Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts

Friday, 15 August 2014

PuaPuadedeh : Family of MH17 flight crew agree to burial in Putrajaya – Bernama




The family of Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight attendant Nur Shazana Mohamed Salleh have agreed to bury her remains in Putrajaya. – The Malaysian Insider pic, August 15, 2014.The family of Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight attendant Nur Shazana Mohamed Salleh have agreed to bury her remains in Putrajaya. – The Malaysian Insider pic, August 15, 2014.The family of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight attendant Nur Shazana Mohamed Salleh who died in the MH17 tragedy have agreed to bury her remains at the Putrajaya Muslim cemetery. 
The 31-year-old’s father, Mohamed Salleh Samsuddin, 54, said the family discussed the matter and was open to having her remains buried in Putrajaya along with some of the other victims.
He said he was initially against the idea because many of his relatives were in Penang, but decided otherwise as it would be an honour for his daughter.
"Everybody will remember her, even the young generation. For us, she is not dead. Shazana is always in my heart," he said today.
Shazana was one of the 15 crew on board Flight MH17 that was carrying 283 passengers on a scheduled flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17 when it went down in eastern Ukraine. It is believed to have been shot down.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom had spoken of a proposal to have the Muslim victims of the tragedy buried in Putrajaya.
Nevertheless, he said, the decision would rest with the families and next-of-kin of the victims.
Mohamed Salleh said he had been informed that the remains of his daughter had been identified and that the family was ready to leave for Amsterdam at any time to accompany the remains to Malaysia.
He said he did not know when the remains of his daughter would be brought to Malaysia, but added that MAS was in constant touch to update him on developments.
"In one day, MAS would call twice or thrice to update us. MAS has given much assistance, also in terms of counselling. It has taken care of our welfare. I wish to express my gratitude to MAS," he said.  – Bernama, August 15, 2014.
Posted on 06:51 | Categories:

PuaPuadedeh : You may have the numbers but I’m still MB, Khalid tells Wan Azizah


Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said today he remained the menteri besar until the Selangor assembly says otherwise.
He was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s declaration today that she had the support of the majority of assemblymen. 
In a post on the Selangor menteri besar's Facebook page, Khalid said he was aware of the PKR president's announcement that she has the support of 30 assemblymen in the 56-seat state assembly.
"(But) the support will have to be interpreted via a no-confidence motion during the state assembly.
"Until this is done, the state administration remains as it is," he said.
In a statement later, Khalid said everyone, including those residing in Selangor, its leaders and administrators would have to adhere to the legal processes.
"All these processes are within the boundary of power of the sultan," he said.
Apart from the backing of 15 DAP and 13 PKR assemblymen, Dr Wan Azizah said that she also had the support of two PAS reps – Hasnul Baharuddin (Morib) and Saari Sungib (Hulu Kelang).
For the record, the Selangor legislative is expected to resume in November.
The embattled MB met the sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Monday, when the latter consented to Khalid continuing as MB.
Khalid, who is Port Klang assemblyman, said he had informed the sultan that he still commanded the majority of support in the assembly despite his sacking from PKR on August 9.
PKR expelled Khalid for defying the party’s orders to step down as MB and make way for Dr Wan Azizah to replace him.
But the royal snub has been a setback for Kajang assemblywoman Dr Wan Azizah, whom reports have indicated will not be accepted as MB by the palace. – August 14, 2014.

PuaPuadedeh : You may have the numbers but I’m still MB, Khalid tells Wan Azizah


Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said today he remained the menteri besar until the Selangor assembly says otherwise.
He was responding to Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s declaration today that she had the support of the majority of assemblymen. 
In a post on the Selangor menteri besar's Facebook page, Khalid said he was aware of the PKR president's announcement that she has the support of 30 assemblymen in the 56-seat state assembly.
"(But) the support will have to be interpreted via a no-confidence motion during the state assembly.
"Until this is done, the state administration remains as it is," he said.
In a statement later, Khalid said everyone, including those residing in Selangor, its leaders and administrators would have to adhere to the legal processes.
"All these processes are within the boundary of power of the sultan," he said.
Apart from the backing of 15 DAP and 13 PKR assemblymen, Dr Wan Azizah said that she also had the support of two PAS reps – Hasnul Baharuddin (Morib) and Saari Sungib (Hulu Kelang).
For the record, the Selangor legislative is expected to resume in November.
The embattled MB met the sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Monday, when the latter consented to Khalid continuing as MB.
Khalid, who is Port Klang assemblyman, said he had informed the sultan that he still commanded the majority of support in the assembly despite his sacking from PKR on August 9.
PKR expelled Khalid for defying the party’s orders to step down as MB and make way for Dr Wan Azizah to replace him.
But the royal snub has been a setback for Kajang assemblywoman Dr Wan Azizah, whom reports have indicated will not be accepted as MB by the palace. – August 14, 2014.

PuaPuadedeh : Death sentence for security guard in murder of Ambank officer – Bernama

A security guard, who is an Indonesian national, was sentenced to death by the High Court here today after he was found guilty of murdering Ambank Subang Jaya branch officer, Norazita Abu Talib, in October last year.
High Court Judge Datuk Akhtar Tahir also handed down the death sentence to the accused, La Ode Ardi Rasila (pic), 37, after he was also found guilty of robbery and firing a pump gun.
Judge Akhtar handed down a guilty verdict on both the offences after being satisfied that the defence had failed to raise reasonable doubts in the prosecution's case. 
In a brief judgement, he said the accused was found to have intentionally fired in the victim's direction to rob.
He said based on the testimony of a weapons expert, there were three things that needed to be done before shooting from a pump gun, which are pumping the gun, putting the safety pin in the "fire" position and pulling the trigger.
"In his statement, the accused said he didn't know that just by pumping the weapon, a shot was released.
"Therefore, I cannot accept the accused's statement without any doubt, which shows that he had fired it consciously and intentionally," said Judge Akhtar.
He also said closed circuit television (CCTV) camera recordings clearly showed the accused fired the shot.
He said based on his observation, La Ode had pointed the weapon towards the victim before shooting.
"If he wanted to pump the weapon for attention, the accused could have pointed the weapon in a different direction," he said.
La Ode was charged with murdering Norazita, 37, inside the Ambank building located at No. 5 and 7, Jalan USJ Sentral 2, Subang Jaya, near here, between 6pm and 6.30pm on October 23 last year.
He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death sentence, if convicted.
The accused was also charged with robbing and firing a shot using a pump gun intentionally, which caused the death of Norazita at the same time and place.
For this, he was charged under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, which also carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by Selangor Prosecution Unit chief Mohd Azari Harun together with Deputy Public Prosecutor Asyraf Md Kamal while the accused was represented by counsel S. Selvi, who was appointed by the Indonesian Embassy.
A total of 24 prosecution and one defence witnesses were called to testify in the trial, which began on June 24.
Prior to the sentencing, La Ode, through his lawyer, apologised to the victim's family and Ambank staff who were traumatised by the incident, as well as security company Kawalan Prima, which had its licence revoked following what happened.
Norazita's husband, Irwan Kamaruddin, 38, when met by reporters outside the court, said the sentence was justice for his wife.
When asked about his two children after the death of their mother, Irwan, a chauffeur, said the children have accepted what happened.
"I explained everything to them even though I know they are both sad over her death," he said. – Bernama, August 14, 2014.

PuaPuadedeh : Pakatan thinks Khalid needs to go, Selangor folk think differently

In Taman Kem, Port Klang, residents of a crumbling low-cost flat scheme in the Selangor port city are worried that their dreams of getting safer and better homes have been dashed by PKR.
While in downtown Petaling Jaya, house owners fighting the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) elevated highway project that will tear through their neighbourhoods, are sceptical that a new menteri besar will solve their problems.
These are some examples of how the impasse over the Selangor menteri besar job has affected and will continue to impact on the lives of ordinary residents in the country's wealthiest state.
Their feelings towards Khalid and confusion over a PKR plan to replace him reflect eroding confidence in Selangor Pakatan Rakyat (PR), which won the state for a second term in the 2013 general election.
Compounding matters was Khalid’s decision on Tuesday to sack executive councillors from PKR and DAP, effectively ending the PR government in Selangor.
But, he has retained four PAS exco members. How long this will last is still anyone's guess, as the Islamist party had said it will not make a stand on the Selangor government until Sunday.
This drama aside, many are still scratching their heads over why PR wants to get rid of a man, who to them, symbolised honest, disciplined and responsive government.
At the same time, there is distrust towards PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who has been picked by PKR to replace Khalid.
PR has a huge task ahead in bringing around the state’s wired and critical residents to its plan to change Selangor’s popular chief executive.
Noble aims, poor execution
Jafri has been fielding calls from worried neighbours ever since news broke that Khalid was being replaced.
For the past five years, owners of the 30-year-old Taman Kem flats have been working with the state government to redevelop their neighbourhood.
In the 1970s, the four-storey flats were built for urban settlers who lived in ramshackle huts on government land across the road from the country’s busiest port.
But after 30 years, the flats are literally falling apart. Ceiling and roof tiles have broken off leaving holes for rainwater to seep through into the homes.
The ancient water pumps, said Jafri, break down every two years. When that happens, a whole block will not have any water supply.
Ever since PR took over, residents along with the state government have been hard at work over a plan to demolish the blocks. Owners will then get brand new units in a 15-storey tower.
A prime mover of the plan, said Jafri, had been Khalid.
“He and his officers have helped us organise a committee to push the plan through and get the support of all owners,” said Jafri, who only wanted to be identified by his first name.
Now that Khalid is getting pushed out, the committee is worried that the plan would be stuck on the back burner.
“We’ve been quite satisfied with him so far. If there are problems or delays, it’s because of the people below him.”
This distinction between Khalid’s noble intentions and the poor implementation down the line is a theme repeated by residents elsewhere in Klang.
“It’s MPK (Klang Municipal Council) that’s the problem," said Pandamaran resident Suresh, when asked whether he was satisfied with Khalid's performance as menteri besar.
He then lists a string of problems, such as traffic jams, unsafe roads, clogged drains and uncollected rubbish.
"The guy has the whole state to handle, he can't just concentrate on one area's problems," said another Port Klang resident Wan Azhar Wan Mohamed.
Khalid’s reputation for saving public money and channelling them through a slew of programmes, such as free water and cash aid for senior citizens, got him elected a second term.
Collective responsibility
About 40 minutes away, in Petaling Jaya, the pro-PR wave has soured after residents found out about the controversial Kidex project.
At 14.9km, the elevated highway would cut through some of the oldest and densest neighbourhoods in the Klang Valley.
A group of residents have banded together to shut down the project, which they claimed would endanger lives, increase noise pollution and worsen already clogged roads.
They are angry that the Selangor PR government has allowed the Putrajaya-approved project through, but opinion is divided on who should be blamed.
Committee member Mak Khuin Weng (pic, right) for instance, says the responsibility lies with the whole state executive committee that approved the project in 2012.
Others blame Khalid and want him replaced with another PR state lawmaker.
“Some say, it is Khalid’s fault, but no government decision comes out of one person... The minutes of the (2012) meeting showed this.
“If the excos did not support the project, then why are they not coming out to say it? Why are they keeping silent?” asked Mak.
Khalid being replaced won’t solve the issue, he said, as the problem lies with Selangor PR.
“Until this day, I have not heard PR say they will shut down the project even with a new MB. Khalid goes, the problem will still stay with us.”
The popular outsider
One reason Khalid has been popular is due to his image as an “outsider”, said political analyst Dr Wong Chin Huat.
This image is opposed to that of the seasoned political insider which people think is a charming wheeler and dealer.
This dynamic can also be seen in the case of recently elected Indonesian President Joko Wikodo, United States President Barrack Obama and the Aam Aadmi Party in India, said Wong of the Penang Institute.
But the thing about Khalid is that he was not elected directly by people to be menteri besar, said Wong.
In the rules of parliamentary politics, Khalid owes his post to the coalition who chose him.
Another analyst, Ibrahim Suffian of the Merdeka Center said perception of Khalid may change as each day passes in the crisis, going from a selfless public servant to one who was self-serving.
“Khalid's popularity may stand for nothing the longer he clings on to power.
“Pakatan will have to face public scepticism over its abilities to run a government and dissension among its coalition partners alone.”
The coalition could lose Selangor if it is unable to convincingly explain the crisis and the way forward if a snap election is held, said Ibrahim.
But even before snap elections, Selangor residents have already formed their own opinions towards PKR’s plan.
“Khalid has been good. Why replace him?” said Ismail Madon, a 44-year-old resident of Port Klang.
“And in fact why replace him with someone who was not even born and brought up in Selangor?”
For unlike Khalid, in Wan Azizah’s case, being an “outsider” is not likely to help PR in Selangor. – August 15, 2014.

PuaPuadedeh : Perodua to launch new small car

Malaysian automaker to open order books for the Axia, the sibling of the Daihatsu Ayla.
Perodua is about to open the order books for its upcoming compact hatchback, the Axia, which is a nod to its impending launch in the not so distant future. So if you are eager to be one of the first to get your hands on one, this bit of news should interest you.
Based on the Daihatsu Ayla that is sold in Indonesia, the Axia will feature styling that detracts from its indonesian counterpart due to the difference of tastes between Malaysian car buyers and those from Indonesia. As such, the Axia will have a different upper body designed by Perodua’s in-house team. According to the automaker, it has had the capability of doing so since the introduction of the first Myvi.
image
Pronounced as A-zee-a, the Axia will feature a new all-aluminum engine, which was on display at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show last year. It has a displacement of 1.0-litre with 4 valves per cylinder. Mated to this small powerplant is an electronic automatic transmission made at a new Perodua facility near Seremban in Negeri Sembilan, which is the first factory in ASEAN to make electronically-managed automatic transmissions.
image
Speaking of the car, Perodua’s President & CEO, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh, said, “We believe that the Perodua Axia is competitive in the region, which is why the word “Asia” was incorporated into the name; in addition to this, this vehicle also represents a whole new standard for us. This standard can be categorised by 4 key highlights, which are environmentally-friendly, very spacious for a compact vehicle, easy driving, and economical in terms of the overall cost of ownership.”
Perodua claims the Axia will be able to achieve 21.6km per litre of fuel and as a result qualify it as an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) under the provisions of THE LATEST NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE POLICY.
The Axia is said to have a 260-litre boot capacity, which should be big enough to fit four travel bags. By comparison, the Perodua Viva only offers 149-litres of boot space, a whopping 111-litres less than the upcoming Axia.
The car will be offered as four different variants, which are Standard E, Standard G, Special Edition and Advance. All variants will come with a 5-year warranty from Perodua, far more than of what most other manufacturers have been offering as of late.
If you are interested in buying one, it may please you to know that you will be able to put your name down of an Axia as of August 15 (Friday) at any Perodua showroom nationwide. Estimated price for the base model car with a non-metallic paint colour for Peninsula Malaysia is RM24,900 and booking fees vary from RM250 - RM300 depending on the variant chosen.
For more news, reviews and features visit the Motor Trader website at www.motortrader.com.my.
Posted on 06:28 | Categories:

PuaPuadedeh : Sultan has final say in MB crisis, Khalid says


Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (right) having a lighthearted moment with Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (left), on August 10, 2014. Khalid today said the Selangor Sultan's consent is needed for an emergency state assembly sitting or snap elections.— Bernama picSHAH ALAM, Aug 15 — Calling for an emergency state assembly sitting or holding snap elections cannot take place without first obtaining the Selangor Sultan’s consent, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim pointed out today, as he deflected calls from his detractors to prove his legitimacy as mentri besar.
Khalid, who was responding to claims that he no longer commands the confidence of the state assembly, said that nothing can take place until and unless the state ruler is formally informed of the situation.
“The process of what happens depends on the consent and discretion of His Highness the Sultan,” Khalid told reporters when met at the Shah Alam mosque here.
When asked whether this includes the option of dissolving the state assembly, the Port Klang assemblyman said “everything.”
“That will have to be discussed with the Sultan,” he added, referring to calls by PKR and DAP for an emergency state assembly sitting to be held to discuss his position as mentri besar.
Khalid also denied allegations that he was deliberately clinging on to his post until November’s Selangor budget sitting.
“I have no knowledge of that,” he said.
MB Khalid has refused to acknowledge PKR and DAP’s claims of securing majority support to replace him, saying they needed to substantiate this with a motion of no-confidence against him.
Neither Khalid nor his detractors have initiated such a move, however, prolonging the protracted dispute over his position.
The Selangor mentri besar said he is “aware” of PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s claim yesterday that he no longer has majority support, but said this means nothing until it goes through its proper process in the state assembly.
Two PAS state assemblymen yesterday publicly expressed support for PKR’s Dr Wan Azizah to become Selangor mentri besar, effectively removing Khalid’s claim of commanding majority support.
The two are Hulu Klang and Morib state assemblymen Saari Sungib and Hasnul Baharuddin.
Constitutional law experts previously told Malay Mail Online that lawmakers could use external means such as statutory declarations and official letters to indicate their support outside of the state assembly, citing the 2009 Perak crisis.
But they also warned that such a method was fraught with the risk of legal challenge.
Khalid on Monday said the Selangor Sultan had consented to him remaining as mentri besar despite his sacking from PKR, after convincing the ruler that he still enjoyed the backing of most Selangor lawmakers.
But with yesterday’s development, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) now has 30 of the state’s 56 assemblymen backing the PKR president to replace Khalid.
PAS previously held out on declaring its position and is due to make its decision on August 17.

PuaPuadedeh : Sultan satisfied with Khalid’s majority support, tells him keep mum until August 27

The Selangor Sultan believes Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has the confidence of the majority of Selangor assemblymen and has ordered him to make any decision on the post only after August 27, the embattled menteri besar said tonight.
Khalid said those who claim he has misled the Sultan can write directly to the state ruler for an explanation. The sultan is on holiday until August 27.
"Tuanku Sultan has stated that he is satisfied that I have the majority support of the assemblymen when I briefed him on August 11, 2014," Khalid said in a statement issued in state capital Shah Alam tonight.
"Furthermore, Tuanku Sultan has stated that I don't make a decision or announce anything about the menteri besar post until he returns on August 27 for me to have an audience with him," he added.
He said the ruler's directive came after he had communicated with the ruler on the latest developments, including the sentiments among the Selangor assemblymen.
"I advise those relevant parties who claim I have misled Tuanku Sultan to write to His Highness to get an explanation," Khalid said.
Yesterday, PAS's Morib state representative Hasnul Baharuddin and Hulu Kelang assemblyman Saari Sungib declared their support for Dr Wan Azizah, giving her a majority in the 56-member Selangor state assembly.
Khalid has previously claimed that he had majority support in the state assembly, following Umno and PAS's support for him. He had said that he needed one more assemblyman from either PKR or DAP to give him the majority and form the state government. But this is assuming that all PAS assemblymen support him.
Hasnul and Saari joined Dr Wan Azizah's press conference yesterday, as proof that she has the support to take over as MB.
The unexpected move shocked PAS and has called into question the tenability of Khalid's insistence that he has a support of the majority. – August 15, 2014.

Wednesday, 13 August 2014

PuaPuadedeh : Perodua Axia EEV goes for RM24,900


Perodua_axia
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13:
The latest model to be launched by Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) is an energy efficient vehicle (EEV) that is being priced at RM24,900.
Booking will start on Friday for the new model named Axia (pronounced a-zee-a) – which combines the word Asia and including the letter “X” as a Roman numeral for the number 10 – representing Perodua’s 10th model.
In a statement, Perodua said: “We believe that the Perodua Axia is competitive in the region, which is why the word “Asia” was incorporated into the name; in addition, this vehicle also represents a whole new standard for us.”
Perodua said the fuel efficient car can potentially travel up to 21.6 km per litre of fuel. President and chief executive officer Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said booking fees are RM250 and RM300 – depending on variant.
The Perodua Axia comes in 4 variants; Standard E, Standard G, Special Edition and Advance. It also comes with a 5-year warranty – another first for Perodua, he added.
Aminar said this car will not only be able to fit four travel bags as it has a 260-litre capacity but also very flexible to allow maximum comfort and usage.
Have something to add to this story? Let us know with a comment below.
Posted on 23:29 | Categories:

PuaPuadedeh : Khalid may join Pas


KUALA LUMPUR: Following his sacking from PKR on Saturday, embattled Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is now keen on joining Pas.
This was confirmed by Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang today via an interview with party newsletter Harakah.
“Pas secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali has informed me that Khalid yesterday submitted a membership form to join the party,” he said.
PKR had on Saturday sacked the besieged Khalid from the party for repeatedly refusing orders to vacate the Selangor menteri besar's post.
The party's disciplinary board chairman Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong was quoted as saying that an "unanimous" decision to dismiss Khalid from the party was reached after careful deliberation.
“He has defied the party by going against the decision to appoint PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the new Selangor menteri besar.
“Khalid has also failed to provide satisfactory explanation on issues pertaining his Bank Islam loan, the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway and the state water industry restructuring.
“He is therefore expelled from the party with immediate effect,” he told a packed press conference at the party's headquarters in Petaling Jaya.
Tan said Khalid had 14 days from Saturday to appeal the decision.
Khalid's sacking came hours after he refused to face a disciplinary panel, which was supposed to be held by Saturday noon.

PuaPuadedeh : PKR and DAP local councillors escape clear-out, but powers may be diluted

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim (centre) poses for a group photo with Selangor excos at the Bangunan SSAAS in Shah Alam, August 13, 2014. — Picture by Yusof Mat IsaSHAH ALAM, Aug 14 — PKR and DAP local councillors will not fall victim to the ongoing Selangor mentri besar crisis, PAS state executive councillor Dr Halimah Ali said today.
But she also said that the government is now accepting applications from member of the public for vacancies on local councils.
“All will be maintained,” she told reporters here today.
There are in total nine local government councils in Selangor.
Two days ago, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim sacked five state executive councillors from the two parties for purportedly undermining his position as Selangor mentri besar.
Yesterday, he hinted that his clearout of PKR and DAP officials would continue to lower levels unless there could be a “smooth running” of the government.
The Selangor Economic Action Council met just moments ago to weigh the necessity of removing PKR and DAP local councillors from office.

PuaPuadedeh : Step down, I have got the majority, Wan Azizah tells Khalid




PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today urged Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to resign as Selangor menteri besar after announcing that she has the support of 30 assemblymen in the 56-seat state assembly.
Apart from the backing of 15 DAP and 13 PKR assemblymen, Wan Azizah said that she also has the support of two PAS reps – Hasnul Baharuddin (Morib) dan Saari Sungib (Hulu Kelang).
Both PAS reps were present when Dr Wan Azizah made the announcement at a hotel in Subang Jaya this afternoon. – August 14, 2014.

Puapuadedeh : At $142.4 Million, Triptych Is the Most Expensive Artwork Ever Sold at an Auction

At $142.4 Million, Triptych Is the Most Expensive Artwork Ever Sold at an Auction


It took seven superrich bidders to propel a 1969 Francis Bacon triptych to $142.4 million at Christie’s on Tuesday night, making it the most expensive work of art ever sold at auction. William Acquavella, the New York dealer, is thought to have bought the painting on behalf of an unidentified client, from one of Christie’s skyboxes overlooking the auction.

The price for the painting, which depicts Lucian Freud, Bacon’s friend and rival, perched on a wooden chair, was more than the $85 million Christie’s had estimated. It also toppled the previous record set in May 2012 when Edvard Munch’s fabled pastel of “The Scream” sold at Sotheby’s for $119.9 million and broke the previous record for the artist at auction set at the peak of the market in May 2008, when Sotheby’s sold a triptych from 1976 to the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich for $86.2 million.
When the bidding for “Three Studies of Lucian Freud” finally stopped, after more than 10 fraught minutes, the overflowing crowd in the salesroom burst into applause. Two disappointed bidders could be seen leaving the room. “I went to $101 million but it hardly mattered,” said Larry Gagosian, the super-dealer who was trying to buy the painting on behalf of a client. Another contender was Hong Gyu Shin, the director of the Shin Gallery on Grand Street in Manhattan, who said he was bidding for himself.
“I was expecting it to go for around $87 million,” Mr. Shin said. Although he explained that he collects mostly Japanese woodblock prints and old master paintings, he found the triptych by the Irish-born painter, who died in 1992, irresistible. “I loved that painting and I couldn’t control myself,” he said. “Maybe someday I’ll have another chance.”
For more than a month now, Christie’s has been billing the sale as a landmark event with a greater number of paintings and sculptures estimated to sell for over $20 million than it has ever had before. The hard sell apparently worked. Nearly 10,000 visitors flocked to its galleries to preview the auction. The sale totaled $691.5 million, far above Christie’s $670.4 million high estimate, becoming the most expensive auction ever. It outstripped the $495 million total set at Christie’s in May.
Of the 69 works on offer, only six failed to sell. All told, 10 world record prices were achieved for artists who, besides Bacon, included Christopher Wool, Ad Reinhardt, Donald Judd and Willem de Kooning.
The sale was also a place to see and be seen. Christie’s Rockefeller Center salesroom was standing room only, with collectors including Michael Ovitz, the Los Angeles talent agent; Aby Rosen, the New York real estate developer; Martin Margulies, from Miami; Donald B. Marron, the New York financier; and Daniel S. Loeb, the activist investor and hedge fund manager.
The Bacon triptych was not the only highflier. A 10-foot-tall mirror-polished stainless steel sculpture that resembled a child’s party favor, Jeff Koons’s “Balloon Dog (Orange)” sold to another telephone bidder for $58.4 million, above its high $55 million estimate, becoming the most expensive work by a living artist sold at auction. The pooch was being sold by Peter M. Brant, the newsprint magnate who auctioned the canine to raise money to endow his Greenwich, Conn., foundation. In the 1990s, Mr. Koons had created the sculpture in an edition of five, each in a different color. Four celebrated collectors own the others: Steven A. Cohen, the hedge-fund billionaire, has a yellow one; Eli Broad, the Los Angeles financier, owns a blue one; François Pinault, the French luxury goods magnate and owner of Christie’s, has the magenta version; and Dakis Joannou, the Greek industrialist, has his in red. Christie’s had estimated Mr. Brant’s sculpture would fetch $35 million to $55 million.
(Final prices include the buyer’s premium: 25 percent of the first $100,000; 20 percent of the next $100,000 to $2 million; and 12 percent of the rest. Estimates do not reflect commissions.)
Another strong price was set for a classic image in contemporary art history — Andy Warhol’s “Coca Cola [3],” one of only four paintings of a single Coca-Cola bottle that the artist made in 1961 and 1962. Jose Mugrabi, the New York dealer, bought the painting from S. I. Newhouse Jr. in 1986 and he was said to be selling it on Tuesday night. That painting made $57.2 million. It had been estimated to sell for $40 million to $60 million.
Three bidders went for Rothko’s “No. 11 (Untitled),” one of the artist’s abstract canvases, this one in an orange palette and created in 1957. It was being sold by the estate of Bruce J. Wasserstein, the financier who died in 2009. Christophe van de Weghe, a Manhattan dealer, bought the painting for $46 million, above its high $35 million estimate. Mr. van de Weghe also bought “Apocalypse Now,” a seminal painting by Mr. Wool, whose work is currently the subject of a major retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum. Bidding on behalf of a client, he paid $26.4 million for the painting. Created in 1988, the white canvas is filled with the words “Sell the House Sell the Car Sell the Kids,” a line from the Francis Ford Coppola movie of the same title. The painting belonged to David Ganek, the former New York hedge fund manager and Guggenheim board member. Mr. Ganek has since resigned from the board.
After the sale, Jussi Pylkkänen, chairman of Christie’s Europe and the evening’s auctioneer, noted how international the bidding was. Besides a healthy showing of American bidders, there were also a lot of potential buyers from Asia and Europe trying to get into the action. “There were more players from the New World than ever before,” he said, “and more people spending over $20 million.
“But,” he warned, in order to have such a successful sale, “you have to have the material.”

PuaPuadedeh : ‘Make Facebook account holders register with MCMC’


Facebook Application On Smart Phone Screen.
A Universiti Sains Malaysia expert says it is quite difficult to track down Facebook culprits, especially when they can easily get away with excuses that their accounts had been hacked, fake accounts and outside servers. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11, 2014:
The government should compel all Facebook users in the country to register their accounts with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to make it easier to identify them.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Communication Studies Faculty senior lecturer Assoc Prof Mohamad Md Yusoff said this move was more apt compared to shutting down access to the social website Facebook to prevent abuse by users.
“At present, with cases such as insulting Islam, (Yang di-Pertuan) Agong and numerous baseless allegations made on Facebook, it is quite difficult to track down the culprits, especially when they can easily get away with excuses that their accounts had been hacked, fake accounts or outside servers,” he told Bernama.
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage senior lecturer Saat Awang Damit said the registration of users with MCMC would also create a society of responsible Facebook users in the country.
He said only responsible users were capable of making fair comments and sharing their views in a sensible and proper manner, without causing misunderstanding or spreading false information.
Saat’s views were shared by his colleague, Dr Haryati Abdul Karim, who said that it was not apt for the government to shut down access to Facebook just because some users abused it.
Haryati also proposed that a law similar to the Anti-Hate Speech Law be introduced in the country to prevent people from uttering words that ignite hatred or insult any race, religion, ethnic group or citizenship.
The Anti-Hate Speech Law, adopted in European countries, such as Denmark, France, Netherlands and United Kingdom, is also aimed at preventing people from being irresponsible and abusing social websites to make harsh and false statements to cause hatred.
Last Friday, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek was reported as saying that the government would study whether it was necessary to bar access to Facebook following cases of abuse involving the social website.
He said his ministry was conducting studies to gather public views on the matter.

Posted on 12:20 | Categories:

PuaPuadedeh : Malaysia mulls Facebook ban, cites public complaints

Summary: Malaysian government is assessing the need to ban access to Facebook following incidents of abuse, but critics say any such move is primitive and will face strong opposition. The country has 15 million Facebook accounts.

The Malaysian government says it is evaluating the need to ban access to Facebook following incidents of abuse on the social media, but critics argue any move to do so is primitive and will face strong opposition. 


"If the people [of Malaysia] are of the opinion that Facebook should be closed, we are prepared to look into the matter," Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek told local reporters after an Umno meeting over the weekend. The ministry is currently gathering public views on this issue, he said, noting that it had received 2,000 complaints involving abuse on the website.

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However, he admitted that mandating a ban on Facebook would be "a radical approach", reported local news agency Bernama. Ahmad Shabery added that it would be "quite impossible" to shut down access when there were 15 million Facebook accounts in Malaysia. 
Many business people are also using Facebook, while others use the site to strengthen family ties and have nothing to do with politics, he said. "The complaints received were only around 2,000. Should we completely close it down because of that? We need to relook this," the minister said. 
He referred to a recent case where an individual had uploaded a picture of an accident victim, which he had replaced with the face of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, who is Sultan of Kedah. Ahmad Shabery said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission was working with law enforcement to identify the individual.
In 2010, a Malaysian student was arrestedand charged for comments made on his Facebook account regarding a spate of church attacks in the country. In December that year, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim urged for Facebook to be bannedif it continued to reflect content that posed a threat to national security and insulted Islam.

Ban goes against government's no-censorship pledge 

Opposition party DAP said it would hold nationwide protests to oppose any mandate to block Facebook, saying any such attempt violated the right to freedom of expression and would go against the government's pledge not to censor the web.
The Malaysian government in 1996 had promised to "ensure no internet censorship" as one of its 10 Point Bill of Guarantees when it launched the nation's Multimedia Super Corridor ICT strategy. It did so as part of efforts to attract foreign tech investment.
Calling a proposed Facebook ban a "primitive proposal", DAP secretary-general and chief minster for Penang, Lim Guan Eng, said this would deny Malaysians' right to voice their views and deprive the country's young and underprivileged a communication tool that was accessible,reported The Malaysian Insider. 

DAP Social Media Strategist and State Assemblywoman for Damansara Utama, Yeo Bee Yin, added in a statement: "If Facebook is to be banned in Malaysia, we'll join the likes of North Korea, Cuba, Iran, and China as 'Facebook-banning countries', a path that no Malaysian who cherishes freedom of expression will ever allow.
"We would like to remind Putrajaya of the Multimedia Super Corridors Bill of Guarantees No.7 that promises no internet censorship. Since it has already promised no Internet censorship, then why waste time to even think and talk about blocking Facebook?" she said, according to The Malaysian Insider. Yeo added that Facebook is currently the largest social network in Malaysia. 
Lim added that a ban could negatively impact the local economy as well business opportunitiesthat depend on Facebook, potentially leading losses.

Posted on 12:16 | Categories:
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