KUALA LUMPUR – Measat Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd (Measat) is offering a fully-paid scholarship for a Masters Degree in Space studies or Space Management at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France.

The one-year scholarship from September is open to Malaysians aged 35 and below, the company said today.

More details on the scholarship are available at www.measat.com.


Hold inquest, say police

GEORGE TOWN – Police have recommended an inquest be held into the dragon boat tragedy which claimed six lives in the waters off Macallum Street Ghaut last month.

State police chief Deputy Comm Ayub Yaakob said they had wrapped up their investigation and had referred the investigation papers to the state Deputy Public Prosecutor’s office.

“The case has been classified as sudden death," he told reporters today.


  Cybercrime under control

KUALA LUMPUR – Cyber attack in Malaysia is still under control, thanks to government efforts in ensuring a safe electronic environment in the country, said CyberSecurity Malaysia chief executive officer Husin Jazri.

"Cyber security in Malaysia is the same as in other parts of the world, we have issues and challenges that we face but in short, it is under control (cyber attack), he told Bernama here today.

The organisation runs the Cyber 999 Help Desk, which is a one-stop reporting centre for people to lodge complaints against illegal online activities.


  34 Iranians among 39 held

KUALA LUMPUR – Thirty-four Iranians were among 39 people detained by the police in connection with the seizure of syabu worth about RM10.5mil over the past two months.

Also seized were RM225,850, believed to have been proceeds from the sale of the 42kg drugs, believed to have been smuggled from Iran via Dubai.

Apart from the Iranians, the others comprised three locals, a Filipina and a Singaporean.


  Back to bad habit

KUALA LUMPUR – A 15-year jail term and 10 strokes of the cane seem to be no deterrence for a drug trafficker as he repeated the offence only three months after his release from prison.

The 39-year-old suspect was arrested at his house in Delima Apartment, Jalan Klang Lama last Wednesday after he was found to be trafficking in drugs in the Puchong and Jalan Kuchai areas for more than two months.

Brickfields police chief Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said the unemployed man was arrested following a public tip-off.


  How to address Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong

KUALA LUMPUR – The Prime Minister's Department issued a statement today on the official title used by the Sultan of Kedah and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong while carrying out the duties of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The official title is "His Royal Highness Al-Sultan Almu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbbudin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Sultan of Kedah and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The other official title is "His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Kedah and Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin is scheduled to return on Feb 27 after undergoing physiotherapy in Germany.


  Amnesty restricted

PUTRAJAYA – The decision to postpone the crackdown on illegal foreign workers after the Chinese New Year applies only for the service sector, said Immigration director-general Abdul Rahman Othman.

He said, however, the operation against illegal workers in the construction and manufacturing sectors would be conducted as planned.

"Operations will also be carried out against illegal immigrants involved in immoral activities and crimes... This is because we are not giving amnesty to them this time around," he told reporters here today.


  Govt to phase out subsidies

KUALA LUMPUR – Subsidies for industries and consumers must be restructured and gradually phased out, and greater domestic competition must occur to give freer rein to private initiatives and market forces, the Prime Minister said today.

"Better allocation of national resources which have been somewhat misallocated because of massive subsidies must be addressed," Najib said in his keynote address at the 1Malaysia Economic Conference organised by the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia here.

According to him, the country may not be able to afford over-subsidised and under-priced energy.

  Wildlife personnel find tiger dead

KUALA LUMPUR – A tiger which injured a tribesman in northern Malaysia was found dead with gunshot, spear and snare wounds inflicted before the weekend attack, a wildlife official said today.

Shabrina Shariff, wildlife department director in Perak state, said seven men from one of Malaysia's indigenous groups had admitted injuring the four-year-old male tiger in an attempt to trap it before Saturday's attack.

"We will submit a report to the prosecution for action," she said, adding that the men faced five years in jail if found guilty of trying to poach one of the world's most endangered species.


  Student: Bomoh raped me

KUCHING – A Form Five student was alleged raped by a bomoh at his house on Friday.

The girl from Kampung Astana went with family members to visit the bomoh, who was a family friend.

After convincing her family to leave them alone, the bomoh in his 40s raped the girl, who subsequently reported the crime.


  Family truck car-jacked

KUCHING – A teenager who was asked to wait in his father’s 4WD vehicle near a bank was robbed in broad daylight.

The girl was waiting in the vehicle near a bank as her parents went to deposit some money.

That was when the two robbers seized the veheicle after forcing the girl out in the Friday incident. — Agencies