theSun | THURSDAY APRIL 2 2009
news without borders
9-year-old dies after school caning
SEREMBAN: A nine-year-old pupil of SJK (C) Kg
Tiong in Gemas, who was caned on the hands by
a female teacher on Tuesday, died yesterday.
According to Negri Sembilan police chief
Datuk Osman Salleh, the boy had complained
of dizziness after he was caned, and when his
condition worsened, school authorities con-
tacted his parents before sending him to the
Segamat Hospital.
“The parents, however, had him transferred
to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru,
and when later told that his chances of recovery
were slim, brought him back home the same
day,” Osman told reporters at a blood donation
Najib wants to visit China
on anniversary of dad’s trip
Press Digest
by Kong See Hoh
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PRIME Minister-designate Datuk Seri Najib
Abdul Razak hopes to visit China on the 35th
anniversary of his father Tun Abdul Razak’s
historic trip to the “middle kingdom”, Sin Chew
Daily reported yesterday.
Second prime minister Abdul Razak’s
ice-breaking visit to the country on May 28,
1974 saw Malaysia and China signing a joint
communique to establish diplomatic ties, thus
opening an important chapter in bilateral rela-
tions between the two countries.
During his visit to the Sin Chew headquar-
ters in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday, Najib said
the coming anniversary of Abdul Razak’s trip
holds a profound symbolic significance and
presents an opportunity to visit China which
he would not want to miss.
He said that as China emphasises symbol-
ism, it would be especially meaningful to visit
the country as prime minister on the anniver-
sary of his father’s landmark visit.
Najib added, however, that arrangements
for an official visit must wait until he becomes
prime minister.
“China’s must first consent to receiving me
More turn to hawking
THE number of hawkers has increased by 30% in
the wake of the global economic downturn.
According to a China Press report yesterday,
fresh faces in petty trade included people who
have lost their jobs and those supplementing their
income to tide over hard times.
A number of hawkers associations contacted
by the daily said the sudden increase in the number
of roadside stalls, especially at night markets, can
be associated with economic slumps.
“Every time the economy takes a beating,
I didn’t know of shrine’s relocation: Lau
by Charles Ramendran
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: Kampung Tunku DAP assem-
blyman Lau Weng San lodged a police report
yesterday over allegations that he had a hand in
the relocation of a Hindu shrine on a plot of land
near Taman Aman here.
“This is slander as I had no knowledge whatso-
ever of the shrine’s relocation,” he said.
“I found out that it was on land given by the
former BN government to the developer who
built the Paramount View condominiums. The
developer had moved the shrine,” Lau said after
lodging a counter report against one made by a
man said to be the personal assistant of a former
assemblyman at the Seapark police station in SS2
here.
The man who went to the site on Saturday
alleged in his report that Lau and the developer
had worked hand in hand to remove the shrine
without the knowledge of people who frequent
the place.
Lau, who told reporters he was unaware of the
7
campaign at the Negri Sembilan police head-
quarters here yesterday.
The boy died at his home at 3.30am yester-
day, he said.
Osman said it was understood the boy had a
central nervous system problem. He dismissed
allegations that the caning had caused his
death.
Osman advised parents to keep school
authorities informed of any ailments their chil-
dren might suffer. “This way, schools will have
a proper record of the health condition of their
charges, and teachers will exercise more cau-
tion in taking disciplinary action.” – Bernama
as prime minister. (I) cannot assume they will
receive me before everything is certain.
“Furthermore, the leaders of many coun-
tries also want to visit China now. Chinese
officials have a tight schedule,” he said.
Earlier reports had said Najib intended to
visit the country in late May.
Najib said he was confident such a visit
would further strengthen ties between Malay-
sia and China.
During his visit to Sin Chew, Najib also
stressed that the “One Malaysia” concept he
mooted was aimed at recognising the contri-
butions of Malaysians of all races towards the
country’s development. Saying he already had a
set of national reform agendas in mind, he urged
Malaysians to assess him on his actions, and not
on rumours or stereotyped impressions.
Najib said he would honour his pledges and
dedicate himself to nation-building through
political and economic development.
He said that although Malaysia faced politi-
cal and economic challenges, “we can still take
the country to greater heights so long as we stay
united and work towards a common goal”.
Najib said he would meet with the repre-
sentatives of various sectors and backgrounds
in the near future to listen to what they have to
say. “I hope I can get support not only within
the government, but also outside, including
the media.”
more people become hawkers. There is no excep-
tion this time around,” said a hawkers association
official who did not wish to be named.
“During trying times, when jobs are hard to
come by, many opt to become their own boss.”
He said the new hawkers, many unlicensed
and temporary, have no doubt made petty trading
more competitive and challenging.
Meanwhile, stainless steel food stall makers
are enjoying brisk business as many new hawkers
go into the food and drinks business.
report made against him until he was told that
several vernacular newspapers had front-paged
the story, said he would direct his lawyer to write
to the complainant seeking an explanation on the
allegations.
He said the shrine had been relocated to
nearby land below a high tension power cable in
November last year by the developer, who also
bore the cost of building it.
MPPJ councillor S. Ramakrishnan, who accom-
panied Lau, said the allegations were baseless
as he had resolved the matter with the temple
committee, which had agreed to the relocation
after being told to apply for and being given a
piece of land.
“The man who lodged the report does not
even live in the area, and four months after the
shrine was moved, he complains when the matter
has been resolved,” said Ramakrishnan, who was
given the task of resolving the matter with the
temple committee in November.
He said the shrine was removed to make way
for two blocks of low-cost flats and has since
been moved to three locations in the vicinity.