MACC to pay RM660k for Teoh Beng Hock death

After almost six years of tussle, the government today finally agreed to pay a compensation of RM600,000 to the family of the late Teoh Beng Hock for negligence.

Teoh, who was brought in as a witness by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on July 15, 2009 was found dead the following day after falling from the 14tth floor of the Selangor MACC headquarters in Shah Alam.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching, who has been assisting Teoh's family, said the settlement was formalised and agreed upon by both parties at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

"The MACC had made the offer three months ago after the Court of Appeal ruled they was liable for Teoh's death," she told Malaysiakini.

On Sept 5 last year, a three-member Court of Appeal panel had reversed the High Court's open verdict decision, ruling that Teoh's death was "accelerated by unlawful acts by MACC officers".

In today's settlement, the MACC also said it will to police investigations claims of assault and battery against Teoh.

Acquittal makes Jaya invincible, big advantage for AIADMK, body blow to rivals

New Delhi: The AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa's acquittal by the Karnataka High Court in a 19-year-old corruption case has come as a huge relief for Jayalalithaa and her party. It will make her the chief minister of Tamil Nadu once again enabling her to lead the party in the assembly election due in May 2016. The public prosecutor in the case also feels that there is no ground for appeal against the acquittal making Jaya's position formidable in the coming days.

The Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) BV Acharya expressed surprise over the judgement. Speaking to the media after the acquittal, he said "one can't predict court judgements."

This 19-year-old disproportionate assets case (DA) had been the biggest stumbling block for her. As she is off the hook, reenergised Jaya can launch powerful attack on her detractors and political rivals.

It has come as a huge setback for her main rival the DMK and other political parties in Tamil Nadu. The DMK with its wheelchair-bound 93-year-old leader M Karunanidhi leading the party once again may not be able to take on the might of Jaya led AIADMK.

Spurs vs M'sia XI: KJ gets royal yellow card

Crown prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Idris has noted how various issues in the country have been politicised of late.

However, he wanted Khairy Jamaluddin to ensure that the same fate does not befall the sport of football in Malaysia.

And in order to do this, Tunku Ismail said the youth and sports minister should stand for what is right.

Taking to Facebook, the crown prince penned his disappointment with Khairy for defending the match between the national team and Tottenham Hotspur, which is slated for May 27.

"You know that this match does not benefit the national team, but I'm surprised that you say it does and you stand alongside the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

"This match serves one purpose and one purpose only - the proceeds of this match go to the organisers responsible to bring the team to Malaysia and FAM.

"But what benefit does it bring the national team for the World Cup qualifiers?" he asked.

Chong Wei drugged: Not by me, says Ling's wife

With the prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor now in the clear for having given top shuttler Lee Chong Wei banned substances, the spotlight has fallen on another leading lady from which he could been passed the suspected items.

The figure is none other than Ong Ee Nah, wife of former MCA president and transport minister Ling Liong Sik, who is reportedly also close to Lee.

Ong, however, has denied any involvement in the case.

According to China Press report today, Ong said she should not be implicated in the matter just because she played badminton and Lee was a close friend.

Ong Ee Nah admitted she knew Lee but denied giving him the cordyseps tablets which subsequently led to him being tested postive for banned substances by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

He was handed an eight-month suspension backdated to last year.

According to the 12-page BWF report, the wife of a VIP would purchase cordyseps and have them ground and capsulated at a shop in Kuala Lumpur.

She gave them to Lee who would consume two every morning.

The report said Lee named the wife in camera to avoid having her face any dire consequences.

No malice

The spotlight had earlier fallen on Rosmah who is known to be very supportive of Lee during his tournaments (pix above).

Lee, however, confirmed that it was not Rosmah who provided him with the tablets.

A source familiar with the matter told Malaysiakini yesterday that it was the wife of a former top BN politician.

"This person had given him the herbal concoction without realising that its contents would cause problems.

"There was no malice on her part. It was just an honest mistake," he said.

The BWF report said Lee named the wife in camera to avoid having her face any dire consequences.


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/296875

The Navagraha - the 9 Celestial Bodies

Navagraha represents the nine celestial influencers in
Vedic Astrology . The seven days are named after the
seven celestial bodies of our solar system - the Sun,
Moon and the planets. Apart from these, mention should
be made here of Rahu and Ketu, the two nodes of the
Moon - the north and the south, the points of
intersection of the paths of the Moon and the Sun.
Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon and the Sun are at
Rahu or Ketu. So, Navagraha comprises of:

1. Surya (Sun)
2. Chandra (Moon)
3. Mangala (Mars)
4. Budha (Murcury)
5. Brihaspati (Jupiter)
6. Shukra (Venus)
7. Shani (Saturn)
8. Rahu
9. Ketu

💥Rigveda Book no. 1, hymn No. 164 verse 46:

💥"Ekam Sat, Viprah Bahudha Vadanti"

'To what is One, sages give many names'

Weekly day and Hindu Gods:
It must be noted here that the Deity worship on a
particular day might vary from region to region and
community to community. The result of all upvaas or fast
depends on the person. It is good, if all the members in
the family can undertake a Vrata together

💥1) Sunday: Surya Bhagavan (Sun), Lord Rama, ...
Sunday is dedicated to Lord Surya (Sun God). Those who
undertake fast (upvaas) on the day only take a single
meal. Oil and salt is avoided. Red is the color of the day
and red flowers are offered to Surya.

💥2) Monday: Chandra (Moon), Lord Siva, Lord Ganesa, .....
Monday is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that Lord
Shiva is easily pleased. Therefore many people observe
Upvaas on Monday. Those devotees observing fast only
eat food once. People visit Lord Shiva shrines and
conduct pujas, especially, Ardhanarishwara puja. The
mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ is chanted continuously.
Siva devotees also read Shiva Purana. Unmarried women
observe the Vrat to get good husbands. Others observe it
for a happy and prosperous family life.

💥3) Tuesday: Angarahan (Mars), Durga, Goddess Kali,
Lord Hanuman, Kartikeya, ....
Tuesday is dedicated to Durga, Goddess Kali and Lord
Hanuman. Most devotees visit Devi and Hanuman
shrines. Those people who fast avoid taking food
containing salt at night.
Tuesday or Mangalvar is dedicated to Lord Hanuman in
some places. Hanuman Saleesa is read.
Mangalvar Vrat is observed by those couples who wish to
have a son. Other benefits include happiness in the
family. People who believe in astrology observe fast to
alleviate the harmful effects associated with the planet
mangal or mars.
South India the day is dedicated to Skanda or Muruga or
Kartikeya (Kartik).

💥4) Wednesday: Budha (Mercury), Lord Vittal, Andal,
Anantapadmanabha, Ayyappa, ...
Wednesday is dedicated to Lord Vittal, an incarnation of
Krishna. Green color leaves, especially Tulsi leaves, are
used in Pujas. The day is highly auspicious for starting
new ventures and it is believed that those who observe
the Vrat are bound to get blessed with fortunes. People
also give alms on the day.

💥5) Thursday: Guru (Jupiter), Lord Vishnu, Sai Baba, .....
Thursday is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his
incarnations. Pujas are conducted using milk, ghee etc.
Food is only eaten once and that too containing milk
products. People read Srimad Bhagavad Purana on the
day.
Devoties visit Sai Baba temples on Thursdays if not daily,
througout the country.

💥6) Friday: Sukra (Venus), Mahalakshmi, Parvati,
Sudarshana/Yoga Narasimha, Santhosi Ma,
Annapuraneshwari, Durga, .....
Friday is dedicated to Mother Goddess – Mahalakshmi,
Santhosi Ma, Annapuraneshwari and Durga. Sweets are
distributed on the day. Those devotees observing the
Vrat make it a point to eat at night.

💥7) Saturday: Sani (Saturn), Lord Venkateswara,
Hanuman, ...
Lord Venkateswara in Thirupthi is worshiped daily.
There are number of temples for Venkateswara in India.
People go and worship Srinivasa/Venkateswara there in
Saturdays. Vratas are undertaken at home also.
In Southern part of India Bhaktas visit Hanuman temples
in Saturdays. Betal leaves garland and Vadai garlands are
offered.
Saturday is dedicated to alleviating the bad influence of
Lord Shani. Devoties go to Navagraha temple (in Siva
temples) and do special archana to Lord Saneeswara.
The Vrat on this day is mainly observed by those people
who believe in Hindu astrology. Black is the color of the
day and people visit Shani shrine or Navagraha shrines.
Food is only consumed once on the da

Wife of VIP gave Chong Wei tainted pills

The wife of a "very influential man" gave national shuttler Lee Chong Wei herbal medicine which resulted in his eight-month ban from competing.

According to the 12-page Badminton World Federation (BWF) report, the wife would purchase cordyseps and have them grounded and capsulated at a shop in Kuala Lumpur.

Lee (left)would consume two every morning. The report said Lee named the wife in camera to avoid having her face any dire consequences.

The shop owner who treated the cordysepsacknowledged that there could be a risk of contamination, but did not give the BWF a statement over fears that it would affect his business.

According to Reuters, this was a risky practice, unheard of in most Olympic sports.

"From an athlete in such a prominent position the demands of caution to avoid negligence are expected to be very high.

"Even though he has been cautious, Lee Chong Wei has not met the required level," the BWF report said.

"Mr Lee exposed himself for a completely unnecessary risk of consuming illegal substance for many years."

No testing by BAM

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) officials were aware that Lee was tabling the capsules after the wife begun sending them, but did not subject the capsules for testing.

"It is worrying if he has received unsatisfactory anti-doping education from BAM or other sources and/or the focus on anti-doping security has been unsatisfactory," the BWF report said.

The BWF had found Lee guilty of having the non-performance enhancer dexamethasone in his system. The drug is normally used as an anti-inflammatory drug during the off-season.

The report noted that Lee had been consuming cordyseps since his teenage years on advice of his mother.


Source :http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/296729

KJ: Chong Wei took 'tainted' herbal remedy

National shuttler Lee Chong Wei failed a drug test last year because he consumed a herbal supplement that was contaminated, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy (centre in photo) said the Badminton World Federation (BWF) hearing panel had concluded that there were traces of dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory steroid, on the gelatin capsule shell containing cordyceps, used by Lee.

"Lee has been taking cordyceps since he was 13, because his family believed that it was beneficial for this health," said Khairy at a press conference today.

He said Lee had complied with instructions by his nutritionist at the National Sports Institute, who had deemed the cordycep capsules to be safe.

"It was not necessary to test the product as long as it was 'pure Cordyceps'.

"(Therefore), Lee was not, as of 30th August 2014, aware of any case in the world in which an Adverse Analytical Finding was caused by the contamination of gelatin capsules.

"This is not regarding the supplement itself," he said.   

Lee glad it's over

Lee was subjected to random drug testing when competing in the BWF world championships in Copenhagen last August.

He was subjected to a temporary suspension last October. After hearing his defence, he was penalised with an eight month suspension period, backdated to last August.

With his suspension ending on April 30, Lee will be back on the competitive circuit on May 10 at the Sudirman Cup in Dongguan, China.

Lee (right) told reporters that he was "glad" with the verdict and would work hard for his next fixture.

"Six months felt like two years for me. It was tough and I couldn't sleep well. To me, it's really not my fault.

"Maybe it was just bad luck. But after waiting for six months, at least I've gotten this result.

"I can't imagine how it would be like to not have trainings for three days, but perhaps I can now get some rest," he said.


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/296571