External News

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — A five-month pregnant teenager was injured after she was beaten up by three men, including her boyfriend, in Setapak here.

In the incident at about 2.30am on Monday, the 18-year-old victim was brought by her boyfriend into a lane behind a college before he and two friends beat her with a hard object.

Wangsa Maju District Police Chief Supt Rajab Ahad Ismail said the victim was injured in the face and left behind by the three suspects at the scene.

“The teenager was later taken to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital by her father who received information that his daughter had been beaten up.

“Checks on her found that she was five months pregnant, which was not known to her family, including her father,” he said when contacted today.

Rajab said investigations found that the victim was beaten because she often asked her boyfriend known as ‘Atan’ to take responsibility for her pregnancy.

Following the incident, the police arrested three suspects including the victim’s boyfriend aged 18, on Monday, who have been remanded for three days to help in the investigations under Section 324 of the Penal Code. — Bernama

GEORGE TOWN: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) today called on the government to ensure at least 40% of the jobs for infrastructure works carried out by China-based companies be given to Malaysians.

FMM president Soh Thian Lai said this was to ensure there was equitable profits for Malaysians in the long run.

Furthermore, he said there are plenty of Malaysian companies ready to take part in mega projects.

“Before this, the Chinese brought their own workforce and materials. Their earnings were then repatriated to China.

“That is unfair to us locals as we give you the projects, but you take back your profits.

“By having Malaysians involved, you are sharing your wealth by creating jobs and creating equitable wealth for all locals.

“We would like to urge Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng to push for more Malaysian participation in Chinese infrastructure projects,” he said after opening Penang FMM’s 50th-anniversary dinner at a hotel here Thursday night.

Currently, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project and the Penang undersea tunnel and three-roads project involve Chinese companies, although the tunnel and roads project have slightly more local involvement.

Last year, it was reported that the Chinese company involved in the RM44 billion ECRL is not obliged to hire Malaysian companies in carrying out works here.

This was because there was no provision to do so in the contract signed with the project’s main contractor, China’s state-owned China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC).

The previous government had said it would not force the Chinese company to hire local employees or raw materials as it was against World Trade Organisation provisions.

However, it was also reported that there was an understanding between the CCCC and the government that at least 30% to 40% of the ECRL contracts would be given out to Malaysians, but this was not set in stone.

Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook had said the ECRL project, under a new agreement, would give more scope for local companies.

The new agreement also saw the price tag for the rail line cut from RM65.5 billion to RM44 billion, with the route cut shorter by 40km, reducing its total length to 648km instead of 688km.

It will run from Kota Bahru, through Mentakab, Jelebu, Kuala Kelawang, Bangi/Kajang and Putrajaya, and end in Port Klang.

MANCHESTER: Steve Smith capitalised on a number of lucky reprieves to march on to an unbeaten 173 by tea and put Australia on 369-5 on the second day of the fourth Ashes test against England on Thursday.

Smith and captain Tim Paine combined for 145 for the sixth wicket, batting throughout the afternoon session as Australia assumed a commanding position as they search for the victory that will ensure they retain the Ashes.

The top-ranked test batsman in the world, Smith had made his third century of the series and was on 118 when he was caught by Ben Stokes at slip off left-arm spinner Jack Leach.

Unfortunately for the hosts, their joy turned to misery when video officials deemed Leach had delivered a no-ball.

As Smith was making his way towards the pavilion, the video reviewers spotted that Leach’s front foot was not behind the crease when he let go of the ball, handing the Australian his second reprieve of the day.

Smith had been fortunate to survive the second over of the day when Jofra Archer dropped a caught and bowled chance after his full toss was driven straight back at him.

England’s misery in the afternoon session, was compounded when all-rounder Stokes went off with an injury, unable to finish his over of bowling.

Stokes, who kept England in the series with his unbeaten 135 in the run chase at Headingley, returned to the field before tea having had treatment for soreness in his right shoulder.

But his brief absence did have an indirect impact on the game – adding to Root’s frustration Stokes’ temporary replacement in the field Sam Curran, then dropped Paine when he was on 49.

Curran spilled a chance at mid-on after Paine had lofted his drive off Archer. Paine had earlier been dropped, the first over after lunch, by Jason Roy at second slip off Stuart Broad.

The day had begun promisingly for England with Broad producing an excellent early spell.

Broad removed Travis Head, who had struggled throughout his innings, with a plumb leg before to leave the tourists at 183 for four.

But after a nervy start, Smith found his comfort zone in more suitable conditions then Wednesday’s gusty winds and rain.

Matthew Wade (16) looked less comfortable and eventually fell to the left-arm spin of Jack Leach, coming down the track but only succeeding in a mistimed drive which lopped high to Joe Root at mid-on.

Smith though, whose lowest score in this series is 92 at Lord’s, brought up his century off 160 balls when he whipped a full delivery from Craig Overton past mid-on.

It was Smith’s 26th century in 67 matches and his fifth in his last eight Ashes’ innings.

The Australian, returning in this series after a 12 month ban for his role in a ball-tampering affair, celebrated only briefly, clearly a sign he believed he had plenty more work to do.

MIRI, Sept 5 — A fine of up to RM500,000 and a jail sentence will be imposed for open burning offences which are still in force following the hot and dry weather.

The Miri Division Disaster Management Committee Secretariat (JPB), Miri Civil Defence Force, in a statement today, warned that strict action would be taken under section 29A (2) or 29B of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 if open burning prohibition directives were not adhered to.

“A compound not exceeding RM2,000 for every fire heap and a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both shall be imposed upon conviction,” the statement said.

In addition to the Environmental Act 1974, the JPB Miri Division in the same statement said, section 30 (2) Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance, Chapter 84 Laws of Sarawak,1958 Edition will impose a fine of RM200 on individuals and RM9,000 on companies committing the same offence.

“Report any information related to open burning to the Department of Environment (DOE) Miri at 085-437388 and the Natural Resources And Environment Board Sarawak at 1800-88-2727,” he said. — Bernama