GINGER = APOPTOSIS (Cancer Killer)

You have "A Cancer Killer in your Kitchen"...GINGER.

The powerful healing effects of ginger have been well documented.
It's a proven remedy for upset stomach.
Reams of studies show that it inhibitsinflamation.
And there is substantial evidence that it fights cancer, too.

For instance, a recent University of Michigan study showed
that when ginger was added to ovarian cancer cells in the laboratory,
it caused the cancer cells to self-destruct (a process known as
"APOPTOSIS").
In a separate study at the University of Minnesota ,
researchers injected colon cancer cells into mice
that were bred to have no immune system.

Half of these mice were routinely fed gingerol,
the main active component in ginger.
The researchers found that the mice that were fed gingerol lived longer,
their tumors were smaller,
and the cancer did not spread
as widely as in the control group..

With all these health benefits,
you should be using ginger as often as you can.
The best way I've found to get a healthy serving of ginger is to juice
it.
(The brand of juicer I use is an Omega.)
Two or three days a week, I juice an apple or two, some carrots,
spinach, broccoli, cabbage,
and a big piece of ginger root.
The ginger gives the drink a great flavor
and a powerful anti-cancer kick.
I highly recommend that you try it.

THE HUMBLE GINGER.......

Robbery------Taman Maluri, Cheras....

Taipei Performing Arts Center Proposal by NL Architects

This design was proposed by NL Architects in a design competition for the Taipei Performing Arts Center to host a variety of large-scale performances.

There is something really amazing about the aesthetics of this project that I love yet can't quite put my finger to it. Perhaps it is the fact that I like large void spaces. I just love how the structure is actually a simple white cube with its inner volume subtracted, like a mouse eating in a cube of cheese with square teeth.

In the end, Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) won the competition as other pragmatic concerns, such as the poor acoustics in such a huge structure, took over.

Fisherman Found This ! Newspaper Not Allowed To Publish‏

TELUK BAHANG (PENANG) Fisherman Found This ! Newspaper Not Allowed To Publish‏

Enviroment friendly - Boxed water

ASM declares 6.25% dividend for FY09

KUALA LUMPUR: Unit trust operator Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASN) announced Tuesday an income distribution of 6.25 sen per unit for Amanah Saham Malaysia unit holders.

The dividend announcement was for the financial year ending March 31, 2009 (FY09).

According to Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah, the dividend was the lowest ever declared by ASN.

He said the income distribution was equivalent to RM407.58 million.

PNB is the parent company of ASN.

Hamad said this payment would benefit 402,513 unit holders who have subscribed to 7.21 billion units of ASM.

Commenting on the dividend payout, he said ASN has the capacity to pay 7.92 sen per unit of dividend but chose to retain cash for investment opportunities in the new FY.

On the trends of the local bourse, Hamad said that would depend very much on external factors.

EPF Declares 4.50% Dividend For 2008

EPF Declares 4.50% Dividend For 2008

Highest Ever Gross Income of RM20 billion Recorded Despite Financial Meltdown

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Board today, with the approval of the Minister of Finance, has declared a dividend rate of 4.50 per cent for 2008. The lower dividend rate compared to that of 2007 is due to the increase in investment provisioning resulting from the sharp decline in global equity prices brought about by the worldwide financial crisis.

Despite the financial meltdown, the EPF recorded the highest ever earnings of RM20 billion in gross income for 2008. This represented an increase of 9.36 per cent over the previous year’s gross income of RM18.29 billion.

Tan Sri Samsudin Osman, EPF Chairman said, “While the year 2008 was challenging due to the unprecedented global financial crisis that has impacted economies worldwide, EPF’s investment portfolio for the year performed better at the gross income level compared to 2007. However, due to the sharp decline in the equity markets, a large provision had to be made resulting in a marked reduction in net income.”

Net income for the year was recorded at RM14.26 billion, after deducting allowances for diminution in value of equities and doubtful debts, dividends for withdrawals, investment expenses, operational expenses, and death and incapacitation benefit payments. This represented a decrease of 15.47 per cent over 2007 net income of RM16.87 billion.

Equities remained as one of the major contributors to the EPF’s returns in 2008, representing 34.82 per cent of the EPF’s total gross investment income. The EPF earned RM6.67 billion from equities which was the second largest contributor to income in 2008 compared to RM5.37 billion in 2007. (Refer to Table 1, Appendix 1)

“Up until September last year, the EPF was doing well in equities. However, following the effect of the global financial meltdown, our performance in equity investments recorded a drop of less than 20 per cent, which impacted our dividend payout. This, however, compares better with that of the KLCI which was down approximately 40 per cent from end of December 2007 to December 2008,” said Tan Sri Samsudin.

As a result of the sharp fall in global equity prices and following a conservative provisioning policy in accordance with accounting best practices, the EPF made allowances of RM4.69 billion for diminution in value of both overseas and local equities, compared to only RM0.52 billion in 2007. Out of the 2008 provision, RM3.20 billion was allocated for overseas equities.

“The fundamentals of the companies we have invested in remain strong and we are confident that this provision will be written back once recovery takes place,” said Tan Sri Samsudin.

Loans and Bonds was the biggest contributor to gross income in 2008, recording a return of RM6.78 billion compared to RM5.91 billion in the previous year, while Malaysian Government Securities, the third biggest income contributor, brought in RM4.94 billion compared to RM4.88 billion in 2007.

As at 31 December 2008, the EPF’s total investment funds grew by RM28.99 billion to RM342.00 billion compared to RM313.01 billion a year ago. These were invested in instruments detailed in Table 2, Appendix 1.

For 2008, the EPF required RM3.18 billion to pay a one per cent dividend compared to only RM2.89 billion in 2007, due to the larger membership base. This means that the EPF needed to earn 9.71 per cent more in order to declare a one per cent dividend in 2008 compared to the previous year. (Refer to Fig.1, Appendix 2)

Dividends will be credited to members’ accounts on 23 March 2009.

“We are bracing ourselves for a tough year ahead as the effects of the global financial crisis continue to be felt. However, we believe that in every crisis, there is opportunity to be seized. The key is to remain vigilant and continue delivering results for the benefit of our members through our prudent investment strategy,” concluded Tan Sri Samsudin.

About the Employees Provident Fund (EPF)
The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is Malaysia’s premier pension fund, providing basic financial security for retirement. The Fund is committed to preserving and growing the savings of its members in accordance with best practices in investment and corporate governance. It will always be guided by prudence in its investment decisions.

As a customer-focused organization, the EPF delivers efficient and reliable services for the convenience of its members and registered employers.

The EPF continues to play a catalytic role in the nation’s economic growth, consistent with its position as a leading savings institution in Malaysia.

Date: 16 March 2009

History of EPF divedend from 1983 till 2008

公积金历年派息率

年份派
息率（%）

1983-87 8.5%

1988-94 8%

1996 7.5 %

1997-98 6.7 %

1999 6.84 %

2000 6 %

2001 5 %

2002 4.25 %

2003 4.5 %

2004 4.75 %

2005 5 %

2006 5.15%

2007 5.8 %

2008 料为 4.5%

EPF may declare dividend 4.5% only

From reliable source, EPF soon will announce 4.5% divedend. If compare to last year 5.8%, this is much much lower.


（吉隆坡15日讯）据可靠消息透露，雇员公积金局2008年的派息率预料只有4.5%。

消息指出，职工会已通知了它们的会员有关这项消息。这将是自2002年派4.25%以来的最低股息。

据他们表示，根据公积金局公布的2008年第3季业绩显示，公积金局在去年首9个月的表现良好，因此这项派息率显得太低。

全国银行雇员职工会总秘书梭罗蒙说，公积金会员期望更高的派息率，因为公积金局声称在长期证券中作出了精明的投资。

他补充说：“由于经济不景气导致成千上万人失业，公积金局应该派更高的利息，与会员分享其盈利。”

大马职工总会执行理事会成员西华纳丹也说，他获知公积金局2008年的派息率为4.5%。

因此，他表示，公积金局应该撤换其投资顾问，因为此派息率只占国民投资有限公司（PNB）派息率的一半。

第二财长：未接报告

外间传闻公积金局将下调分红利息，第二财长丹斯里诺莫哈末说指出，他尚未接获任何的报告，然而却相信公积金局的派息，将比银行定期利息来得高。

他回答说，一般上公积金局会在三月间公布派息，然而，一切还是得待该董事局决定 。

诺莫哈末是在周日上午，出席槟州商贩及小贩公会常年大会主持开幕仪式后，在受询问时如此回答。

How sweet her smile is??

I love this Lexus too

I love this Lexus

迷你预算案的摘要

—全球经济危机对我国制造业造成冲击，一些被迫要停止或减少操作，预料我国失业率将从2008年的3.7%提高至4.5%。

—政府拨出7亿令吉在公共与私人领域制造16万3000个训练与就业机会。

—拨出6.74亿令吉津贴食品价格，如面包、面粉和白糖，确保不会涨价。

—拨出4.8亿令吉确保大道过路费不会起价。

—购屋者的房贷利息可获扣税，每年最高1万令吉，为期3年。

—报废轿车车龄超过10年的车主，购买国产车可获5000令吉的回扣。

—拨出2亿令吉建造廉价房屋给低收入一群。

—拨出16亿令吉资金促进投资。

—2亿令吉维修沟渠和道路。

—1亿5000万令吉维修福利部、消防局及回教堂与旅游景点的公共厕所。

—今年发出50亿令吉的政府回教储蓄基金。

—19亿5000万令吉建造与修复752间学校，尤其是坐落于乡区与沙巴及砂拉越；3亿令吉用作维修宗教学校、华小与淡小。

—2亿3000万令吉提升乡区尤其是沙巴及砂拉越的基本设施如水电。

—3亿5000万令吉建造乡区道路。

Second Stimulus Package Highlights

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Following are highlights of the second stimulus package tabled by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the Dewan Rakyat today.

* Government unveils RM60 billion second stimulus package to insulate the economy from slipping into recession;

* Housebuyers given tax relief on interest paid on housing loans up to RM10,000 a year for three years;

* Additional RM200 million for pulic low-cost housing scheme for low-income earners;

* RM1.6 billion fund to promote investments;

* RM200 million to repair and maintain roads and drains;

* RM150 million for renovation, maintenance and repairs to welfare homes, fire and rescue stations, firemen living quarters and public toilets in mosques, suraus and tourist spots;

* Government to issue syariah-compliant Savings Bonds amounting to RM5 billion this year;

* RM1.95 billion to build and upgrade facilities in 752 schools, particularly in rural areas, Sabah and Sarawak of which RM300 million will be used to improve facilities in government-aided religious schools, Chinese and Tamil schools and mission schools;

* RM230 million allocated to increase electricity supply coverage and water supply in rural areas particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.

* RM350 million allocated for rural road construction.

* Government will provide RM500 million for maintenance of public infrastructure projects, with emphasis to Sabah and Sarawak;

* RM1.2 billion allocated for providing infrastructures and increasing economic activities in Sabah and Sarawak;

* RM300 million for micro-credit programme under AgroBank to assist farmers and agro-based businesses in rural areas and RM50 million for cottage industries.

* RM2 million Fishermen's Welfare Fund to be established and managed by the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority;

* RM20 million will be provided to improve facilities of day-care centres for the elderly, improve management of women shelter homes and increase facilities for child care centres;

* Existing tax exemption under the retrenchment benefit will be increased to RM10,000 from RM6,000 for each completed year of service;

* Government to establish a Working Capital Guarantee Scheme totalling RM5 billion to provide working capital to companies with shareholder equity below RM20 million;

*Government to establish a Financial Guarantee Institution with an initial RM1 billion in paid-up capital to provide credit to companies intending to raise funds from the bond market. Bonds totalling RM15 billion will be raised under this facility;

* Rights issues by listed companies will no longer need approval from the Securities Commission;

* To encourage takeovers and mergers, the Code on it will no longer be applied to private limited companies;

* Only the Securities Commission has to be informed of any amendments to the terms and conditions of bonds and sukuk issuance;

* Convertible and exchangeable bonds will be exempted from mandatory rating requirements;

* Permanent resident status will be considered for high networth individuals bringing more than US$2 million for investment or savings in Malaysia as an effort to bring high networth and skilled individuals;

* High-skilled foreign professionals may also be considered for Permanent Resident status;

* Government to provide RM2 billion to assist implementation of projects through Private Finance Initiative and public-private partnerships. Private firms to be invited to bid for the funds;

* Government proposes to increase the number of scholarships for entry into local private universities;

* Government-linked Companies to set up 10 not-for-profit private schools;

* The services sector will be further liberalised to woo more investments, bring in more professionals and technology and strengthen competitiveness;

* Foreign Investment Committee to adopt a more liberal approach to bring positive changes and nurture a more investor-friendly environment to attract more investments including foreign direct investment;

* RTM to be allocated RM20 million to implement several projects to develop the local music industry;

* All government procurements will be made through open tenders or restricted tenders except for specific cases.

藝術展 ArtDisplay 3

藝術展 ArtDisplay 2

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Taiwan Tech fair 2009 3

Taiwan Tech fair 2009 2

Taiwan Tech fair 2009 1