NAJIB TO CHAIR
He also said a committee on the Indian community would meet on Monday."The meeting will consider several issues related to steps to be taken to uplift the standard of living among the community," he said, adding that MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu would attend the meeting, representing the Indian community.
The Prime Minister also announced several measures to be taken to strengthen the BN and forge closer relations between the BN component parties.
Among the measures were the setting up of four committees namely:
* The BN Rebranding Committee chaired by former Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, whose role is to boost relations between the BN component parties.
* The Committee to Strengthen the BN Leadership and Administration chaired by Datuk M. Kayveas.
* The Committee on the Public Service Delivery System chaired by Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, and
* The Committee on the Influence of the Media and the Erosion of the BN Brand, chaired by Datuk Seri Awang Asfia Awang Nassar, the Sarawak State Assembly Speaker.
Abdullah said members of the various committees would be appointed later.
-- BERNAMA
Friday, June 27, 2008
GIRL RUN OVER BY LORRY DRIVEN BY UNCLE
IPOH, June 26 (Bernama) -- A three-year-old girl was killed when she was run over by a lorry driven by her uncle in front of their family home at Ladang Kuala Perak, Jalan Bagan Datoh, yesterday.Hilir Perak Police Chief ACP Goh Kok Liang said S. Deeyaanaash Rao died on arrival at the Selekoh Health Clinic due to serious head injuries.
He said the girl was believed to have dashed behind the lorry and was hit when her uncle, aged 26, was reversing the vehicle to return home to Ladang Bagan Pasir, about 2km away.
Goh said the man only came to know about the incident when informed by his brother about half-an-hour later.
Police have detained the lorry driver for further investigation.
IPOH, June 26 (Bernama) -- A three-year-old girl was killed when she was run over by a lorry driven by her uncle in front of their family home at Ladang Kuala Perak, Jalan Bagan Datoh, yesterday.Hilir Perak Police Chief ACP Goh Kok Liang said S. Deeyaanaash Rao died on arrival at the Selekoh Health Clinic due to serious head injuries.
He said the girl was believed to have dashed behind the lorry and was hit when her uncle, aged 26, was reversing the vehicle to return home to Ladang Bagan Pasir, about 2km away.
Goh said the man only came to know about the incident when informed by his brother about half-an-hour later.
Police have detained the lorry driver for further investigation.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Party time for Russia after Hiddink's heros make semis
BASEL, Switzerland (AFP) - - Russia coach Guus Hiddink says he knows what his side's stunning 3-1 win over Holland on Saturday will mean to millions of Russians as their side reached the Euro 2008 semi-finals.Russia's man-of-the-match Andrei Arshavin was the architect of the Dutch team's downfall as he tormented their defence and scored the third goal deep in extra-time to put his side in the last four.
And Hiddink says he expects there to be much celebrating back in Russia for the rest of the weekend after the side made the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"I knew from after we qualified for the quarter-finals that Red Square and other places around Russia would be filled with people celebrating long into the night," said the 61-year-old, who has added to his reputation yet again here having guided Holland and South Korea to the 1998 and 2002 World Cup semi-finals."I have seen tremendous joy all over Russia and it gives more delight to the team to give joy to many millions of Russians.
"I am extremely proud of the team's achievement."
Hiddink, who had already proved himself as a club coach by winning the then European Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 1988, said that he had been concerned by the lack of time for preparation his side had been given.
"We had just two days to recover after our win over Sweden (2-0) in the group stages.
"I didn't complain a lot, only a bit, before this very difficult game.
"We could hardly work tactically, we had just ten minutes at the stadium yesterday (Friday).
"To see the team produce such an unbelievable performance is amazing, I have not experienced something like that in my career.
"I think the team were superior technically in their control and physically over the Dutch which is tremendous because I know how well they (the Dutch) prepare.
"I don't mean it as an arrogant expression, but we were just better than them," added Hiddink, who also coached Australia to the second round of the 2006 World Cup where they lost to a contentious penalty to eventual winners Italy.
Hiddink, who was at one point linked to taking over at Chelsea until Luiz Felipe Scolari got the job instead, only had one mild criticism of his young side.
"My only criticism of the team is that sometimes we commit too many fouls and we were too passive at the free-kicks (it was from one of them that Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised late in the second-half).
"In extra-time, we kept trying to get the second goal and they were duly rewarded by getting a third as well.
"I am very proud of all the players."
Having said in Friday's pre-match press conference he would be happy to be a "Dutch traitor" if Russia beat his countrymen, Hiddink said he regretted making the comment.
He said: "I wished I hadn't said it after the press conference yesterday, in my opinion 'traitor' is a very bad word.
"Of course, in my position, I would have loved to have out-classed the Dutch team with an unexpected win, so I am very, very happy.
"The words was initially used by a Dutch jourmalist and I regret steping in, but I don't like that word."
Russia striker Ivan Saenko said that it would be a victory that he and his team-mates would remember for a long time.
"It is important that we relish this win," said Saenko.
"Guus Hiddink never stopped telling us that we could beat anyone."
Arshavin, who was also Zenit St Petersburg's creator in chief as they beat Rangers in the UEFA Cup final, said that he was virtually lost for words.
"Simply put, I am just very happy," said the 27-year-old, who was suspended for the first two matches.
"I really don't know what to say, the words escape me.
"We gave our all. Our coach had told us that the Dutch would be aggressive at the beginning of the match, but it was us who were more aggressive.
"The side who won had the best Dutch coach," added Arshavin in an impish snipe at Holland's handler Marco van Basten.
And Hiddink says he expects there to be much celebrating back in Russia for the rest of the weekend after the side made the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"I knew from after we qualified for the quarter-finals that Red Square and other places around Russia would be filled with people celebrating long into the night," said the 61-year-old, who has added to his reputation yet again here having guided Holland and South Korea to the 1998 and 2002 World Cup semi-finals."I have seen tremendous joy all over Russia and it gives more delight to the team to give joy to many millions of Russians.
"I am extremely proud of the team's achievement."
Hiddink, who had already proved himself as a club coach by winning the then European Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 1988, said that he had been concerned by the lack of time for preparation his side had been given.
"We had just two days to recover after our win over Sweden (2-0) in the group stages.
"I didn't complain a lot, only a bit, before this very difficult game.
"We could hardly work tactically, we had just ten minutes at the stadium yesterday (Friday).
"To see the team produce such an unbelievable performance is amazing, I have not experienced something like that in my career.
"I think the team were superior technically in their control and physically over the Dutch which is tremendous because I know how well they (the Dutch) prepare.
"I don't mean it as an arrogant expression, but we were just better than them," added Hiddink, who also coached Australia to the second round of the 2006 World Cup where they lost to a contentious penalty to eventual winners Italy.
Hiddink, who was at one point linked to taking over at Chelsea until Luiz Felipe Scolari got the job instead, only had one mild criticism of his young side.
"My only criticism of the team is that sometimes we commit too many fouls and we were too passive at the free-kicks (it was from one of them that Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised late in the second-half).
"In extra-time, we kept trying to get the second goal and they were duly rewarded by getting a third as well.
"I am very proud of all the players."
Having said in Friday's pre-match press conference he would be happy to be a "Dutch traitor" if Russia beat his countrymen, Hiddink said he regretted making the comment.
He said: "I wished I hadn't said it after the press conference yesterday, in my opinion 'traitor' is a very bad word.
"Of course, in my position, I would have loved to have out-classed the Dutch team with an unexpected win, so I am very, very happy.
"The words was initially used by a Dutch jourmalist and I regret steping in, but I don't like that word."
Russia striker Ivan Saenko said that it would be a victory that he and his team-mates would remember for a long time.
"It is important that we relish this win," said Saenko.
"Guus Hiddink never stopped telling us that we could beat anyone."
Arshavin, who was also Zenit St Petersburg's creator in chief as they beat Rangers in the UEFA Cup final, said that he was virtually lost for words.
"Simply put, I am just very happy," said the 27-year-old, who was suspended for the first two matches.
"I really don't know what to say, the words escape me.
"We gave our all. Our coach had told us that the Dutch would be aggressive at the beginning of the match, but it was us who were more aggressive.
"The side who won had the best Dutch coach," added Arshavin in an impish snipe at Holland's handler Marco van Basten.
Spain win shootout to reach semi-finals
VIENNA - Spain beat Italy 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a highly tactical Euro 2008 clash on Sunday to set them up with a semi-final against Russia.
Cesc Fabregas coolly slotted home the decisive penalty after goalkeeper Iker Casillas had saved two of Italy's spot kicks.
The match had ended goalless after extra time following 120 minutes in which both defences were too well-organised to break down despite the determine efforts of both strike forces.
It is the first time Spain have reached the semi-finals of a major tournament since they got to the final of the European championships in 1984.
They are the only one of the group winners to make it to the final four after Portugal, Croatia and Netherlands were knocked out of the tournament.
The match at the Ernst Happel stadium was an eagerly anticipated affair, but it developed into a cagey encounter with Spain frustrated by an Italy side who have rediscovered their defensive solidity after a shaky start to the tournament.
As expected Spain quickly got control of the ball and midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta set about probing for gaps in the Italian back four, but they got little change out of centre backs Giorgio Chiellini and Christian Panucci.
David Silva managed to break through but his shot deflected off a defender and ballooned into the hands of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, while Fernando Torres lashed over the bar after being put clear by David Villa.
The first time Buffon was really tested came when Villa fired in a low free kick after 25 minutes, while Silva then drove two shots past the post late on in the half.
SET PIECES
The Italian threat was largely confined to set pieces with Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Cassano searching out Luca Toni with lofted crosses into the area but the big striker never managed to get a clean header.
Italy were missing defensive midfielder Gennaro Gattuso through suspension but the inexperienced Alberto Aquilani did a fine job in helping shackle Spain's creative players.
Spain continued to have the better of the game after the break but although they managed to get past the Italian fullbacks they were unable to threaten the goal.
Coach Luis Aragones threw Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla into the mix just before the hour to try and shake things up in the midfield.
But it was Italy substitute Mauro Camoranesi who almost gave Italy the lead moments later, his fierce close-range shot brilliantly saved by Iker Casillas with his feet after a goalmouth scramble.
Midfielder Marcos Senna almost snatched it for Spain nine minutes from time when Buffon fumbled his powerful long-range drive although the keeper was able to gather the ball after it rolled on to the post.
But neither team could break the deadlock and it became the third quarter-final to go to extra time.
The lively Silva went close again with another crisp drive and Italy striker Antonio Di Natale forced a fine finger-tip save from Casillas soon after but with both sides refusing to take too many risks it took spot kicks to separate them.
Cesc Fabregas coolly slotted home the decisive penalty after goalkeeper Iker Casillas had saved two of Italy's spot kicks.
The match had ended goalless after extra time following 120 minutes in which both defences were too well-organised to break down despite the determine efforts of both strike forces.
It is the first time Spain have reached the semi-finals of a major tournament since they got to the final of the European championships in 1984.
They are the only one of the group winners to make it to the final four after Portugal, Croatia and Netherlands were knocked out of the tournament.
The match at the Ernst Happel stadium was an eagerly anticipated affair, but it developed into a cagey encounter with Spain frustrated by an Italy side who have rediscovered their defensive solidity after a shaky start to the tournament.
As expected Spain quickly got control of the ball and midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta set about probing for gaps in the Italian back four, but they got little change out of centre backs Giorgio Chiellini and Christian Panucci.
David Silva managed to break through but his shot deflected off a defender and ballooned into the hands of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, while Fernando Torres lashed over the bar after being put clear by David Villa.
The first time Buffon was really tested came when Villa fired in a low free kick after 25 minutes, while Silva then drove two shots past the post late on in the half.
SET PIECES
The Italian threat was largely confined to set pieces with Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Cassano searching out Luca Toni with lofted crosses into the area but the big striker never managed to get a clean header.
Italy were missing defensive midfielder Gennaro Gattuso through suspension but the inexperienced Alberto Aquilani did a fine job in helping shackle Spain's creative players.
Spain continued to have the better of the game after the break but although they managed to get past the Italian fullbacks they were unable to threaten the goal.
Coach Luis Aragones threw Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla into the mix just before the hour to try and shake things up in the midfield.
But it was Italy substitute Mauro Camoranesi who almost gave Italy the lead moments later, his fierce close-range shot brilliantly saved by Iker Casillas with his feet after a goalmouth scramble.
Midfielder Marcos Senna almost snatched it for Spain nine minutes from time when Buffon fumbled his powerful long-range drive although the keeper was able to gather the ball after it rolled on to the post.
But neither team could break the deadlock and it became the third quarter-final to go to extra time.
The lively Silva went close again with another crisp drive and Italy striker Antonio Di Natale forced a fine finger-tip save from Casillas soon after but with both sides refusing to take too many risks it took spot kicks to separate them.
Italy president fails to back Donadoni
VIENNA (AFP) - - Italy Football Federation (FIGC) president Giancarlo Abete failed to back coach Roberto Donadoni after his team's Euro 2008 quarter-final defeat on penalties against Spain.
The match here on Sunday finished 0-0 after 120 mostly dull minutes and then Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved penalties by Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale as Spain won the shoot-out 4-2.
Donadoni had claimed he was proud of his players and said they had done all they could have but the FIGC president refused to back him publicly.
"I had already talked to Roberto Donadoni before this game like ... and we had already established that after the game we will assess together the outcome of the European Championships," he said.
"So for the next few days we will meet and discuss what's going to happen.
"Tonight (Sunday) I want to thank the team and head coach because although we lost we have certainly done Italian football proud.
"We lost on penalties but on other occasions we won on penalties such as the (2006) World Cup (final against France).
"As you've seen in the quarter-finals they were all close with only one being decided in the 90 minutes."
However, when pressed on giving a definite answer on Donadoni's future, Abete side-stepped the issue.
"I can say that in the next few days we will meet and talk about it.
"Today we've gone out so in the next few days we will retrace our steps and discuss elements and specific incidents.
"But obviously my role and function must be balanced as the president of the Italian Federation.
"Over the last few months I could not and I cannot now express any kind of definitive position on Donadoni.
"I couldn't and shouldn't say anything about his qualities as a head coach or as a person, I am just thinking about Italy as a team.
"We the federation have tried to support the team as much as possible and over the next few days we will discuss the propsects for the national team in terms of the objectives we set ourselves."
Asked if he agreed with his coach that the competition had been a positive one, his answer was ominous for Donadoni - whose side only won one of their four matches, beating 10-man France 2-0, while losing 3-0 to Holland, and drawing 1-1 with Romania.
"It's positive in terms of the quality of the group of players and I'm pleased with the great bond created in the group but we are aware that our overall capacity and skills have certainly not reached the level that we expected."
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The match here on Sunday finished 0-0 after 120 mostly dull minutes and then Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved penalties by Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale as Spain won the shoot-out 4-2.
Donadoni had claimed he was proud of his players and said they had done all they could have but the FIGC president refused to back him publicly.
"I had already talked to Roberto Donadoni before this game like ... and we had already established that after the game we will assess together the outcome of the European Championships," he said.
"So for the next few days we will meet and discuss what's going to happen.
"Tonight (Sunday) I want to thank the team and head coach because although we lost we have certainly done Italian football proud.
"We lost on penalties but on other occasions we won on penalties such as the (2006) World Cup (final against France).
"As you've seen in the quarter-finals they were all close with only one being decided in the 90 minutes."
However, when pressed on giving a definite answer on Donadoni's future, Abete side-stepped the issue.
"I can say that in the next few days we will meet and talk about it.
"Today we've gone out so in the next few days we will retrace our steps and discuss elements and specific incidents.
"But obviously my role and function must be balanced as the president of the Italian Federation.
"Over the last few months I could not and I cannot now express any kind of definitive position on Donadoni.
"I couldn't and shouldn't say anything about his qualities as a head coach or as a person, I am just thinking about Italy as a team.
"We the federation have tried to support the team as much as possible and over the next few days we will discuss the propsects for the national team in terms of the objectives we set ourselves."
Asked if he agreed with his coach that the competition had been a positive one, his answer was ominous for Donadoni - whose side only won one of their four matches, beating 10-man France 2-0, while losing 3-0 to Holland, and drawing 1-1 with Romania.
"It's positive in terms of the quality of the group of players and I'm pleased with the great bond created in the group but we are aware that our overall capacity and skills have certainly not reached the level that we expected."
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AZMAN EYEING KHAIRY'S SEAT AT REMBAU UMNO YOUTH
SEREMBAN, June 22 (Bernama) -- Rembau Umno Youth Division chief Khairy Jamaluddin may see himself being challenged at the divisional youth delegates' meeting in October.A committee member of the Umno Youth division Azman Mohd Sah today offered himself to contest for the post.Azman, 37, who is Kampung Siliau Youth branch chief said he was willing to challenge Khairy who is also Umno Youth deputy chief and MP for Rembau as he felt that members in the youth division wanted to see the changes."The result of the March 8 general election was a clear indication that the people wanted changes in the leadership as all this while we are controlled by one group. The present leadership has failed to unite the movement," he told a press conference here today.Azman, an insurance agent, said he had so far received the support of six of 108 branch youth chiefs from the division.He also pledged support to Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan as state Umno liaison chairman and would also back him if he (Mohamad) were to seek nomination for the vice-president's post.
-- BERNAMA
-- BERNAMA
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