Ghost Sighting at SMK Langgar, Alor Star: Fact or Fiction? (And how about FOREIGN ghosts at SMK Tanjung Lumpur?)

Currently indeterminate. For sure, there are reports about the ghost sighting at SMK Langgar at Alor Star, Malaysia. First, it was on Sunday, 26/04/09 & then on Tuesday, 28/04/09. Casualties? Hysterical schoolgirls who had since been advised to stay home by the Kedah Education director Shahidan Abdul Rahman.

It does seem so much like a real thing if even the state's Education director ought to comment about it. On not totally a separate news, I came across 2 articles about how a school in Kuantan called SMK Tanjung Lumpur was infested by too many FOREIGN ghosts. I guess that must have been one of the risks of globalization.

On a serious note, the 2 articles were published some time in Sept last year. I have not yet found any follow-up news about the foreign ghosts at SMK Tanjung Lumpur afterwards.

The ghostly apparition which spooked some 50 schoolgirls in Langgar, Alor Star, on Sunday made an appearance again this morning.

Another 17 girls from Forms One to Four of SMK Langgar became hysterical after they claimed they saw the apparition in the school canteen at 9.30am.

Kedah Education director Shahidan Abdul Rahman, in an immediate reaction, advised those affected by the incidents to stay home.

"We are still investigating the matter and I advise those still disturbed from the incidents to stay home," he said.

One of students, Nasroh Abdul Rahim, 14, said she fainted after seeing the apparition of a long-haired woman in a flowing white gown hovering in the canteen.

"I screamed and then blacked out after seeing the figure," she said when met at the school.

Incidentally, she was also one of the 50 girls who became hysterical when the 'ghost' appeared the first time.

Nasroh and her friends along with a few teachers were reciting the Yassin in the school surau when the 'ghost' reappeared. Her screaming sparked some of the others to become hysterical.

A bomoh, called in by the school to help check the problem, claimed he had caught a blur image of the 'ghost' on his handphone.

He said he was treating his daughter, Nur Fatihah Nani, who was among the 50 girls spooked in the first incident.

"Like Nasroh, my daughter is still very weak," he said.

From Asiaone, "Schoolgirls who claim to 'see' ghost spooked with hysterics".

Malaysian shamans claim that there are too many foreign spirits at a school in Kuantan called SMK Tanjung Lumpur.

Some of them even claim to have communicated with the spirits responsible for bouts of hysteria at the school since May.

According to them, the spirits have made several demands for leaving the school, including a special feast.

The shamans who have visited the school say that the spirits claim that the new building had encroached on their area, and that is why a group of students would scream hysterically almost every day.

In most cases, the victims claimed that they saw an apparition with long hair, while others claimed they were possessed by an old woman and would act and sound like one.

State mufti Datuk Abdul Rahman Osman is not in favour of striking a deal with the supernatural beings.

As regards a shamans proposal to use the service of an assisting spirit to communicate with other supernatural beings or to treat a patient, Osman said that any efforts to solve the problem should not involve the help of spirits or jin.

“We have communicated with the residing spirits but they were not responsible for the bouts of hysteria at this school,” New Straits Times Online quoted two “paranormals” from Bandung, Indonesia, Rahmat Setiawan and Didi Ardi of Aura Syifa” organization, as saying.

“Most of them become hysterical because of other factors, including examination pressure and family problems. Some are reacting to the harsh treatment meted out by bomoh during the exorcism,” said Rahmat, who prefers to be known as a “mind therapist”.

He said that hysteria was prevalent among the Malays as they had been exposed to ghost stories since young.

“I was told that there are many ghost series shown on local television. We face the same problem in Indonesia as there are many stories on kuntilanak and jembalang being aired every day,” he added.

The victims parents, however, disagree.

Mariah Mat Zain, 50, said: “I”ve seen my daughter turning her head more than 180 degrees. She could also overpower five men when possessed.”

She claimed that her daughter was still suffering from hysteria, even though she had transferred to another school.

“Don”t tell me she is faking it. She’’s too young to do it,” she said.

Doctors said that it was a difficult phenomenon to explain.

“We have to consider what the family will feel if we say that there’’s no ghost or whatsoever in their child’’s body. As a Muslim, I advise them to seek help from ustaz and pray for God’’s help,” said a private medical practitioner.

From Thaindian News, "Malay school infested by too many foreign ghosts!"

Ghosts, spirits, jin and other supernatural beings are abundant at SMK Tanjung Lumpur, claim dozens of bomoh as well as spiritual and faith healers who have visited the school in Kuantan in the past weeks. Some of the bomoh have even claimed that they have "communicated" with the spirits who were responsible for bouts of hysteria at the school since May.

The so-called spirits, which are aplenty based on the names given by the bomoh, have made several demands including a special feast before they leave the school.

The spirits claimed that the construction of the school's new building had encroached on their area and for that reason, almost every day, a group of students would scream hysterically.

In most cases, the victims claimed that they saw an apparition with long hair, while others claimed they were possessed by an old woman and would act and sound like one.

The idea to strike a deal with the supernatural beings was not favoured by religious figures, including state mufti Datuk Abdul Rahman Osman.

Rahman said efforts to solve the problem should not involve the help of spirits or jin.

A bomoh, 70, from Kota Baru said it was common for a bomoh to use the service of a dampingan (assisting spirit) to communicate with other supernatural beings or to treat a patient.

"Many people will not admit it but we have our khadam (servants) among the spirits."

Such a technique will pose a problem, particularly when there are too many bomoh involved.

He said: "I think this school is crowded with foreign spirits. Some of the bomoh may have left them here to show their power."

Two "paranormals" from Bandung, Indonesia, shared a similar belief.

Rahmat Setiawan and Didi Ardi of Aura Syifa' organisation said: "We have communicated with the residing spirits but they were not responsible for the bouts of hysteria at this school."

Rahmat said only one or two of the students were possessed by the spirits while the rest were responding due to a "herd instinct".

"Most of them become hysterical due to other factors, including examination pressure and family problems.

"Some are reacting to the harsh treatment meted by bomoh during the exorcism," said Rahmat, who prefers to be known as a "mind therapist".

For the record, only 35 of the 820 students at the school have been affected.

Rahmat said hysteria was prevalent among Malays as they had been exposed to ghost stories since young.

"I was told that there are many ghost series shown on local television. We face the same problem in Indonesia as there are many stories on kuntilanak and jembalang being aired every day."

However, the victims' parents disagreed.

Mariah Mat Zain, 50, said: "I've seen my daughter turning her head more than 180 degrees. She could also overpower five men when possessed."

Mariah said her Form Two daughter was having hysteria although she had transferred to another school.

"Don't tell me she is faking it. She's too young to do it."

Some of the victims, including Mariah's daughter, have sought treatment at the hospitals and were certified normal.

Doctors said it was a difficult phenomenon to explain, especially if it involved a Muslim.

"We have to consider how the family will feel if we say that there's no ghost or whatsoever in their child's body.

"As a Muslim, I advise them to seek help from ustaz and pray for God's help," said a private medical practitioner.

Whether spirits exist or not, the students' future is at stake and there should be a way to solve the problem.

A victim, seconds after regaining consciousness, said: "Please help us. I want to be free of this problem."

From Asiaone, "Too many 'foreign' spirits in this school".

The "Vanishing" of Manohara Odelia Pinot: The Furious/Anxious Mom Says One Smiley Photo Is Not Enough

Will there be TWO smiley photos produced on Manohara Odelia Pinot together with her Malaysian-prince husband, Tengku Temenggong Muhammad Fakhry?

Surely there would be a lot of photos taken on the two of them after they made a surprise appearance in that wedding? Why is it a surprise anyway? Because they were not actually invited?! Hmm...perhaps.

Anyway, I begin to sense that what ought to be a domestic issue has blown out of proportion--way out of proportion--to become a national interest. After all, who doesn't like a fairy tale, even one which may turn out to have an unhappy ending?

The mother of Indonesian-American teen model Manohara Odelia Pinot, who said her daughter had been kidnapped by her Malaysian husband, says a picture published in a Malaysian newspaper on Sunday showing her daughter smiling was no guarantee she was happy.

The picture shows Manohara, 17, and her Malaysian-prince husband, Tengku Temenggong Muhammad Fakhry, at the wedding on Saturday of the son of Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party vice president Datuk Husam Musa.

The prince and Manohara, who was dressed in a bright pink outfit, sat side by side and appeared to be relaxed and enjoying the event at Husam’s house in Kota Bharu, the capital of her husband’s state of Kelantan.

“A photo can never guarantee what Manohara really feels,” Daisy Fajarina said on Monday. “I need to talk and meet her to make sure that she is fine. But [her husband’s family] do not allow me to contact my own daughter.”

She regretted that the Kelantan Palace had used a picture of Manohara, published in the New Straits Times, to make people think her daughter was fine.

“Why do they just publish pictures? Pictures can lie and people’s facial expressions always change. We cannot give a sad expression all the time,” she said, claiming the prince’s family would not have cut off access to her daughter if they had not had something to hide.

Manohara was 16 when she married the prince on Aug. 26 last year in an Islamic ceremony at Kelatan Palace.

She returned to Indonesia in October but later went back to her husband.

The alleged kidnapping occurred when the prince’s family and Manohara, her mother and sister were in Saudi Arabia for the minor Islamic pilgrimage, known as umroh . Both families were preparing to return to Malaysia, but once the prince, his family and Manohara were aboard the jet, it took off, leaving Manohara’s mother and sister behind.

Last Thursday, Daisy and Manohara’s sister, Dewi, reported the affair to the National Commission on Violence Against Women after failing to reach Manohara via official channels.

Daisy said on Monday she had not received any formal acknowledgment that a ban on her from entering Malaysia had been lifted, as officials there claim.

Last week, she claimed that early last month a representative of the prince’s family came to Indonesia and offered her an apartment and a sum of money to break ties with her daughter.

“Manohara is ours,” Daisy claimed the emissary said.

From Jakarta Globe, "Manohara’s Mom Says One Smiley Photo Is Not Enough".

Guests at the wedding of the son of Pas vice-president Datuk Husam Musa were surprised when Kelantan prince Tengku Temenggong Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra and his wife, Cik Puan Temenggong Manohara, made an appearance.

Despite the Internet buzz on her whereabouts, Tengku Fakhry, 31, and former model Manohara Odelia Pinot, 17, looked rather relaxed and enjoyed the ceremony which was held at Husam's house in Kampung Kota, here.

Shortly after their arrival, the prince and Manohara, who was dressed in a pink baju kurung with a matching selendang, greeted the guests who were sitting in a tent.

They then proceeded to the house to meet the bride and groom.

They had lunch with the newlyweds, Ahmad Syafi Husam, 21, and Indah Purnasari Didin, 18, and Husam and his wife Datin Ruhana Abdul Rahman. The couple spent about 40 minutes at the ceremony.

From New Straits Times, "Manohara and her prince make surprise appearance at wedding".

While many might think the nation talks of nothing but elections, online media and local newspapers have been obsessed with a fairy tale that has turned into a family’s nightmare — the apparent kidnapping of their teenage daughter by her Malaysian-prince husband.

Not even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs knows what has happened to former model Manohara Odelia Pinot, 17, after she was whisked off in the prince’s private jet in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 26.

Teguh Wardoyo, who heads the ministry unit charged with protecting Indonesian nationals living overseas, said on Wednesday that the Malaysian government was remaining silent. “They won’t even speak to our ambassador, who has asked them to investigate the case,” Teguh said. “The fact that Manohara’s husband is a prince seems to be hampering the investigation.”

Her husband, Tengku Temenggong Muhammad Fakhry, is a prince from Kelantan State.

Manohara married Tengku in Malaysia in August 2008, but then reportedly returned to Indonesia in October complaining of domestic violence, Teguh said. She was 16 at the time of the wedding, of which her father, Reiner Pinot Noack, disapproved. She later returned to her husband.

The kidnapping allegedly occurred when the prince’s family and Manohara, her mother and sister were in Saudi Arabia for Islam’s minor pilgrimage, or umroh. Teguh said both the families were preparing to return to Malaysia. But when the prince, his family and Manohara were aboard the jet, the door was closed and the jet took off, leaving Manohara’s mother and sister behind.

Her mother, Daisy Fajarina, has since accused the husband of kidnapping Manohara. She has not heard from her daughter.

“Malaysia is a law-based country, but where is the law when they have not answered our request?” Teguh asked, adding that the ministry had tried hard to trace Manohara. “The Malaysian government has even issued a ‘visitor prohibition’ against the young lady’s mother,” he said. This was considered a sign of disrespect by Malaysia as it had cut a mother-daughter relationship.

Before marrying Tengku, Manohara was reportedly in a relationship with Adrie Bakrie, the son of Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, and had been voted one of Indonesia’s 100 Precious Women by Harper’s Bazaar fashion magazine.

Din Syamsudin, head of Islamic organization Muhammadiyah and vice chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulema, urged on Wednesday for Foreign Ministry and police action. “I am afraid she is in a very bad situation.”

From Jakarta Globe, "Fairy Tale of a Prince and His Bride Turns to Nightmare".

Previously on this case:
- Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry - the unnamed Malaysian Prince who allegedly kidnapped & abused his (unfortunate) wife, Manohara Odelia Pinot

- Manohara Odelia Pinot - a young, beautiful, (unfortunately?) married Indonesian-American model...and allegedly abducted by a Malaysian prince?!

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Update on 30/04: Ms. Daisy Farajina, the mother of Manohara Odelia Pinot, was reported to threaten to sue the Kelantan royal family. I wonder how on earth, she will get to do that?!

If we don't get to see her, we will sue the Kelantan royal family. That's the stand of Ms Manohara Odelia Pinot's family.

They claimed that the 17-year-old Indonesian-French model was abducted by her husband, a Kelantan prince.

In a report published in Utusan Malaysia yesterday, sister Dewi Sariasi Pinot, 20, said she will be heading to Kuala Lumpur soon with her lawyer to discuss the suit.

The saga began when her mother, Mrs Daisy Farajina, told Indonesian newspapers that as the two families were about to leave Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after completing the umrah (minor pilgrimage), the private jet carrying the prince and her daughter left.

Mrs Daisy and Dewi were left behind.

The mother also claimed that her daughter has complained her husband abused her.

Since the umrah incident at end of Feb, she claimed that she had been denied entry into Malaysia 'at the request of the Kelantan palace'. Ms Manohara was 16 when she married the prince, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry, 32.

But yesterday, businessman Mohd Soberi Shafii said Mrs Daisy had allegedly got into a rage at the prince's house.

He also denied any abuse and explained that the abduction allegation was a misunderstanding.

While he confirmed that Ms Daisy was barred from entering Malaysia, he said this was done to prevent her from causing 'chaos' at the palace. Her arrival in Malaysia was close to the Sultan of Kelantan's birthday.

The Malaysian Immigration Department revoked the restriction against her entry last Friday without elaborating, reported Malaysia's Berita Harian. Meantime, palace officials were tight-lipped.

From The New Paper, "Family: We will sue royal family, unless...".

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Update on 18/05: What, now United Nations is going to be dragged into this case?! Just let the mother see her daughter, can't you?

The Malaysian royal family has not yet decided whether to allow the mother of the teenage Indonesian-American wife of a Malaysian crown prince to visit her daughter, a humanitarian activist said on Monday.

I Nyoman Adi Feri, chairman of the International Humanitarian Commission (KKI), said the Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia, Zainal Abidin, has since last Tuesday urged the Kelantan Palace to grant Daisy Fajarina access to her daughter. Manohara Odelia Pinot, 17, married Kelantan Crown Prince Tengku Temenggong Muhammad Fakhry last year.

“The Kelantan family has not responded to our request concerning Daisy Fajarina’s desire to meet with Manohara,” Adi said.

He said the dispute between Daisy and the Kelantan royal family should be settled through a dialogue. The two parties have recently traded barbs, with Daisy claiming her daughter is being tortured and kept against her will, while the family has accused Daisy of being greedy.

“We want both families to settle this dispute through a consensus in an ethical manner befitting our Eastern culture,” Adi said, adding that if the families could not settle the affair, the
KKI would bring the issue to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Daisy reported the case to the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) at the end of April. The case is currently under investigation.

“As [Manohara’s family] has already reported this case to the human rights commission in this country, we can now take this issue to the international level, which is the United Nations Human Rights Council,” Adi said.

He said that as a mother, Daisy had every right to see her daughter, and vice versa.

“Forbidding a mother to meet her own daughter, or forbidding people to meet each other, is a violation of human rights,” he said.

However, Adi acknowledged that settling the case would not be easy.

Dewi Sari Asih, Manohara’s sister, said she and her mother would not stop trying to contact Manohara.

“We will continue fighting to see her and to witness that she is fine,” Dewi said. “We have not received any news of any new developments in this case. We still cannot contact Manohara.”

The alleged kidnapping occurred after the prince’s family, Manohara, her mother and sister went to Saudi Arabia for Islam’s minor pilgrimage, or umroh . As both families were preparing to return to Malaysia, Manohara’s relatives were left on the tarmac as the prince’s jet took off.

Manohara, named one of Indonesia’s 100 Precious Women by Harper’s Bazaar magazine, was 16 when she married the prince.

From Jakarta Globe, "Humanitarian Body Wants Manohara Case Taken to UN Council".

The Curious Case of David Widjaja: Who are the FOUR key witnesses to testify for David?

The latest development about this curiously dragging case of David Widjaja is that there would be four key witnesses to testify that David Widjaja did not commit suicide. At least, according to the news published by Jakarta Post. (Strange that Singapore newspaper does not mention about it. Yet?)

Persistent till at least the Truth is revealed, David's parents "have insisted their son was murdered, denying he would never commit suicide and claiming they had evidence to prove it. They will underline the oddities found at the crime scene".

In an attempt to convince judges that David Hartanto Widjaja, an Indonesian student who died at the Nanyang Technology University (NTU) campus in Singapore in March, did not commit suicide, his family will present four additional key witnesses at a coroner's inquest in Singapore from May 20-26.

David was found dead after allegedly committing suicide at his campus in Singapore, where he was reportedly having difficulties with his studies. According to witnesses, the student died after jumping from a balcony of a campus building.

The university said David was under stress because his grades had dropped due to his addiction to online games and he was in danger of losing his scholarship.

In a statement issued shortly after his death, it was claimed David was in a meeting at the office of his mentor, Professor Chan Kap Luk, when he went berserk and stabbed his teacher in the back. He then left the office, stabbed himself repeatedly, then jumped off the balcony, the university claims.

David’s parents, however, have insisted their son was murdered, denying he would never commit suicide and claiming they had evidence to prove it. They will underline the oddities found at the crime scene.

The family and an independent verification team filed the case with the coroner’s court last week and gathered their own witnesses to support their case.

“One of the witnesses is a professor whose office is located next to Chan’s. The professor, named Chang Chong Wah, said he thought there was no reason at all for David to commit suicide because he was working on a high-profile, PhD-caliber project,” the team’s leader, Iwan Piliang, said Monday in Jakarta.

David was working on a Computer Vision (CV) technology project, mostly applied in the entertainment and military industries, at the time of his death.

“David was a genius and he never complained of any problems with his studies at all. Before he died, we had regular talks and I did not notice any stress at all in him,” David’s older brother William said.

The team also said they had found many unexplainable oddities at the crime scene. For instance, even though the NTU statement said David was the aggressor, Chan had fewer wounds than David.

“Chan had only five wounds on his body while David had 36. Most of them were on his right arm,” Iwan said.

“However, the latter fact does not match the fact David was right-handed. If it was true he cutg himself after stabbing Chan, then the wounds should be on his left arm.”

He added there was no blood at all found near the balcony, which many said David had climbed prior to jumping.

“David had so many cuts and bled profusely, there should have been blood in the area surrounding the balcony,” Iwan said.

The inquest is a vital part of David’s family’s search for justice to clear his name. If the court rules David’s death was indeed suicide, the case will be closed. If it suspects foul play, a further investigation will take place.

Inquests are common in the Singaporean judicial system. They have the ability to limit the state’s power in stopping an investigation into a case.

From Jakarta Post, "Four key witnesses to testify for David".

Previously on this case:
- The Curious Case of David Widjaja: Family of NTU student questions police about university's statement | Expedited inquest into Widjaja's death
- The Curious Case of David Widjaja: The alleged victim to testify at inquiry | The coroner's inquiry on 20/05 - 22/05, 25/05 & 26/05
- The Curious Case of David Widjaja: Now a criminal lawyer is hired...
- Another (ridiculous) theory about the curious case of David Widjaja: it has to do with his final year project??
- Shame on you, NTU -- how much in advance an appointment needs to be made?!
- The Curious Case of David Widjaja | The parents 'clarify'; NTU makes a false claim?; Indonesian bloggers to 'verify'.
- And other posts in this blog (which I have yet found time to list down. Heh): here.

Dr Thio Su Mien & her ‘baseless’ statements on AWARE sex educational programmes

In today’s Straits Times, “Get facts on sex ed right”, a senior lawyer Dr Thio Su Mien was quoted to have said that "the Aware programme encouraged lesbianism and homosexuality. She said the programme taught young girls from the ages of 12 to 18 that it is okay to experiment with each other”.

She also made a claim that she had talked to some parents about this, and they were flabbergasted. No kidding, one does not have to be a parent to be shocked about this. Especially about how the above claim (bold in red) was issued without further elaborations and proofs. Or is it because these "some parents" were too flabbergasted to pursue further & ask?!

In the same article, Senior Minister of State for Education S. Iswaran opined that “the ministry had not received any complaints about the programme, and has had no reason to intervene thus far”. Far from being neutral, he too was said to suggest whoever made the claims (actually so far only this Dr Thio Su Mien—oh, by the way she is the 'feminist mentor' of the new guard of AWARE) had better got the facts right.

In the earlier news from Channel NewsAsia yesterday, “MOE seeks clarification on claims on AWARE's programmes”, it is reported that MOE has contacted Dr Thio Su Mien to clarify the claims she was reported to have made on the organisation's sexuality programmes.

In addition, MOE gave some detailed statistics (there were none from Dr Thio Su Mien) that “11 secondary schools engaged AWARE to run workshops on sexuality last year. The organisation also conducted assembly talks on topics such as self esteem at a few schools. Schools that engaged AWARE found its programme content appropriate for their students, adhering to MOE guidelines.”

The Director for Education Programmes of MOE, Ms. Sum Chee Wah also released a “Reply to Recent Comments and Claims About AWARE’s Sexuality Education Programme in Schools”.

Yes, MOE is being serious about any baseless statements or statements which had not yet accompanied by concrete evidences—something which are now the burden of Dr Thio Su Mien to produce.

Failing which, I would not be surprised if the so-called old guard of AWARE will mercilessly slap Dr Thio Su Mien for defaming them.

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Update on 06/05: Perhaps Dr Thio Su Mien has indeed been right all along? The latest news has MOE suspended AWARE's sexuality programme. But what I am curious at is that MOE received complaints from parents only after Dr Thio Su Mien has made public her 'unhappiness' about the programme. Parents, be more proactive, please?!

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has suspended the Association of Women for Action and Research's (AWARE) sexuality programme after a thorough investigation.

In a press statement released this afternoon, the ministry said that the "Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Basic Instructor Guide" had been pulled off because it did not conform to MOE's guidelines in some aspects.

In particular, "some suggested responses in the instructor guide are explicit and inappropriate and convey messages which could promote homosexuality or suggest approval of pre-marital sex".

However, it also pointed out that there were positive aspects in the guide, like accurate information on sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV and the role-playing practice for students to say 'no' to sex.

Giving a reason for its decision, MOE said that the Singapore education system did not promote alternative lifestyles to students.

It said: "MOE's framework for sexuality education reflects the mainstream views and values of Singapore society, where the social norm consists of the married heterosexual family unit."

Apart from looking at AWARE's sexuality programme, the ministry also investigated the course materials used during General Paper (GP) lessons in junior colleges. The material had allegedly carried information on alternative lifestyles.

However it found that there was no AWARE influence present in these lessons: Teachers had used such materials to promote discussion on family structures and to promote critical thinking on contemporary issues.

MOE also urged parents to play a bigger part in sex education.

"Parents are ultimately responsible for inculcating values to their children. MOE's sexuality education programme aims to complement parents' role in helping students make informed... decisions regarding sexuality," it said.

MOE's decision to investigate AWARE's sexuality programme was a swift turn from its earlier stance late last month.

In a letter to the Straits Times forum, the ministry had said that it saw no reason because it had not received any complaints from parents about the programme.

However, two days after the letter was published, MOE said it decided to proceed with investigations as parents had started to express concern over AWARE's sexuality programme. In the meantime, an online petition - that collected about 1,300 signatures - had been circulating, calling for schools to "exercise greater care in bringing in sexuality programmes in future".

From Asiaone, "MOE suspends Aware's programme for schools".

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Update on 07/05: The news makes it sound more neutral. Not just AWARE's sexuality programme is suspended, it's now "all sexuality education programmes run by EXTERNAL groups in school" as well. I wonder how many such external groups are there.

All sexuality education programmes run by external groups in schools - including the controversial one by the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) - have been suspended by the Ministry of Education (MOE).

In addition, the ministry will implement a new, tougher vetting process for the selection of such external programmes by schools.

The move comes about a week after some parents told MOE that they were concerned about the content found in an instructor guide for Aware's programme, which was posted online.

The Aware programme for schools was one of the touchstones of a spat within the organisation, which ended last Saturday with the ousting of a month-old leadership team who had railed against what they called 'pro-homosexuality' content in it.

MOE conducted an investigation after some parents expressed concern.

Yesterday, the press secretary to Education Minister Ng Eng Hen, Ms Jennifer Chan, said in a letter to The Straits Times that the basic instructor guide for Aware's programme did not conform to MOE's guidelines on sexuality education.

'In particular, some suggested responses in the instructor guide are explicit and inappropriate, and convey messages which could promote homosexuality or suggest approval of premarital sex,' she said, without elaborating on the inappropriate responses.

A copy of the guide posted online contained lines such as 'anal sex can be healthy or neutral if practised with consent and with a condom', and 'homosexuality is perfectly normal. Just like heterosexuality, it is simply the way you are'.

However, Ms Chan pointed out that some parts of the guide were positive: It gave accurate information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, for example.

But, she stressed, the ministry and its schools 'do not promote alternative lifestyles to our students'.

She added: 'MOE's framework for sexuality education reflects mainstream views and values of Singapore society, where the social norm consists of the married heterosexual family unit.

'Parents are ultimately responsible for inculcating values to their children, and the MOE's sexuality education programme aims to complement parents' roles in helping students make informed, responsible and values-based decisions about sexuality.'

The ministry, she said, had reviewed the current process used to select external groups to run school programmes, and found that they could be improved.

It will also do more to ensure that training materials and programmes in schools are in line with its framework on sexuality education, and will review ways to give parents more information about sexuality education.

Other groups which conduct sexuality programmes in schools include the Singapore Planned Parenthood Association and the Family Life Society.

The new leadership of Aware said it was not surprised by MOE's move. It said it stood by its programme, but was prepared to make changes if necessary.

In a statement, it said the instructor guide was a confidential document used strictly for instructor training.

'Like all instructor guides, ours contains far more information than is used. The guide includes possible responses for instructors should certain topics, such as homosexuality and premarital sex, be raised during sessions,' it said.

'They are not necessarily the responses actually used, as our instructors always use language and terms appropriate to their audience.'

The statement added that Aware's aim has always been to help students make 'informed and responsible decisions about their sexuality in the context of values taught by their parents'.

Meanwhile, senior lawyer Thio Su Mien, the self-described 'feminist mentor' of the ousted Aware leadership, said she was 'pleased' that MOE had looked into the matter and acted in a 'responsible fashion'.

Former president Josie Lau declined comment.

Several parents contacted also welcomed the move.

Mr Vincent Lim, a 34-year-old private tutor and father of two young children, said: 'It is good news for parents. I hope that educators focus on inculcating strong family values and having stable relationships in our sex education programme. The family is the backbone of society.'

From Straits Times, "External sex education programmes suspended in schools".

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And the following is the official press release from MOE, "MOE Statement on Sexuality Education Programme". I like best the last part about how parents are ultimately responsible for inculcating values to their children. That is so true.

1. In recent weeks, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has received feedback on the Sexuality Education Programme conducted by AWARE, as well as other lesson material not involving AWARE. MOE has done a thorough investigation. This statement presents the Ministry's findings and future steps.

2. MOE and the schools do not promote alternative lifestyles to our students. MOE's framework for sexuality education reflects the mainstream views and values of Singapore society, where the social norm consists of the married heterosexual family unit.

3. Today, schools are allowed to engage external vendors to supplement MOE's sexuality education programme. MOE has reviewed the internal processes for selecting and monitoring vendors and found that they can be improved. MOE will put in more stringent processes to ensure that training materials and programmes delivered in schools are in line with the Ministry's framework on sexuality education. Schools will suspend the engagement of external vendors until the new vetting processes are completed. The Ministry is also reviewing ways to provide parents with more information about sexuality education in the specific schools that their children are in.

4. MOE has examined AWARE's 'Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Basic Instructor Guide'. The Guide contains some positive aspects, like the accurate information provided on STIs/HIV and role-play practice for students to say no to sex. However, MOE's assessment is that in some other aspects, the Guide does not conform to MOE's guidelines. In particular, some suggested responses in the instructor guide are explicit and inappropriate, and convey messages which could promote homosexuality or suggest approval of pre-marital sex.

5. In view of this, AWARE's programmes in schools will be suspended and subjected to the new vetting processes.

6. MOE has also investigated feedback about materials used during General Paper (GP) lessons in junior colleges which carry information on alternative lifestyles. These materials and lessons did not involve AWARE. GP lessons are meant to promote critical thinking and discussion on contemporary issues. MOE investigations showed that the teachers had used these materials to initiate discussion on family structures, and not to promote alternative lifestyles. Nevertheless, MOE will remind school leaders and teachers to exercise greater professional discretion in guiding their students when such topics are discussed. They should also adhere to social norms and values of our mainstream society.

7. Parents are ultimately responsible for inculcating values to their children. MOE's sexuality education programme aims to complement parents' role in helping students make informed, responsible and values-based decisions regarding sexuality.

---

Update on 09/05: AWARE Sexuality Education Programme was said to 'exceeded guidelines'...and not in a good sense.

On a separate note, Mr. Iswaran's remark about the schools are given 'considerable autonomy' might be seen as pushing the blame back to the schools for not doing a proper & regular review of the suitability of the external sex education prgramme. Although some might also think that it is the responsibility of the MOE, instead.

Parents are quite right to be concerned about some parts of the Association of Women for Action and Research's (Aware) sexuality education programme, Senior Minister of State for Education S. Iswaran said yesterday.

He said that after investigations were conducted into the programme, 'there's a sense that they have exceeded the guidelines'.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said that all sexuality education programmes run by external groups in schools will be suspended until a new, tougher vetting process for such programmes is put in place.

Among the suspended programmes was the controversial one by Aware. The ministry had said it had some suggested responses which are 'explicit and inappropriate, and convey messages which could promote homosexuality or suggest approval of premarital sex'.

Neither the ministry nor Mr Iswaran gave details of which parts of the Aware programme they were referring to.

The basic instructor's guide for Aware's programme, a copy of which was posted online, contained lines such as 'anal sex can be healthy or neutral if practised with consent and with a condom', and 'homosexuality is perfectly normal. Just like heterosexuality, it is simply the way you are'.

Speaking after a community event yesterday, Mr Iswaran said the core sexuality programme devised by the MOE would continue in schools.

This programme, he stressed, strives to keep sexuality education in line with mainstream values in Singapore.

It is based on the family as the basic unit and conservative mainstream values in Singapore, he said.

Asked yesterday if the ministry was negligent in taking so long to uncover the specifics of the Aware programme, Mr Iswaran explained that there are more than 350 schools here, and they are given considerable autonomy.

From Straits Times, "Guidelines breached".

Any (Dream) Job Will Do!!

With the current bleak economy situation, who can fill their stomachs with merely idealism? Although I must admit I fully agree with this article by Mr Wang Say So, "Learn from the Regrets of the Flatulence Analyst"--in which the blogger urges the fresh graduates to think twice about following the advice from the Manpower Minister Mr. Gan Kim Yong to “take up any job that is available”--I have to admit also that if I were one of the fresh graduates & I am still unemployed just because I have not clinched that dream job, I'll have to swallow my pride & indeed eventually to take up any job that is available.

The thing is that I may not know that the job I "anyhow take because I'm so desperate" will turn out to be a dream job too. A job that I might be very much enjoying despite the initial humiliation derived from the realization that the job is taken only because I'm desperate--and not to mention that I might even and very likely have to settle for lower pay. A job that I can excel & develop myself.

Of course it may turn out to be a bad dream job as well.

But hey, if that's the case, I could always choose any other job that is available & repeat the cycle.

If it turns out to be a dream job, good for me!

If not, start again hunting for the next job that is available! (I begin to sound like a broken record...)

And who knows by then (after so many cycles of persistently securing those jobs one after another), the economy does recover & I'll be able to apply the job that I'm truly aiming for.

All the best for the fresh graduates out there! Don't give up. Oh, and you might want to read this article, "Any job will do" from guardian.co.uk about how Helienne Lindvall has taken on all kinds of jobs in order to pursue her musical ambitions.

PS. Okay, so perhaps I'm somewhat influenced by the song, "Any Dream Will Do". Check out the Lee Mead full official "Any Dream Will Do" video in YouTube here.

PPS. By the way, there's nothing wrong with lower pay. At least according to this Straits Times article, "Why settle for lower pay?":

Career consultants and placement agencies say those who are over-qualified for their new jobs and have to take a pay cut often do well in their new careers and are promoted more quickly.

Lower pay is better than no pay at all. And it really is just a matter of adjusting your lifestyle if you have to endure that 'lower pay'.

Zhang Ziyi - Vivi Nevo: the wedding cancelled?

Well that's what The Star Online said in its article, "Zhang Ziyi cancels wedding plans". The article dated on 25/04. However on the more recent news like from China Daily, "Zhang Ziyi attends romantic wedding of Salma Hayek", it's still mentioned about how Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi and her prospective husband Vivi Nevo arrived for actress Salma Hayek's wedding in Venice, Italy. The wedding was also on 25/04, by the way.

The Daily Mail also has an article--titled, "Salma Hayek shows off wedding dress fit for a billionaire's bride at lavish Venice wedding ceremony"--which quoted about Zhang Ziyi with her fiance Vivi Nevo (actually just has their photos together holding hands--hardly things to do when Zhang Ziyi just called off the wedding.)

So which news is right?

In a turn of events, Chinese star Zhang Ziyi said she has cancelled her plan to marry Israeli billionaire beau Vivi Nevo.

China Press quoted her as saying that she wanted to concentrate on her career.

Met by reporters in Hong Kong, Zhang said she was enjoying her life.

Although marriage plans might not be in the immediate future, Zhang was however considering having a baby two years from now, the newspaper said.

On reports that she was not getting on well with Nevo’s seven-year-old daughter, Zhang denied it and said they were “buddies”.

Nevo had last year revealed that he and Zhang were engaged and planned to tie the knot this year.

From The Star Online, "Zhang Ziyi cancels wedding plans".

Or perhaps it's not a matter of cancellation, it's just a postponement? If the wedding would not take place within this year, it does not mean it won't happen in the year(s) after.

Emporio Armani ambassador Zhang Ziyi appeared in Hong Kong on Wednesday to promote the fashion brand.

Zhang, has been paired with Taiwan/Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro (Jin Chengwu in Chinese), the first Asian male face, in Emporio Armani's advertising campaign this year.

The actress spoke frankly about her relationship with her would-be husband Vivi Nevo. However, she denied their wedding plans for 2009 that was reportedly spelled out by Nevo last year while confirming she would only come up with her baby plans after two years.

Actress Zhang Ziyi leads the female list and is set to take second spot when Forbes China unveils its 2009 list of Chinese celebrity rankings in the middle of March.

When asked about her thoughts on being the best-selling mainland actress, Zhang played it down, saying nothing had been confirmed yet.

The actress, who actively campaigns for public charities, will take part in a series of events marking the one year anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake.

From newsxinhuanet.com, "Zhang Ziyi coy over marriage and baby plans".

---

Update on 08/08: Zhang Ziyi's relationship is reported to be on the rocks. What, isn't it an old news?!

Tongues are wagging about the state of affairs between Zhang Zi Yi and her Caucasian boyfriend. Word is their engagement is off and both have been separated for the past two months.

The Chinese actress hooked up with 43-year-old billionaire, Vivi Nevo in 2007. Even since the couple got together, Zhang has been seen rubbing shoulders with the elites. She also started acting like an American-born-Chinese and spoke English all the time. But in the last two months, she has not been seen with Vivi and reportedly returned to her hometown in Beijing.

The couple originally planned to get hitched this year in August. However, their sudden decision to annul the marriage in previous months has set tongues wagging. Sources say Zhang flew to America and failed to salvage their sinking relationship.

Zhang's latest film, Sophie's Revenge, is set to be released soon. In the movie she will portray the role of an abandoned girlfriend who tries all sorts of methods to win back the affections of her boyfriend. When asked if it was a case of reel life meeting real, the actress begged to differ, "The kind of women I like and respect are the ones who are more independent and opinionated. They have their own beliefs and values. How can they center their lives around a man?" She believes that a perfect woman is capable of making her own decisions and will never be led on by a man.

From Yahoo! News, "Zhang Ziyi's relationship on the rocks".

---

Update on 09/08: Oh wait, Zhang Ziyi insisted that her relationship with Vivi Nevo are "steady" & "everything is all right!"...now it does seem like a déjà vu for me. Or is it a (strong) denial?

Actress Zhang Ziyi has denied rumors that she has broken up with her billionare fiance Vivi Nevo.

"I saw the rumors on the internet. They are ridiculous!" Ziyi told reporters at the premiere of her new film Sophie's Revenge in Beijing on Sunday.

"My boyfriend and I are in a steady relationship," she said,"everything is all right!"

The couple, who began dating in 2007, originally planned to tie the knot this year in August. However, the wedding has been postponed due to "their busy schedules", which triggered various speculation.

From China Daily, ""Everything is all right" about Zhang Ziyi and Fiance".

---

Update on 11/08: Kudos for Channel NewsAsia for a more balanced & revealing piece of news regarding the topic.

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi's relationship with Israeli billionaire Vivi Nevo is stable and things between the couple "are normal", said her manager, denying rumours that the pair have split.

This statement comes after the 30-year-old was spotted without her engagement ring during an interview last month, prompting the media to speculate about their relationship.

Vivi had disclosed in July last year that he intended to wed Zhang in 2009 and confirmed that their engagement took place in March. However, he revealed last month that the wedding had been postponed.

Rumours like the uneven distribution of Vivi's property, his dislike for Zhang wanting a lavish wedding followed by his subsequent decision to delay the ceremony and remain single, indicated that things were perhaps, not so rosy between the couple.

In an interview with ifeng.com last month, Zhang related her first experience producing a movie - romantic comedy "Sophie's Revenge" - and how she had not relied on her partner for help. She also mentioned the need for women to be independent and not to rely solely on men for everything or to "be led by the nose" by them.

Despite Zhang's need for independence, she admits that a phone call from her partner asking her to rest early when she is working late still touches her heart.

From Channel NewsAsia, "Zhang Ziyi & fiance still together, says manager".

---

Update on 14/08: Break-up rumours are baseless, Zhang Ziyi insisted as she flashed her huge engagement ring.

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi has refuted rumours that she and her Israeli billionaire beau Vivi Nevo have called off their wedding, Sin Chew Daily reported.

As proof, Zhang, who recently turned up at a talk show in China to promote her latest film, donned her huge engagement ring.

Zhang was quoted as saying that she was sick and tired of all the rumours related to her wedding plans.

“I can’t understand why I have been the target of rumour-mongers since the day I became an actress,” she said.

“We are fine,” she added, responding to rumours of her break-up with Nevo.

From Diva, "Ziyi: Break-up rumours are baseless".

Singtel fires a helpdesk staff who told customer 'to go to hell' in email -- What if it's just a typo?

You may think it is what the Singtel helpdesk staff deserves to get. Telling a customer to 'please go to hell!!' is for sure nothing helpful. Especially not for him/herself.

But I've just had to wonder if it may be a case of a simple typo. The helpdesk staff might have meant 'help' instead of 'hell'. Will that honest mistake (if that's really what happened) have to lead a firing?

Even the rude & not-professional use of double exclamatory marks might lead to at least, a scolding or a warning. And not the staff being shown the door!! Ah, me too commits the same mistake, but this blog is hardly intended to be a professional one.

Being asked to "go to hell" is probably the last thing one would expect from a technical helpdesk reply, but this was exactly what a STOMPer received.

In an email to the citizen journalism website, the STOMPer, who did not give his name, said that he wrote an email to Singtel's internet customer service department to resolve a technical issue.

From the attachment sent by the reader, the problem seemed to have been a latency issue, in which the network or Internet service seems to run slower than it should.

The reply from the technical service staff was a one liner, "Hai sir, please go to hell!"

Writing about his unpleasant experience, the STOMPer said, "I called them to verify that this email address (from the reply) belongs to the ISP (Internet Service Provider).

"When I showed them the email, the supervisor apologized right away and said that he would make investigations."

The citizen journalism website contacted the telco, which said that the staff in question had been fired.

In an email reply to STOMP, a spokesman for the company wrote:

"We are very sorry for the incident and have apologised to the customer.

"SingTel takes a very serious view of this matter and after our investigation, the staff has been dismissed."

From Asiaone, "Tech helpdesk asks customer to "go to hell"".

The ISP helpdesk staff who cursed a customer in an email has been fired.

This update from SingTel follows a STOMPer's contribution detailing how he emailed the staff for help on a technical issue but was told 'to go to hell'.

In an email to STOMP, a SingTel spokesman wrote:

"We are very sorry for the incident and have apologised to the customer.

"SingTel takes a very serious view of this matter and after our investigation, the staff has been dismissed."

From STOMP, "Fired: ISP helpdesk staff who told customer 'to go to hell' in email".

Jobs availiable [sic] at Sentosa IR

Jobs availiable [sic?] at Sentosa IR. Meaning what? It's liable to have jobs available at Sentosa Integrated Resorts? Heh.

The screenshot above is from Straits Times, "Jobs availiable at Sentosa IR".

Perhaps to err--especially a typo--is truly human. To make fun of the mistake is 'blogistic'. Whatever...

The Curious Case of David Widjaja: Family of NTU student questions police about university's statement | Expedited inquest into Widjaja's death

It is a good move by the family of David to question police about the statement released by the university about the case. After all, many will agree that since the investigation by the police is still on going, the university should not jump to the conclusion that the late David Widjaja was the stabber & that his final year project supervisor Chan Kap Luk was the victim.

The word 'alleged' ought to be used accordingly.

On another news, it's good to learn that the Coroner's Inquiry would be expedited. But honestly, don't you find the reason is a bit, uhm, strange? It's expedited because the pathologist Marian Wang would be going overseas to further her studies in June.

I do hope they expedite it rightly with the quality of the findings not to be compromised.

The family of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) student David Widjaja, who fell to his death last month, met with Singapore police on Thursday.

One of their main concerns is the release of a statement by the university about the events leading to Widjaja's death before police investigations were completed.

Widjaja's parents and brother, William Widjaja, met DSP Avadiar Pongenan - the head of investigations at Jurong Police division - for two hours.

They were accompanied by their lawyer, Shashi Nathan, and an Indonesian Embassy official, Yayan Mulyana.

Early last month, 21-year-old Widjaja was found dead after he fell from a campus building.

NTU released a statement that the student had allegedly stabbed his final-year project supervisor Chan Kap Luk before jumping to his death. It is an account the family has rejected.

The family said it was inappropriate for the university to have done so as police were still investigating the case.

A coroner's inquiry into the student's death has been set for next month.

From Channel NewsAsia, "Family of NTU student questions police about university's statement".

The coroner's inquiry (CI) into the death of Nanyang Technological University undergraduate David Hartanto Widjaja will be held for five days from May 20 in an "expedited" hearing - just seven weeks after he fell to his death at the university.

The 21-year-old Indonesian student died last month, shortly after he was said to have stabbed his final year-project supervisor, Associate Professor Chan Kap Luk, 45.

Yesterday, State Counsel Shahla Iqbal told State Coroner Victor Yeo that a Health Sciences Authority report related to blood specimens found at the scene was still pending.

As pathologist Marian Wang would be going overseas to further her studies in June, State Counsel Iqbal asked that the inquiry be expedited.

The inquest will involve at least 16 witnesses, including Dr Wang and Prof Chan.

Mr Widjaja's parents and brother William, 24, an IT consultant, were in court yesterday for a hearing about the inquiry.

The Widjajas' lawyer, Mr Shashi Nathan, said that they would be meeting the police.

"It's not "us" against the police. In fact, we are working with the police...to try to find the truth for the family. As long as we get to the bottom what really happened...they will have some sort of closure," he said.

Mr Shashi added: "I've also been told I'll be given liberty to cross-examine all the witnesses during the CI, so at that point we'll have a better picture of what actually happened."

Mr William Widjaja said: "We believe that David did not commit suicide. We are deeply concerned that there's another version of how David died and that what the media reported is not true."

From Asiaone, "Expedited inquest into Widjaja's death".

Previously on this case:
- The Curious Case of David Widjaja: The alleged victim to testify at inquiry | The coroner's inquiry on 20/05 - 22/05, 25/05 & 26/05
- The Curious Case of David Widjaja: Now a criminal lawyer is hired...
- Another (ridiculous) theory about the curious case of David Widjaja: it has to do with his final year project??
- Shame on you, NTU -- how much in advance an appointment needs to be made?!
- The Curious Case of David Widjaja | The parents 'clarify'; NTU makes a false claim?; Indonesian bloggers to 'verify'.
- And other posts in this blog (which I have yet found time to list down. Heh): here.

Loan Sharks "R" Us: "Because We Care! (As long as you pay us back the money and the ridiculously high interest".

To the question whether to 'Legalise loan sharks' like we legalise prostitutes here? I'd say, Yes! Do so and implement comprehensive law (or is it just 'guidelines'?) especially about the non-intimidating ways allowable for the loan sharks to retrieve their money.

AH LONG Pte Ltd was the tongue-in-cheek title of director Jack Neo's 2008 comedy.

But if these veteran grassroots volunteers have their way, legalised loan sharks would indeed be the way to go.

Between the two of them, Mr Francis Han and Mr Henry Ling have spent almost five decades as grassroots volunteers.

Their idea to counter the loan shark menace is a radical one.

'Declare a general amnesty, hand out licences, draw up regulations on how much they can lend,' said Mr Han, 62. 'Then come down hard on those who refuse to cooperate.'

The former chairman of the Kaki Bukit Community Centre Management Committee has seen a lot in his 37 years of grassroots volunteering.

He says of loan sharks: 'They help people on the spot, they don't check your background, they don't ask for a guarantor... It's fantastic. No one else can do what they do.'

Difficult

It may be a difficult idea to accept, but it may help, for a moment, to think of loan sharks as prostitutes.

The logic behind legalising prostitution in Singapore is that since it is going to exist anyway, legalising it makes it easier to manage.

Should loan sharking be treated the same way?

Loan sharks have been in the news lately, with the Government's recent suggestion to make it a criminal offence to borrow from loan sharks.

'The unintended consequence is that you empower the loan sharks,' said Mr Ling, 63, the director of a human resources firm, who was a volunteer for 10 years at the People's Association and currently helps out at Meet-the-People Sessions.

'It's like sweeping the problem under the carpet,' said Mr Han. 'The statistics will start to look good, but only because people will stop coming forward.

'If you introduce that law, Singapore's suicide rate will go up.'

Theirs is a concern echoed by forum writers to newspapers recently.

Several weighed in to voice their frustrations with the police and town councils over increasing incidents of loan shark harassment in their housing estates.

One also wrote in to oppose the proposed law, arguing it could lead to borrowers and loan sharks cooperating to evade the law.

The grassroots duo's idea is intriguing, but begs many questions. For one, why would loan sharks give up their lucrative business to stay on the right side of the law?

'Maybe it won't work,' conceded Mr Ling. 'But at least, we must give them a chance. There are people trapped in a vicious cycle, looking for a way out.'

Another question: How exactly would legalising Ah Longs work?

It's about creating more flexibility in the system, explained Mr Ling.

'Right now, someone who is poor and has poor credit ratings has no one to turn to except loan sharks.'

Loansharks typically charge exorbitant interest rates of up to 20 per cent.

He believes that the recent changes to the Moneylenders Act, which makes it easier for lower-income earners to get unsecured loans, are not enough.

Financial aid from the Government, while available, continue to have stringent criteria and take a long time to secure, he said.

Also, how different will a licensed loan shark be from any of the 172 legal moneylending firms already in Singapore?

'For many down-and-out folks, even borrowing from moneylenders is too difficult,' said Mr Ling.

Moneylenders usually ask to see clients' payslips and income tax records.

Some check for criminal records. Others don't entertain walk-in clients.

Cautious

'I don't have a lot of money to lend, so I only do business with clients recommended by my friends whom I've known for more than 20 years,' said Mr Manickam, 67, a partner of AR T Firm Moneylender.

Moneylenders can impose a maximum interest rate of 18 per cent for unsecured loans. It also varies from moneylender to moneylender and is negotiable.

With the recession, moneylenders have also become more cautious.

'We have to be strict because there are a lot of swindlers out there,' said Mr Tan Boon Wan, 70, a staff member of Chuan Hua Company, another moneylending firm.

Licensed loan sharks, Mr Ling hopes, will be more flexible than moneylenders.

How will that work?

Loan sharks are able to give loans without asking for collateral because they are able to use the threat of intimidation.

If they can't use force, will loan sharks still be able to give loans so freely?

It boils down to what kind of 'intimidation' we're talking about, said Mr Han.

'Actually, there's only a small difference between a bank and a loan shark,' he said. 'If you default on a bank, the bank sticks up notices and takes away your stuff. Isn't that a form of harassment too?'

Irresponsible

But Mr James Sim, the president of the Financial Planning Association of Singapore, thinks it's irresponsible to propose that idea.

'At the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves: Will the quality of the loans be there? If not, will we end up with a sub-prime crisis of our own?' he said.

Mr Sim supports the Government's proposal to punish borrowers.

'It's like smoking. I have friends who gave up smoking because it's so difficult to find a place to smoke now,' he said.

'So similarly, if you make it tough enough for people to borrow from loan sharks, they will stop borrowing.'

But the key, he emphasised, is on what kind of punishment the Government wants to mete out.

Said Mr Sim: 'A jail term would be too harsh. It should be light, coupled with a lot of effort to rehabilitate them.

'It's the same thing we are doing for gambling and drug addicts now.'

Non-profit organisation Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS), on the other hand, opposes the Government's plan.

'Punishing borrowers may place loan sharks in a stronger position... It will be the poor and ignorant individuals who will suffer the brunt of this proposed legislation,' said Mr Kuo How Nam, the president of CCS, which works with debtors.

At the same time, he doubts that legalising loan sharks will work.

'Loan sharks, by their very definition, operate outside regulations... so as long as there are desperate individuals around, they will continue to exist,' said Mr Kuo.

Better alternatives, he believes, would be to teach financial literacy in schools and make it easier for the poor to obtain credit.

For Mr Sim, however, the solution is simple.

'We just have to learn how to live within our means,' he said.

From The New Paper, "'Legalise loan sharks' like we legalise prostitutes here?".

Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry - the unnamed Malaysian Prince who allegedly kidnapped & abused his (unfortunate) wife, Manohara Odelia Pinot

Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry. Yes. That's the name of the mysterious Malaysian prince in the Kelantan royal family who had been accused of kidnapping & abusing his wife, Manohara Odelia Pinot.

I must admit I am a tad annoyed. The article from The New Paper mentioned a lot about how the young wife (in this article, it's said that Manohara Odelia Pinot is a 17-year-old Indonesian-French model, not an Indonesian-American model? Hmm...), the alleged abuses she suffered & her distressed mother being unable to see her.

And yet nothing about the identity of the prince?! How difficult it is to find out the name from the Net or from other newspaper?! Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry would surely never do the stupid thing of suing some foreign newspaper by featuring his name--as long as the word 'alleged' is used, right?

A Malaysian prince in the Kelantan royal family has been accused of kidnapping and abusing his wife who fled from him earlier.

The news emerged after two reports appeared in an Indonesian-language daily since Tuesday.

The report quoted the mother of a 17-year-old Indonesian-French model as saying she feared for her daughter's safety when she was abducted after a pilgrimage with the royal family to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in end of February.

The mother of Ms Manohara Odelia Pinot said her daughter had complained of being abused by her 31-year-old husband ever since she wed him in 2008.

The report said that Ms Manohara - whose father is French and mother is Indonesian - was named as one of Indonesia's top models by Harper's Bazaar.

Mother Daisy Fajarina, 44, told Surya newspaper in Surabaya: 'My child has been tortured, her chest has been cut with a razor. This is what people in the palace who were sympathetic with our plight have told me.'

Mother and daughter had first met the prince in December 2006, when they were invited to attend a dinner with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. The report did not state where the dinner was held.

Said Mrs Daisy: 'He seemed polite. After a few months, he showed a liking to my daughter who was then 15. From what I knew then, he seemed like a good man. Whenever he was in Jakarta, he would ask to take us out.

'He did his prayers, was never rude and seemed gentle. I treated him like a son.'

The two wed in Aug 2008, with the prince giving RM50,000 ($20,000) worth of wedding gifts and dowry. She was then 16 years old.

Abuse

But trouble in the household began soon after. The mother claimed that her daughter was treated roughly by the husband in front of everyone.

In a report, Tempo newspaper said that in an e-mail secretly sent by Ms Manohara, she recounted how she was sexually abused by her husband. 'I had to obey him for my own safety,' she said.

Said Mrs Daisy: 'At one point, she fled to Singapore and made her way back to Jakarta.'

Soon after this, the divorced mother of two said the family received many visitors acting on behalf of the royal family, persuading her to ask Ms Manohara to return to Kelantan.

That was when her family was invited to perform the umrah - a minor pilgrimage - between 25 Feb and 9Mar to reconcile with the royalty.

But when they were to leave Jeddah, Ms Manohara was taken in the same car as her husband, while her mother in another. Manohara was then forced to get inside a private jet, leaving her mother behind.

The anguished mother said she had filed a complaint with the Indonesian embassy in Jeddah after the incident.

She had also tried to travel to Malaysia to track down her daughter but alleged that she was denied entry at the 'request of the Kelantan palace'.

The distraught mother had also sought the help of the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

The Indonesian Deputy Chief of Mission in Kuala Lumpur, Tatang B Razak, said his office had received the complaint from the victim's family through their lawyer, O C Kaligis.

'At first, we made an informal approach to the family of the sultan of Kelantan,' he said.

However, the effort turned to disappointment when the royal family refused to meet with the Indonesian Embassy official, claiming they were busy.

Mr Tatang said the Kelantan Sultanate has been claiming that Ms Manohara was safe and sound. She is now staying at one of the palaces in the state bordering with Thailand.

Yesterday, 'friendly' photos of her and the prince flooded several blogs, some postings alleging that the controversy is a lie.

Despite this, the Indonesian embassy has sent an official letter to the Malaysian Foreign Affairs Department regarding the case.

'We are waiting for their response,' Mr Tatang said.

From The New Paper, "'Kelantan prince kidnapped top model'".

Anyway, back to the case, it's also said about the 'friendly' photos of Manohara Odelia Pinot and her husband, Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry have flooded the Net. For example in this blog, http://toughlane.blogspot.com/ titled as "Truth Appeared".

The photos do look genuine. Well, perhaps from the happier days of Manohara Odelia Pinot and her husband, Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry. I don't think the alleged abuse (if that did happen) commenced immediately after their marriage.

It usually takes some time for the darkness to leak out to the surface thickly veiled with hypocrisy.

I really hope this case of Manohara Odelia Pinot and her husband, Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry are nothing but a domestic dispute which is blown out of proportional by her mother.

Previously in this case:
- Manohara Odelia Pinot - a young, beautiful, (unfortunately?) married Indonesian-American model...and allegedly abducted by a Malaysian prince?!

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Update: Meanwhile Jakarta Post features an article about how the Indonesian government demands an explanation from the Malaysian government about why Manohara Odelia Pinot's mother was not allowed to see her daughter. Yes, this has become a nation's issue!

The Indonesian government is demanding an explanation from Malaysian as to why an Indonesian woman was denied entry to see her daughter whom she claims is being abused by her husband of Malaysian royalty.

Daisy Fajarini said Malaysian immigration authorities denied her entry in March without explanation when she arrived in Kuala Lumpur from Jakarta. She claimed she was forced to return to Jakarta on the same day.

She said the immigration officers on duty told her they only took orders from their superiors. "I had to immediately return to Jakarta or I had to remain in a detainment room. I had no choice than to return to Jakarta that same day."

She said she arrived in Kuala Lumpur to see her daughter Manohara Odelia Pinot Manohara, a 17-year-old Indonesian model married to Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry, prince of the Kelantan state.

Daisy claimed her daughter had been ill-treated by the prince since they were married in August last year and moved to Malaysia. She has sought the foreign ministry's help to contact her daughter after since being denied entry on March 19.

Foreign ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said in Jakarta on Thursday that the Malaysian government had made a "positive gesture" in offering to facilitate a meeting between Daisy and the prince.

"What we are doing at the moment is trying to arrange for her to visit Malaysia," Faizasyah said. "Because it's a family affair, we hope they will try to solve the spat among themselves first."

A spokesman for the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Widyarka Ryananta, said that the Malaysian government had not yet responded to a request sent on April 17 for clarification about Daisy's entry ban. "We will help any Indonesian citizen having problems in Malaysia in any way we can," he said.

Dewi, Manohara's sister who accompanied Daisy to Kuala Lumpur, said her mother had never before had an issue entering Malaysia. She added that in March immigration officers also refused a doctor's statement which explained her mother wasn't fit to fly that day.

News about the dispute involving the royal family and the alleged domestic violence inflicted against Manohara has made headline news across Indonesian newspapers.

Daisy said the last time she communicated with Manohara was on March 21, when her daughter was crying and could not control herself.

"And we have not been able to contact her since. Whenever we call they refuse to allow Manohara to speak with me," she said.

Dewi said her sister was being abused by her husband, claiming that Manohara once told her that her husband was treating her "with no respect as a wife."

Dewi quoted Manohara as saying, "He treats me like a statue that he thinks he can bring to ceremonies"

From Jakarta Post, "RI demands KL explain ban on anxious mother".

Look cute for the camera, don't they?

The one at the left (two from the left) and the one at the utmost right are very much the cutest & endearing. Heh.

PS. The photo is taken from "look cute for teh camera".

Jackie Chan's "Singaporeans have no self respect", "Chinese people need to be controlled" -- misunderstood again?? (Redux)

Remember how irresponsible Jackie Chan issued a statement about how Chinese people "need to be controlled"? (Latest: Even The New York Times features an article about how "Jackie Chan Strikes a Chinese Nerve".)

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not," Chan was cited as saying to an audience at a creative industries event at the Boao Forum Saturday. "If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic." He continued: "I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want."

Partially quoted from MarketWatch.com, "Taiwanese groups call for boycott of Jackie Chan film".

With such a remark, it's a little surprise that many calls for a boycott of his films.

Action hero Jackie Chan is facing calls for a boycott of his films after he said “chaotic conditions” in Hong Kong and Taiwan showed that unless Chinese people were controlled, they would do whatever they wanted.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board, which uses the comedy and action star as its ambassador, said it received 164 comments and complaints from the public over his remarks made at the weekend.

Chinese-language broadsheet and online media in Taiwan have criticised Chan, 55, who spoke about freedom during a panel discussion at the Boao Forum. The annual gathering of state officials, scholars and businessmen was organised by the Chinese government, on China’s southern island-province of Hainan.

Partially quoted from Independent.ie, "Jackie Chan angers Chinese with 'chaotic' remarks".

The boycott is not just about Jackie Chan's movies, but also his concert. It is reported that "mainland Chinese are calling for a boycott of his May 1 concert in Beijing".

Gongfu star Jackie Chan's controversial comments that freedom may not be good for the Chinese people could start to hurt not just his reputation, but also his pocket.

Mainland Chinese are calling for a boycott of his May 1 concert in Beijing, Taiwanese want his latest movie ditched and Hong Kongers are protesting against his role as the city's tourism ambassador.

The 55-year-old action movie star sparked an uproar after he told a business forum last Saturday that 'we Chinese need to be controlled', lamenting that freedom had made Hong Kong and Taiwan societies chaotic. 'I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not,' said Chan, who added: 'If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want.'

The backlash against Chan has escalated even after his spokesman claimed that he was referring to freedom in the entertainment industry and not Chinese society as a whole.

Some netizens speculate that Chan may have been trying to get into Beijing's good books after his latest movie, Shinjuku Incident, was banned by China's censors, apparently for its unflattering portrayal of illegal Chinese immigrants abroad and for its violence.

In China, a prominent Beijing academic is leading a group of locals calling for a boycott of Chan's 'Believe in China' charity concert on May 1, which will be the first music event held at the iconic Bird's Nest stadium.

In an e-mail message to hundreds of Chinese yesterday, Professor Hu Xingdou urged the Chinese people to 'defend the freedom of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong' by shunning the concert.

Prof Hu told The Straits Times: 'Jackie Chan doesn't care about loving the country or loving the people, he only cares about making money. He has been making good money in China, but I urge the Chinese people not to support or mai dan (pick up the tab) for him any more'.

One blogger called 'One point five' said he was so enraged by Chan's comments that he flushed two concert tickets worth 580 yuan (S$128) each down the toilet bowl. Other netizens have pledged to boycott Chan's future projects.

Meanwhile, in Taiwan, democracy groups have urged locals to boycott the movie Shinjuku Incident, which opened there last weekend. Local forums have received posts from scores of netizens saying they have rallied to this call.

From Straits Times, "Jackie Chan faces boycott".

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Yes, Jackie Chan's remark did cause a lot of uproar, didn't it? And now it is also said that Jackie Chan commented that Singaporeans have no sense of self-respect. He concluded that after a thorough study about how chewing gums were banned in Singapore.

He too made a sickeningly simplistic comment about the severity of laws here. If you litter, you go to jail. Uh-huh. I'm overwhelmed with such an enlightening conclusion.

Well done, Jackie Chan. I believe you do intend to go to politics because after this "incident", you can rely on us NOT to ever watch your films anymore.

Who needs to watch your "Shinjuku Incident", if in the real life, you've caused one "incident which your only excuse is that you're misunderstood"?!

Action star Jackie Chan did not only offend the Chinese living in Hong Kong and Taiwan, his "speech of freedom" that drew widespread ire recently also spoke badly about Singaporeans.

He had apparently said that Singaporeans have no sense of self-respect.

Chan, who spoke last Saturday at the Boao Forum for Asia, said that the Chinese have to be controlled or society would be "chaotic" like that of Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Local Chinese evening daily Shin Min Daily News reported that in the action star's speech, Singaporeans too, were not spared.

During the forum's question and answer session, Chan said in his reply to a question from the media, "When I go to Singapore, I realize that chewing gum is not allowed there. Why is this so?

"I found out later that if (Singaporeans) chew gum, they will dispose of the used gum on tabletops, on chairs, and (they) have no sense of self-respect."

According to the Shin Min report, he also pointed out that unlike the Americans and the Japanese, "they" do not have that sense of self-respect. And when this is lacking, the government will have to step in.

Should one be sensitive, the action star's words might be interpreted as him saying that Singaporeans are not as orderly as the Americans or the Japanese. Compared to the people in these two countries, Singaporeans thus have less self-respect and in turn, are not allowed to chew gum.

This was not Chan's only comment about Singapore in his speech. The actor also spoke about the country's laws.

"When you reach Singapore, you must obey its laws, if you are caught littering, you will go to jail right away."

These words, according to the Shin Min report, seem to have exaggerated the severity of Singapore's penal code.

Shin Min spoke to members of the public, who thought that Jackie Chan did not have an in-depth understanding of Singapore's law and culture, and should thus not make such sweeping comments about the country and its people.

Miss Wang, 29, told Shin Min, "He is not a political figure, and should not make comments that are political in nature. The problem about chewing gum being inappropriately disposed of is not confined to Singapore alone, and he should not single out one country in his comments.

Real estate agent, Mr Lim, 30, said, "I think that he had gone a little overboard in his comments about Singapore."

The actor's close friend and publicist however, told Shin Min that Chan's words were misunderstood. "Every time Jackie visits Singapore, he will speak about how nice and clean the country is. He speaks very quickly, and because of this, people might interpret his words in a different way."

From Asiaone, "Jackie Chan: Singaporeans have no self-respect".

The Curious Case of David Widjaja: The alleged victim to testify at inquiry | The coroner's inquiry on 20/05 - 22/05, 25/05 & 26/05

We'll soon be able to peep at the Truth about this curious--and dragging--case of David Widjaja. Especially with the alleged victim, Associate Professor Chan Kap Luk, would be one of the 16 witnesses, the coroner's inquiry should be very much enlightening.

The coroner's inquiry into the death of Nanyang Technological University student David Hartanto Widjaja - who allegedly stabbed his professor - will be held over five days next month.

The dates for the hearing have been set for May 20 to 22, 25 and 26.

Early last month, the 21-year-old Indonesian student, in his final year of studies at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, fell four storeys to his death on campus.

Only minutes before, he was seen running out of his professor's office midway through a discussion, bleeding profusely.

The professor - Associate Professor Chan Kap Luk - had knife wounds and was taken to the National University Hospital.

On Wednesday, lawyer Shashi Nathan, who represents the Widjaja family, and State Counsel Shahla Iqbal, who is assisting the court in the inquiry, spent almost an hour in the chambers of State Coroner Victor Yeo before the matter was mentioned in open court.

The court heard that around 16 witnesses will take the stand.

Mr Nathan said that although the list has yet to be finalised, it is certain that Prof Chan will be one of those in the line-up.

He added that the pathologist who conducted the autopsy is likely to be the first witness.

Mr Widjaja's parents and older brother flew in from Jakarta on Tuesday to attend the hearing. At court, they were accompanied by Indonesian embassy officials. The family have also arranged to meet the head of investigations of the Jurong Police Division later today.

From Straits Times, "Prof to testify at inquiry".

Previously on this case:
- The Curious Case of David Widjaja: Now a criminal lawyer is hired...
- Another (ridiculous) theory about the curious case of David Widjaja: it has to do with his final year project??
- Shame on you, NTU -- how much in advance an appointment needs to be made?!
- The Curious Case of David Widjaja | The parents 'clarify'; NTU makes a false claim?; Indonesian bloggers to 'verify'.
- And other posts in this blog (which I have yet found time to list down. Heh): here.

Manohara Odelia Pinot - a young, beautiful, (unfortunately?) married Indonesian-American model...and allegedly abducted by a Malaysian prince?!

Manohara Odelia Pinot. She is young (she's only 17!), she is beautiful (she's a model after all!), and she is a mystery (unfortunately in a negative sense: she's allegedly abducted by a Malaysian prince?!).

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak dodged questions about the alleged abduction of a young model by a Malaysian prince as he met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta on Thursday.

Reporters covering the press conference after the leaders met at the presidential palace were refused permission to ask about the case of 17-year-old Indonesian-American model Manohara Odelia Pinot.

As they fielded approved questions about closer bilateral relations and economic cooperation, Miss Manohara's mother held an emotional press conference of her own to plead with Mr Najib for help in finding her socialite daughter.

Miss Manohara married last year to Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry, the prince of Malaysia's Kelantan state.

Her mother, Daisy Fajarina, said her daughter had suffered 'emotional and physical abuse' at the hands of her husband, who was holding her against her will in Malaysia.

She said she had been refused entry to Malaysia to see her daughter, who was crying and distraught when she last spoke to her Indonesian family by phone from Malaysia on March 21.

'As the new prime minister of Malaysia I urge Najib to investigate to defend our rights and the truth,' Mdm Fajarina told reporters at the offices of the national human rights commission.

'I just want my daughter to be set free... As a mother I have a right to see my daughter.'

She fainted when she was mobbed by journalists from Indonesia's celebrity press, who have written extensively about Miss Manohara's plight.

From Straits Times, "Najib dodges queries on model".

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak dodged questions about the alleged abduction of a young model by a Malaysian prince as he met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Jakarta on Thursday.

Reporters covering the press conference after the leaders met at the presidential palace were refused permission to ask about the case of 17-year-old Indonesian-American model Manohara Odelia Pinot.

As they fielded approved questions about closer bilateral relations and economic cooperation, Manohara's mother held an emotional press conference of her own to plead with Najib for help in finding her socialite daughter.

Manohara last year married Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry, the prince of Malaysia's Kelantan state.

Her mother, Daisy Fajarina, said Manohara had suffered "emotional and physical abuse" at the hands of her husband, who was holding her against her will in Malaysia.

"As the new prime minister of Malaysia I urge Najib to investigate to defend our rights and the truth," Fajarina told reporters at the offices of the national human rights commission.

"I just want my daughter to be set free... As a mother I have a right to see my daughter."

She said she had been refused entry to Malaysia to see Manohara, who was crying and distraught when she last spoke to her Indonesian family by phone on March 21.

"I was already in the airport but immigration officials told me that I was strictly forbidden to enter Malaysian territory," she said, referring to an incident on March 19.

Fajarina said the last time she saw Manohara was when she accompanied the couple on a pilgrimage to Muslim holy sites in Saudi Arabia in late February. The teen bride was already unhappy with her new husband and the trip was supposed to be a fence-mending exercise for the family, she said.

But it ended in anger and confusion when the prince abandoned Fajarina at an airport in Jeddah and whisked her daughter away in his private jet.

"My daughter was taken away forcibly in a private jet from Jeddah ... I was on the passenger list and my personal stuff was already in the plane, but the jet took off without me and left me on the runaway," she said.

She also accused the royal family of trying to bribe her to forget about Manohara with a million-dollar apartment in Malaysia.

"I cannot accept that. Even if they give me the world, I cannot sell my beloved daughter," she said.

Fajarina fainted when she was mobbed by journalists from Indonesia's celebrity press, who have written extensively about Manohara's plight.

Indonesia's ambassador to Malaysia, Da'i Bachtiar, said he had spoken to the royal household in Kelantan and received word that Manohara was fine.

But they refuse to allow her mother to visit and the Malaysian foreign ministry has not replied to further inquiries, he told AFP.

"I have communicated with the Kelantan sultanate. They said Manohara is healthy and fine. We asked about the wishes of her mother but there was a rejection of her visit to Malaysia," Bachtiar said.

"We've addressed questions officially to the Malaysian foreign affairs ministry, but there's been no answer yet. We've addressed the questions in order to give protection to an Indonesian citizen."

Najib was sworn in earlier this month after his predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was forced to stand down.

He has repeatedly denied involvement in the gruesome murder in 2006 of 28-year-old Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, the lover of his close aide.

The aide was acquitted of abetting her murder but two police officers have been sentenced to hang for the slaying of the young woman, whose remains were blown up with military-grade explosives in a jungle clearing.

From Asiaone, "Malaysian PM dodges questions about missing model".

A member of the Kelantan royalty has hit the news in Indonesia for allegedly kidnapping and torturing his model wife, reported Kosmo!

Manohara Odelia Pinot, 17, from Indonesia was said to have been tortured by her husband, 31, including suffering cuts on her chest.

She had married him in a rushed wedding on Aug 26 last year.

A report by the Indonesian daily Surya said a local online news portal carried the story quoting an inside source from the palace, who notified Manohara's mother.

The mother claimed that Manohara was taken by force in a private jet from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last month after completing the umrah.

Mother Daisy Fajarina, 44, told Surya newspaper in Surabaya: "My child has been tortured, her chest has been cut with a razor. This is what people in the palace who were sympathetic with our plight have told me."

In a report, Tempo newspaper said that in an email secretly sent by Ms Manohara, she recounted how she was sexually abused by her husband. "I had to obey him for my own safety," she said.

Surya reported that the model's whereabouts were unknown.

From Asiaone, "M'sian royalty allegedly kidnapped top model".

In 2008, the young Manohara Pinot, mix Indonesian and French, adopted two children - one with special needs - to be taken care of at her house. She calls Cannes her home and Jakarta her ‘new’ home but ended up in Kelantan as the wife of a prince who is said to be keeping her locked in the palace.

Prime Minister Najib Razak was spared the embarassement of answering to the questions of the eager and angry Indonesian press at a press conference at Jakarta during his brief visit to Indonesia. Reports from Indonesia indicates that the high profile model's case - which is one between a young husband and a too young wife - is a 'national' affair and can disrupt the good relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Who is the beautiful model Manohara Pinot and what really happened to her?

Indonesian websites and socialite blogs are today buzzing with the big question: What really happened to Manohara, the darling of all Indonesia!

In some case, stories of how she is being mistreated at the Kelantan Palace by her husband is reported with crude details and a website even suggested that Manohara was not treated like a wife but like an object. "She was even made to have sex while in menstruation, which is unacceptable and a horrible thing to do," said the webmaster.

Reporters covering the press conference with Najib in Jakarta, after the leaders met at the presidential palace, were refused permission to ask about the case of 17-year-old Indonesian-American model Manohara Odelia Pinot.

A startling allegation recently surfaced in an Indonesian newspaper about a member of the Kelantan royal household, who is said to have 'abducted and abused' his 17-year-old Indonesian model wife (Manohara). According to the Surya newspaper, the family of Manohara Odelia Pinot are now in the dark as to her whereabouts and fear for her safety.They also claimed that the model, who was named as one of the country's top models by an international magazine, was cut with a razor blade by her husband.Her mother Daisy Fajarina said the royalty had forcefully taken her daughter away in a private jet from Saudi Arabia, where the family had gone to perform the umrah last month.

From Malaysia Today, "Who is Manohara Odelia Pinot, Indonesian Model".

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Related Posts:
- Manohara Odelia Pinot & Tengku Temenggong Muhammad Fakhry: Beauty and (Allegedly) The Beast? (REGULARLY UPDATED)

- The "Vanishing" of Manohara Odelia Pinot: The Furious/Anxious Mom Says One Smiley Photo Is Not Enough

- Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry - the unnamed Malaysian Prince who allegedly kidnapped & abused his (unfortunate) wife, Manohara Odelia Pinot