MALAYSIA

KLIA2 to Miss Deadline for Fourth Time?

TheEdge reported today that its sources indicated KLIA2 will most likely miss the 2 May 2014 deadline even though it is believed to be presently 90% completed. KLIA2 was originally scheduled to be fully operational by 28 June 2013. The airport was first mooted as a low-cost carrier terminal at a cost of RM 2 billion but has now shifted its scope to become a "hybrid terminal" at a cost of RM 4 billion.

Brief Take: Passengers will have to bear with the present Sepang LCCT for a while longer.

WORLD

Kim Jong-un's Uncle Executed for Treason

Chang Song-thaek, the uncle of North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, was executed for committing treason against the state. Chang Song-Thaek was reportedly guilty of harboring his own political ambition to lead North Korea. Many believed that Chang, who was frequently photographed with Kim Jong-un, was instrumental in training Kim since the death of Kim's father, Kim Jong II, 2 years ago.

Brief Take: No such thing as family love north of the DMZ

BUSINESS

Bloomberg-TV Malaysia Coming Soon

Bloomberg Television will set up Malaysia's first business news channel by next year in partnership with Datuk Seri Effendi Nawawi's Encorp Group Sdn. Bhd. Bloomberg TV is a leading international business news channel with a reach of 310 million homes worldwide. Bloomberg has set up specific local channels before - most recently Bloomberg Indonesia which was launched in January 2013.

Brief Take: With our first 24-hour news channel Astro Awani still struggling to gain mainstream following, is a dedicated business news channel a niche too far for Malaysia?

SPORTS

Support Our Junior Hockey Team at the World Cup

The Malaysian Junior Hockey Team will face France in the Junior World Cup Semi-final 6:00 PM local time today on Channel 801, Astro Arena. This is our first appearance at the Semi-Final stage after 31 years. They beat New Zealand, South Africa and England at the group stage before overcoming favorites South Korea in the quarter-final to reach today's semi-final. The Junior World Cup 2013 is held in India.

Brief Take: This is our best chance to reach the finals as both teams are evenly matched.

Tan Sri Annuar Musa Quits All Football Posts

Tan Sri Annuar Musa announced today that he will be quitting all football-related posts, including his recent appointment into the Youth & Sports Ministry Sports Development Committee. Tan Sri Annuar Musa will also relinquish his post as President of the Kelantan Football Association and as a FAM Deputy President. He is currently serving a 30-month ban imposed by FAM for making comments criticizing the increasing unpopular National Football Association.

Brief Take: Since being involved with Kelantan FA, Tan Sri has turned the East Coast team around, winning the Super League, Malaysia Cup and FA Cup twice each.

ENTERTAINMENT

High-Profile Weddings on 11.12.13

Rozita Che Wan, 40, has married Zain Saidin, 29, in what has been billed the Wedding of The Year by Malaysian Press. Rozita, an actress best known for her stunning figure, found her match in Zain Saidin, younger brother of Sasha Saidin of 90's girl-group Elite fame and also an upcoming actor. Their wedding has reportedly received sponsorship amounting to RM 13 million.

Meanwhile, Nina Ismail Sabri, the glamorous daughter of Minister of Agriculture & Agro-based Industry, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri, has finally tied the knot with Jovian Mandagie, the young and popular fashion designer. Nina, 26, and Jovian, 27, are famously referred to as Jovianina.

Twitterjaya is abuzz with the Home Ministry's latest revelation of "proof" that PAS Deputy-President, Mat Sabu, is a Shi'ites sympathizer. The Government of Malaysia has been focusing on stopping the growth of Shi'ite which is considered as a deviant sect by the largely Sunni-influenced Malaysian Islamic clerics.

FRIDAY, 13 DEC 2013