executioner... But it's true: many of Raja Petra's articles would anger Muslims - against a corrupt and self-serving government that Syed Hamid represents.

Clip Source: thestar.com.my

Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) because his articles ridiculed Islam, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

“The police recommended his detention and after going through the papers, the Government was satisfied there were strong grounds for him to be further detained for two years.

“His articles could arouse anger among Muslims,” Syed Hamid said, adding that he signed the detention order on Monday after he was satisfied with the reasons to detain Raja Petra.

He said after the first three months, the authorities would review Raja Petra’s attitude while in detention in Kamunting.

Tags: politics, injustice, isa, malaysia, police state, law

Du lịch Việt Nam

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:04:38 GMT

clipped by: vietravel247

Clip Source: www.vietravel247.com

Ông Phan Thân, Giám đốc Công ty thương mại và du lịch Vĩnh Tân (Vyta Tours), doanh nghiệp đầu tiên ở Việt Nam và khu vực Đông Nam Á tổ chức loại tour này theo đoàn, cho biết chuyến đi sẽ kéo dài 2 tháng, bắt đầu từ Việt Nam, sau đó qua Lào, Campuchia, Thái Lan và kết thúc tại Malaysia, trong đó thời gian đi xuyên Việt là 20 ngày.

Dog Food? Or "like" dog food

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:42:16 GMT

clipped by: walski69
clipper's remarks: It's funny how the media picks up on things... but I would have to agree that Dog Food is more sensational that "like" dog food. And "sensational" sells better than hard facts any 'ol time...

Clip Source: thestar.com.my

The Government will investigate claims by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok that she was served “dog food” during her detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department T. Murugiah said he would personally meet Kok soon to get more details and also visit the police station where she was held.

He said he wanted to know who bought the food, where it was bought from and how much was paid.

Clip Source: newpaper.asia1.com.sg

DOG food is on the menu of a Malaysian governmental investigation.

ALL SMILES: Ms Kok was warmly welcomed by the hawkers at a KL wet market. PICTURE: CHINA PRESS

The Star had earlier reported that Seputeh MP Teresa Kok had claimed she had been served dog food during her seven-day detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Tags: humor, malaysia, politics, isa, journalism

Malaysia Web Design

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 04:30:41 GMT

clipped by: streetsmartoptions
clipper's remarks: Web design and internet marketing agency Solvrite provides a one-stop and complete suite of internet and online marketing seo services that includes website promotion,search engine marketing and optimization,innovative website design,web domain name and hosting,email marketing in Malaysia

Clip Source: www.solvrite.com

Solvrite is a diverse group of creative and inspiring experts offering innovative website design and development services, internet marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), online advertising and branding services for clients ranged from small and medium enterprises to corporate businesses.

We are experienced and well versed in various aspects of internet marketing, online branding, value-added backend profit strategies, developing blue ocean strategies for traditional businesses. Through this broad base of customer-oriented and marketing knowledge, strong analytical capabilities, our internet marketing strategists are able to uncover business opportunities not visible to other internet marketing agencies.

Tags: malaysia, web design, website design, seo, internet marketing, seo company, web hosting, domain name, tax planning

US Officials Bust Weapons Ring Exporting Components to Iran

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:09:29 GMT

clipped by: jatfla

Clip Source: www.foxnews.com

U.S. Officials Bust Weapons Ring Exporting Components to Iran

A federal grand jury in Miami returned the 13-count indictment on Sept. 11 and unsealed it on Wednesday. Included in the charges are conspiracy, violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the United States Iran Embargo, and making false statements to federal agencies in connection with the export of thousands of U.S. goods to Iran.

The defendants are also charged with purchasing and exporting U.S. goods to Iran through "middle countries," including the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, England, Germany and Singapore.

Charged in the indictment are Iranian nationals Ali Akbar Yahya, Farrokh Nia Yaghmaei, Bahman Ghandi, Farshid Gillardian, Isaac Gillardian and Ahmad Rahzad Majid Seif as well as Kaam Chee Mun of Malaysia and Djamshid Nezhad of Germany.

Russia rebuilds arms trade to Africa

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:23:22 GMT

clipped by: tommy2balmy
clipper's remarks: Hibernation time for the bear appears to be over.

Clip Source: en.rian.ru

CAPE TOWN, September 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has successfully reestablished military-technical cooperation with African countries, which saw a decline after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the head of Russia's state arms exporter said on Wednesday.

"We have recently revived our contacts with all African countries that used to be traditional buyers of Soviet weaponry," Rosoboronexport General Director Anatoly Isaykin told a news conference at the Africa Aerospace & Defence-2008 (AAD-2008) exhibition near Cape Town.

Russia's arms trade customers in Africa include Algeria, Libya, Angola, Ethiopia, Uganda, Morocco, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique and Burkina Faso. African countries are attracted to the reliability and competitive prices of Russian arms.

Russia has been striving in recent years to regain its competitive edge in the global arms trade.

Russia exports arms to about 80 countries. Among the largest buyers are China, India, Algeria, Venezuela, Iran, Malaysia, and Serbia.

Tags: russia, arms sales

Arms Trade Flows Freely

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:09:25 GMT

clipped by: spirithiker
clipper's remarks: According to US state department figures this week, Iraq has signed more than $3bn worth of arms deals in the past two years. Amnesty estimates that more than 1m small arms have been sold to Iraq since the 2003 invasion and the Iraqi government plans to procure more than 250,000 from the US and China.

And the irresponsible war profiteering continues.

Russia has agreed to supply 27 helicopters to Sudan, says Amnesty. Last year, Sudan listed its main arms suppliers as China, Russia, North Korea, Belarus, Indonesia, Iran and Malaysia.

Some of these weapons are being used by Al Qaeda against U.S. troops.

Is there no better reason to halt this illegal/immoral war?

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Iraq is being flooded with weapons despite human rights violations by all parties in the conflict there, and without any proper monitoring by the US and Britain over where the weapons end up, Amnesty International says today.

There is no clear accountable audit trail for some 360,000 small arms supplied to the Iraqi security forces, many by the US and UK, it says. Subcontracting makes the arms trade even less transparent. Among examples cited by Amnesty are the supply of 63,800 Kalashnikov assault rifles from Bosnia to Iraq and the dispatch via the UK of thousands of Italian Beretta pistols, many of which ended up in the hands of al-Qaida insurgents in Iraq.

It adds: "Very serious failures have occurred in the effective management of huge quantities of weapons and munitions supplied to Iraq since 2003. While Iraqi officials ... have been primarily responsible, a significant share of the responsibility rests with the US and UK coalition forces and their contractors."

Kolalo: Hotel Reviews by Travelers

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:05:01 GMT

clipped by: mylodon
clipper's remarks: A place for travelers to share cool and awful hotel / hostel / apartment / inn experiences with people around the world, and find other people's hotel reviews.

Clip Source: www.kolalo.com

Kolalo is a fun place for travelers to review hotels they’ve been to.

Ever had a horrible stay at a hotel?
Share your experiences with travelers around the world!
Did a hotel ever exceed your expectations?

Mandarin Oriental, Manila

Manila, Philippines

Review written by Joseph from Canada

Very good hotel. Clean, spacious room with good bathroom. We had a Business class room. Food excellent - we ate in the Tivoli Rest. and had a champagne themed meal. The deli rest. and the buffet restaurant were also very good. The concierge most helpful with internal flights. The staff remem more

Tags: hotel reviews, hotel review, hotel experience