STORY TO BE TOLD

27 killed as tour bus overturns in Cameron Highlands

IPOH: Twenty-seven passengers of a tour bus were killed after the vehicle hit a divider and overturned on its way down from Cameron Highlands Monday.

Twenty-two died at the scene of the accident and five at the Raja Permaisuri hospital here. Another 10 injured were being treated at the hospital.

According to Perak state deputy CPO SAC Datuk Zakaria Yusof, the fatalies ias at 5.50pm included a Malaysian (the bus driver) and 26 Thai nationals (11 male and 15 female).

He said the bus had 37 passengers onboard, 34 of them Thai.

The deceased identified so far are Omar Shahidan, 48; Charcart Knagsuwan, 48; Thanvarat Poolsang, 36; Nutthiya Inyyim, 50; Poonporn Poolsaene, 41; Sum Ruay Swatphet, 48; Darunee Songserm; Putharee Akkrarachaw Wanont, 42; Ponethanest Akkrarachaw Wanont, 45; Rung Da; Suchanchida Chaiaueai, 40; Sriwai Swatphet, 22; Prinya Prassakulchai, 48; Chutina Throukool, 25; Thitisak Pongtanarat, 51; and Junpen Pongtanarat, 50; Phayong Kruajinli, 49; and Ekachai Na Bangxang, 64.

The accident occured at KM15 of the Cameron Highlands-Simpang Pulai at 11.40am. The bus was heading to Kuala Lumpur from cameron Highlands.

It is learn that the excursion bus company is registered in Jitra.

SAC Datuk Zakaria said the cause of the accident could have been speeding or brake failure.

More to come

Major bus accidents in Malaysia in recent years:

Dec 17: Four prison officers killed after a Prisons Department bus plunged into a ravine along the hilly and winding Tambunan-Kota Kinabalu trunk road.

Oct 29: Seven passengers, aged between 13 and 28, killed after their bus skidded and overtured at KM38 Genting Sempah, while enroute to Kuala Lumpur. It was later revealed the driver of the bus had no valid driving licence.

Oct 10: Thirteen killed in bus crash along KM223 of the North-South Expressway (NSE), near the Simpang Ampat toll plaza.

Dec 25, 2009: Ten killed after a double-decker express bus skidded and hit a road divider at KM272.8 of the NSE, after the Ipoh Selatan toll plaza (northbound).

Dec 7, 2008: Ten dead after an express bus skided and overturned at KM146.5 of the NSE, near Pagoh, Johor.

Aug 13, 2007: One of the worst road crashes in Malaysian history claims 22 lives. The bus they victims were in crashed at KM229 of the NSE, near the Bukit Gantang rest area.

March 9, 2007: Six killed after an express bus plunged into a ravine at KM254, NSE, near the Sg Perak rest and recreation area.

July 30, 2006: Eleven pilgrims to the annual St Anne's Feast in Penang were killed when their chartered bus overturned at KM160.8 of the NSE, near the Jawi interchange at Nibong Tebal.

Nov 23, 2003: Fourteen killed when an express bus collides with another bus at KM63, Jalan Lipis-Merapoh near the Pahang-Kelantan border.

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Jumlah kematian nahas bas meningkat kepada 27

2010/12/20

IPOH: Seorang lagi penumpang bas persiaran yang terbabit dalam nahas di Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cemeron Highlands, pagi tadi meninggal dunia ketika dirawat di Unit Kecemasan Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, di sini, jam 4 petang tadi.

Ini menjadikan semua 27 penumpang maut, dengan 22 daripadanya meninggal dunia di tempat kejadian.

More news on: http://www.bharian.com.my/

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Angka korban nahas bas pelancong meningkat 27 orang
20/12/2010 4:19pm

IPOH 20 Dis. – Seorang lagi penumpang bas warga Thailand meninggal dunia ketika dirawat di Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun di sini pukul 4 petang ini, menjadikan jumlah kematian nahas bas pelancong di Simpang Pulai hari ini meningkat kepada 27 orang termasuk tiga rakyat Malaysia.

Kesemua 27 mayat itu dibawa ke hospital. – Utusan

Senarai nama 26 daripada 27 mangsa kemalangan bas
20/12/2010 8:51pm

IPOH 20 Dis. – Pihak polis setakat ini telah mengeluarkan senarai nama dua rakyat Malaysia dan 24 rakyat Thailand daripada 27 orang kesemuanya yang terbunuh dalam kemalangan di KM15, Jalan Cameron Highlands-Simpang Pulai pada pukul 11.40 pagi tadi.

1. Omar Shahidan, 48, pemandu, rakyat Malaysia

2. Soontorn a/l Kian, 38, (pemandu pelancong lelaki keturunan Siam Malaysia)

3. Charcart Knagsuwan, 48, (lelaki)

4. Thanvaraj Poolsang, 36, (perempuan)

5. Nutthiya Inyyim, 50, (perempuan)

6. Poonporn poolsaene, 41, (lelaki)

7. Sumruay Swatphet, 48, (lelaki)

8. Putharee Akkrarachaw Wanont, 42, (perempuan)

9. Ponethanest Akkrarachaw Wanont, 45, (lelaki)

10. Suchanchida Chaiaueai, 40, (perempuan)

11. Sriwai Swatphet, 42, (perempuan)

12. Prinya Prassakulchai, 48, (perempuan)

13. Chutima Throukool, 25, (perempuan)

14. Thitisak Pongtanarat, 51, (lelaki)

15. Junpen Pongtanarat, 50, (perempuan)

16. Phayong Kruanjinli, 59, (lelaki)

17. Ekachai Na Bangxang, 64, (lelaki)

18. Mantana Phromduag, 51, (perempuan)

19. Rungnada Klungsawan (perempuan)

20. Darunee Songserm (perempuan)

21. Isariya Thiangtham, 25, (perempuan)

22. Ampaiwan Thiangtham, 50 (perempuan)

23. Maliwan Mekmahaprom, 53, (perempuan)

24. Achara Wiwat, 36, (perempuan)

25. Natkritta Poolsaeng, 6, (perempuan)

26. Weera Chuntanagon, (lelaki)

– Bernama

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School kids become mum and dad at 14

Two 14-year-old school kids have become Britain's youngest parents.

According to The Sun, April Webster gave birth to son Jamie after getting pregnant when she and the child's dad Nathan Fishbourne were both just 13.

April, of Caerphilly, South Wales, said: "I'm going to be a great mum."

Their four-week-old child Jamie, is now living with April and her parents.
Mum and dad at 14... April Webster and Nathan Fishbourne with baby Jamie


Mum and dad at 14... April Webster and Nathan Fishbourne with baby Jamie

But Nathan said: "I'd love to have him at weekends and April can have him five days during the week."

The teenagers, who began having unprotected sex after they started dating in September last year, are also confused over the state of their relationship.

Nathan insisted they are still an item but April said they are having a "cooling off period".

She said: "He has not turned his back on the baby but he's asking to do things like have him stay over at his house and that has caused some arguments. We have a few things to sort out."

Nathan, who lives with his parents not too far away from April's home, also admitted: "I've not thought about our future yet as that's a long way off."

The Sun also reported that Nathan's family are worried the lad's schooling will suffer.

His father Ron, 53, said: "He goes straight from school and is not coming home until nine at night.

"He's down there all weekend as well - and I'm not happy. I'm not saying his schoolwork is more important but he's got to find a balance," the former truck driver said.

Nathan has promised his father and his mother Julie, 43: "It's not going to happen again."

Ron said: "I don't want him coming home in six months saying there's another one on the way.
April Webster with son and parents Maria and Jeff


April Webster with son and parents Maria and Jeff

"I've told him he has got to face up to his responsibilities."

April, a Year 10 pupil, attends school at a centre for teen mothers, said: "I've no regrets. I'm determined to keep up my schoolwork as much as I can."

She and the baby share a room with her older sister Robyn, 17.

Her mother Maria who has become a grandmother at 36 said: "Naturally I was very shocked. But I don't give a damn what anyone else thinks - Jamie's part of the family."

April's taxi driver dad Jeff, 38, blasted locals for cruel taunts at his daughter.

He said: "Someone said she was a disgrace to Caerphilly. That's very hurtful."
Source: The Sun, UK

Published Dec 20 2010

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A file photo dated 2008, showing the model of the Shanghai Tower at its groundbreaking ceremony

World's highest hotel in Shanghai

The Shanghai Tower J Hotel may set the world record as the highest hotel when finished in 2014.

The hotel will span between the 84th and 110th floors of the Shanghai Tower, located in the central business district of Lujiazui in Shanghai, China.

Construction of the tower - 632m-tall or 121 stories - began two years ago.

The hotel, a new brand of Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels (Group) Co Ltd (Jin Jiang Hotels), will feature 258 luxury guestrooms.

Its lobby will be on the 101st floor.

Jin Jiang Hotels said it would be the world's highest luxury hotel when it opens in late 2014 or early 2015, surpassing the Park Hyatt Shanghai that currently holds the honour.

The Park Hyatt occupies the 79th to 93rd floors of Shanghai's tallest building, the World Financial Centre.

Although the 828m-high Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world's highest skyscraper, its hotel only occupies the lower stories.

The Shanghai Tower J Hotel will challenge the new Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong expected to open next year.

The Ritz-Carlton occupies the top floors of the 118-floor, 484m-high International Commerce Centre. Its lobby is 425 meters aboveground.

Some residents have shrugged at the news.

"It seems everyone only cares about which one is the highest, so developers constantly scale new heights.

"But what's the significance?" a local resident, surnamed Zhang, asked.

"We have seen skyscrapers spring up overnight - the Jinmao Tower, the World Financial Centre and now the Shanghai Tower.

"What will be next? They will become nothing but a waste of social and financial resources."
Source: China Daily

Published Dec 20 2010

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Father of murdered girl wants those responsible punished
By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

BATU PAHAT: The father of the 14-year-old girl who was found stabbed to death on Friday wants justice for his eldest daughter.

Businessman Abdul Rahman Has­san, 40, who was still in shock since the discovery of Siti Mazni’s body some 100m from their home in Kampung Parit Ju Darat, hoped those responsible for her death would be severely punished.

“She was taken from us in a most heartbreaking way.

Mourning family: Dr Robia (right) consoling Abdul Rahman and his wife Arinella Hasnizam over the tragic death of their eldest daughter Siti Mazni (inset) at their house at Kampung Parit Ju Darat here in Batu Pahat, Johor Sunday. With them are Abdul Rahman and Arinella’s other children.

“I accept that this is God’s will, but I want the murderers to get what they deserve,” he sobbed when met yesterday.

Abdul Rahman hoped the suspects, aged 15 and 16, would be tried as adults so they could be appropriately punished.

“I do not want other parents to experience what my family and I went through.

“Hopefully, they (the suspects) will receive a harsh punishment as a warning to other youngsters who think they can get away with murder because of their young age,” he said.

Siti Mazni went missing on Wednesday after telling her family that she was meeting someone.

Her body was discovered at 5pm on Friday.

Prior to the discovery of her body, Abdul Rahman had received a SMS sent by Siti Mazni stating that her life was in danger.

Siti Mazni was believed to have sent the SMS to her friend, who forwarded the message to Abdul Rahman.

Police have detained two secondary school boys in connection with the murder.

Siti Mazni’s friend, Haizatul Alia Selamat, 14, said the victim had been seeing the one of the suspects for a few months.

“They had been dating for a few months before breaking up in October.

“I never thought such a horrible thing would happen to her,” she said.

State Women, Family, Health and Community Development Commit­tee chairman Dr Robia Kosai, who visited the family yesterday, said the state Welfare Department would send counsellors to help the family get through the traumatic experience.

Dr Robia said this was a special case and the implications were very worrying as it involved a young victim and teenage suspects.

Batu Pahat deputy OCPD Supt Adnan Azizon said revenge could be the motive behind the murder of Siti Mazni.

“Post-mortem results showed that the victim died due to loss of blood and head trauma after being stabbed a couple of times,” he said.

Supt Adnan urged anyone with information to contact the police hotline at 07-2212999 or the nearest police station.

Seven-year-old completes 15km swim

LUMUT: Seven-year-old Firman Hassanie Shauati Abdul Halim proves that age is not a barrier when he swam 15km along Sungai Dinding.

Firman, who is the brother of long distance swimmers Salman Ali Shariati and Zahrah Masoumah, completed the feat in 10 hours and 20 minutes.
Young athlete: Firman swimming towards the Raja Permaisuri Bainon Bridge near Lumut. — Bernama

His father, Dr Halim Manaf, said the effort was carried out under the “1Student 1Sport” programme organised by SK Seri Ampang in Ipoh.

“Initially, Firman was supposed to make three attempts to cover the 12km distance from Lumut to Kampung Telaga Nenas, located in Ayer Tawar. Friday’s attempt was the first.

“However, he not only managed to complete the distance but went one step further by swimming 15km,” he said.

Dr Halim said Firman started his attempt at 9.15am and completed it at 7.35pm. — Bernama

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