14 YEARS-OLD GIRL REQUIRED DNA TEST TO GET MALAYSIAN CITIZENSHIP?

KUALA LUMPUR: A 13-year-old girl went through a DNA test and successfully proved that she is the biological daughter of a Malaysian citizen and is, therefore, entitled to get citizenship.

High Court judge Justice Rosilah Yop asked the parties involved in the civil dispute to look into possibility of settling the claim after the DNA findings confirmed that her biological father was a Malaysian, her lead counsel Annou Xavier said on Friday.

Xavier said that the report dated April 26 from the Chemistry department had confirmed that Malaysian lorry driver S. Nanthakumar was the girl’s biological father.

Xavier said that the Government, during a case management of the suit, had asked the girl to go for a DNA test.

The girl – Yanesha – has named the National Registration department (NRD) director-general, the Home Ministry secretary-general and the Government as defendants.

• Senior Federal Counsel Maisarah Juhari confirmed the details saying that she would consult with the defendants on whether they want to settle the claim.
• Speaking to reporters here after the court proceedings in chambers, Xavier said that the Government had, so far, filed an application to strike out the claim for a citizenship.
• “They said it (the dispute) should be filed by way of a judicial review application and not by way of asking for declarations through a civil claim,” he said.
• He said the defendants said that the girl had delayed making the application by many years.
• Xavier said the girl had applied for citizenship under Article 15A of the Federal Constitution (special power to register children) in 2005 and 2011 but there had been no response from the NRD director-general.
• “Yanesha had to apply for a student pass from the Immigration Department to enrol in a public school and sit for examinations,” he said.
• He said the judge had set July 31 to ascertain the outcome of the matter.
• Yanesha, whose father is a Malaysian and mother Judith Guballo is a Filipina, filed the civil claim through her aunt S.Yogeswari. 
• Yanesha, who was born at Bandar Sunway on May 3, 1999, is currently staying with her aunt after her parents separated.

She was given a birth certificate with the status Bukan Warganegara’ (Not Malaysian citizen).

Among others, Yanesha is seeking a declaration that she is a citizen under the Federal Constitution and wants the court to direct the defendants to issue a new birth certificate and a MyKad to her.

She is asking for an order that NRD registers and updates her name into the register as well as damages and costs. 

Source: Agencies

150 TEENS RESCUED IN US SEX TRAFFICKING RAID

Raids in more than 70 cities across the United States have resulted in the arrest of 150 "pimps" and other individuals and the rescue of 105 sexually exploited children, the FBI said.

"It was the FBI’s largest action to date focusing on the recovery of sexually exploited children, and took law enforcement agencies to streets, motels, casinos and social media platforms", Ronald Hosko, assistant director of the FBI's criminal investigative division, said on Monday. 

• The youngest child was 13 years old, the agency said. Criminal charges against the 150 will include human trafficking, authorities said. 

Source: Al Jazeera

MALAYSIAN BEACHES ON CNN TOP LIST

PETALING JAYA - Three beaches in Malaysia have recently made it to the top 50 beaches of the World’s 100 best beaches survey conducted by international news network CNN. 

Making the list are Perhentian Kecil Island in Terengganu at 13th place, Juara Beach in Pahang’s Tioman Island (21) and Tanjung Rhu in Langkawi (49). 

The list, which is compiled from various sources, takes into account feedback from travellers, colleagues and readers as well as on-site visits and research, CNN said on its website.

It said that most tourists in Langkawi flock to Cenang Beach but Tanjung Rhu has an earthy beauty and serene atmosphere.

The long beach in Tanjung Rhu is surrounded by ancient limestone caves, rippling waterways and dense mangroves.

“We love Langkawi for the breathtaking view atop Gunung Mat Cincang, one of the island’s highest mountains,” it added.

As for Juara Beach, it was less developed and less polished than Thailand, but it brought an all-natural, quiet vibe to the beach experience.

“This isn’t a place for parties or nightlife, unless you like your parties hushed and your nightlife non-human,” quoted CNN.

Tioman Island is a great place for adrenaline junkies who want a rock climbing challenge at Nenek Semu­kut Mountain.

The highlight of Perhentian Kecil Island is its blue waters, which invariably contain turtles and small sharks.

However, Tourism Malaysia gave a different set of best Malaysian beaches according to locals.

The best beaches and islands are Sipadan Island, Mabul and Kapalai in Sabah, Tourism Malaysia said in a press release.

Sipadan is an internationally famous dive site surrounded by the Sulawesi sea and the geographic position of Sipadan at the Indo-Pacific Basin (the centre of the richest marine habitat in the world) makes it a paradise for divers, it said.

The seascape is decorated with huge gorgonian sea fans, barrel sponges and gigantic soft tree corals.

To preserve the delicate ecosystem, accommodation is only provided at the neighbouring Mabul and Kapalai islands and tours must be pre-arranged.

“Malaysia has hundreds of island dotting its waters and some of the world’s best islands and beaches can be found here,” said Tourism Malaysia.

• In Peninsular Malaysia, Cherating Beach in Pahang, Redang Island and Lang Tengah Island in Terengganu, and Pangkor Island in Perak are the most popular among the locals, it added.

Source: CNN

international news network CNN.

PETALING JAYA - Three beaches in Malaysia have recently made it to the top 50 beaches of the World’s 100 best beaches survey conducted by international news network CNN.
Making the list are Perhentian Kecil Island in Terengganu at 13th place, Juara Beach in Pahang’s Tioman Island (21) and Tanjung Rhu in Langkawi (49).
The list, which is compiled from various sources, takes into account feedback from travellers, colleagues and readers as well as on-site visits and research, CNN said on its website.
It said that most tourists in Langkawi flock to Cenang Beach but Tanjung Rhu has an earthy beauty and serene atmosphere.
The long beach in Tanjung Rhu is surrounded by ancient limestone caves, rippling waterways and dense mangroves.
“We love Langkawi for the breathtaking view atop Gunung Mat Cincang, one of the island’s highest mountains,” it added.
As for Juara Beach, it was less developed and less polished than Thailand, but it brought an all-natural, quiet vibe to the beach experience.
“This isn’t a place for parties or nightlife, unless you like your parties hushed and your nightlife non-human,” quoted CNN.
Tioman Island is a great place for adrenaline junkies who want a rock climbing challenge at Nenek Semu­kut Mountain.
The highlight of Perhentian Kecil Island is its blue waters, which invariably contain turtles and small sharks.
However, Tourism Malaysia gave a different set of best Malaysian beaches according to locals.
The best beaches and islands are Sipadan Island, Mabul and Kapalai in Sabah, Tourism Malaysia said in a press release.
Sipadan is an internationally famous dive site surrounded by the Sulawesi sea and the geographic position of Sipadan at the Indo-Pacific Basin (the centre of the richest marine habitat in the world) makes it a paradise for divers, it said.
The seascape is decorated with huge gorgonian sea fans, barrel sponges and gigantic soft tree corals.
To preserve the delicate ecosystem, accommodation is only provided at the neighbouring Mabul and Kapalai islands and tours must be pre-arranged.
“Malaysia has hundreds of island dotting its waters and some of the world’s best islands and beaches can be found here,” said Tourism Malaysia.
In Peninsular Malaysia, Cherating Beach in Pahang, Redang Island and Lang Tengah Island in Terengganu, and Pangkor Island in Perak are the most popular among the locals, it added.
- See more at: http://www.relax.com.sg/article/news/malaysian-beaches-on-cnn-top-list#sthash.pRuH9vks.dpuf

CLASHES ERUPT IN FRANCE OVER VEIL BAN

 

TRAPPES, France - About 250 people hurling projectiles clashed with police firing tear gas west of Paris, in apparent protest over enforcement of France's ban on Islamic face veils. Five people were injured and six detained in the violence, authorities said. 

The interior minister urged calm and dialogue, insisting on the need for public order and respect for France's Muslims. 

The incident in the town of Trappes on Friday night reflected tensions between police upholding France's strict policies of secularism and those who accuse authorities of discriminating against France's No. 2 religion. 

A few trash bins were torched and a bus shelter shattered in the Trappes unrest. Spent tear gas capsules lay on the road Saturday near the police station at the center of the violence. France has barred face veils since 2011. 

• The French government has condemned as "unacceptable" weekend violence outside Paris triggered by the country's ban on full-face veils and strongly defended the controversial law.
• Two senior members of the government, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Interior Minister Manuel Valls spoke on Monday following the violence in the suburb of Trappes, southwest of Paris.

Source: AP

EARTHQUAKE IN CHINA KILLS AT LEAST 75

 

On Monday morning, Beijing time, the USGS measured a 5.9 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter was in central China's Gansu province, west of the city of Tianshui, where the Chinese government initially determined the quake as a 6.6 magnitude.

No injuries or deaths were reported immediately in the province that has a population of 26 million. At least 75 people have now been confirmed dead by the local government. 

As many as 400 people were reported with injuries and more remain missing.

Additionally, a good amount of structural damage reported in the area. Brick and stone walls crumbled, glass on the side of a high rise shattered. Thousands of homes have been reported damaged thus far.

The epicenter of the earthquake lies in the Himalaya, an area where the India and Eurasia plates have been colliding and converging at a rate of 40-50 mm per year.

Following the first quake, there was a series of aftershocks, one of which registered at a 5.6.

Source: Agencies

FAMILY END SEARCH FOR CANADIAN MISSING IN AUSTRALIA

The desperate search for an Ontario man missing in the Australian wilderness has been called off by his family, according to Australian media reports. Prabhdeep Srawn, a 25-year-old military reservist from Hamilton, was last seen May 13 as he went hiking to Mount Kosciuszko in the New South Wales region.

The official search was called off at the end of May just ahead of the snow season, but the family persisted, offering a $100,000 reward to anyone who "rescues or recovers him." 

Volunteers, including ten members of the Canadian Armed Forces combed the region, but found no trace of Srawn.

Srawn's military experience included cold weather training in northern Ontario, giving his family hope that he had the skills to survive while lost in the mountainous region.

In June, family member Tej Sahota said they had not given up hope.

"We maintain some evidence has to turn up. He just can't disappear into thin air," he said.

• "There has to be some evidence of him on that mountain. Our conviction tells us that he's going to be alive, but we're looking for some sort of evidence ... until we get that evidence, we're not going to quit on this." 

Source: CBC

SEX BLOGGERS FILE REVISION APPLICATION AGAINST BAIL REFUSAL

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Sex bloggers Alvin Tan Jye Yee and Vivian Lee May Ling have filed a revision application against the High Court's refusal to grant bail after they claimed trail to three different charges on Thursday.

Counsel Chong Joo Tian said they filed the application at about 3.50pm yesterday.

Tan, 25, and Lee, 24, claimed trial to the three charges which were read to them before judge Murtazadi Amran.

They were jointly charged under subsection 5(1) of the Film Censorship Act 2002 (Act 620), Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act and Section 298A(1) of the Penal Code.

They were accused of displaying pornographic images in their blog at Kompleks Mutiara, Jalan Ipoh here between July 6 and 7 from 9pm to 2am.

The second charge read that they had uploaded content, which has the possibility of stirring religious hostility between people of different beliefs, at a restaurant in Jalan Dang Wangi here from July 11 and 12 at about 10.48pm.

At the same time, Tan and Lee faced a third charge of publishing a seditious photograph of themselves eating bak kut teh on Facebook with the caption "Selamat Berbuka Puasa at Kompleks Mutiara".

The posting had also carried a halal logo and the words wangi, enak, menyelerakan (fragrant, delicious, appetising).

Murtazadi had granted the prosecution's application for the case to be jointly tried. He set Aug 23 for mention.

• Tan and Lee were sent to Sungai Buloh Prison and Kajang Prison, respectively.
• The couple removed the posting and uploaded a new picture of them eating ketupat, rendang and curry puffs after the earlier posting caused an uproar among Malay­sians. Their Facebook page was later deactivated.
• Tan and Lee had also issued an apology in a 1:22 minute video on YouTube in which they apologized for the insensitive posting, claiming it was done in jest.

Source: AsiaOne

A WOMAN SENTENCED TO JAIL IN DUBAI AFTER SHE REPORTED AN ALLEGED RAPE?

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - A Norwegian woman sentenced to 16 months in jail in Dubai for having sex outside marriage after she reported an alleged rape said Friday she decided to speak out in hopes of drawing attention to the risks of outsiders misunderstanding the Islamic-influenced legal codes in this cosmopolitan city. 

The case has drawn outrage from rights groups and others in the West since the 24-year-old interior designer was sentenced. 

• It also highlights the increasingly frequent tensions between the United Arab Emirates' international atmosphere and its legal system, which is strongly influenced by Islamic traditions in a nation where foreign workers and visitors greatly outnumber locals.

Source: Agencies

MANILA. MNLF SIGN WEALTH SHARING DEAL

MANILA, Philippines - Philippines Government and MILF negotiating panels scored a breakthrough in the negotiations last week with the signing of the wealth-sharing annex on the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB).

Coronel-Ferrer said the wealth sharing arrangement will realize meaningful autonomy for the Bangsamoro in the future.

“Behind the haggling for more shares is the intent (for the Bangsamoro) to be less and less dependent on the national government,”

“It indicated that the intention is not to get the ‘lion’s share’ for its own sake but to be able to stand tall as a progressive and peaceful region, an equal partner of the Central government in an equally peaceful and progressive country,” she said

The agreement on wealth sharing was arrived at following a rigorous six-day formal exploratory talks with the MILF in Kuala Lumpur where they succeeded in completing the Annex on Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing.

The government chief peace negotiator with Moro rebels said the recent signing of the provision on wealth sharing was not aimed at window dressing President Benigno Aquino III upcoming annual presidential address to Filipinos.

“There’s no short term interest that had to be satisfied by this (wealth sharing) except for the desire that the peace will be kept especially on the ground,” government chief negotiator with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Miriam Coronel-Ferrer explained.

• She also said that the government negotiating panel had signed the Wealth Sharing Annex in the proposed Bangsamoro deal with the consent of the President.
• Aquino is slated to deliver his annual presidential address on Monday. 
• The speech, which outlines the gains of the present administration with regards to its goals and targets for the year, had been largely viewed by the president’s critics an opportunity by the leader to ballyhoo supposed gains by his administration.

Source: Agency