New Strait Times | SilverScorpio.Com

74-year-old flying solo around the world

May 3, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, May 3 (ANI): Capt William M. Charney is on a mission to fly solo from New Zealand, across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Age has not dampened this septuagenarian’s enthusiasm. Charney is a Vietnam war veteran and has extensive flying experience, having clocked over 33,000 flying hours in 75 different aircrafts.

He is employing a pre-war restored single engine bi-plane named Bill’s Red Rockette to achieve this remarkable feat.

Charney is not looking to complete his journey in record time and wishes to conduct it in a leisurely and memorable manner.

“I am not racing against anything. This is a personal challenge and adventure for me as I am able to meet many people and see as many world heritage sites. And what better way than to do it flying low level!” he told New Strait Times

Charney”s idea of a world tour popped up after he chanced upon a couple, Therry and Sherry Wheaton from Santa Fe, New Mexico who were on holiday in New Zealand.

The Wheatons were on a flying vacation on board a Cessna 172 with Flynn Tours that operated out of their own private airfield in the Lindus Pass near Wanaka on the South Island, where Charney was flying a pre-war Tiger Moth. (ANI)

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Parti Punjabi Malaysia elects first woman president

May 3, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, May 3 (ANI): Dr Susheel Kaur has become the first woman to be elected as president of the 24 year-old Parti Punjabui Malaysia (PPM).

She was elected unopposed by more than 50 delegates at the party”s biennial general meeting.

A highly qualified lady, Dr Kaur did her Ph D in population geography from Chandigarh University. She has also majored in social impact studies and hopes to use her academic expertise in her new role as Parti President.

She told the New Strait Times that she did not see herself as a politician but felt responsible for the PPM since her father was its founder.

She succeeds cousin Dr Gurdeep Perkash Singh, he has been the PPM President for ten years.

Dr Kaur admitted that the party did not stand on equal ground when compared to other Malay-Indian parties but hopes to change that.

According to Dr Kaur, the reason behind this disparity is because the PPM has failed to gain entry into the ruling coalition, Barison Nasional.

“We have been trying to do this for over 10 years now. Not fewer than six applications were submitted, but all went unanswered. In fact, our latest application was made on February 2. We are still waiting for an answer,” she said.

She added that it was an open secret that an Indian-based party within the BN coalition had opposed the PPM joining the ruling coalition. (ANI)

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Genetically modified flowers will not lose fragrance due to global warming, say scientists

March 22, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, March 22 (ANI): In a new research, scientists have suggested that flowers might be losing their fragrance due to global warming, and the only way out is introducing genetically modified flowers.

According to a report in New Strait Times, genetically modified flowers as the way out has been suggested by Dr Abdul Latif Mohamad, the Science and Technology Professor Emeritus at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Climate change is also the reason Kuala Lumpur City Hall is increasingly turning to shady trees, because flowers which previously formed the centrepiece of its beautification programme have been wilting fast.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail said City Hall used to spend RM1.5 million a month to plant and maintain flowers in the city, but the contractor”s services were terminated in March last year.

City Hall has taken over the planting, opting for bou-gainvillea and the tropical shrubs, Ixora, for their durability and cheaper cost.

Under the previous arrangement, some of the small flowers cost RM3.50 per seedling.

“It was getting too costly to beautify the city. Flowers were dying fast,” he said, adding that City Hall would continue to plant shady trees more suited for soaking up the increasing pollution and coping with global warming.

Latif said UKM might have offered plausible reasons as to why some pollinators were not spreading flower seeds, a pattern caused by the missing “scent trail” with scent tissues burning easily due to global warming.

“The aroma producing chemical compounds in flowers dry up faster now compared with before,” he said.

“The only way out was to genetically modify the flowers so that the effects would not be permanent and the future generation would not be robbed of nature’s beauty,” he said.

“The act is almost like producing essential oils. Scientists add on certain chemicals for stronger scent,” he added.

He said that cents in flowers last longer in colder climate as plants can hold on to their essential oils longer.

“The flowers may still have strong scents in colder climate. But locally, we fear this might be lost forever,” he said.

According to Latif, Malaysians could no longer rely on nature to heal itself without the help of science.

He said Malaysia needed to follow in the footsteps of Japan, Europe, the United States, China and South Korea which have invested millions in the research of genetically modified seeds. (ANI)

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MIC chief Samy Vellu says he won’t retire before 2012

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Sep 19 (ANI): Rejecting former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s demand to immediately step down as the Malaysian Indian Congress Chief, S. Samy Vellu has said that he would stick to his original plan and resign in 2012.

“He (Prime Minister Najib Razak) is aware of my retirement plan. I will keep to my word to the prime minister and I will not change (my plan),” the New Strait Times Online quoted him, as saying.

Earlier, Dr Mohamad had warned that Samy Vellu would become a liability to the Barisan Nasional in the next general election since his leadership has failed.

Mohamad suggested that Samy Vellu should step down and take responsibility for the party’s failure in the last general election.

Reacting to Dr Mohamad’s statement, Samy Vellu said the former prime minister who is now calling him a liability had labelled him an asset “when we were winning.”

“His comments are like telling a young wife that she is beautiful and an asset, but when she becomes old, she is branded a liability,” he said.

MIC vice-president Dr S. Subramaniam said the leadership of any political party was decided by its members, and it should be respected by the other BN component parties.

“The members decide whether to give or withdraw the mandate and if a decision is made by the members, it should be respected by the other BN component parties. It will be better if all BN leaders avoided commenting about other parties,” said Subramaniam. (ANI)

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MIC chief Samy Vellu says he won’t retire before 2012

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

“He (Prime Minister Najib Razak) is aware of my retirement plan. I will keep to my word to the prime minister and I will not change (my plan),” the New Strait Times Online quoted him, as saying.
Earlier, Dr Mohamad had warned that Samy Vellu would become a liability to the Barisan Nasional in the next general election since his leadership has failed.
Mohamad suggested that Samy Vellu should step down and take responsibility for the party’s failure in the last general election.
Reacting to Dr Mohamad’s statement, Samy Vellu said the former prime minister who is now calling him a liability had labelled him an asset “when we were winning.”
“His comments are like telling a young wife that she is beautiful and an asset, but when she becomes old, she is branded a liability,” he said.

“I am not at all surprised. But I think he refuses to understand that the BN losses in the last general election were not because of me. An experienced man (politician) like him should understand that,” he added.
MIC vice-president Dr S. Subramaniam said the leadership of any political party was decided by its members, and it should be respected by the other BN component parties.
“The members decide whether to give or withdraw the mandate and if a decision is made by the members, it should be respected by the other BN component parties.

It will be better if all BN leaders avoided commenting about other parties,” said Subramaniam. (ANI)

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Now, unwed Malaysian couple to be whipped for trying to have car sex

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Shah Alam (Malaysia), Sep. 18 (ANI): Following the whipping episode of the Malaysian model who was sentenced for drinking beer, an unmarried couple is now being subjected to the controversial canning sentence under the country’s Sharia law for trying to have sex.

Mohammad Shahrin Abd Majid, 29, and his lover Nadiah Najat Hussin, 24, pleaded guilty to attempting to have sex in a car, were fined 5,000 ringgits or 12 months’ jail and ordered to be caned six times each, the New Strait Times Online reports.

Both Shahrin and Nadiah have paid the fine. On Wednesday, the Sharia High Court of Shah Alam granted a stay on the caning pending an appeal following an application by the couple’s counsel.

The Court has also advised both accused to marry as soon as possible.

The couple had claimed that they were to be engaged soon, and scheduled to be married in February next year.

“You are still young… after Hari Raya seek consent from both your parents to marry,” he said.

Shahrin and Nadiah would be sent to prison in order to receive the caning if their appeal gets dismissed.

Earlier, former Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno hogged the international headlines when she was sentenced for canning under Sharia law for drinking beer at a nightclub. (ANI)

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Six charged with sedition in Malaysia’s ‘cow-head protest’ case

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Shah Alam (Malaysia), Sep. 9 (ANI): A Sessions Court in Malaysia has charged six persons with sedition in connection with last month’s cow head protest.

On August 28, nearly 50 protesters gathered at State Secretariat building’s gate carrying a cow’s decapitated head. They were protesting against a temple relocation proposal in Shah Alam city.

The accused arrived at the court at 8.40am and were greeted by scores of supporters in a packed courtroom, the New Strait Times reports.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar asked for bail to be set at 15,000 ringgits each. Bail was later reduced to 4,000 ringgits each.

The case is up for mention again on October 21.

The accused were later taken to a Magistrate’s court for charges of illegal assembly (ANI)

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Six charged with sedition in Malaysia’s ‘cow-head protest’ case

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Shah Alam (Malaysia), Sep. 9 (ANI): A Sessions Court in Malaysia has charged six persons with sedition in connection with last month’s cow head protest.

On August 28, nearly 50 protesters gathered at State Secretariat building’s gate carrying a cow’s decapitated head. They were protesting against a temple relocation proposal in Shah Alam city.

The accused arrived at the court at 8.40am and were greeted by scores of supporters in a packed courtroom, the New Strait Times reports.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar asked for bail to be set at 15,000 ringgits each. Bail was later reduced to 4,000 ringgits each.

The case is up for mention again on October 21.

The accused were later taken to a Magistrate’s court for charges of illegal assembly (ANI)

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Malaysian Indian Congress working committee has two Punjabis candidates

September 7, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Sep. 7 (ANI): In an unprecedented move, the Malaysian Indian Congress has kept two Punjabi hopefuls on the preferred list of candidates for the party’s central working committee (CWC).

MIC President S. Samy Vellu has endorsed J. Randhir Singh from Johor and G. Jaspal Singh from Selangor among 27 candidates, who will be part of party’s decision making body.

According to a part source, one of the two was being groomed by Samy Vellu to fill the vacancy left by former vice president K.S. Nijhar.

“But it will be an uphill task since both are newcomers and are going for the same allocation. And there are only a few north Indian delegates,” the New Strait Times quoted him, as saying.

“There are many candidates vying for the 23 CWC seats and these two are newcomers. They have so little time and the delegates want to get to know them more. They will have to work hard in whatever little time they have,” said another source.

Though popular in their own states, the two candidates are relatively unknown at the national level.

But Randhir is not letting that hamper his chances. He is leveraging on his father Jasbir Singh’s popularity, who has been the Pontian division chairman for the past 45 years.

“I am using the picture with my father because many people recognise my father for his long service to the party. I want to tell them that I am the second generation who will continue what he has been doing for the community,” Randhir said of an appeal in newspapers which shows him along with his father.

Being a non-Tamil speaking candidate in a predominantly Tamil speaking party is a non-issue, as far as he is concerned.

“My father doesn’t speak Tamil as well and he has been division chairman for 45 years. Language is not a barrier. What is important is your ability and willingness to work for the betterment of the community,” he said.

Being on Samy Vellu’s list of endorsed candidates showed that the president recognises the work of non-governmental organisations, he said. (ANI)

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Malaysian Indian Congress working committee has two Punjabis candidates

September 7, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

MIC President S. Samy Vellu has endorsed J. Randhir Singh from Johor and G. Jaspal Singh from Selangor among 27 candidates, who will be part of party’s decision making body.

According to a part source, one of the two was being groomed by Samy Vellu to fill the vacancy left by former vice president K.S. Nijhar.

“But it will be an uphill task since both are newcomers and are going for the same allocation. And there are only a few north Indian delegates,” the New Strait Times quoted him, as saying.

Though popular in their own states, the two candidates are relatively unknown at the national level.

But Randhir is not letting that hamper his chances. He is leveraging on his father Jasbir Singh’s popularity, who has been the Pontian division chairman for the past 45 years.

Being a non-Tamil speaking candidate in a predominantly Tamil speaking party is a non-issue, as far as he is concerned.

“My father doesn’t speak Tamil as well and he has been division chairman for 45 years.

Language is not a barrier. What is important is your ability and willingness to work for the betterment of the community,” he said.

Being on Samy Vellu’s list of endorsed candidates showed that the president recognises the work of non-governmental organisations, he said. (ANI)

‘Cow head’ protest a serious issue: Malaysian Home Ministry

September 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Sep. 4 (ANI): The Malaysian Home Ministry has said that it considers last week’s ‘cow’s head’ protest against a temple relocation proposal in Shah Alam city as a very serious issue.

The New Strait Times quoted Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as saying that he could not accept protests which clearly offended the feelings and religious beliefs of certain groups.I consider such an action as very serious and it should not have been done, as I have stated many times before,” he added.As such, I have ordered the police to continue their investigation and take firm action against anyone responsible, especially those who had marred the protest by the residents by bringing the cow’s head that led to a highly sensitive situation,” he added.

On Friday, nearly 50 protesters gathered at State Secretariat building’s gate carrying a cow’s decapitated head. They warned of further action if a temple was constructed in Section 23 of the city to facilitate greater accessibility to devotees.

Over 100 people have been questioned in Friday’s ‘cow’s head’ protest against a temple relocation proposal in Malaysian city of Shah Alam.

Hussein said the police had identified those involved and would bring them to justice. (ANI)

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Sikh trust offers free Punjabi lessons to Malaysian city officials

September 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ipoh (Malaysia), Sep. 1 (ANI): Following Perak menteri besar Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir’s announcement that state executive councillors might be taught Punjabi, the Punjabi Education Trust Malaysia has offered to give free language lessons to the top officers.

Last week, Kadir had said that all state exco members, advisers and other officials would be required to attend Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Tamil classes to help them administer the state better and improve the public delivery system.

PETM is the Punjabi language education wing of the 103-year-old Khalsa Diwan Malaysia (KDM which is allied to the Union of Perak Sikh Organisations, the oldest Sikh organisation in the country, the New Strait Times reports.

Appreciating Kadir’s announcement, KDM president and PETM chairman Santokh Singh said the PETM is prepared to offer lessons in Punjabi and Hindi to state government officials.

“He has certainly ventured into new waters … and on the part of PETM, we will assist the menteri besar in every possible way,” Singh said.

Kadir said he is “pleasantly surprised” by PETM’s offer.

“It shows the Sikh community in Perak is in favour with the new direction taken by the state government in forging close rapport with all communities and improving the public delivery system.

“I am excited with the offer, especially PETM’s wish to give the lessons free of charge,” he said, adding that he would leave it to PETM to develop the syllabus. (ANI)

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Malaysian PM orders probe into temple protest

August 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 29 (ANI): Expressing concern over Friday’s protest against a temple relocation proposal, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has asked the Inspector-General of Police, Musa Hassan, to investigate the matter.

“The prime minister is upset by what happened this afternoon. He will look into the matter immediately and nip it in the bud. He has also ordered the IGP to look into the matter urgently and prevent it from getting out of hand,” the New Strait Times quoted Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam, as saying.
About 50 people had gathered at the gates of the State Secretariat building to stage protest against the temple’s relocation in a violent manner.
The protest continued for 15 minutes before they were dispersed by the police.
The group, who claimed to be residents of Section 23, had opposed the relocation of the temple in Section 19 to their neighbourhood.
Subramaniam said while the prime minister was promoting the 1Malaysia concept and racial unity, yesterday’s protest would hinder the process and turn back the clock.
The Section 19 temple is about 150 years old and was originally located in a plantation, but when the State Economic Development Corporation decided to develop the area into a housing estate, it left the temple there.
Initially, the temple was supposed to be relocated to an industrial area in Section 22, but was moved to Section 23 to make it more accessible for devotees.
Certain quarters had blamed the state government’s lack of consultation with the people for the latest incident. (ANI)

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MIC urges Universiti Malaya to maintain its Indian Studies dept’s name

August 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 29 (ANI): Malaysian Indian Congress chief S. Samy Vellu has urged Universiti Malaya’s vice-chancellor Ghauth Jasmon not to change the name of university’s Indian Studies Department.

“He has to listen to the views of the Indian community. Tamil is our life,” he said when asked to comment on Ghauth’s statement over renaming the department to Indian and South Asian Studies department.
Ghauth had reportedly said that although the name of the department would be changed, its programmes would be maintained.
“We will not accept any changes to the Indian Studies Department because it was the Indians who contributed to the department’s existence and it is also our pride,” the New Strait Times quoted Samy Vellu, as saying.
He said he was informed by Human Resources Minister Dr. S. Subramaniam that the cabinet has agreed to maintain the during a recent Cabinet meeting.
“It has been agreed by the Cabinet. So, there must not be any change in the name,” Samy Vellu said.
He noted that the ISD was created from money collected from Indian estate workers in the early 1950s under the “Save Tamil Fund.”
“The department has many historical values for the Indian community. Changing its name would mean showing disrespect to the Indian community,” he added. (ANI)

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Indian actress Shobana to display artistic talents at musical in Malaysia

August 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 29 (ANI): Award-winning Indian actress Shobana Chandrakumar is all set to showcase her performing talents in Malaysia in the musical Maya Ravan, to be staged at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.

Hailed as one of the most beautiful actresses of India, Shobana combines her three loves-cinema, Bharata Natyam and theatre-in this production.

The actress won the hearts of Malaysian fans after she played the love interest of superstar Rajinikanth in the blockbuster movie ‘Thalapathi’.

An accomplished Bharata Natyam dancer, Shobana is the grand-daughter of late classical dancer/actress Padmini.

And now fans of the brilliant actress will marvel at her talents in conceiving, interpreting, and choreographing the unique Maya Ravan production.

Shobana, who plays Ravana in Maya Ravan, and the students from her dance school, Kalarpana, have scored major successes having staged more than 50 shows in a two-and-half years’ worldwide tour.

She said that her main objective in producing Maya Ravan was to widen the appeal for the Ramayana epic among world audiences.

“To achieve this, the musical score is made up of a fusion of world music and Indian film music,” the New Strait Times quoted her as saying.

“The narration is in English rendered by Indian film artistes, namely Naseeruddin Shah, Jackie Shroff, Milind Soman, Suhasini Maniratnam, Revathy, Rohini, Tabu, Sameer Sony and Mohanlal,” she added.

The Maya Ravan musical, presented in Malaysia by Nishchal Creations, starts today at the KLCC Plenary Hall.

Proceeds of the show will be donated to the Malaysian Association for the Blind. (ANI)

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Hindu board dismisses allegations of financial impropriety against Malay temple

August 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Georgetown (Malaysia), Aug.27 (ANI): The Hindu Endowment Board in Penang has dismissed allegations of impropriety over money raised by the Sri Ramar Temple here last year.

Board chairman A. Tana-sekharan said the money collected by the temple at Solok York last year only amounted to RM 66,589.49, after payments and expenses were deducted, and not RM83,000 as claimed by its former committee members.

He said the temple had raised almost RM 110,000 in February last year before the deductions.

“The temple gave us the first RM 60,000 in April and the rest in July. The money is in the temple’s account, which is governed by the board,” the New Strait Times quoted him as saying at a press conference at the temple yesterday.

Tanasekharan was responding to the temple’s former committee members’ demand to know what had happened to the RM 83,000 they had given to the board for the temple’s consecration ceremony and also to carry out programmes for single mothers and poor students.

He said the amount collected during the fundraiser was smaller and explained that the event was approved by the board to collect donations.

The money was to clear its deficits, which totalled over RM 96,000 as at April 2008. (ANI)

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Samy Vellu disappointed with caste politics reports within MIC

August 26, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 26 (ANI): Malaysian Indian Congress chief S. Samy Vellu has expressed disappointment over reports that many top party leaders are indulging in caste politics in the wake of election for top party posts.

On the list could be former deputy president S. Subramaniam, who is going for the number two position, and his challenger and former vice-president, S. Sothinathan.

The New Strait Times quoted Samy Vellu, as saying that the party is investigating certain party leaders for alleged involvement in caste politics.

“We have been monitoring their activities and their association with some MIC leaders. They have been damaging the party and it is time for us to act. We are considering action against members working hand in glove with these businessmen to use caste to win the elections,” he said.

Earlier, a newspaper had quoted a source as saying that a group calling itself namavar or “our people”, and said to be chaired by millionaire businessman Datuk Vyran T. Raj, had met separately with Subramaniam and Sothinathan last month.

Subramaniam, reportedly, said he would abolish caste politics and open the MIC to all Indians if voted in.

Samy Vellu said the MIC would seek an explanation from because his alleged statement was tantamount to branding the MIC as a caste-based party.

“The Malaysian Indian community is totally against the caste system, especially in politics. There is no room for people who advocate caste in the party. The MIC is for all Indians and we will not hesitate to act against leaders or members who use caste to advance their political career,” Samy Vellu said.

It is understood that caste has always been an issue in the party, with the majority of members belonging to depressed castes disgruntled over the lack of opportunities for advancement in the hierarchy. (ANI)

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Malaysian Sikh community lauded for their contribution in national development

August 13, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ipoh (Malaysia), Aug 13 (ANI): Malaysia’s Sikh community may be small in number, but its contributions to the development of Perak and the nation as a whole have been invaluable.

Menteri Besar Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the community should continue with its contributions and remain united to face local and global challenges, as well as work with the government to improve its lot.

“The state government would like to record its appreciation to the community for enriching the heritage, culture and social fabric of our country, especially Perak,” he said at a dinner organised by Union of Perak Sikh Organisations (UPSO) on Tuesday.

“I hope Sikh organisations will work together to maintain their cohesiveness, strength and identity,” The New Strait Times quoted him, as saying.

Eight Sikh organisations and 38 Gurdwara Sahibs make up UPSO. There are about 28,000 Sikhs in Perak.

Some 1,500 members of the community attended the dinner.

“The state government intends to form a solid, long-term and fruitful relationship with the community through UPSO. We will try to address the problems raised by the community promptly,” said Zambry. (ANI)

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Underprivileged Malay-Indian students to get educational aid

July 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ipoh (Malaysia), July 4 (ANI): In a bid to provide study assistance to underprivileged Malay Indian students, the Parek government in Malaysia has decided to include three private colleges in their list of colleges and universities, which are eligible for educational aid.

Earlier, a large number of Malay-Indian students could not afford to study in the three institutes of higher learning-Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST), and TAFE College-as they were deprived of assistance from the state government.

“The three colleges were not included in the list and as such, the students from the community faced financial difficulties to enrol in courses,” the New Strait Times quoted Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir, as saying.

“We do not discriminate. The students can be from any race but they would receive the aid if they meet all the conditions, including their family financial background,” he said after a meeting with Perak MIC officials here yesterday.

The educational aid was among several issues discussed during the meeting.

“We asked the state government to include TAFE and AIMST as a large number of Indian students applied to study in the two colleges,” Perak MIC chairman G. Rajoo said.

“We are happy that Zambry has considered the plight of the poor Indian students and happy that the state government has agreed to give out the aid to students to enrol in the three colleges which would lessen the financial burden of the families,” he added. (ANI)

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Malay women queuing for refreshing spa and salon services in jail

June 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, June 22 (ANI): Women are increasingly queuing up to go to the Kajang Prison (women’s wing) in Malaysia, which has opened spa and salon services.

Since it opened its doors to the public last December, scores of women have been regular visitors to the Kajang Prison spa and salon, especially on weekends when it becomes very difficult to get an appointment.

The spa authorities say that the purpose behind starting the spa was to teach skills to women prisoners, some of them foreigners, who were ironically thrown behind bars for working illegally in beauty and massage parlours.

Warder Corporal Rahmah Zawawi, who has been attached with the prison for the past 22 years, revealed that watching the success of the spa and salon training, some private beauty parlour owners even inquired whether they could hire the prisoners. But we had to turn them down as they are only allowed to work within the prison premises,” New Strait-Times Online quoted Rahmah as saying.

According to Rahmah, most of the women working at the prison spa and salon were those serving jail terms of six months or less.

“Currently, seven girls are working in the salon and all of them are Indonesians. They are in jail because they did not have valid travel or work documents. We don’t allow those with dangerous criminal records to work here,” Rahmah said.

She further said that apart from the quality of services provided at the spa, its cheaper rates also attracted women.

“Tell me where can you get a sauna, scrub and facial for only RM85?” she asked.

The services are only open to women clients.

“All they have to do is inform the guard that they have an appointment with us and drive straight in,” Rahmah said of her women clients.

The prisoners are trained by warders who have substantial knowledge in the beauty business.

The training is a continuous affair because it is provided only to short-term prisoners, and the “staff” turnover is high.

“We don’t mind that we keep training and training prisoners all the time. This gives the women a chance to start a new life when they get out,” Rahmah said. (ANI)

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