Ringgit Opens Stronger Against US Dollar

KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 - The ringgit opened stronger against the U.S. dollar today on commercial buying interests, said dealers.

However, the greenback was higher in most overseas markets on expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would not cut interest rates in the near term.

Dealers said that lower interest rates could boost the U.S. economy but at the same time could make investments denominated the U.S. dollar less attractive.

The ringgit has appreciated by 4.2 percent against the U.S. dollar this year and cumulatively since its depegging against the greenback in 2005, the ringgit has risen by between 10 and 12 percent.

At 9.00 am, the ringgit strengthened at 3.4585/4615 against the U.S. dollar compared with yesterday's closing of 3.4685/4715.

Except against the Singapore dollar, the local unit was also mostly higher against other major currencies.

It weakened against the Singapore dollar at 2.2462/2492 against 2.2456/2490 yesterday but rose against the Japanese yen at 2.8425/8562 from 2.8498/8525.

Against the pound sterling, the ringgit was stronger at 6.8202/8271 from 6.8264/8340 and rose against the euro at 4.6202/6253 from 4.6260/6324 previously.

PM Wants Flood Alleviation Projects Speeded Up

"The flood is not seasonal. All projects to alleviate floods like the deepening of rivers and building of retention ponds must be completed fast,""Mobilise all resources and give it priority," Datuk Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today all flood alleviation projects should be speeded up to prevent flash flood.

"The flood is not seasonal. All projects to alleviate floods like the deepening of rivers and building of retention ponds must be completed fast," the Prime Minister said at a Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) briefing on its preparedness in facing flood.

He said all projects being undertaken by the and Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) and DBKL must be completed ahead of schedule.

"Mobilise all resources and give it priority," he said when briefed by Federal Territories Deputy Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop at DBKL's security and enforcement department in Jalan Tun Razak here.

Also present was Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ab. Hakim Borhan.

JKR To Tighten Grip On Contractors

"A stricter compliance system must be developed for contractors and sub-contractors with specific references to infrastructure weaknesses due to shoddy work and fulfilling standard requirements,"Datuk Seri S. Smy Vellu, Work Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 - In the wake of a series of minor defects in government buildings recently, the Public Works Department (JKR) will set up a Building Surveyors Division to inspect the condition of all buildings after completion.

In issuing the directive Monday, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said in addition, a new central department would be formed at the ministry to ensure high standards in maintenance, while penalties in the form of surcharges would be imposed on contractors who shirked their duties.

Elaborating on the Building Surveyors Division, he said its role would be to detect any defect.

"It (the division) will also ensure the maintenance and streamlining of high standards for construction supervision," he said when opening a workshop on the new government delivery system organized by his ministry here.

He also directed the JKR and all agencies within the ministry to draw up implementing charts when giving a project to a contractor.

"If the task or required parcel of work is not completed within the stipulated period and according to the quality expected, the contractor is surcharged immediately.

"There is therefore an urgent need to tighten quality assurance, standards including enhancing monitoring and supervisory roles," he said.

Samy Vellu also called for a revamp of the ministry's Complaints Unit. "This unit must become more pro-active in making itself available to the ordinary citizens thereby documenting accurately their complaints and effectively resolving their grievances," he said.

He said by managing public complaints and giving reliable and accurate replies, it would enhance the ministry's profile with civil society groups.

Samy Vellu said also said it was important for the JKR to deploy the right people especially those with the competency, expertise, experience, information, brainpower and commitment to oversee the implementation of projects.

"In a similar way, a step-by-step approach to effectively monitor all the infrastructure projects that are being undertaken is critical," he said.

Samy Vellu said critical self assessment and peer group appraisals were necessary to keep relevant officials alert on their professional and technical outputs.

"Effective tracking and feedback systems must be developed. Multiple sources of information both formal and informal must be tapped from all the stakeholders," he said.

He also suggested that trouble shooting teams be established to undertake spot checks and analysis to ensure quality control, while internal audits must assess both effective and efficient use of resources.

"A stricter compliance system must be developed for contractors and sub-contractors with specific references to infrastructure weaknesses due to shoddy work and fulfilling standard requirements," he said.

Bank Islam Appoints Dubai-based Banker As Director

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 - Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd has appointed prominent Dubai-based banker Ahmad Saeed Bin Brek as an independent non-executive director from June 8.

Ahmad Saeed is a reputed turnaround specialist, as demonstrated when he turned around from a loss of one millionCitibank Arab Emirates dinar (AED) to a profit of 150 million AED in 1990, Bank Islam in a statement.

He is also credited with establishing a diversified commercial and retail segment for and transforming Citibank, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to a premier institution, the bank added.

Bank Islam said the appointment was in line with its strategy to bring in relevant expertise at the board and senior management level to help accelerate the bank's tranformation.

An accountant by training, Ahmad Saeed has over 25 years of experience in banking and financial services in the UAE and Gulf region.

He is currently chief executive officer (CEO) of MAF Ventures LLC.

Previously, he was CEO of Citibank NA, UAE and Oman, from 1990 to 2002 and seconded to Dubai Bank in 2002. Prior to joining Citibank, he was a senior auditor for Ernst & Young.

Smart Tunnel Toll Collection Begins Midnight Friday

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 - Toll collection at the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) motorway will start at midnight on Friday and the rate will be announced shortly, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

"I'll announce the toll rate at a news conference in one or two days," he told reporters after opening the Hindu Dharma Mamandram national delegates' meeting in Batu Caves here Sunday.

Asked whether the government would guarantee that the toll rate would be reasonable and would not burden the public, Samy Vellu said they should understand that the cost of building a road tunnel was higher than that of a normal highway.

"I can't guarantee you that there'll be a reasonable toll because it cost a lot of money to build the tunnel," he said.

The RM1.9 billion project between Jalan Sungai Besi and Jalan Ampang includes a road tunnel costing 3.3kmRM650 million. Road users have been using the motorway for free since May 14.

Samy Vellu said the public had the option of using the road tunnel for speedier travel or other existing roads.

The 9.7km SMART project is meant to divert rain water away from the city centre to prevent flash floods and alleviate traffic congestion, especially for those coming into the city from the south.

Najib, Rosmah Attend Brunei Royal Couple's Bersanding Ceremony

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 10 - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor today attended the ceremony of the "bersanding"Brunei Sultan's fourth princess, Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Puteri Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah and Pengiran Khairul Khalil Pengiran Syed Jaafari.

Najib and Rosmah were seated in the front at Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana of Istana Nurul Iman along with the Crown Prince of Brunei Paduka Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah and his consort Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah and the sultan's princes dan princesses.

The deputy prime minister and his wife later flew to Sabah to attend an official function there. They will return here tomorrow to attend the royal banquet at the royal banquet hall of Istana Nurul Iman.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah and Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud would also attend the banquet.

Also present at today's bersanding ceremony were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, his wife and members of the foreign diplomatic corps based here.

Thailand, Malaysia To Ink Education MoU

BANGKOK, June 9 - After years of informal ties in the education field, Malaysia and Thailand are expected to sign a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) in August to pave the way for closer cooperation and exchange of expertise between their educators.

The formal collaboration comes in the wake of the two neighbours ushering in their 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.

The MoU is expected to be finalised and signed when Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont visits Malaysia in August.

Deputy Director-General of Education (School Division) Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom led 12 Education Ministry senior officials to explore areas of cooperation during their five-day visit to Thailand which ended today.

Alimuddin said the MoU was the result of a recent meeting between Malaysian Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and his Thai counterpart Prof Dr Wichit Srisa-an here and in Kuala Lumpur last month.

"Many schools and institutions in both countries have exchange programmes and cooperation for many years. In view of that, the ministers felt there is a need for formal cooperation that will benefit the two countries," he said in an interview here.

Alimuddin said the MoU would, among others, touch on academic cooperation and exchange of staff, experts, teachers and students, promoting linkages between cluster schools and organising training programmes for teachers.

He said one of the important areas of cooperation involves religious schools as Dr Wichit had sought Malaysia's help to further develop the religious school system in Thailand, especially in the restive south.

"Dr Wichit was impressed with our religious school system that gives equal importance to both religious studies and normal syllabus.

"He wants to implement a similar model in Thailand," he said.

Alimuddin said Thai officials are also keen to learn from Malaysia the teaching of science and mathematics in English.

In return, he said, Malaysia hopes to learn from Thailand the examination and evaluation systems for arts schools, which are new in Malaysia, as well as special education.

In August, 500 scouts from Malaysian schools bordering Thailand would join 1,500 scouts from the southern provinces in the Thai-Malaysia Border Scouts Jamboree in Songkhla.

S'pore Detains "Self-Radicalised" S'porean, Four JI Members Under ISA

SINGAPORE, June 8 - Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) has arrested a 28-year-old man whom it described as a "self-radicalised' Singaporean who had made specific plans to pursue "militant jihad" in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement tonight that Abdul Basheer Abdul Kader, an ex-lecturer, was arrested in February this year and subsequently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The ISD had also arrested and placed under ISA four Jemaah Islamiyah members between November last year and February this year, including one whom the ministry said had "undergone JI training in Malaysia".

The ministry said Abdul Basheer studied and practised law after graduation and later became a lecturer in an educational institution.

"From late 2004, he began developing the mindset that he had to wage 'militant jihad' in a land where Muslims were under attack. His views were shaped by the radical discourse that he avidly looked up on the Internet," the ministry said.

In October 2006, Abdul Basheer left Singapore for a Middle-Eastern country. "He planned to live there for two years, learning Arabic so that he could communicate with Mujahidin fighters," the ministry said.

He was arrested and repatriated to Singapore "before he could embark on his violent agenda".

Meanwhile, the four JI members detained under the ISA are Ishak Mohamed Noohu, Mohamed Hussain Saynudin, Mohamed Yassin Mohamed Nooh and Ibrahim Mohd Noor.

TNB Beat BJSS 3-1, E&Y Edge Maybank 2-1

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 - Former champions Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), despite taking off on a promising start, only managed to beat underdogs Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) boys 3-1 in the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) Division One match at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil here today.

The power house broke down the school boys' defence as early as the fifth minute through Mohd Fairuz Ramli while midfielder Kevinder Singh rammed home the second goal barely two minutes later.

Kevinder Singh made it 3-0 for TNB in the 18th minute when he touched home another in the 18th minute off a field attempt.

BJSS' solitary strike was courtesy of Ahmad Kazamirul Nasruddin in the 48th minute.

In another Division One match, defending league champions Ernst and Young (E&Y) fought hard to edge Maybank 2-1.

However, it was Maybank who took the lead through Chairil Anwar Abdul Aziz in the sixth minute but E&Y equalised five minutes later through their penalty corner specialist Zulkifli Mohamad Rejab.

The second half saw E&Y struggling to break into Maybank's semi-circle and finally found their loop hole in the 60th minute through Ismail Abu to collect the full three points.

"We were cautious in the first half and conceded a goal. We charged back and got the equaliser. In the second half, I told the boys to go all-out and they got the winning goal late in the second half. It was a close game but I'm glad we collected full points today," said E&Y's coach K. Dharmaraj.

In Division Two, Jurutera Letrik Jentera (JLJ) steamrolled Royal Malaysian Air Force(RMAF) 7-1 at the Tun Razak Hockey Stadium while SUKSES Selangor could only manage a 2-2 draw with Dolphins at Klang.

In another match, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) secured a slim 1-0 win over Renjers at the Sungai Petani pitch while Kedah Hockey Association Nur Insafi managed to overcome MSN Terengganu 3-2.

At the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Batu Pahat beat Royal Malay Regiment 4-3.

US sued over 'ghost prisoners'

Six human rights groups are suing the US government seeking more details of 39 people they claim were detained in anti-terror operations, and have since gone 'missing'.

Amnesty International and the others said they have compiled evidence to show the "ghost detainees" were either in or have been in US custody, Al Jazeera's John Terrett reports.

The move comes after a US civil rights group last month filed a suit against a subsidiary of aircraft manufacturer Boeing for aiding the CIA in flying the suspects to detention facilities.

Most of those arrested in the months following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York are held at Guantanamo Bay, the US naval base in Cuba.

Detainee list

The groups on Thursday published the list of 39 detainees based on information gleaned from interviews with former prisoners and officials in the US, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen.

Amnesty says it is not sure if the missing prisoners are in any US detention facility, claiming their report offers evidence that Washington has been lying.

"For its part, the CIA has always maintained that it operates in strict accord with American law," Sean Casey, a US State Department spokesman, said.

George Bush, the US president, had late last year acknowledged the existence of secret detention centres but did not specify any locations.

The rights groups say the men were among those captured in highly controversial "renditions" in which suspects were detained outside the US and flown to top secret American jails around the world.

European probe

In Europe, a Swiss senator heading an investigation into alleged CIA secret prisons and flights in Europe is expected to present on Friday new findings on what he calls a "spider's web" of human rights abuses.

Dick Marty, who is leading an inquiry on behalf of the Council of Europe, had spoken to former CIA agents to corroborate his earlier accusations that CIA planes landed in Poland and Romania to drop off detainees, a source familiar with the investigation said.

The European Parliament came to the same conclusion after completing its own investigation in February.

Both the Polish and Romanian governments have vehemently denied Marty's allegations.

Last year, he accused 14 European nations of colluding to help the CIA spirit terror suspects to illegal detention facilities, and said European governments "did not seem particularly eager to establish" the facts.

While details of most of the detainees remained sketchy, information for at least 21 of the detainees had been confirmed by two or more independent sources, Anne Fitzgerald, a senior adviser for Amnesty International, said.

Right restored

Meanwhile in Washington on Thursday, the US Senate Judiciary Committee endorsed a bill that will restore basic legal rights to inmates of Guantanamo Bay detainees, allowing the accused to challenge their detention in a US court.

The move came days after the US administration suffered a severe legal setback in its 'war on terror' after a military tribunal dismissed charges against two Guantanamo inmates.

"Habeas corpus was recklessly undermined in last year's legislation," Senator Patrick Leahy, the Judiciary Committee chairman, said. "I hope that the new Senate will reconsider this historic error in judgment and set the matter right."

Judges who heard both cases on Monday ruled they had no jurisdiction to proceed with military commission trials as neither inmate was classified as an "unlawful enemy combatant".