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  • Year of the Dragon

    January 23rd, 2012 Permalink

    As the dragon is seen to be an auspicious creature, it’s not surprising to see many couples trying to get married in this Year of the Dragon or trying for a Dragon baby.According to geomancers, this Year of the Water Dragon will bring good luck to those in the arts.Also brace for growth and changes, as the Chinese element theory dictates that water produces wood, which signifies growth.This is a double boost for the dragon, which itself represents growth and is a symbol of power.The dragon is the most revered mythical animal for the Chinese, who have no qualms calling themselves descendents of the dragon.In the old days, the dragon represented the Chinese emperor and was used as an image to extol and herald prosperity, power and intelligence.

    Dragons stauettes are silhouetted during sunrise at a temple in Kuala Lumpur on January 23, 2012. The Lunar New Year falls on January 23, 2012, marking the start of the Year of the Dragon. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    Mahathir Mohamad

    January 20th, 2012 Permalink

    Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad (born 10 July 1925) is a Malaysian politician who was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia’s longest serving Prime Minister. His political career spanned almost 40 years.Born and raised in Alor Setar, Kedah, Mahathir excelled at school and became a medical doctor. He became active in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysia’s largest political party, before entering parliament in 1964. He served one term before losing his seat, before falling out with the then Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman and being expelled from UMNO. When Abdul Rahman resigned, Mahathir re-entered UMNO and parliament, and was promoted to the Cabinet. By 1976, he had risen to Deputy Prime Minister, and in 1981 was sworn in as Prime Minister after the resignation of his predecessor, Hussein Onn.

    Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad talks to journalist during an interview at his office in Kuala Lumpur on January 20, 2012.Mahathir said when Anwar was acquitted and discharged by the High Court recently of the charge of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the victim's plea for an appeal against the verdict was disputed.

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    Lunar New Year “Year of The Dragon”

    January 18th, 2012 Permalink

    Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. In China, it is known as “Spring Festival,” the literal translation of the Chinese name 春節 (Pinyin: Chūn Jié), since the spring season in Chinese calendar starts with lichun, the first solar term in a Chinese calendar year. It marks the end of the winter season, analogous to the Western carnival. The festival begins on the first day of the first month (Chinese: 正月; pinyin: Zhēng Yuè) in the traditional Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day. Chinese New Year’s Eve, a day where Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner, is known as Chú Xī (除夕) or “Eve of the Passing Year.” Because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the “Lunar New Year”.

    A worker inspects a dragon lantern decoration made from recycled materials and energy-saving LED lights at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen temple in Jenjarom, some 50 kilometres Southwest of Kuala Lumpur on January 16, 2012. The Chinese Lunar New Year, the year of the dragon, falls on January 23, 2012 and will be celebrated by ethnic Chinese worldwide.TOPSHOTS/AFP PHOTO/ Mohd Rasfan

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    Anwar Verdict

    January 12th, 2012 Permalink

    Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim (born 10 August 1947) is a Malaysian politician who served as Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998.Early in his career, Anwar was a close ally of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad but subsequently emerged as the most prominent critic of Mahathir’s government.In 1999, he was sentenced to six years in prison for corruption, and in 2000, to another nine years for sodomy. In 2004, the Federal Court reversed the second conviction and he was released. In July 2008, he was arrested over allegations he sodomised one of his male aides, but was acquitted of the charge in January 2012.

    Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (C) along with his wife Wan Azizah (back) arrives for his verdict at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur on January 9, 2012. Anwar said he was prepared to go to jail, on the eve of an eagerly awaited verdict in his trial on sodomy charges that threatens his political career. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    MALAYSIA SCHOOL “FIRST DAY”

    January 4th, 2012 Permalink

    Children across the country donned their new school uniforms and went to school for the first time with some feeling scared and nervous, some crying, and some excited, while their parents waited for them outside their classes

    Students run outside a classroom during the first day of school at an islamic local school in Kuala Lumpur on January 4, 2012. Children across the country donned their new school uniforms and went to school for the first time with some feeling scared and nervous, some crying, and some excited, while their parents waited for them outside their classes. TOPSHOTS AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    Malaysian opposition leader “Anwar Ibrahim “

    January 3rd, 2012 Permalink

    Anwar bin Ibrahim (born 10 August 1947) is a Malaysian politician who served as Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998. Early in his career, Anwar was a close ally of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad but subsequently emerged as the most prominent critic of Mahathir’s government.In 1999, he was sentenced to six years in prison for corruption, and in 2000, to another nine years for sodomy. In 2004, the Federal Court reversed the second conviction and he was released. In July 2008, he was arrested over allegations he sodomised one of his male aides, and faces new sodomy charges in the Malaysian courts.

    Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is pictured after a press conference at the Pakatan Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on January 3, 2012. Anwar will visit eight states in a whirlwind six-day tour beginning in southern Johor state and ending in a courthouse rally ahead of a verdict on January 9 in his long-running sodomy trial, to declare his innocence and campaign for a change of government. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    Occupy “Independence Square”

    January 1st, 2012 Permalink

    Occupy Dataran is an autonomous grassroots initiative based in Kuala Lumpur, that aims to create a platform to experiment participatory democracy based on the popular assembly model.The Malaysian Insider reported that the actual street protests of Occupy Dataran were an offshoot of Occupy Wall Street. The paper also reported that the Malaysian protesters were expressing solidarity with the New York protest movement.However, it is widely acknowledged that the first Occupy Dataran assembly was held on 30 July 2011, seven weeks before Occupy Wall Street. The Daily Mail even reported that the global Occupy Movement started in Kuala Lumpur with Occupy Dataran in July.

    An activist wears a V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes mask at the Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur on January 1, 2012 during a rally to mark the end of 2011 and against the injustices and anti-democratic events that happened in Malaysia on 2011. AFP PHOTO/ MOHD RASFAN

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    Welcome “2012″

    January 1st, 2012 Permalink

    The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner.The New Year of the Gregorian calendar, today in worldwide use, falls on 1 January, continuing the practice of the Roman calendar. There are numerous calendars that remain in regional use that calculate the New Year differently.

    Fireworks explode near Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers during the New Year 2012 celebrations in Kuala Lumpur on January 1, 2012. Predominantly Muslim Malaysia welcomed 2012 with a dazzling fireworks display.AFP PHOTO/ Mohd Rasfan

    Fireworks explode near Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers during the New Year 2012 celebrations in Kuala Lumpur on January 1, 2012. Predominantly Muslim Malaysia welcomed 2012 with a dazzling fireworks display.TOPSHOTS AFP PHOTO/ Mohd Rasfan

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    Political Fire in Malaysian Students

    December 29th, 2011 Permalink

    Hundreds of university students organized by Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) took to the streets to lobby the repeal of the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA), which the undergraduates say denies their academic freedom

    MALAYSIA, Kuala Lumpur : TO GO WITH AFP STORY "Malaysia-politics-vote-education-university-rights,FEATURE" BY JULIA ZAPPEI This picture taken on December 17, 2011 shows students displaying a banner reading "Abolish the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA)" outside the Malaysia ruling party United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) building during a protest in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Hundreds of university students organized by Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia (SMM) took to the streets to lobby the repeal of the University and University Colleges Act (UUCA), which the undergraduates say denies their academic freedom. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    “Free Aceh Punk”

    December 24th, 2011 Permalink

    POLICE in Indonesia’s most conservative province raided a punk-rock concert and detained 65 fans, buzzing off their spiky mohawks and stripping away body piercings because of the perceived threat to Islamic values.Punk rock fans in Indonesia’s staunchly Muslim province of Aceh were relieved that a 10-day re-education programme finally ended, but further brainwashing efforts may await them.Sixty-five punk rock enthusiasts on Friday completed a 10-day rehabilitation programme at a police school, aimed at persuading them to do away with their distinctive lifestyles.Police arrested the 60 males and five females at a concert that authorities said lacked a permit this month.

    A tourist has her photograph taken next to a graffiti on a wall reading "Free Aceh Punk" in downtown Kuala Lumpur on December 24, 2011. Indonesian sharia police are "morally rehabilitating" more than 60 young punk rock fans in Aceh province on Sumatra island, saying the youths are tarnishing the province's image. AFP PHOTO/Mohd Rasfan

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    Miss Tourism International 2011

    December 23rd, 2011 Permalink

    Miss Tourism International is an annual international beauty contest run by the D’ Touch International’s Sdn Bhd Foundation.The beauty pageant had same with Miss Tourism International in Sri Lanka that was held three times (1993, 1996 & 2002). Nevertheless, the pageant not held again.The contest began in 1994 in Kuching, Malaysia. Malaysia hosts Miss Tourism International every year, except in 2006 it was held outside Malaysia for the first time, in Guangzhou, China. The beauty pageant was not held in 1996, 1997 and 2007.

    Miss Tourism International 2011 pageant from Thailand Patsaraporn Khonkhamhaeng (L) displays a creation by a Malaysian designer during the International Batik Fashion in Kuala Lumpur on December 22, 2011. Some fifty-eight participants from around the world paraded designs made from batik, a traditional Malay-Indonesian handicraft which uses wax-resist dyeing techniques on fabric. AFP PHOTO/Mohd Rasfan

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    Nahajale

    December 22nd, 2011 Permalink

    The Bakun dam has been condemned by opponents as a catastrophe for the mighty Balui river watershed and the people that depend on it.But in a push to develop Sarawak’s backward economy, the state government plans still more dams and has opened up virgin forest to loggers and palm-oil plantations that increasingly encroach on tribal lands, natives say.The Swiss-based jungle-protection group Bruno Manser Fund says about 90 percent of Sarawak’s rainforests have been damaged by logging and other pressures.Tribes in many areas have pushed back, repeatedly barricading logging roads in recent years in an effort to protect forests.But Malaysia’s top court in September ruled against a tribal coalition including the Kayan and Ukit in their 12-year legal battle to reclaim ancestral lands lost to the dam in what many called a dire blow for native rights.Three years ago, Kayan and Ukit natives moved upriver, deeper into the forest, establishing Nahajale in a bid to escape the outside pressures and rising reservoir waters that flooded their ancestral homes two months ago.

    TO GO WITH AFP STORY: Malaysia-energy-dam-Bakun-environment-tribes, FEATURE by M. Jegathesan This picture taken on September 23, 2011 shows children from Kayan tribes seating in front of their house in Nahajale, Malaysia's Sarawak regions. About 15,000 people were herded by the government over the past decade to the new village of Sungai Asap, 80 kilometres (50 miles) from the dam, which has a medical clinic, electricity, and Internet access. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    Honoring North Korean leader Kim Jong-il

    December 20th, 2011 Permalink

    Kim Jong-il (born: Yuri Irsenovich Kim (16 February 1941/2 – 17 December 2011)was the supreme leader of North Korea. He was the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the ruling party since 1948, Chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea, and the supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, the fourth-largest standing army in the world.

    An embassy staff member wears a Kim Jong-il badge while standing in front of its embassy in Kuala Lumpur on December 20, 2011. North Korean supremo Kim Jong-II died on December 17, 2011 of a heart attack aged 69, North Korean state media announced on December 19, 2011 paving the way for a third generation of family leadership under his son Kim Jong-Un. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    Christmas

    December 18th, 2011 Permalink

    Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, celebrated generally on December 25 as a religious and cultural holiday by billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide.Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world’s nations, is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians, and is an integral part of the Christmas and holiday season.

    A visitor takes pictures of Christmas trees illuminated by LED lights in Shah Alam, some 25 kilometres west of the country's capital Kuala Lumpur on December 8, 2011. Despite having a Muslim majority dominated by ethnic Malays, a large percentage of ethnic minorities in Malaysia celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. TOPSHOTS AFP PHOTO/Mohd Rasfan

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    Welcoming Malaysia’s King

    December 13th, 2011 Permalink

    Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah from the northern state of Kedah takes the throne as the country’s 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.He and his wife, Sultanah Hamidah Hamidun, arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday morning where they attended a short ceremony, steeped in tradition.The event was witnessed by cabinet ministers, lawmakers and foreign dignitaries.This is the first time in Malaysia’s history that the same Sultan or traditional ruler has become king twice.

    The 14th King of Malaysia Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (C) salutes the royal guard of honour during the king's welcoming ceremony at the Parliment House in Kuala Lumpur on December 13, 2011.Malaysia's unique revolving monarchy was passed on December 13 to the sultan of Kedah state, who previously served as the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1970 to 1975 and becomes the first person to hold the position twice. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    Outgoing Malaysia’s King

    December 12th, 2011 Permalink

    Mizan was appointed Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 26 April 1999 after Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, the Sultan of Selangor was elected the 11th Yang di-Pertuan Agong by the Conference of Rulers. Following the death of Salahuddin, Mizan became Acting YDPA on 21 November 2001.Mizan was re-appointed Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 13 December 2001 after the Conference of Rulers elected Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail as the 12th YDPA.

    The outgoing 13th king of Malaysia, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin (3rd L), salutes the royal guard of honour during a farewell ceremony at the Parliment House in Kuala Lumpur on December 12, 2011. Malaysia's 13th king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, on December 12 stepped down from his post after a five-year reign to make way for the next monarch in a send-off steeped in colour and tradition. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    Lunar Eclipse

    December 11th, 2011 Permalink

    A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes behind the Earth so that the Earth blocks the Sun’s rays from striking the Moon. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can only occur the night of a full moon. The type and length of an eclipse depend upon the Moon’s location relative to its orbital nodes. The most recent total lunar eclipse occurred on December 10, 2011. The previous total lunar eclipse occurred on June 15, 2011, The recent eclipse was visible from all of Asia and Australia, seen as rising over Europe and setting over Northwest North America. The last to previous total lunar eclipse occurred on December 21, 2010, at 08:17 UTC.

    A man watches the lunar eclipse using his tablet computer during a total lunar eclipse in Kuala Lumpur on December 10, 2011.The next total lunar eclipse will be visible across Malaysia in 2014. AFP PHOTO/ Mohd Rasfan

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    United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)

    December 1st, 2011 Permalink

    The United Malays National Organisation,(abbreviated as UMNO) is Malaysia’s largest political party, a founding member of the National Front coalition, which has played a dominant role in Malaysian politics since independence.The UMNO emphasizes as its foundation the struggle to uphold the aspirations of Malay nationalism and the dignity of race, religion and country.The party also aspires to protect the Malay culture as the national culture and to uphold, defend and expand Islam.

    Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak gestures as he speaks during the concluding session of the annual congress of his ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in Kuala Lumpur on December 3, 2011. Najib, whose UMNO-dominated ruling coalition suffered historic setbacks in 2008 elections, is widely expected to call fresh polls next year. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    Palm Oil

    November 21st, 2011 Permalink

    Palm oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil are edible plant oils derived from the fruits of palm trees. Palm oil is extracted from the pulp of the fruit of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis; palm kernel oil is derived from the kernel (seed) of the oil palm and coconut oil is derived from the kernel of the coconut (Cocos nucifera). Palm oil is naturally reddish in color because it contains a high amount of beta-carotene.Palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil are three of the few highly saturated vegetable fats. Palm oil is semi-solid at room temperatures. Palm oil contains several saturated and unsaturated fats in the forms of glyceryl laurate (0.1%, saturated), myristate (1%, saturated), palmitate (44%, saturated), stearate (5%, saturated), oleate (39%, monounsaturated), linoleate (10%, polyunsaturated), and alpha-linolenate (0.3%, polyunsaturated).Palm kernel oil and coconut oil are more highly saturated than palm oil. Like all vegetable oils, palm oil does not contain cholesterol (found in unrefined animal fats),although saturated fat intake increases both LDL and HDL cholesterol.

    TO GO WITH AFP STORY MALAYSIA-INDONESIA-COMMODITIES-PALMOIL-ENVIRONMENT, FOCUS BY ROMEN BOSE A picture taken on September 25, 2011 shows a worker loading palm oil fruits onto a lorry at a plantation in Bintulu Sarawak. Palm oil is a key ingredient in the soap we use and everday foods ranging from peanut butter to sweets but its cultivation is one of the biggest threats to the world's dwindling rainforests. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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    “POTONG”

    November 20th, 2011 Permalink

    Male circumcision is the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin (prepuce) from the penis.The word “circumcision” comes from Latin circum (meaning “around”) and cædere (meaning “to cut”). Early depictions of circumcision are found in cave paintings and Ancient Egyptian tombs, though some pictures are open to interpretation.Religious male circumcision is considered a commandment from God in Judaism.In Islam, though not discussed in the Qur’an, male circumcision is widely practised and most often considered to be a sunnah

    A boy shouts as he under goes circumcision during ceremony in Kajang outside Kuala Lumpur on November 20, 2011. About 30 boys aged between 7 and 11, who took part in the festivity some consider a celebration of reaching manhood, were given a grand welcome with surgery using local anesthetic and laser technology. Circumcision is the cutting off the foreskin covering the glands of the penis. AFP PHOTO / Mohd Rasfan

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