[RE-WIND 2011][#35] News of the World

Front page of the final issue of the News of the World

 The News of the World was a national red top newspaper published in the United Kingdom from 1843 to 2011. It was at one time the biggest selling English language newspaper in the world, and at closure still had one of the highest English language circulations. Originally established as a broadsheet by John Browne Bell, the Bells sold to Lascelles Carr in 1891; in 1969 it was bought from the Carrs by Rupert Murdoch's media firm News Ltd. Reorganised into News International, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation, it was transformed into a tabloid in 1984. News of the World was the Sunday sister paper of The Sun. The newspaper concentrated on celebrity-based scoops and populist news. Its fondness for sex scandals gained it the nicknames News of the Screws and Screws of the World. It had a reputation for exposing national or local celebrities as drug users, sex freaks or criminals, setting up insiders and journalists in disguise to provide either video or photographic evidence, and phone hacking in ongoing police investigations. Sales averaged 2,812,005 copies per week in October 2010.

From 2006, allegations of phone hacking began to engulf the newspaper. These culminated in the revelation on 4 July 2011 that, nearly a decade earlier, a private investigator hired by the newspaper had intercepted and deleted the voicemail of missing British teenager Milly Dowler, who was later found murdered. Amid a public backlash and the withdrawal of advertising, News International announced the closure of the newspaper on 7 July 2011. The scandal deepened when the paper was alleged to have hacked into the phones of families of British service personnel killed in action.

In December 2011 a Scotland Yard spokesperson admitted at the Leveson Inquiry that it had not been a private investigator who had deleted Milly Dowler's voicemail, but by then it was too late to save the jobs of 200 redundant News of the World journalists.

Senior figures on the newspaper have been held for questioning by police investigating the phone hacking and corruption allegations. Arrested on 8 July 2011 were former editor Andy Coulson and former News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman, the latter jailed for phone hacking in 2007. The former executive editor Neil Wallis was arrested on 15 July 2011 and former editor Rebekah Brooks, the tenth person held in custody, on 17 July 2011.

Britain's best-selling Sunday tabloid, the News of the World, printed its last edition on July 10, 2011, amid a massive phone-hacking scandal that brought down the muckraking newspaper after 168 years. - Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

News Corporation CEO Rupert Murdoch holds a copy of The Sun and The Times as he is driven away from his flat in central London July 11, 2011.- LUKE MACGREGOR/REUTERS

[http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/07/09/uks_news_of_the_world_bids_farewell_to_readers/]

[http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1024981]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_of_the_World]

[RE-WIND 2011][#34] IMF Chief Sex Scandal

Dominique Strauss-Kahn (center), chief of the International Monetary Fund, was arrested on May 14, 2011, and charged with sexually assaulting a maid in his hotel room, a case that generated shock and revulsion, especially in his home country of France. Strauss-Kahn denied the charges, but resigned amid the scandal.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s reputation with women was well known in France, and not even an affair with a subordinate could knock the International Monetary Fund leader off a political path pointed in the direction of the French presidency.

All that changed over the weekend with charges that he sexually assaulted a maid in his hotel room, a case that generated shock and revulsion, especially in his home country.

Police said yesterday that the maid picked Strauss-Kahn out of a lineup after reporting the attack Saturday. Unless the charges are quickly dropped, they could destroy his chances in a presidential race in France that is just starting to heat up.

Strauss-Kahn’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said his client denies all the charges and will plead not guilty to a criminal sex act, attempted rape, and unlawful imprisonment. An arraignment expected last night was postponed until today. A second lawyer for Strauss-Kahn, William Taylor, said testing for evidence delayed the arraignment. “Our client willingly consented to a scientific and forensic examination,’’ Taylor said.

The IMF, which plays a key role in efforts to control the European debt crisis, named an acting leader and said it remains “fully functioning and operational’’ despite Strauss-Kahn’s arrest. The organization’s deputy managing director, John Lipsky, was named acting managing director. Lipsky is a former US Treasury executive and former banker at JP Morgan. Strauss-Kahn, 62, was arrested less than four hours after the alleged assault Saturday, plucked from first class on a Paris-bound Air France flight that was just about to leave the gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The thrice-married father of four was alone when he checked into the luxury Sofitel hotel, not far from Times Square, on Friday afternoon, police said. It was not clear why he was in New York. The IMF is based in Washington, and he had been due in Germany yesterday to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel about increasing aid to Greece, and then in Brussels today and tomorrow to see EU finance ministers. The 32-year-old maid told authorities that when she entered his $3,000-a-night suite early Saturday afternoon, she thought it was unoccupied. Instead, Strauss-Kahn emerged from the bathroom naked, chased her down a hallway, and pulled her into a bedroom, where he sexually assaulted her, New York Police Department spokesman Paul J. Browne said.

[For the rest of the story, read HERE]

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominique_Strauss-Kahn]

[RE-WIND 2011][#29] Europe Debt Crisis

From late 2009, fears of a sovereign debt crisis developed among investors concerning rising government debt levels across the globe together with a wave of downgrading of government debt of certain European states. Concerns intensified early 2010 and thereafter making it difficult or impossible for Greece, Ireland and Portugal to re-finance their debts. On 9 May 2010, Europe's Finance Ministers approved a rescue package worth €750 billion aimed at ensuring financial stability across Europe by creating the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). 

In October 2011 eurozone leaders agreed on another package of measures designed to prevent the collapse of member economies. This included an agreement with banks to accept a 50% write-off of Greek debt owed to private creditors, increasing the EFSF to about €1 trillion, and requiring European banks to achieve 9% capitalisation. To restore confidence in Europe, EU leaders also suggested to create a common fiscal union across the eurozone with strict and enforceable rules embedded in the EU treaties. While the sovereign debt increases have been most pronounced in only a few eurozone countries, they have become a perceived problem for the area as a whole.

Nevertheless, the European currency has remained stable. As of mid-November 2011 it was trading even slightly higher against the Euro bloc's major trading partners than at the beginning of the crisis. The three most affected countries, Greece, Ireland and Portugal, collectively account for six percent of eurozone's gross domestic product (GDP).

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_sovereign_debt_crisis]

Dec 13 - The intensifying European debt crisis drove the euro down to its lowest level against the dollar since January. The euro traded at $1.3043 late in New York Tuesday. Earlier it sank as low as $1.3008. Late on Monday, it was worth $1.3186.

European leaders agreed last week to tighten rules on government spending in an attempt to contain the debt crisis, but investors remain wary of possible defaults by heavily indebted countries like Greece. Leaders put off until March a decision on whether to add more money to a bailout fund for euro countries. Analysts say more is needed to help calm jittery bond investors. Parliaments in some countries may also oppose the pact.

 [http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/12/13/euro_sinks_to_an_11_month_low_versus_the_dollar/]

[RE-WIND 2011][#18] New King's Palace

 KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 15, 2011): The Yang Di Pertuan Agong now has a new official residence after the Istana Negara in Jalan Istana shifted to the RM800 million palace in Jalan Duta. The King's private flag was raised at the new Istana Negara for the first time in a ceremony filled with pomp and pageantry at 10.25am today. Istana Negara Grand Chamberlain Datuk Tengku Farok Husin Tengku Abdul Jalil had earlier handed over the flag to a team of flag bearers to signify the commencement of duty of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) at the Jalan Duta Istana Negara square. The new palace, in tune with technology today, uses an automated flag raiser unlike the manual approach at the old palace. Istana Negara began shifting its operations to the new complex in Jalan Duta in stages since Oct 19 while the assignment of guards from ATM began yesterday. The new Istana Negara, built with Islamic and traditional Malay features, is located on a 96.52 hectare site. It will witness the installation of the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah of Kedah in December.

The old palace had served as the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for 54 years. At 9am today, a ceremony was held to officially decommission the old Istana Negara. It began with the marching in of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) comprising two officers and 58 men of various ranks accompanied by the RAMD central band. The ceremony continued with a team of flag bearers comprising 10 members of the RAMD who lowered the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's private flag as the last post was being played, signifying the shifting of the official residence of the King to its new home in Jalan Duta. Later, the ceremony continued with the procession of the flag bearers with the ceremonial horse squadron to the palace main entrance to present the flag to the Grand Chamberlain, who later directed Istana Negara officer Rosli Asri to lock the main entrance of the palace.

Among those present to witness the flag lowering ceremony were Senior Deputy Secretary-General of the Prime Minister's Department who is also the chairman of National Official Ceremony, Datuk Othman Mahmood; Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt Gen Datuk Raja Afandi Raja Mohd Nor and Deputy Chief of Staff Maj Gen Datuk Abdul Aziz Ibrahim. The 11.34 hectare old palace which was the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was originally a double storey bungalow built in 1928 by a local Chinese millionaire, Chan Wing. The building which was later made a palace of the Selangor Sultan was acquired by the federal government as the official residence of the first Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Tuanku Muhammad, a few weeks before the declaration of independence. –Bernama

[http://www.thesundaily.my/news/209368] 

[http://cisdel.com/2011/11/15/informasi-menarik-tentang-istana-negara-yang-baru-di-jalan-duta/]

[RE-WIND 2011][#14] MCMC Blocks File Sharing Websites

In a bid to combat piracy, the Government has declared war on filesharing websites with 10 such websites now blocked by the telecommunications industry watchdog. The websites were among the most visited sites by Malaysians to illegally download movies. On May 30, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had written a letter to all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) ordering the block. The letter was signed by Digital Security Services division acting senior director Eneng Faridah Iskandar. The letter, which was leaked online, also stated that the websites were being blocked for breaching Section 41 of the Copyright Act 1987, which deals with pirated content.

An MCMC spokesperson confirmed the ban and said it was done on the request of the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry. The ministry's enforcement division director-general Mohd Roslan Mahayudin confirmed that the request was made. “It is standard procedure for the ministry to request MCMC to block sites that violate the Copyright Act 1987,” he told The Star. Roslan said the ministry had requested that 19 websites, including the 10 listed in the letter, be blocked for violating the Act but added that it was up to MCMC to decide on which ones to block. When asked about the fate of surfers who legally use the websites such as for storing non-pirated content, Mohd Roslan said they could always write to the ministry. “Anyone who feels the ban is wrong can write to us and we will look into it,” he said.

Film maker Norman Abd Halim of KRU Studios said the move was long overdue. “The unauthorised use of copyright work is destroying the industry. If everyone feels that works should be shared, then there is no value in these works,” he said. Norman equated the move to South Korea's three-strikes law, where a person guilty of copyright infringement can have their Internet access suspended for six months. However, irate users have vented their frustration by creating a Facebook page to protest. By 8.30pm yesterday, there were 410 supporters who “liked” the page that was named “1M Malaysians Don't Want Block File Sharing Websites.” FilesTube Media Search Engine, one of the sites ordered blocked, also commented on the page. “We have posted information about this on our wall. We are with you.” Before the page was put up, some Malaysians were already protesting via Twitter. “You can't create a walled-up Internet garden,” read one tweet. Some also made reference to the MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantees which states that the Government will not censor the Internet.

MSC Malaysia is a national initiative that kicked off in 1996 and is aimed at transforming the nation into a knowledge-based economy.

[http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/11/nation/8879884&sec=nation]

[RE-WIND 2011][#13] Death of Steve Jobs

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who revolutionized technology through his design, marketing and creation of personal computers and mobile devices, has died at 56, the company announced Wednesday (5 Oct). The man who forged Apple into a powerhouse and shaped how people listen to music and how they use computers died peacefully surrounded by his family. "We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today," Apple said in a brief statement. "Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve." Noticeably fragile, he had stepped down from Apple in late August to deal with the effects of an unspecified illness. Jobs had been treated earlier for pancreatic cancer after first being diagnosed in 2004.

His storied career followed a remarkable series of twists and turns — from a meteoric rise in the late 1970s and 1980s to a bleak nadir in the 1990s followed by his ascent to the status of tech guru. Described by some as arrogant, temperamental and brutally honest about employee performance, Jobs was known and respected for his business acumen and an almost mystical ability to predict where tech trends were headed and what people wanted. Tributes poured in from around the world, when news of Jobs's death was revealed. "Steve was among the greatest of American innovators — brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it," said U.S. President Barack Obama. Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder, said he had known Jobs for more than 30 years, as a friend and as a competitor. "The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honour," said Gates. Marc Andreessen, founder of Netscape, said: "Steve was the best of the best. Like Mozart and Picasso, he may never be equalled."

Early life

Jobs was born on Feb. 24, 1955, to Joanne Simpson and Abdulfattah Jandali, an unwed couple who put their first-born son up for adoption. Raised by Paul and Clara Jobs, Steven Paul Jobs grew up in California and displayed a keen interest in electronics from an early age. In high school, he met a kindred spirit in Steve Wozniak, a man who shared his passion for technology as well as practical jokes. The friendship would play a key role in the development of Apple and the career trajectory of Jobs. The two got their start in the tech world by selling so-called "Blue Boxes," devices that gave users the ability to make free long-distance calls. After graduating from Homestead High School in Cupertino, Calif., Jobs enrolled at Reed College in Oregon in 1972. He dropped out after one semester, but remained in the area for another 18 months auditing classes such as calligraphy. In 1974, he returned to California and began working at Atari, an early video game company. He also went on a spiritual journey to India with a friend, marking the start of his interest in Eastern philosophy and religion, including Buddhism.

Beginning of Apple

In 1976, Wozniak and Jobs opened Apple Computer Company. The tech giant's spectacular rise, fall and resurgence would mirror Jobs's own life. The company's first model, Apple I, was a simple circuit board, which was sold to computer enthusiasts. Its followup, however, turned out to be a huge success, vaulting the company from a relative unknown into a household name. Created in 1977, the Apple II was the first-ever complete home computer, which came fully functional right out of the box. It revolutionized the emerging industry. Many credit Apple, and also Jobs, with changing the perception of what a computer can be — from a high-tech tool used only by the business or science world to a commonplace device used by ordinary people. Apple and the economic fortune of its co-founder continued to grow. After the company's initial public offering in 1980, Jobs was worth over $200 million US. "We've lost something we won't get back," Wozniak said in an interview with The Associated Press following Jobs's death. "The way I see it, though, the way people love products he put so much into creating means he brought a lot of life to the world."

[For more story: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/10/05/apple-jobs-death.html]

[RE-WIND 2011][#9] U.S Troops Withdrawal from Iraq

The last vehicles in a convoy of the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division crosses the border from Iraq into Kuwait, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011.

The withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq has been a contentious issue within the United States since the beginning of the Iraq War. As the war has progressed from its initial 2003 invasion phase to a multi-year occupation, U.S. public opinion has turned in favor of troop withdrawal. As of May 2007, 55 percent of Americans believed that the Iraq war was a mistake, and 51 percent of registered voters favored troop withdrawal. In late April 2007, the U.S. Congress passed a supplementary spending bill for Iraq that sets a deadline for troop withdrawal, but President Bush vetoed this bill soon afterwards. All US Forces are mandated to withdraw from Iraqi territory by December 31, 2011 under the terms of a bilateral agreement signed in 2008. The U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq was completed on December 18, 2011 at a early Sunday morning.

^{[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_of_U.S._troops_from_Iraq]}

The last convoy of US troops to leave Iraq has entered Kuwait, nearly nine years after the invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

The final column of about 100 armored vehicles carrying 500 soldiers crossed the southern Iraqi desert overnight.

At the peak of the operation there were 170,000 US troops and more than 500 bases in Iraq. Nearly 4,500 US soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis have died since the US-led campaign began in 2003. The operation has cost Washington nearly $1 trillion (£643bn). US forces ended combat missions in Iraq in 2010 and had already handed over much of their security role.

"(It's) a good feeling... knowing this is going to be the last mission out of here," said Private First Class Martin Lamb, part of the final "tactical road march" out of Iraq.

"Part of history, you know - we're the last ones out."

As the last of the armored vehicles crossed the border, a gate was closed behind them and US and Kuwaiti soldiers gathered there to shake hands and pose for pictures. The only US military presence left in Iraq now is 157 soldiers responsible for training at the US embassy, as well as a small contingent of marines protecting the diplomatic mission.
The low-key US exit was in stark contact to the blaze of aerial bombardment Washington unleashed against Saddam Hussein in 2003. Tribute US President Barack Obama marked the end of the war earlier in the week, meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. He announced in October that all US troops would leave Iraq by the end of 2011, a date previously agreed by former President George W Bush in 2008.

In a recent speech at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, President Obama paid tribute to the soldiers who had served in Iraq. He acknowledged that the war had been controversial, but told returning troops they were leaving behind "a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq".

However, correspondents say there are concerns in Washington that Iraq lacks robust political structures or an ability to defend its borders. There are also fears that Iraq could be plunged back into sectarian bloodletting, or be unduly influenced by Iran. Washington had wanted to keep a small training and counter-terrorism presence in Iraq, but US officials were unable to strike a deal with Baghdad on legal issues including immunity for troops.

[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16234723]

[http://www.komonews.com/news/national/Images-The-last-US-troops-to-leave-Iraq-135830998.html]

[RE-WIND 2011][#8] Abolishment of METRAMAC Toll

The government has abolished toll collection at the toll plazas in the direction of Cheras and Petaling Jaya on the Metramac Highway with immediate effect (16 May).

Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said the toll collection was being abolished seven years before the concession period for the highway was due to end, which is May 31, 2018. He said the move would benefit some 100,000 users of the highway, especially residents of Bandar Permaisuri, Bandar Tun Razak and the surrounding areas.

"With the abolition of this toll, it is estimated that RM180mil in toll collection will have to be foregone while the government also will not need to pay any compensation as per the agreement to close this toll collection early," he said at a ceremony to mark the toll abolition at the Cheras toll plaza of the highway Monday night.

The toll rates at the highway (both directions) were RM0.50 (Class 1 vehicles), RM1 (Class 2 and 3), RM0.30 (Class 4) and RM0.50 (Class 5). On Jan 28, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced that toll collection on the highway would be discontinued before the concession period ended in 2018. The 13km-long highway was built in 1992 and completed in 1994.

[http://www.kkr.gov.my/en/node/27827]

[http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/16/nation/20110516215742&sec=nation]

[http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/cheras-pj-toll-abolished-tonight/]

[RE-WIND 2011][#7] BUDGET 2012

KUALA LUMPUR - 7 October -: Highlights of Budget 2012 tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Parliament Friday.

- Last year our FDI growth was the strongest in Asia and in the first 6 months of this year have already reached RM21.2bil

- In 2012, private investment is forecast to climb 15.9%, supported by foreign and domestic investment

- GDP in the first 6 months of 2011 was 4.4%, driven by strong domestic consumption

- In 2011, the economy is forecast to grow by 5-5.5%

- Private and public investment are forecast to increase by 15.9% and 7%, supported by foreign investment, the ETP and 10MP

- In 2012, the service sector is expected to grow 6.5%, the construction sector 7% and GDP is forecast to be between 5 and 6%

- Budget 2012 allocates RM232.8bil for Government plans, including RM181.6bil for management and RM51.2bil for development

- RM29.8bil has been allocated for investment in infrastructure, industrial and rural development

- RM13.6bil has been allocated for the social sector, including education and training, welfare, housing and community development

- Total revenue for 2012 is forecast to increase 1.9% to RM186.9bil and the deficit to decrease to 4.7% of GDP from 5.4% in 2011

- The theme for Budget 2012 is “National Transformation Policy: Welfare for the Rakyat, Well-Being of the Nation”

- We will focus on accelerating investment and further liberalise 17 services sub-sectors, in places enabling 100% foreign equity.

- RP2 will be implemented in 2012, and it will be allocated RM98.4bil, to be split evenly between 2012 & 2013

- RP2 main projects will include the East Coast Highway from Jabor to T'ganu and road upgrades from Kota Marudu to Ranau

- RM18bil of the RM20bil PPP Facilitation Fund will be used for high impact projects, with RM2 billion for bumiputera entrepreneurs

- In 2012, the Government will allocate RM978mil to accelerate the development in five regional corridors

- The Treasury Management Centre will be established and offer incentives to develop M'sia as a competitive financial centre

- We will develop the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District, with incentives including income tax exemptions for firms

- We will develop the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District, with incentives including income tax exemptions for firms

- Income tax exemptions for non-ringgit sukuk issuance and transactions will be extended for another 3 years

- To promote the development of Exchange Traded Funds products I-VCAP will provide RM200mil for Shariah-compliant ETFs

- Felda GVH will be listed on Bursa Malaysia by mid-2012 to raise funds for the company to become a global conglomerate. Felda settlers are expected to receive a windfall, and the amount will be announced before listing

- A RM2bil shariah-compliant SME Financing Fund managed by selected Islamic banks will be established in 2012

- A RM100mil SME Revitalisation Fund offering loans up to a maximum of RM1mil for entrepreneurs will be available from Jan 2012

- Full exemption of import duty and excise duty on hybrid cars and electric cars will continue to be given until 2013

- To promote tourism, the Langkawi Five Year Tourism Development Master Plan will be launched with an allocation of RM420mil

- The real property gains tax will be reviewed so it doesn't jeopardise the ability of low- and middle-income groups to buy homes

- The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council will be privatised to promote and develop Malaysia as a healthcare destination

- Budget focuses on developing human capital, creativity and innovation and 2012 will be the National Innovation Movement year

- The Govt has allocated RM100mil promote innovation including the 1Malaysia Award (C1PTA) for innovative student inventions

- To enable SMEs to commercialise research products a Commercialisation Innovation Fund totalling RM500mil will be established

- RM50.2bil will be allocated to the education sector so that it can continue to develop talented, creative and innovative people

- RM1bil will be provided through a special fund for the construction, improvement and maintenance of schools

- We will abolish payments for primary and secondary education, making these free for the first time in our history

- Private schools registered with the Education Ministry will be given incentives including an Investment Tax Allowance

- The Govt will give tax exemption for contributions to educational institutions and all places of worship

- To encourage private sector human capital development incentives including a double deduction on scholarships will be offered

- Budget 2012 introduces a Rural Transformation Programme, so that rural areas can attract private investment and create employment

- RM5bil to develop rural infrastructure, including RM1.8bil to the Rural Road Programme & Village-Link Road Project

- RM500mil to expand the programme to supply clean water to the rural community in Sabah

- RM400mil to upgrade the water supply infrastructure in selected Felda areas

- To provide greater access to bank services for the rural population, Bank Simpanan Nasional will appoint agents in rural areas

- RM90mil for the Orang Asli for basic necessities, including the expansion of the clean water supply project. For the Orang Asli affected by the landslides at Sungai Ruil, RM20mil is provided for their relocation to new homes

- 600,000 Govt pensioners will benefit from an additional annual pension increment of 2%

- Civil servants get pay rise between RM80 to RM320

- Govt will extend the compulsory retirement age from 58 to 60 years old to optimise civil servants' contribution

- Civil servants will be offered tuition fee assistance for part-time studies, including 5,000 masters and 500 doctoral scholarships

- A special programme will be introduced for 175,000 army personnel who are not eligible for pensions

- RM3,000 will be given to ex-members of the special constable and auxiliary police as well as widows and widowers

- The Govt is mindful of the plight of the rakyat due to rising food prices and will take measures to address this

- The National Agro-Food Policy 2011-2020 will be launched and RM1.1bil allocated for the development of the agriculture sector

- In the spirit of “People First,” all subsidies, incentives and assistance totalling RM33.2bil will be continued

- 500,000 will benefit from KAR1SMA, which provides assistance to poor senior citizens and children and disabled people

- My First Home Scheme will be expanded to increase the limit of house prices from a maximum of RM220,000 to RM400,000

- Govt will identify areas in the vicinity of MRT, LRT and other public transport to be developed by PR1MA

- Govt will continue to implement the Program Perumahan Rakyat by building 75,000 units of affordable houses

- Govt will establish the Special Housing Fund for Fishermen to build and refurbish houses

- Healthcare will be allocated RM15bil operating expenditure and RM1.8bil development expenditure

- Hospitals will be upgraded and constructed as well 81 rural health clinics upgraded and 50 new 1Malaysia clinics launched

- Hospital Kuala Lumpur - the oldest in Malaysia - will be upgraded to be the country's premier hospital

- Skim Amanah Rakyat (SARA) 1Malaysia will benefit 100,000 households with income below RM3,000 per month

- To assist taxi owners facing increased operating costs, measures will be introduced including tax exemptions on taxi purchases

- The National Legal Aid Foundation will ensure that every individual who is charged in court will be given free legal aid

- To assist the homeless, the Govt established a social assistance centre known as Anjung Singgah

- A training allocation of RM10mil will be provided for women to develop leadership and managerial skills

- To prevent cervical cancer, the Government will provide free Human Papilloma Virus immunisation nationwide

- MyCreative Venture Capital with an initial fund of RM200mil to be established

- RM15mil will be allocated to build 150 futsal courts to achieve the “One Court for One Mukim” target

- To ensure the welfare of retirees measures including a tax relief on Private Retirement Schemes contributions are introduced

- Senior citizens aged 60 years & above will be exempted from outpatient registration fees in Govt hospitals & health clinics

- One-off assistance of RM500 to households with a monthly income of RM3,000 and below will be provided

- For those in private sector earning RM5000 and below, employers' EPF contribution will increase from 12% to 13%

- Book voucher worth RM200 will be given to Malaysian students in all private and public institutions of higher learning

- Civil servants will be given an additional bonus of half-month salary and pensioners RM500

[http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/10/7/nation/20111007162147&sec=nation]