Singapore's June inflation up 5.2% on-year

By Ryan Huang | Posted: 25 July 2011 1337 hrs

City skyscrapers in Singapore (file pic)

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Consumer Price Index (CPI) in June rose 5.2 per cent year-on-year.

This was in line with market expectations, and higher than the 4.5 per cent rise in May.

The upward cost pressures were concentrated in the usual sectors of transport, housing and food.

A rise in accommodation costs and electricity tariffs pushed up housing costs by 8.8 per cent.

The cost of transport increased by 10.4 per cent because of more expensive cars and petrol, while food prices rose 3.1 per cent on-year.

Education and stationery costs moved up 3.3 per cent and healthcare cost increased by 2.3 per cent.

Core inflation - which excludes more volatile items such as accommodation and transport - rose 2.3 per cent year-on-year.

On a month-on-month basis, headline CPI slipped 0.2 per cent, while core inflation remained unchanged.

And headline inflation is not expected to moderate at least until the end of the year.

Vishnu Varanthan, Asia economist at Capital Economics, said: "Next few months, we are going to see inflation numbers rather elevated, so they are going to be (on) the firmer side of 4.5 per cent or perhaps even five per cent for a couple of months - this is primarily driven by higher housing as well transport costs."

For the first half of the year, inflation has risen by 5 per cent compared with the same period a year ago. The increase was higher than the 3.7 per cent rise in the second half last year.

In the first six months this year, the top 20 per cent earners in Singapore experienced a higher inflation rate compared to the rest. This was largely due to the significant price increases for cars and petrol, which have relatively larger weights compared with other income groups.

During the first half of 2011, the inflation rates for the lowest 20 per cent, middle 60 per cent and highest 20 per cent income groups were 3.9 per cent, 4.7 per cent and 5.6 per cent respectively.

Experts said although low income earners faced the lowest inflation rates, this was significant for them due to their low earnings base.

The higher inflation expected in the next few months is also a reason for the recent revision to the official forecast for 2011. It was raised by one percentage point last week, to between four and five per cent.

"Inflation has remained high, and furthermore this is to a large extent reflective of what's happening in the region as well. I think monetary tightening is shifting towards a lower gear and central banks are beginning to be more cautious," said Irvin Seah, senior economist at DBS.

"So most of the central banks, although we still expect them to continue to hike interest rates, I think the pace of increase in policy rates is likely to be slower, going forward," he added.

Since last April, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has been tightening its monetary policy to tackle inflationary pressures. These policies are expected to play out more strongly in the second half of the year.

So in its upcoming policy meeting in October, the MAS will face a tricky task of deciding whether to tighten these policies further or to take a step back because of higher uncertainties in the global economy.

Channel NewsAsia

Via: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1142873/1/.html

Asian shares mixed after US debt warning

On Thursday 14 July 2011, 17:06 SGT


Asian markets were mixed while the dollar faced heavy selling Thursday after Moody's warned it could downgrade the United States' top-class debt rating, raising fears of a default by Washington.

Moody's blamed US lawmakers' failure to hammer out a deal that would allow President Barack Obama to raise the country's debt ceiling, in turn paving the way for it to meet its repayment obligations.

With trillions of dollars of US debt held by countries and corporations around the world, a US ratings downgrade would likely send global markets into a downward spiral.

Tokyo shed 0.27 percent, or 27.02 points, to end at 9,936.12, with exporters hurt by the yen's strength against the greenback, and Sydney closed 0.53 percent, or 24.1 points, off at 4,490.7.

Seoul was flat, edging up 0.43 points to close at 2,130.07 while Hong Kong also ended flat, adding 13.32 points to 21,940.20

Shanghai gained 0.54 percent, or 14.97 points at 2,810.44.

"The review of the US government's bond rating is prompted by the possibility that the debt limit will not be raised in time to prevent a missed payment of interest or principal on outstanding bonds and notes," Moody's said.

Ratings agency Standard's & Poor's in April also downgraded its outlook for the US, citing the budget deadlock.

The action came as Obama and Democratic lawmakers and their Republican counterparts held a fourth straight day of talks to try to hammer out an agreement on a deficit-reduction budget.

Republicans are refusing to lift the country's $14.29 trillion debt ceiling without deep government spending cuts, and they reject Democrats' demand that tax increases must be part of any sweeping deficit reduction plan.

The prospect of a downgrade hit the dollar, which has tumbled since the end of last week after poor jobs data and the ongoing eurozone debt crisis, while the yen surges due to its safe-haven status.

In choppy Asian trade, the dollar swung above and below its 78.98 yen level from New York late Wednesday. Its volatility was driven by some large-lot purchases from overseas investors, dealers said. At one point both the dollar and euro rose sharply versus the yen before falling back.

The euro, which tumbled this week due to fears over the European sovereign debt crisis, was given some respite.

The row over US debt took pressure off the euro, which firmed to $1.4198 from $1.4168, and to 112.11 yen from 111.76 yen.

The dollar was also lower after Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke told legislators Wednesday that the central bank was "prepared to respond" if stimulus was needed to kickstart the ailing US economy.

"The possibility remains that the recent economic weakness may prove more persistent than expected and that deflationary risks might reemerge, implying the need for additional policy support," Bernanke said.

His comments signalled to some that he was keeping the door open for a third round of quantitative easing. The bank in June wound up its $600-billion "QE2" bond purchasing programme that aimed to boost the economy with easy liquidity.

Global markets have slumped this week as the eurozone debt woes continue, with fears of a default in Greece spreading to Italy and Spain.

Those concerns deepened after Fitch became the last of the three ratings agencies to downgrade Greece to junk status as European officials struggle to hammer out a bailout plan for the beleaguered country.

In Sydney, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp closed up 3.6 percent despite abandoning its $14 billion bid for the 61 percent it does not own of British satellite television provider BSkyB.

He pulled out of the deal amid a phone hacking scandal at the firm's British newspapers that has seen the closure of the Sunday tabloid News of the World.

Uncertainty in global markets sent gold soaring because of its status as a safe haven. The precious metal closed at $1,582.50-$1,583.50 in Hong Kong -- up from Wednesday's close of $1,571.50-$1,572.50 -- after hitting a record high 1,587.97 in London.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in August, was up seven cents to $98.12 a barrel in afternoon trade.

Brent North Sea crude for August delivery eased 30 cents to $118.48.

In other markets;

-- Taipei closed flat, edging down 6.71 points at 8,481.35.

HTC rose 6.78 percent to Tw$929.0 while Hon Hai was 1.53 percent lower at Tw$90.3.

-- Manila rose 0.44 percent, or 19.55 points, to 4,423.55.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust jumped 3.6 percent to 76.95 pesos and Philex Mining put on 3.0 percent to 26.15 pesos while Manila Electric added 0.7 percent to 270 pesos.

-- Wellington fell 0.43 percent, or 14.85 points, to 3,409.55.

The loss came as economic growth data, which beat forecasts made in the wake of February's devastating earthquake, sent the local currency to a record high US$0.8490, its strongest since the currency was floated 26 years ago.

Outdoor clothing retailer Kathmandu Holdings dropped 3.1 percent to NZ$2.21 and Fletcher Building was 1.1 percent lower at NZ$8.13.


Via: http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/Asian-shares-mixed-US-debt-afpsg-3684338804.html?x=0

Dollar volatile after Moody's debt warning

On Thursday 14 July 2011, 14:50 SGT


The dollar saw volatile trade in Asia Thursday after Moody's ratings agency threatened the United States with a downgrade and as the US Federal Reserve chief indicated further stimulus action was possible.

In choppy trade, the dollar swung above and below its 78.98 yen level from New York late Wednesday. The greenback's volatility was driven by some large-lot purchases from overseas investors, dealers said. At one point both the dollar and euro rose sharply versus the yen before falling back.

The row over US debt took pressure off the euro, which firmed to $1.4198 from $1.4168, and to 112.11 yen from 111.76 yen.

The greenback took a hammering after Moody's on Wednesday placed the United States's triple-A debt rating on a downgrade watch because of rising prospects the US debt limit will not be raised in time to avoid default.

"The review of the US government's bond rating is prompted by the possibility that the debt limit will not be raised in time to prevent a missed payment of interest or principal on outstanding bonds and notes," Moody's said.

The action came as US President Barack Obama and Democratic lawmakers and their Republican counterparts held a fourth straight day of talks to try to hammer out an agreement on a deficit-reduction budget.

Republicans are refusing to lift the country's $14.29 trillion debt ceiling without deep government spending cuts, and they reject Democrats' demand that tax increases must be part of any sweeping deficit reduction plan.

With the yen rising on the dollar's woes, markets are monitoring responses from Tokyo concerning the unit's strength as it hovers near its strongest level since spiking to a post-war high following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

That move prompted a concerted intervention from Japan and its Group of Seven counterparts.

Japanese Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters Thursday: "I think the movement of the currency lacks balance, not representing the economic conditions... I don't want to see it stay in that way."

Comments by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke also boosted risk appetite, helping fuel the dollar's decline, as he told legislators Wednesday that the Fed was "prepared to respond" if stimulus was needed.

This signalled to some that he was keeping the door open for a third round of quantitative easing. The US central bank in June wound up its $600-billion "QE2" bond purchasing programme to boost the economy with easy liquidity.

"The focus has temporarily shifted from the eurozone debt woes to the US issues. The market will monitor US economic indicators to confirm the state of the economy," said Dai Sato, dealer at Mizuho Corporate Bank.

The New Zealand dollar climbed to hit a record high against the greeback after data showed Thursday the nation's economy grew a better than expected 0.8 percent in the March quarter, despite a deadly earthquake.

The news sent the "kiwi" dollar almost nearly one cent higher against the US unit to around US$0.8506, its highest level since floating 26 years ago.

The dollar was lower against other Asian currencies, falling to Sg$1.2180 from 1.2247 on Wednesday, to 1,058.60 South Korean won from 1,061.95 and to Tw$28.83 from 28.88.

The unit also sagged to 42.93 Philippine pesos from 43.09, to 30.14 Thai baht from 30.26 and to 8,538.75 Indonesian rupiah from 8,558.75.


Via: http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/Dollar-volatile-Moody-debt-afpsg-3533908271.html?x=0

Dollar falls after Moody's debt warning

On Thursday 14 July 2011, 10:28 SGT


The dollar fell further in Asia Thursday after Moody's ratings agency threatened the United States with a downgrade and as the US Federal Reserve chief indicated further stimulus action was possible.

The dollar fell to 78.72 yen in Tokyo morning trading from 78.98 in New York late Wednesday.

The row over US debt took pressure off the euro, which firmed to $1.4227 from $1.4168, and to 111.99 yen from 111.76 yen.

The greenback took a hammering after Moody's on Wednesday placed the United States's triple-A debt rating on a downgrade watch because of rising prospects the US debt limit will not be raised in time to avoid default.

"The review of the US government's bond rating is prompted by the possibility that the debt limit will not be raised in time to prevent a missed payment of interest or principal on outstanding bonds and notes," Moody's said.

The action came as US President Barack Obama and Democratic lawmakers and their Republican counterparts held a fourth straight day of talks to try to hammer out an agreement on a deficit-reduction budget.

Republicans are refusing to lift the country's $14.29 trillion debt ceiling without deep government spending cuts, and they reject Democrats' demand that tax increases must be part of any sweeping deficit reduction plan.

With the yen rising on the dollar's woes, markets are monitoring responses from Tokyo concerning the unit's strength as it hovers near its strongest level since spiking to a post-war high following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

That move prompted a concerted intervention from Japan and its Group of Seven counterparts.

Japanese Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters Thursday, "I think the movement of the currency lacks balance, not representing the economic conditions."

"I don't want to see it stay in that way. I will continue watching the market carefully," he said.

Comments by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke also boosted risk appetite, helping fuel the dollar's decline, as he told legislators Wednesday that the Fed was "prepared to respond" if stimulus was needed.

This signalled to some that he was keeping the door open for a third round of quantitative easing. The US central bank in June wound up its $600-billion "QE2" bond purchasing programme to boost the economy with easy liquidity.

"As the US economy has been weaker than previously thought, Bernanke's remarks gave rise to a view that a possibility is growing for additional stimulus measures to follow QE2," said Dai Sato, dealer at Mizuho Corporate Bank.

"The focus has temporarily shifted from the eurozone debt woes to the US issues. The market will monitor US economic indicators to confirm the state of the economy," Sato said.

Even with the crisis in Europe, the euro is enjoying good support against the dollar from the row over the US debt ceiling and the fragile fiscal position in the US, National Australia Bank chief currency strategist John Kyriakopolous said.


Via: http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/Dollar-falls-Moody-debt-afpsg-300015149.html?x=0

709集会中文报遭秋后算账？内政部承认见编辑惟否认警告

2011年7月13日
下午 4点48分

净选盟709大集会刚落幕，媒体界即传出数家中文报本周二被内政部召见，并可能因为对大集会的报道而遭到秋后算账。

不过，内政部可兰经与出版物管制小组秘书阿都阿兹接受《当今大马》时承认，他们确曾召见中文报章的编辑，惟他声称这只是该小组定期召见媒体的会议。

他也矢口否认，曾经在会议上向中文报发出任何口头警告或警告信。

管制组否认惟秘书长却证实

阿都阿兹今早一开始受询时，矢口否认内政部曾经召见任何中文报的编辑。

不过，《当今大马》随后致电内政部秘书长玛目阿当，他却坦承该部曾经召见中文报章，惟不是由他亲自召见，因此要求记者去询问可兰经与出版物管制小组。

因此，记者再次致电阿都阿兹，他开始时同样三缄其口。但是，当记者表明其部门秘书长已证实该小组昨日曾召见中文报章后，他才松口承认确实有这项会议。

辩称例常会议讨论各种问题

不过，他却避重就轻的表示，这只是例常的会议，因为该部定期召见中文、马来文和英文报章，以提出一些令人不安的报道。

询及这项会议是否与净选盟集会的报道有关，阿都阿兹也不愿证实，仅表示他们讨论了“各种各样”的课题。

但是他多番强调，内政部在会议上，不曾向中文报章发出任何口头警告。

询及媒体界盛传内政部将发函警告一些中文报，他一样矢口否认说：“我刚才已经说过没有警告”。

随后，阿都阿兹就匆匆收线，未说明被召见的中文报是哪几家。

内政部副部长李志亮受到《当今大马》询问时则表示，不清楚此事。

盛传三家中文报高层被召见

从昨日起，媒体界盛传，《星洲日报》、《南洋商报》与《中国报》的高层编辑被内政部召见。

消息称，内政部不满这三家中文报对净选盟集会的报道，有倾向净选盟的嫌疑，因此将会在近期内向三报发出要求解释信。

据悉，一些编辑回到报馆后，即与内部职员开会商讨此事。

中文报较其他语文报章平衡

根据《当今大马》早前的观察，主流媒体的709报道几乎都没突出警方暴力镇压净选盟集会的新闻与照片，中文报章的报道相较较为平衡，而马来及英文报则近乎一面倒批判净选盟集会。

在各语文源流报章中，唯独中文报有刊登警方向群众发射水炮与催泪弹的照片，不过大多数的中文报都没有采用警方以武力手段逮捕群众的照片。

相信是吸取了2007年报道净选盟集会的教训，各大中文报这次都未在标题上突显警方公布的集会者人数数据，而是在新闻内文同时采用净选盟公布的五万人与警方的五六千人数据。

不过，各中文报也以相当大与多的篇幅，刊登执政者的“消毒声明”，比如《星洲日报》在第3版版头新闻是，首相纳吉指大部分雪隆人没集会，接着又在第12版版头刊登马华署理总会长廖中莱称“游行集会非大马文化”的新闻。

此外，《南洋商报》也在封面头条打出“净选盟攻不进默场”的标题，并指“集会变成示威，逾千人被捕”。

中文报以《光明日报》的报道最为大胆。该报封面标题是“吉隆坡709沸腾”，配以数张人潮、警方发射催泪弹与水炮及民众窜逃的组图。

《光明日报》也以两页中间拉页的方式，刊登多张警方暴力对待集会者的照片。该拉页的标题是“警铁腕驱人潮”，选用的照片包括了集会者被警方制伏在地上、强扯衣服、拷捕人群，甚至集会者与沙亚南国会议员卡立沙末头破血流的照片。

该报也以A4版版头方式，刊登警方闯入同善医院捉人的新闻。新闻内文指出：“警方打开同善医院的大门，进入内部的范围逮捕人群，并向医院发射催泪弹。”

在马来与英文报章方面，警方暴力镇压的照片则完全绝迹，只是一如既往地批判集会者。英文《新海峡时报》封面刊出一张集会者朝警方掷物的照片，配以一个如同《中国报》晚报头条般的标题“和平？”。

7月10日《中国报》晚报头版以“说好的和平呢？示威乱隆市·近千人被捕”为标题，结果引发网民大力讨伐，10个华青团体也联署声明严厉谴责该报。《中国报》对此两度发表声明，解释该标题“其实含隐喻”，并表明本身对于709集会完全没有偏帮任何一方。

《新海峡时报》也在第11版刊登一名记者的采访手记，其标题是“我差点在冲突中死去”，非常耸动。

（当今大马）

转自：http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/169832

[英國] “謝謝，再見”。《世界新聞報》走入歷史

國際 2011-07-10 17:04


（英國 倫敦10日訊）“謝謝，再見！”

國際傳媒大亨梅鐸領導的新聞國際集團旗下《世界新聞報》，星期日出版最後一期停刊版，在封面頭版以大字寫下“謝謝，再見”，向數百萬讀者告別，正式結束這份擁有168年歷史的報紙。

員工不捨也不甘

這家原本是全英銷量最高、以爆料和八卦聞名的報紙，因涉及違法竊聽私人電話及手機信息，並涉嫌賄賂警察以取得秘密資料等醜聞，引起公憤，新聞國際集團決定在星期日將其關閉停刊。

停刊前夕，該報總編輯邁勒與250名員工上週六心懷怒氣，但仍“帶著尊嚴”製作最後一期報紙，有員工穿上印有“再見了，冷酷的《世界新聞報》，我今天將離你而去。”字樣的T恤。

在完成最後一次任務後，邁勒帶領全體員工步出該報位於倫敦東區沃平的大樓，滿懷不捨與不甘。

在他手上的是最後一期《世界新聞報》，他說：“走過168年的輝煌歷史後，這是我們的第8千674期。這是向我們750萬讀者和員工的最後敬意，感謝你們！”

他向著擠滿門外的各國媒體記者表示：“這並非我們想要的結果，這樣對待我們也不公平。”

承認沒遵守辦報標準

邁勒在停刊版內撰文時坦承，在2006年之前，有部份員工沒有遵守該報努力把持的標準。

“許多電話被竊聽，我們對此深感抱歉。沒有任何藉口能為這種劣行辯護，也無法為受害者的傷痛以及對《世界新聞報》偉大歷史留下汙點辯護。”

停刊版內頁以“世界最偉大的報紙－－1843至2011年”為題，詳細記載該報過去的重大事件，包括轟動一時的“假酋長”事件和有關孌童癖者的爭議性報導。

印刷500萬份
停刊版掀搶購

儘管社會大眾大力譴責竊聽行為，但不少人仍希望收藏最後一期的《世界新聞報》作為紀念。

《世界新聞報》1843年10月1日在倫敦首次發行，據稱每期銷量超過280萬份，但停刊版印刷了500萬份，立即掀起搶購熱潮。倫敦市中心一名報販表示，他在首5分鐘內就賣出50份。

消息透露，《世界新聞報》停刊之後，屬同一集團的《太陽報》可能由每星期出版6天改為7天，以填補星期日的空檔。

（星洲日報／國際）

转自：http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/211697?tid=2

納吉：受一點催淚彈就面容扭曲，“安華可當奧斯卡影帝”

709大集會 2011-07-10 18:31

納吉激昂的表示，巫統不畏懼公正的選舉。 （圖：星洲日報）

（吉隆坡10日訊）巫統主席拿督斯里納吉今日戲謔安華的演技應該足以獲得奧斯卡影帝獎。

他模仿安華受傷的樣子說：“他只受到一點點催淚彈，就面容扭曲和戴上頸箍，讓人以為他被痛毆，之後躺在醫院病床上，他還能展示身穿的黃衣；他受傷的樣子登上各媒體和youtube。”

納吉說，安華的行為從敦拉薩時代到現在一點都沒有變，只是他在馬哈迪時代休息了4年（被監禁）後就國家太平，他出獄後，就在阿都拉時代發動凈選盟一，現在又在納吉時代發動凈選盟二。

他指責國會反對黨領袖拿督斯里安華和公正黨策劃709凈選盟非法大遊行，以助安華完成首相夢。

譴責安華安美嘉

納吉一反平日溫文的語氣，以不點名方式譴責安華和凈選盟2.0，而對於凈選盟主席拿督安美嘉，他說：“誰是安美嘉？（who is Ambiga），她領導的組織聲稱爭取公平與干凈的選舉，但她盟友就很干凈嗎？該組織的副主席是莫哈未沙布（回教黨署理主席），他願意屈就安美嘉之下，他是一個願意屆就於任何人之下的人。”

他說，是安華製造昨日的亂局，因為他想借此達到當首相的慾望，他知道這是他最後的機會。

“他以前說回教黨愚笨和無腦，他擔任巫青團團長時視林吉祥為敵人，現在卻能和他們做朋友，擁抱在一起。”

他認為安華是因為看到巫統和國陣在多場補選中勢如破竹，並擔心政府推行的轉型計劃、一個馬來西亞理念和馬來人議程取得很好效果而察覺不對勁，心知再不採取行動，國陣和巫統將贏得大選，所以不惜一切手段，不惜犧牲原則，以及宗教與民族的利益

指公正黨選舉不公正

納吉指公正黨的黨選不干不凈，操縱和賄選投報不絕於耳，而前理事拿督再益依布拉欣因為黨選被操縱而失望退黨。

“他的家事都管不好，而且其身不正，操縱黨選讓愛將當選，他今天要來教我們如何處理國家的選舉制度？”

他說，針對性愛短片中的疑點，特別是名錶，安華至今無法解答；雖然外國的鑑證專家鑑定短片中人與安華有99.99%相似，但安華依然矢口否認。

“我也有助理，但我們是在辦公室討論事務，他為何會在公寓與助理討論事務？他說是談機密的事，有甚麼這麼機密而需要在公寓談不可？他帶賽夫一起出國，原因是賽夫會泡茶，難道其他人不會泡茶？賽夫泡的茶有何特別之處？”

對元首勸誡出爾反爾
“凈選盟遊行旨抹黑政府”

納吉譴責凈選盟2.0對國家元首的勸誡出爾反爾，堅持舉行709非法遊行，目的只為博取在國際上的宣傳，以抹黑政府不尊重民主、法律與人權。

他重申當初雖然被人勸阻，但他依然建議凈選盟在體育館舉行集會，而他從來不曾答應讓凈選盟在默迪卡體育場舉行集會。

他說，凈選盟可以在民聯執政州屬內的體育館舉行，包括雪蘭莪、檳城、吉打和吉蘭丹，那些場館更大，但他們不可以在默迪卡體育場，因為它對國家具有象徵意義。

“709遊行事件登上you-tube和國際媒體，一點也不意外，他們會大事渲染，指政府不民主，實際上是他們不尊重民主程序和國家法治。”

他希望巫統領袖、黨員和支持者等待，當號角響起時，就起來讓那些冥頑不靈的人知道他們的實力和力量。

詢及號角響起的意思是否鼓吹黨員也走上街頭的問題，他說，其實這是演講的助詞。

“我希望他們做好準備，面對國會解散和國家安全受威脅的局面。”

從以前至今都是民主鬥士
捍衛民主是巫統傳統

納吉指出，談到民主課題，捍衛民主是巫統的傳統，該黨從以前至今都是民主的鬥士。

他說，五一三事件後，巫統即刻把權力歸還國會，其實它大可不歸還，但巫統是一個獲得人民支持、推崇馬來統治者制度和憲法的政黨。

他說，在凈選盟709遊行事件，巫統和政府聽從國家元首、彭亨和雪州蘇丹的勸告，但遺憾的是有人卻妄顧馬來統治者的意旨。

“巫統知道要繼續掌政就必須得到民心，因此，我希望所有黨員和領袖向人民解釋，巫統和國陣都會捍衛民主原則，不容任何人利用此平台來進行示威。”

針對凈選盟聲稱選舉制度不公平的問題，他說，在開票過程中，雙方都有派代表監督開票。

否認幽靈選民指責

他也否認有幽靈選民的指責，他說，選名冊會是公開展示的，若有問題，任何人都可以提出反對。

至於郵寄選票的問題，他說，其實這只是讓有任務在身的軍人警察和官員提早投票。

“國陣也曾輸在郵寄選票，每當選舉，我們的部長和領袖都不眠不休，如果可以操縱和控制選舉，他們大可高枕無憂，國陣也不會失去5州執政權和國會三分二多數議席的優勢。”

他說，國陣至今仍無法取回吉蘭丹州政權，當年，回教黨只比國陣多一席，而國陣在該席只輸了兩票。

“如果要操縱選舉，我們可以輕而易舉奪回丹州政權，但我們尊重民主和法律，也沒有選擇在哥打峇魯示威。”

【熱點新聞：709大集會】

（星洲日報）

转自：http://www.sinchew-i.com/sciWWW/node/224445?tid=760

海峡时报封面打着“和平？”，网民抨中国报标题报道不公

作者／本刊记者 Jul 10, 2011 03:13:43 pm


【本刊记者撰述】净选盟709集会余波荡漾，《中国报》因晚报标题“说好的和平呢？”遭大批网民强烈抨击，甚至在面子书上发动活动联署要求总编辑道歉和辞职。另一边厢，今天《新海峡时报》的头版就打着类似标题：“和平？”

《中国报》在昨天晚上晚报头版标题打着“说好的和平呢？”，而在今天早上已经换成“净选盟上街1667人被捕”，但据悉其他外州的头版标题未跟进更改。

《中国报》晚报出街后，网上涌现不少抨击声浪，特别是面子书，更有一名面子书使用者“Billy Ng”发动活动联署“不实报道，中国报总编辑该辞职对人民道歉”。

召集人批评《中国报》709报道头条主标“说好的和平呢？”，说道：“到底是谁在发射催泪弹？到底是谁在喷射水砲？到底是谁在不断的逮捕黄金甲？”

“中国报老总们，不要当人民是白痴！！！记者编辑是要报道事实，而不是捏造真相！！！！做记者做到如此，你们不配当记者……！”

“不实报道，中国报总编辑该引咎辞职对人民道歉！！！！”此外，页面上还留下中国报多个联络号码。

另外，面子书上也出现一个“抵制中国报”的粉丝专页，粉丝人数快速上升，截至下午5时20分已有6350人。

网民批评没有办报良知

除了上述面子书活动联署，《中国报》的面子书粉丝专页亦涌现大批面子书使用者留言表达愤慨与不满，迄今至少有2000则留言抗议。

不少留言指责《中国报》是翻版《马来西亚前锋报》（Utusan Malaysia）、中文版“五毒散”，也有人呼吁摆买兼抵制《中国报》、拨电到编辑部“轰炸”式投诉，甚至指骂《中国报》的工作者是没有报人良知等。

无论如何，还是有一批留言支持《中国报》，认为该报本身没有要捏造实情讨好政府，只是标题玩弄字眼时弄巧成拙，而出了问题。

除此之外，还有一名自称是前《中国报》记者留下抗议信，点名批评《中国报》总编辑张映坤，不满《中国报》这两天的报道，特别是昨天的“大人们，别吵了！”报道，访问七岁小孩谈净选盟。

这名吴姓前记者抗议《中国报》“闭门造车而不脸红”，访问小孩的报道“还说的头头是道，叫读者怎么相信？”

“夜报头条标题‘说好的和平呢？’又再扭曲事实，我想问负责头条标题的总编辑或你的助手，是怎么判断示威乱隆市？谁打谁了？净选盟支持者有还手，或有能力还手吗？”

具争议的“和平”？

《中国报》今天针对净选盟709集会的报道遍布头版九页面，而雪隆版则有三版报道和一版画页。

其头版照片和其他报道如有关一名出席集会者不幸身亡和同善医院遭镇暴队射入催泪弹，都比其他报章来得详细，还访问同善医院发言人，声明运作没有受影响。

《中国报》因晚报的“说好的和平呢？”标题而遭网民批评，不过今天其他报章中，《新海峡时报》亦同样有使用“和平”字眼，头版刊登一名蒙面集会者照片，只打着 “和平？”（PEACEFUL?）。该名集会者似乎做状要抛掷东西，惟不知其实际是否抛掷东西，该报也没有刊登连环图片作证。


转自：http://www.merdekareview.com/news/n/19142.html

马来英文报凸出公然违抗，中文报刊催泪弹强驱照片

作者／本刊记者 Jul 10, 2011 05:27:31 pm


【本刊记者撰述】净选盟709大集会结束，今天各大语文报章都大肆报道，警民正面对峙的画面都登上头版。中文报道普遍较为平衡；而《马来西亚前锋报》、《星报》和《新海峡时报》报道则质疑公众公然违抗，另外也没有报道医院遭射入催泪弹和警方闯入医院逮捕示威者。

在中文报章中，《中国报》因晚报头版头条标题“说好的和平呢？”惹争议，而在今天早上的报纸换上新主标：“净选盟上街1667人被捕”。

《星洲日报》也与《中国报》的新标题无异，打着“上街集会 1667人被捕”，而《南洋商报》是“净选盟攻不进默场”，以及《光明日报》的“吉隆坡709沸腾”。《东方日报》头版主标则是“警方成功守住默场逮捕1667人”。

马来文报章《马来西亚前锋报》、英文报章《星报》和《新海峡时报》头条主标分别是“Usaha Polis Berjaya”、“Defiant”（公然违抗）及“Peaceful?”（和平？），其中以《新海峡时报》的标题与《中国报》的晚报主标意思极为相似。

四份中文报章的头版照片都刊载镇暴队朝净选盟集会支持者发射催泪弹的画面，其中《光明日报》的头版与封底照片可见聚集在马银行前数以万计的支持者，因催泪弹攻击而四处窜逃。

《星洲日报》与《星报》的头版照片则是警民正面对峙，乃催泪弹发射前的情况。

指集会者反抛物品

《马来西亚前锋报》与《新海峡时报》的头版照片就“与众不同”，刊载示威者疑向发射水砲的镇暴队反击的照片。《马来西亚前锋报》封面刊登一名蓝衣男子似乎作装抛掷物品的照片，惟照片模糊，看不清楚手上所持的是什么东西。图说指，有制造骚乱者行动粗野，向警方抛掷物品。

《马来西亚前锋报》内文还有一张照片，一名白衣蒙面男子作装抛掷物品，手上所持的可能是催泪弹，正冒着白烟。图说指，“凶狠：示威者向警方抛掷催泪弹”。

另一方面，各大中文报章的709集会报道都超过六版，其中《星洲日报》就达九版报道和五版画页，《东方日报》更有11版报道与一版画页。

至于巫英文报章，《马来西亚前锋报》有四版报道、一版画页和两篇“受瞩目”的评论；《新海峡时报》有12版报道和两版画页；数量最少为《星报》，仅五版报道和两版画页。

标签集会者闯入医院

在内容报道方面，英文报章都没有提到医院遭射入催泪弹和警方闯入医院逮捕示威者，而《马来西亚前锋报》就以警方说法为主干，称示威者涌入医院，使用带有“攻击”或“闯进”意思的“serbu”字眼。

此外，《新海峡时报》的12版报道中，不见有净选盟记者会和民联领袖记者会的新闻，只有首相、内政部长和全国总警长的发言。

针对《马来西亚前锋报》的两篇评论，分别是出自编辑朱基菲里巴卡（Zulkiflee Bakar）及专栏作家阿旺士拉末（Awang Selamat），写着标题“Mudahnya Pas diperalat”（回教党轻易被利用）和“Terima kasih rakyat dan polis”（感谢人民与警察），主要都是抨击回教党遭净选盟和民联其他两党煽动，而阿旺士拉末还说，庆幸马来西亚大部分人民没有上街支持具有恶意的集会，并称集会中很少华裔。

阿旺士拉末的周末评论还指，当初“允许冥顽不灵要举行非法集会的净选盟主席安碧嘉到国家皇宫，就是一个给人民错误的讯息”，以及比较在野党领袖安华和首相纳吉，称前者在豪华酒店内为非法集会部署之际，后者则忙于首相事务。

另外，净选盟709集会的实际逮捕人数乃1667人，但《马来西亚前锋报》的报道却只有1401人。该报刊登的照片中，也都显示人民向镇暴队丢掷催泪弹，而不见镇暴队向人民发射催泪弹的画面。

光明日报凸出“警铁腕驱人潮”

相比巫英文报章，中文报章的报告更为全面和详尽，不但涵盖政府、警方、人民和集会方的说法与回应，也可见一些报道如业者生意受影响、严重塞车、医院遭射入催泪弹、一名死者不幸毙命、集会者受伤、警方拉扯民众等照片。

其中，以《光明日报》的报道最为突出，内有跨页刊登多张照片，标题为“警铁腕驱人潮”，显示民众被警方拉扯、按倒在地上、强拉衣服，以及沙亚南国会议员卡立沙末头破血流等。




转自：http://www.merdekareview.com/news/n/19144.html

中文报不再突显官方人潮数据，警方暴力照片绝迹马来英文报

2011年7月10日
下午 2点30分

主流媒体在今日的报道几乎都没突出警方昨日暴力镇压净选盟集会的新闻与照片，中文报章的报道相较较为平衡，而马来及英文报则近乎一面倒批判净选盟集会。

在各语文源流报章中，唯独中文报有刊登警方向群众发射水炮与催泪弹的照片，不过大多数的中文报都没有采用警方以武力手段逮捕群众的照片。

《中国报》昨日晚报的封面标题“说好的和平呢？—示威乱隆市” 更是掀起网民挞伐，以致该报必须在今早早报改版，将大标题更换为“净选盟上街1667人被捕”。

因指只数千人被批评

相信是吸取了2007年报道净选盟集会的教训，各大中文报这次都未在标题上突显警方公布的集会者人数数据，而是在新闻内文同时采用净选盟公布的五万人与警方的五六千人数据。

在2007年的首次净选盟集会时，一些中文报章曾因在封面头条，打出警方指集会只有数千人参与的标题，结果引起净选盟支持者的极度不满，炮轰主流媒体刻意忽略数万人上街的事实。

不过，各中文报也以相当大与多的篇幅，刊登执政者的“消毒声明”，比如《星洲日报》在第3版版头新闻是，首相纳吉指大部分雪隆人没集会，接着又在第12版版头刊登马华署理总会长廖中莱称“游行集会非大马文化”的新闻。

此外，《南洋商报》也在封面头条打出“净选盟攻不进默场”的标题，并指“集会变成示威，逾千人被捕”。

光明日报报道最大胆

中文报以《光明日报》的报道最为大胆。该报封面标题是“吉隆坡709沸腾”，配以数张人潮、警方发射催泪弹与水炮及民众窜逃的组图。

《光明日报》也以两页中间拉页的方式，刊登多张警方暴力对待集会者的照片。该拉页的标题是“警铁腕驱人潮”，选用的照片包括了集会者被警方制伏在地上、强扯衣服、拷捕人群，甚至集会者与沙亚南国会议员卡立沙末头破血流的照片。

该报也以A4版版头方式，刊登警方闯入同善医院捉人的新闻。新闻内文指出：“警方打开同善医院的大门，进入内部的范围逮捕人群，并向医院发射催泪弹。”

NST标题似中国报

在马来与英文报章方面，警方暴力镇压的照片则完全绝迹，只是一如既往地批判集会者。英文《新海峡时报》封面刊出一张集会者朝警方掷物的照片，配以一个如同《中国报》晚报头条般的标题“和平？”。

《新海峡时报》在第二版以新闻方式，刊出一则半评论文章。开端就提到：“集会主办者声称昨日的街头示威成功，而警方也称他们阻止骚乱的行动成功。这意味着，真正的输家是是一般的平民。”

“许多人因为害怕而待在家，许多婚礼与喜庆因而被迫取消。许多路障导致主要道路严重阻塞，而商家与德士司机也纷纷投诉。”

《新海峡时报》也在第11版刊登一名记者的采访手记，其标题是“我差点在冲突中死去”，非常耸动。

马来报称六千人捣乱

马来报都以非法集会标签昨日净选盟的集会，但巫青团团长凯里所领导的“爱国者队伍”（patriot），则被马来报冠以“爱国集会”的名字。

读者群众多的马来小报《Kosmo!》封面是“只有6000人捣乱”，指称“虽然净选盟承诺要动员30万人参与非法集会，但只有一小搓人敢现身。”

《马来西亚前锋报》与《每日新闻》则与《新海峡时报》一样，刊出集会者朝警方掷物的照片。《前锋报》标题是“警方成功了”，指警方成功挫败了“6000人”参与的“非法集会”。

《前锋报》也以显著篇幅，刊登祖基菲里巴卡（Zulkiflee Bakar）的评论，指709净选盟集会，再次证明回教党成为净选盟2.0主席安美嘉、公正党与行动党的工具。

（当今大马）

转自：http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/169465

净选盟大集会演进表

作者／独立新闻在线团队 Jul 09, 2011 09:19:57 am


下午6点40分
全国警察总长依斯迈奥玛宣布，警方共逮捕1667人，其中1500人是男性，151人是女性；其中还有16名孩童。警方指，被捕的孩童是被家长带往参加集会。

下午5点
净选盟宣布净选盟2.0大集会取得大成功，估计有高达五万人参与这场大集会。同时，净选盟也将择日提呈谅解备忘录给最高元首，不需要再召集第二次的大集会

下午4点20分
同善医院、茨厂街、陈氏书院一带人群已经离开，完成和平解散

下午4点
有一名老年人在被警方逮捕后，被发现晕倒在富都车站路旁。据目击者透露，这名集会者已经上了年纪，在经历一整天的奔跑后不支倒下。现在医疗队伍正在抢救中

下午3点50分
警方宣布，截至下午２时３０分，警方共逮捕６７２人，其中４８人​是女性

下午3点50分
西瓦拉沙在被警方带走前在现场发言，指警方今天的所作所为，是在浪费百万纳税人的钱。他也表示，这次的净选盟2.0大集会参与者，比净选盟1.0集会的人数还要多

下午3点45分
警方将倪可汉与西瓦拉沙带往金马（Dang Wangi）区警察总部，没有给与任何理由

下午3点40分
警方公布逮捕触犯禁足令的净选盟、民联以及巫​统青年团领袖名单，包括回教党主席哈迪阿旺、回教党署理主席莫哈末沙布、回教党副主席沙拉胡丁、回教党副主席玛夫兹、净选盟主席安碧嘉、人民公正党副主席蔡添强、人民公正党关丹​国会议员傅芝雅、巫青团领袖阿都阿兹等。

下午3点40分
警方已经控制同善医院前街道，并有三四十名警员​冲进华人接生院捉人。

下午3点37分
警方在发射水炮后，在同善医院前进行大逮捕行动。很多聚集在同善医院前的人被警方逮捕。有人群跑进同善医院，镇暴队立​即进医院抓人。

下午3点35分
倪可汉与西瓦拉沙在同善医院前，再次与警方交涉。不过，最终警方将二人带走，并向聚集在同善医院前的人群发射水炮

下午3点30分
警方尝试带走带领人群走向默迪卡体育馆的民主行动党木威区国会议员倪可汉与人民公正党梳邦国会议员西瓦拉沙

下午3点15分
民主行动党木威区国会议员倪可汉，以及人民公正党梳邦国会议员西瓦拉沙（Sivarasa Rasiah）与警方交涉。警方最终同意，让一小撮人群游行到靠近默迪卡体育馆的地方，然后在那里解散。倪可汉与西瓦拉沙在稍候回到华人接生院前，带领聚 集在那里的人群走向苏丹路，向默迪卡体育馆的方向挺进

下午3点15分
聚集在武吉免登路进行爱国游行的巫统青年团，同意现场解散。这些参与爱国游行的巫统青年团成员身穿红色衣服

下午3点05分
人群开始陆续从华人接生院前离开，前往阿罗街的方向。本刊记者看到警方的水炮车驻扎在武吉免登路。现场大约有两辆水炮车。较早前，警方也在武吉免登路发射水炮驱赶人群

下午3点
警方在中环车站附近发射催泪弹强力驱赶民联领袖，安华​流血受伤。警方向民联领袖发射催泪弹时，并没有向上空发射，而是​直接射向他们。

下午3点
警方已经完全控制富都路，驱离早前聚集在马来亚银行大​厦前的集会者。人群渐渐散去，并往时代广场方向走去

下午3点
警方在同善医院前发射催泪弹。大部分聚集在同善医院前的人群，被逼退到华人接生院前。警方继续发射催泪弹，至少发射30枚。

下午2点50分
聚集在Swiss Garden酒店前的人群，也被驱赶到同善医院。警方继续向同善医院发射水炮和催泪弹，驱散人群。

下午2点40分
人群被逼退到同善医院。警方和镇暴队继续从富都车站朝同善医院方向发射催泪弹，驱散聚集在那里的人群。

下午2点30分
警察从马银行大厦的方向开始驱散聚集在同善医院和富都车站的人群。当时下很大的雨。直升机在上空盘旋

虽然下大雨，不过，在警方发射大约10枚催泪弹后，聚集在马银行大厦的人群开始被驱散

下午2点30分
警察从富都路向时代广场方向，驱赶聚集在街道旁五脚基的人群。即使躲进店里的人群，也被警方驱赶

下午2点25分
一名身穿黄衣的人士孤身坐在马路中间，阻挡镇暴队的车队

下午2点23分
警方向人群发射五枚催泪弹，不过，迎面而来的风，把催泪弹的烟雾都吹回警方。

下午2点15分
警方在马银行大厦进行大逮捕，当场逮捕了很多人

大约有超过3万人聚集在富都车站和马银行大厦前的路段，他们高喊：“烈火莫熄”（Reformasi）和“BERSIH! BERSIH!”。

下午2点15分
原本已经撤退的人群，反而向镇暴队的方向前进。警方向人群发射催泪弹，驱散聚集在富都车站的人群

下午2点10分
本刊记者目击，警员用藤鞭和警棍追打人群，还有人被踢

下午2点
净选盟、民联领袖聚集在中环车站希尔顿酒店召开记者​会，随后拟走出中环车站，遭警方拦截。现场约有100人，回教党​主席哈迪阿旺、公正党副主席蔡添强被逮捕。警方另逮捕四名公众。

下午2点
大约有超过3万人聚集在富都车站和马银行大厦前的路段，他们高喊：“烈火莫熄”（Reformasi）和“BERSIH! BERSIH!”。镇暴队向人群挺进，将聚集在现场的人群逼退

大约数千人聚集在前往马银行大厦路上的同善医院前。超过100名警察从Jalan hang Tuah方向来到同善医院，试图阻止这里的人群前往马银行大厦

中午1点55分
镇暴队伍向马银行大厦前的集会人群挺进。

中午1点50分
警方向聚集在马银行大厦前的人群发射水炮和催泪弹，以便驱散人群

中午1点42分
另一队参与大集会的人群，从Jalan Hang Tuah朝富都路的方向前进，打算前往马银行大厦前会合其他集会者。

中午1点40分
马银行大厦：上万人聚集在富都车站附近的马银行大厦前。据了解，由于警方封锁了默迪卡体育馆的道路，人群无法穿越，打算把大集会地点改在马银行大厦前。警方向聚集在此处的人群发射水炮，一度驱散聚集的人群。不过，人群很快地又回到了马银行大厦前集合

中午1点30分
富都车站：上万人聚集在富都车站前，朝着默迪卡体育馆的方向前进。

中午1点25分
数千人从敦陈祯禄路朝着默迪卡体育馆的方向前进。

中午1点15分
Daya Bumi大厦：之前从Lebuh Pasar Besar走向Pasar Seni方向的人群，目前已经朝着默迪卡体育馆的方向前进。

中午1点10分
苏丹路:数千人聚集在苏丹路，朝着Kota Raya方向前进，把整条路挤满了。现场人群高喊“BERSIH！BERSIH!”。他们手中拿着菊花和黄衣。大部分人没有身穿黄衣，一些人则把黄衣拿在手上

中午1点05分
Daya Bumi大厦:人群从Lebuh Pasar Besar走向Pasar Seni的方向。现场人群表现的很有纪律，有人撞跌了停车场的铁链路障，后面的人立即喊到：“扶起来，我们是BERSIH”。直升机低飞。靠近中央艺术坊的马路上，警方再发数枚催泪弹驱散人群

中午1点
晌午书局aka蓝总封路口，估计已经有30人被警方逮捕

中午12点45分
大约数千人聚集在律师公会大厦前，警方向人群发射催泪弹，以便驱散聚集在该处的人。估计警方至少发射20枚催泪弹。聚集在律师公会大厦前的人群在稍候被驱散。

中午12点45分
隆雪华堂：越来越多制服警察驻守在此处。警方现在开始把路障线向前移近，迫使人群向后退

中午12点30分
人潮从四面八方涌来，朝独立广场的方向前进。估计至少已经有1万人走在街上。

中午12时13分
轻快铁中央艺术坊站：四人因有黄衣被捕。

早上11时55分
聚集在旧火车总站的人群被警方驱散，大批人群从旧火车总站前往Pasar Seni的方向前进。根据本刊记者粗略估计，至少有3000人的人潮走向Pasar Seni的方向。他们一边走，一边喊着口号：“烈火莫熄”（Reformasi） “人民万岁”(Hidup Rakyat)。

早上11时50分
中央艺术坊：10辆警察卡车驻守。

占美回教堂：警方继续逮捕人，两名貌似大专生的女生及一中年男子被捕。

早上11时45分
隆雪华堂：隆雪华堂对面有镇暴警察驻守，总共有9辆大小辆警车。

吉隆坡旧火车总站：警方进入吉隆坡旧火车总站，把聚集在火车总站内的人驱赶出去。本刊记者目睹警方在现场暴力对待人群。一些人被警察压在栏杆上或地上，而且动手打人。

早上11时32分
时代广场：警方驻守时代广场门口，共有五辆警察罗里抵达，总共载着约100人，大多穿制度，也有少数便衣。不过他们抵达五分钟以后，就迅速离开，据说是前往独立广场。

早上11时30分
警方宣称在吉隆坡市区内，一共逮捕236人，包括8名女性，理由是涉及非法集会

早上11时30分，
占美回教堂：警方已经封锁占美回教堂，街上只有记者，零散的路人，有两辆水炮车及数辆警察卡车驻守。

早上11时30分
茨厂街：大约只有30%的店面开门做生意。据了解，积聚在茨厂街的部分人群，是因为警方在占美回教堂站逮捕，而走向茨厂街

早上11时30分，
占美回教堂：警方已经封锁占美回教堂，街上只有记者，零散的路人，有两辆水炮车及数辆警察卡车驻守。

早上11时20分，
占美回教堂：警方已经逮捕至少30人，将他们送往Jalan Semarak 警察训练中心。

早上11时10分
中环车站：大批警员驻守门口，有些警察到肯德鸡餐厅盘查民众。

早上11时
警方进入吉隆坡旧火车总站

早上10时57分
默迪卡体育馆：普通行动部队（PGA）负责驻守，停放四辆警察罗里。

早上10时55分
占美回教堂站：至少20人被捕。手中拿着口罩、衣服或背包的人，都被警方带上警车。

早上10时45分
秋杰路：近百名便衣与制服警察驱赶人群，他们手持塑料绳沿街呼喝，促街上行人离开，并截停可疑的行人，搜索他们的书包。一间已经开始营业的服装店，也因大批警员莅临驱赶人，而在警方的监视下，马上关店。

早上10时41分
陈氏书院：警方封锁通往默迪卡体育馆的道路，围上铁丝网。

早上10时35分
占美回教堂站：至少16人被捕。

早上10时25分
富都车站：车站关闭，平时热闹的地段今天显得异常冷清，只有少数行人经过。

早上10时15分
轻快铁占美回教堂站：数名警察在场驻守，管理单位宣布，部分站点将关闭。

早上10时
独立广场：警方后备队（FRU）驻守，并看守占美回教堂（Masjid Jamek）。独立广场有两辆水炮车。另有三辆水炮车在路口待命，对着占美回教堂。警方在东姑阿都拉曼路使用扩音器，促在街上溜达的人群解散。

早上9时50分
崇光百货（Sogo）：86名轻型镇暴队员驻守，手握长棍，另有近百名普通警察。金马区警区主任朱卡纳因（Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman）在场指挥。
Maju Junction大厦前：警方逮捕四名男子，他们身穿回教服装，警员称他们打算参与净选盟集会，在他们身上搜到黄衣。

早上9时45分
占美回教堂：警方逮捕一名老人，他身穿白衣，衣服上写着宣传回教法字眼。

早上9时36分
崇光百货（Sogo）：警方逮捕八人，包括三名女性和五名马来男性。共有七辆警察乘坐的卡车和两辆载送扣留者的卡车驻扎在现场。

早上9时23分
东姑阿都拉曼路和苏丹依斯迈路交界处：二三十名警察在场驻扎，记者看到警员持有塑料绳，相信将在大逮捕派上用场。

早上9时：
KESAS大道通往吉隆坡方向的道路开始从蒲种的出口阻塞。新街场前往吉隆坡方向也大塞车。

来自旅行社的消息。从今早4时至8时从吉隆坡安邦的巴士仍无法抵达士毛月。

早上9时
皇家警察部队面子书：警方证实共有21人被逮捕，其中20人是马来人，一名华人。

富都：民主行动党总部消息称，今天清晨开始所有通往民主行动党总部的主要公路都被封闭，只有摩哆可通行。该党呼吁党员和支持者在下午一时到富都广场（Pudu Plaza）集合。

早上8时
秋杰路：街道一片宁静，只有少数车辆和摩哆川行。

独立新闻在线团队：陈慧思、林宏祥、曾薛霏、曾剑鸣、梁志华、翁慧琪、梁康、苏晓枫


转自：http://www.merdekareview.com/news/n/19123.html

警方暴力镇压破纪录捕1667人，五万人突围上街力促选举改革

作者／独立新闻在线团队 Jul 09, 2011 08:49:00 am


【独立新闻在线团队】五万名马来西亚人突破封锁，上街声促纳吉政府落实选举改革，警方发射催泪弹和水炮，并以武力驱散和平示威的群众。警方在一天之内逮捕了1667人，破了过去的纪录，被逮捕者包括净选盟主席安碧嘉、回教党主席哈迪阿旺等！

净选盟支持者约在下午1时30分左右整合成功，场面最浩大之际估计高达五万人聚集在吉隆坡市中心富都车站附近，马银行大厦前的梯级处。警方发射水炮与催泪弹强力镇压，更一度冲入同善医院与华人接生院逮捕集会者。

集会者过后转赴茨厂街与陈氏书院一带，近万名净选盟支持者在下午4时10分前，就宣布和平解散。

安华流血受伤，哈迪与安碧嘉等被捕

今天下午二时左右，净选盟主席安碧嘉（Ambiga Sreenevasan）、人民公正党实权领袖安华、民主行动党国会领袖林吉祥、回教党主席哈迪阿旺（Abdul Hadi Awang）等人聚集在吉隆坡中环车站（KL Sentral）的希尔顿酒店召开记者会，随后拟走出中环车站，遭警方拦截。

警方在中环车站底层乘搭机场巴士的窄小空间发射催泪弹，并且向民联领袖直射催泪弹。在混乱中，安华受伤流血。

后来，安华、其保镖，以及公正党前副总秘书莎丽花（Sharifah Shahidah）三人被送往班台医院（Pantai hospital）。回教党莎亚南区国会卡立沙末（Khalid Samad）遭催泪弹颗击中头部，结果送院封六针。

警方随后证实在该处逮捕以下人士：回教党主席哈迪阿旺、回教党副主席沙拉胡丁（Sala​huddin Ayub）、回教党副主席玛夫兹（Mahfuz Omar）、净选盟主席安碧嘉、公正党副主席蔡添强，以及公正党关丹国会议员傅芝雅（Fuziah Salleh）。

约下午3时40分，警方公布逮捕触犯禁足令的净选盟、民联以及巫统青年团领袖名单。

除了在中环车站被逮捕的人士，其他在名单内被捕者有：巫青团领袖阿都阿兹（Abdul Azeez Rahim，在武吉免登路被捕）和回教党署理主席莫哈末沙布（Mohamad Sabu，在Jalan Mahameru被捕）。

警方下午六时许，证实逮捕巫青团长凯里、霹雳行动党主席倪可汉、公正党籍梳邦国会议员西瓦拉沙（Sivarasa Rasiah）、Mahfuz Mohammad（未知背景）。

回教党副主席胡桑向本刊证实，警方随后将哈迪阿旺送返冼都（Sentul）的家里。

另外，警方也释放了安碧嘉。

支持者聚集马银行前

中午12时40分，富都车站约有数千人聚集，高喊支持净选盟口号，他们随后转入苏丹街，当时现场没有警察，人群没有被阻扰。

另一批人群从篮总游行至苏丹街，两股人群回合。示威人群随后聚集于茨厂街整队，随后前往马银行大厦前的路面。

聚集在苏丹街的首批集会者以华人为主。随后，示威队伍整队后，大量马来人支持者加入，并挺进马银行大厦前，并在该地逗留。

另外还有一批人群，则是从独立广场处出发，最后与茨厂街集会者完成整队，齐聚在马银行大厦前的电梯处和路面，声势浩大。

下午一时许，回教党领袖哈达蓝利（Hatta Ramli）演讲，并呼吁支持者换上黄衣。不过，当时大部分集会者均没有换上黄衣。

大约半小时后，镇暴队发出警告但仍浇不息集会者的高亢情绪，结果水炮车就从独立广场缓缓开向马来亚银行大厦，继而朝人群发射蓝色和白色水炮。

人群一度散开，但是镇暴队进一步发射催泪弹与水炮后，人群重新聚集并逐渐退往同善医院前。同时，镇暴队也出动直升机，盘旋在马银行大厦上空。

医院前发催泪弹驱散

下午1时50分，警方再度向聚集在马银行大厦前的人群发射水炮和催泪弹驱散人群，甚至击破附近大厦的窗口。

人群四处窜逃，部分跑进同善医院与华人接生院，而慌乱之中，警方更把催泪弹射入同善医院，甚至击破一窗口。警方表示，截至下午2时30分，警方已经逮捕672人，其中48人是女性。

另外，下午3时15分聚集在武吉免登路进行爱国游行的巫统青年团，同意现场解散。这些参与爱国游行的巫统青年团成员身穿红色衣服。

交涉失败，二民联领袖被捕

下午2时45分，民主行动党木威区国会议员倪可汉，以及人民公正党梳邦国会议员西瓦拉沙（Sivarasa Rasiah）与金马警区警长卡迪（Karthik W.）与代警区主任韩沙依斯迈（Hamzah Ismail）交涉。

民联方要求允许游行到苏丹街，可是警方在讯问上头后表明只可以小队伍前行。约十分钟后双方再度交涉，但是警员开始驱散围绕四人的媒体，声称要进行逮捕行动。

但半小时后，交涉失败，警方向群众发射水炮，西瓦拉沙和倪可汉两人也遭警方逮捕，期间西瓦拉沙表明警方趁交涉之际就把他们拉往他们，结果在毫无理由之下就被逮捕了。

截至下午3时40分，警方已经控制同善医院前街道。群众被驱逐后，转向陈氏书院一带，约三万人聚集在隆雪华堂前面的陈氏书院，人群从陈氏书院一直排到茨厂街。

下午四时许，人群逐渐散去，净选盟也宣布和平解散。

万人挺进独立广场遭驱散

回顾今天中午12时左右，人群从四面八方而来，走上街头，挺进独立广场，当时约有一万人。他们高喊“烈火莫熄”、“人民万岁”口号。12时30分，警方警告人群解散不果，就立即发射至少十枚催泪弹，促使人群四处逃跑。

中午12时55分左右，占美回教堂站附近Muamalat银行前面，回教党领袖哈达蓝利（Hatta Ramli）演讲，有数千人围绕听讲。随后他们从占美回教堂站前挺进马银行大厦。

早上11时左右，警方已经封锁两端通往默迪卡体育馆的道路。普通行动部队（PGA）在陈氏书院通往默迪卡体育馆路口，以及Jalan Hang Jebat 通往默馆的道路围上铁丝网，阻止人们进入。约有150名镇暴队员驻守，他们手持木棍和盾牌。

早上十时许开始，近千人聚集在旧火车站月台，警方进入月台强行驱散人群，甚至已动粗。警方进入吉隆坡旧火车总站，把聚集在火车总站内的人驱赶出去。本刊记者目睹警方在现场暴力对待人群，一些人被警察压在栏杆上或地上，而且动手打人。

早晨警方即驱离路人

早上十时，马来人聚集的崇光百货（Sogo）、东姑阿都拉曼路及苏丹依斯迈路一带就有警方驻守，警方在路上驱离路人，指示他们不要逗留在街上。

《独立新闻在线》记者于早上9时36分崇光百货目睹警方逮捕八人，包括三名女子和五名马来男子，三名女子已被带返警局，五名男子尚在警察卡车上，他们是来自霹雳太平。

另外，记者目击警方于早上9时50分在Maju Junction大厦前逮捕四名男子，警员宣称在他们准备参与净选盟大集会，在他们身上搜到黄衣。

共有七辆警察乘坐的卡车和两辆载送扣留者的卡车驻扎在崇光百货购物中心前。

午夜设置路障

警方昨天午夜开始在主要公路设路障阻截集会者，自昨晚八时开始首都街道冷冷清清，今天早上八时开始，首都亦异常宁静。

警方昨天中午开始封闭独立广场前的要道，禁区内泊着大约十辆镇暴队卡车。净选盟大集会的正式举行地点——默迪卡体育馆（Merdeka Stadium）亦有镇暴队严密驻守。

昨天中午开始，警方直升机开始在吉隆坡市中心上空盘旋视察。

为了阻止集会者入城，警方已经关闭他州抵隆的主要巴士站，包括富都（Puduraya）车站、 布特拉巴士站（Hentian Putra）、 十七楼车站（Hentian Pekeliling）三个车站。

另外，轻快铁和单轨电动火车实施管制，限定只可在首都外围车站登站。

为了参与此次大集会，许多住在市中心外围的人昨晚都入住市中心的酒店。

点击：净选盟大集会演进表

独立新闻在线团队：陈慧思、林宏祥、曾薛霏、曾剑鸣、梁志华、翁慧琪、梁康、苏晓枫


转自：http://www.merdekareview.com/news/n/19122.html

Over 1,000 arrested as Bersih 2.0 rally ends

K Pragalath and Patrick Lee | July 9, 2011


The eight-hour Bersih rally ended at the Petronas Twin Towers with organisers of the event claiming victory.


PETALING JAYA: The Bersih 2.0 rally ended today at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre here leaving a trail of destruction in various parts of the city.

The supporters of free and fair elections clashed with the anti-riot police leading to the arrest of 1,667 people while scores of others were reported injured.

Despite the arrests of top Bersih office-bearers as well as several well-known opposition politicians and injuries suffered by its supporters, the coalition for free and fair elections is thumping its chest hailing the event as a grand success.

The organisers claimed that some 50,000 people took part in the event while news reports have scaled down the figure to 30,000 participants and the police reducing the number further to a laughable 5,000.

The much-awaited day began slowly with the crowd trickling into various designated locations in the federal capital, with the focul point being the National Mosque for the march to Stadium Merdeka.

Although this group was dispersed by the police without much trouble, what they did not anticipate was that the crowd continued to swell despite the lock-down on the city, with roadblocks erected at all roads leading into Kuala Lumpur.

The sparks began to fly just after noon when the crowds at Menara Maybank became “uncontrollable”. Then the police moved in, firing tear gas at them and also using water cannons to douse them.

Police dragnet


The Bersih supporters ran to nearby roads like Jalan Pudu, but were cornered. They then fled to Tung Shin Maternity Hospital to escape the police dragnet.

They were, however, allowed to leave the hospital after several opposition leaders managed to talk to the police.

The supporters then regrouped at Jalan Sultan Ismail, where they were joined by another few thousands more people who had gathered from various locations in the city. They then proceeded to the KLCC, and after a few speeches they were once again asked to disperse.

When this fell on deaf ears, the police again fired tear gas canisters and also opened up their water cannons on the demonstrators.

The rally finally ended at about 5pm. The city was “reopened” half-an-hour later with the LRT and buses resuming their normal services.

A total of 12 political leaders were arrested. They are Mahfuz Omar, Salehuddin Ayub, Tian Chua, S Ambiga, Hadi Awang and Fuziah Salleh (all arrested at KL Sentral), Azeez Rahim, Mahfuz Mohammad, Khairy Jamaluddin, Ngeh Khor Ham and Sivarasah Rasiah (all arrested at Jalan Pudu) and Mohamad Sabu (Jalan Mahameru).

Apart from Bersih 2.0, Umno Youth had also organised a counter-rally at Bukit Bintang, which resulted in the arrest of Khairy.

No-show Perkasa


The police had over the past week warned organisers of rallies to get permits but none of those who applied managed to get one, due to “security concerns”.

Bersih initially wanted to hold the rally in the city but after an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, it changed its mind and named Stadium Merdeka as its venue.

However, stadium authorities denied them permission to use the venue, saying that the historic site, which witnessed the declaration of the country’s independence in 1957, was undergoing renovations.

The organisers refused to change the venue and went ahead with the planned rally.

On another front, the Malay radical group Perkasa, which initailly announced that it would rally against Bersih, made an about-turn – its leader Ibrahim Ali and supporters failed to show up at Titiwangsa indoor stadium.


Via: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/07/09/over-1000-arrested-as-bersih-2-0-rally-ends/

Unemployment rate rises to 9.2 percent as U.S. adds only 18,000 jobs in June

By Neil Irwin, Published: July 8

Graphic: The Washington Post./Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. - U.S. adds only 18,000 jobs in June.

Job growth came to a near-halt in June, according to surprisingly grim new data released Friday that raise doubts that the economy will bounce back from its spring lull soon.

Midway through a year that began with expectations that the ailing U.S. economy would finally take off, the nation is stuck in a muddle, growing too slowly to keep the jobless rate from rising, let alone to put some of the 14 million people looking for work back to earning paychecks. The odds that job creation will take off in the remainder of the year look slimmer with every new piece of data.

The 18,000 jobs U.S. employers added to their payrolls in June was less than a fifth of what economists had expected and far below the 125,000 or so needed to keep up with an ever-growing population. The unemployment rate rose to 9.2 percent from 9.1 percent.

“This does throw a lot of cold water on the idea that we’ll get a quick rebound,” said Michael Hanson, a senior economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

The jobs survey was exceptionally bleak even in its details. Job growth in April and May was revised downward by a combined 44,000 positions. Temporary employers, often a leading indicator of future activity in the labor market, cut 12,000 jobs. And roughly 272,000 Americans dropped out of the labor force, perhaps out of frustration with their job prospects. The unemployment rate would have risen even higher had they continued their job hunts.

A broader measure of unemployment — including those who have given up looking for jobs out of frustration and those with part-time work who want a full-time job — rose to 16.2 percent from 15.8 percent.

Financial markets dropped in response to the weaker data, with the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index down 0.7 percent Friday. Money flooded into U.S. Treasury bonds, viewed as a safe port in a storm, with the interest rate the federal government must pay to borrow money for a decade dropping to 3.02 percent from 3.14 percent.

It was, “all in all, an employment report with no redeeming features whatsoever,” Barclays Capital economist Peter Newland said in a research note. “Employment, unemployment, hours and wages all disappointed.”

On one hand, the weak reading on the job market should not come as a complete shock. For the first six months of 2011, the nation averaged 126,000 new jobs created per month, which is just about what one would expect with the 2 percent growth in economic activity over that period.

At the same time, there had been some recent signs that a spring slowdown in the economy was a mere soft patch. The report throws cold water on the idea, embraced by many economists, that the economy was held back by temporary factors in the first few months of 2011 — such as higher oil prices and the Japan earthquake — and was poised for a burst of growth as problems eased.

The weak numbers put pressure on policymakers in Washington to find solutions to the jobs problem — at a time when they are more polarized than ever about what those solutions would look like. The Obama administration used the occasion to plea for long-standing priorities, including extending a temporary reduction in payroll taxes, passing trade deals with South Korea and other nations, and investing in transportation and other infrastructure.

(The Washington Post)

Via: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/economic-outlook-worsens-as-us-adds-only-18000-jobs-in-june/2011/07/08/gIQAL8lU3H_story.html

英国大马人709走上伦敦街头，吁政府停止肮脏手段恐吓人民

作者／本刊记者 Jul 08, 2011 02:46:29 am 新闻由独立新闻在线提供


【本刊记者撰述】一群身在英国伦敦的马来西亚人，将会响应净选盟2.0大集会的号召，在7月9日走上街头，呼吁马来西亚政府停止使用肮脏手段与恐吓威胁，来对付净选盟2.0大集会。

净选盟2.0全球运动（伦敦区）在干净与公平选举联盟（BERSIH）官方网站刊登一则文告，指一群目前身在英国伦敦的马来西亚人，将会在7月9日走上街头，呼吁马来西亚政府停止使用肮脏手段与恐吓威胁，来对付净选盟2.0大集会。

相关文告批评马来西亚政府把干净与公平选举联盟列为非法组织，并禁止广受人民支持的大游行，还称之为“邪恶与非法的集会”。一连串的恐吓威胁与逮捕行动，促使最高元首发出罕见的声明，要求政府采取“公平与明智的方式”，以便反映出“作为一个文明社会，我们必须通过咨询来解决（问题），而不是我们的情绪”。

政府出尔反尔诚意何在

身在伦敦的净选盟2.0全球运动英国发言人——奥格斯丁医生（Yolanda Augustin）表示，在与最高元首会面后，净选盟决定作出让步，同意马来西亚政府最初的建议，改在一座体育馆内进行大集会。不过，内阁如今却出尔反尔，拒绝让净选盟在体育馆内举办大集会。


他指出，政府的这项举动显然是准备公然与人民对抗。政府不仅把净选盟列为非法组织，而且还不断逮捕活跃分子。他质疑，马来西亚政府说一套做一套，人民如何能够相信政府的诚意呢？


自6月22日以来，一共有230人被捕，当中不乏女人与少数族群，包括积极争取原住民与园丘工人权利的杰亚古玛医生（Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj）。

他不但被扣留，而且也不被允许接触律师、家人或接受医疗。马来西亚法律至今依然允许在没有审讯的情况下，无限期扣留人。

国际人权组织直批纳吉政府

马来西亚政府在近期的逮捕行动已经引起国际的关注与批评。一封长达三页，由Amnesty International、Human Rights Watch、World Organisation Against Torture、International Federation for Human Rights 以及Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development等多个国际维权组织联署的信件，指马来西亚使用内安法令，完全不符合其身为联合国人权理事会成员的身份。

此外，这些非政府组织也提醒首相纳吉，他在2009年上任首相时提出“坚守公民自由”与“维护马来西亚人民的基本权利”的誓言。这些非政府组织在信中呼吁纳吉兑现誓言，“我们呼吁你（纳吉）把这些誓言转换成实际行动，要求执法官员立即停止使用任何不人道的扣留法令，并开始启动废除这些恶法的程序。”

来自Amnesty International的珰纳（Donna Guest）指出，“这显然是一个含政治动机的行动，旨在恐吓威胁人民，阻止他们参与选举改革的大集会。（政府）使用残暴的法令来对付和平的政治运动，令人感到震惊。我们已经有很多年没有看到马来西亚采取这种镇压手段来对付政治活跃分子。”

Human Rights Watch亚洲区副主任罗伯特森（Phil Robertson）则表示，“这些逮捕行动凸显出，政府根本性地否决了民主程序，以及它（政府）不惜一切去恐吓马来西亚人民。”

留英学生对纳吉失望

一名在英国修读政治学硕士课程的马来西亚学生诺莱妮（Nooraini Osman）指出，“首相纳吉声称大集会带来一种群氓心理学（mob psychology）。不过，他在自由与公平选举的课题上，自己非但没有处理，反而交给警方来解决，甚至动用紧急权力。”

“首相已经丧失对国家政治的控制，并采用法律和指令来掩盖。他的行为就像是一个旧时代的强势人物。我对他满怀期待，因为他愿意打造一个稳定与温和民主的国家，不过，他的行为完全违反了这一切。”

奥格斯丁医生表示“人们只是因为身穿黄色衣服就被逮逋。当身在吉隆坡的国人，勇敢地面对非法集会被逮捕的风险，为民主斗争，我们也应该发出相同的呼应，就算我们身在遥远的伦敦”。

（独立新闻在线）

转自：http://www.merdekareview.com/news/n/19098.html

挑战政府查禁一个大马组织，行动党质疑土权拥免死金牌

2011年7月7日 下午 1点59分 新闻由当今大马提供


在政府把净选盟2.0列为非法组织之后，行动党也吁请政府，查禁唯恐天下不乱的土著权威组织和没有合法注册的“一个大马组织”。

行动党太平区国会议员倪可敏指出，土权组织再三发表煽动种族仇恨的言论，又发动非法游行导致怡保及槟城上周末大塞车，土权组织的挑衅言行让热爱和平的百姓怨声载道。

可是，他说，令人不解的是土权组织似乎享有“免死金牌”，至今竟没有任何一人遭对付；警方有违常态的效率令人怀疑土权组织背后是否有人当靠山。

呼吁警方释放再也古玛

倪氏也呼吁警方即刻释放和丰区国会议员再也古玛，未审先扣不但剥夺人权和制造白色恐布，用对付罪犯的方式把手无寸铁的国会议员扣上手铐更令人极度反感。

他表示，警方用紧急法令扣捕惹再古玛等30人，却毫无证据提控他，这种无限期扣留令人不敢相信这种事会发生在21世纪的马来西亚。

与此同时，民主行动党甘榜东姑州议员刘永山也表示，如果淨选盟是非法组织，他挑战内政部长希山慕丁和首相纳吉也应对付“一个大马”组织。

显示国阵领袖毫无诚信

他说，从前日承诺让净选盟在体育场举行集会，到昨日希山慕丁表示净选盟依然是非法组织；全国副总警长卡立说净选盟必须申请准证，然后再说净选盟不是合法组织，因此不能申请准证，再到纳吉否认曾经答应会见净选盟，这一连串事件显示国阵领袖已无诚信可言。

他调侃希山慕丁是我国历史上最“唔识渡”的内政部长，因为当元首愿意接见净选盟的代表，以及净选盟过后愿意让步在体育场主办集会之后，希山慕丁依然我行我素，依旧将淨选盟列为非法组织，并且不撤除“穿黄衣”禁令。

“现在警方在全国各主要路段都设下路障，主要的目的就是要取缔身穿黄衣或是车上拥有黄衣的人民，曾几何时，大马已经沦为一个几近极权的国家？”

“不单止夺取人民参加集会的自由，更剥夺人民身穿黄衣的权力。即使是终日面对恐怖分子袭击的美国也不曾禁止其国民穿戴印有恐怖分子奥沙马肖像的衣物，更何况是马来西亚？”

凸显首相虚伪从政态度

他说，首相纳吉日前曾承诺：只要淨选盟答应将大集会的地点改为体育馆而不上街头的话，政府愿意提供体育馆；令人失望的是，当淨选盟在24小时之内决定接受政府的献议，将地点改为默迪卡体育馆时，首相却反口拒绝。

“其内阁更离谱地拒绝巴生谷的体育馆让淨选盟举行和平集会，这再再显示首相虚伪的从政态度。”

刘永山批评，巫青团反对淨选盟在默迪卡体育馆举行大集会让人啼笑皆非，因为在体育馆集会是政府的献议，如果巫青团反对的话，也代表巫青团反对政府的决定。

挑战对付一个大马组织

“本人要质问希山慕丁，如果淨选盟是一个未经注册的非法组织，穿上印有净选盟标志或图像衣物的人士也将会被逮捕，甚至被告上法庭，那么本人挑战希山慕丁以及纳吉是否会对付一个大马组织。”

“本人也挑战政府在24小时之内拿出证据证明一个大马组织是一个合法团体。如果这个组织没有获得社团注册证书，警方会否采取行动对付一个大马组织？”

“任何穿戴该组织标志的个人是否犯法？任何拥有该组织标志或衣服的人士是否都会被告上法庭？过去出席一个大马组织在大大小小选举所主办的吃喝玩乐活动的国阵领袖是否也同样受到对付？”

他指出，净选盟事件暴露联邦政府已经沦为一个专门对付异议分子的机构，任何与政府意见相左的组织都会遭到对付。

“联邦政府应该马上停止这一切的疯狂举动，并且马上批准淨选盟的集会准证，毕竟所有参与者只是行使本身的宪赋权益，为一个正义和合理的目标而举行集会。”

（当今大马）

转自：http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/169194

Moody's cuts Portugal to junk, warns on 2nd bailout

By Andrei Khalip and Walter Brandimarte

LISBON/NEW YORK | Tue Jul 5, 2011 6:45pm EDT

Portuguese flags are seen on the meeting room in Lisbon June 16, 2011.
Credit: Reuters/Jose Manuel Ribeiro

LISBON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Moody's on Tuesday cut Portugal's credit standing to junk in the first such move by a ratings agency and warned the country may well need a second round of rescue funds before it can return to capital markets.

Moody's Investors Service slashed Portugal's credit rating by four levels, to Ba2, causing the debt-laden Iberian country to follow Greece into junk territory below investment grade. Greece is rated much lower, at Caa1.

Portugal in April became the third euro zone country to request a bailout, after Greece and Ireland.

Moody's cited heightened concerns that Portugal will not be able to fully achieve the deficit reduction and debt stabilization targets set out in its loan agreement with the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

Portugal is receiving funds from a three-year, 78-billion-euro ($112 billion) EU/IMF bailout program and does not need to issue long-term debt in the market until 2013.

But Moody's said there is an increasing probability Portugal will not be able to borrow at sustainable rates in capital markets in the second half of 2013 and for some time thereafter.

There was a "growing risk that Portugal will require a second round of official financing before it can return to the private market, Moody's said, and the increasing possibility that private sector creditor participation will be required as a pre-condition."

It also said Portugal faced formidable challenges in reducing spending, increasing tax compliance, achieving economic growth and supporting the banking system.

Of the three major ratings agencies, Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings both have Portugal at BBB-minus, the bottom of the investment grade range.

Portugal's new center-right government said in a statement that Moody's did not take into account strong political backing for austerity after a June 5 election, and an extraordinary tax announced last week.

Unlike the previous minority Socialist government, the new ruling coalition has a comfortable majority in parliament to pass austerity measures and reforms. It did acknowledge, though, that the rating cut "shows the vulnerability of the country's economy amid a debt crisis."

It also reaffirmed commitment to deepening and speeding up austerity measures that the country vowed to implement under its bailout pact, saying a strong macroeconomic adjustment was "the only way to reverse the course and restore confidence."

The country has to slash its budget deficit to 5.9 percent of gross domestic product this year after overshooting its target last year, when the gap was 9.2 percent, and then reduce it to 3 percent by the end of 2013.

Anthony Thomas, Moody's analyst for Portugal, told Reuters "evidence that Portugal is meeting or indeed exceeding its deficit reduction targets" could be a positive that may lead the agency to change its outlook on the country's credit rating to stable from negative.

But he also said the outlook depends a great deal on whether euro zone officials will require private sector participation when extending new financing to the region's troubled countries. Right now, such participation is planned to be only voluntary so as not to cause ratings agencies declaring it a "credit event."

Filipe Garcia, head of Informacao de Mercados Financeiros consultants in Porto, said Moody's move was "a bit extreme" and was likely to exacerbate concerns over Portugal's debt.

"The capacity to return to the markets after a while depends on a more global, structural solution by Europe rather than on what each troubled country does. I think it's too early to think of a second bailout for Portugal right now, not this year at least," he said.

Garcia said the ratings agencies were not taking into account the European Union's political determination to avoid a euro zone member's default, despite the union's strong support for Greece, which is in a far worse shape than Portugal.

"Either they don't believe in the power of the political will by the European Union to avoid default, or they are underestimating this political union," he said.

Robert Tipp, chief investment strategist at Prudential Fixed Income in New Jersey, said the downgrade showed the European debt crisis was unlikely to stop at Greece, which looks set to receive a second bailout.

"Once Greece gets wrapped up, you move on to the next country, and in all likelihood that will be the shape of things to come over the next year or two in the euro zone until the long-term financing trajectory for these countries gets stabilized," he said.

In practical terms, Portugal may have to pay a higher premium to place up to 1 billion euros in 3-month Treasury bills in an auction on Wednesday due to the downgrade.

"It'll probably make the yield a bit worse, but I don't expect anything major, because when you go to the market now you have to have the issue booked in advance," Garcia said. Portugal has opted to stay in the T-bill market after the bailout.

(Additional reporting by Daniel Bases in New York and Sergio Goncalves in Lisbon; Editing by Dan Grebler)

(Reuters)

Via: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/05/us-portugal-ratings-moodys-idUSTRE76457020110705

[Singapore] Factors to consider before taking up an investment-linked policy

by Tammy Tan
04:45 AM Jul 02, 2011


An investment-linked policy (ILP) is a life insurance plan that can provide you with a combination of protection and investment. The premiums that you pay for ILPs typically provide life insurance protection and at the same time, allow you to invest in professionally-managed investment-linked funds.

While you may have the flexibility to vary the level of insurance coverage for your ILPs, there is, however, a trade-off between the amount of insurance coverage provided and the amount available for investment.

It is also important to note that investing in ILPs is a long-term commitment so you should ensure sufficient liquidity of your assets before purchasing an ILP.

There are broadly two types of ILPs - single-premium and regular-premium.

For single-premium ILPs, premiums are paid in one lump sum. For regular-premium ILPs, premiums are paid on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually).

Single premium ILPs generally provide a lower level of protection coverage as compared to regular premium ILPs and tend to be more investment-focused. Regular premium ILPs on the other hand, give you the flexibility to vary the level of insurance coverage to meet your protection needs.

You should first review your needs and then consider the available plans. For example, if you need life insurance protection against death, you can choose among whole life plans which provide guaranteed and non-guaranteed cash values, term plans that do not provide cash values, or regular-premium ILPs for potentially higher returns.

Should you wish to take up an ILP, here are five factors to consider:


Your financial objectives

First of all, consider what your financial objectives are, how much is required and when you would need the money. Investing in ILPs would require a long-term investment horizon and hence they may not be suitable for you if you are investing for short-term needs.

Regular-premium ILPs offer a disciplined long-term wealth accumulation approach with insurance coverage. Most regular-premium ILPs start from as low as S$100 per month. This makes it affordable for young working adults who want to accumulate wealth, and for parents with young children who wish to save for their children's university education.

With the flexibility offered by ILPs, you can withdraw a portion of the available investment value when required - for example, upon reaching retirement or when your child enters university. You also have the option to make top-ups along the way, and various riders may be available to enhance the insurance coverage in your ILP.


Your current life stage

If you are in the early stages of your career or have young children, you may want to include regular premium ILPs as part of your own or your children's overall financial portfolio. At this point, you may not have a high budget to set aside for a comprehensive financial portfolio, but would like to start building up funds for your future family or personal goals. Generally, the cost of insurance protection is relatively low at a younger age. Hence, a greater portion of your premiums will go into buying investment units for your ILP.

As for people in older age groups, you should bear in mind that investment performance can be volatile, and you would need a long-term investment horizon to accumulate your desired investment returns. Secondly, the cost of insurance protection increases with age. You will need to evaluate if you are able to sustain the premium payment for a sufficient period of time.

Ideally, you should start building funds for your protection needs from a young age, such as by investing in a regular premium ILP.


Your risk appetite

Investments carry risks such as liquidity, financial, market and economic risks. Hence, you should note that your principal investment is not guaranteed. When you purchase an ILP, the policy value will depend on the investment-linked funds that you choose to invest in and the investment risks are borne entirely by you.

It is important to select funds that suit your financial goals and risk profile. For example, if you are a conservative investor, you should look at funds that are of a lower risk, such as fixed income funds.

ILPs usually allow you to move your money from one fund to another, providing you with greater control of your investment portfolio, so remember to review your portfolio regularly.


Your investment preference

ILPs allow you to diversify your investments by offering you access to different types of funds, such as equity, balanced, income and money markets in various geographical areas, and at a relatively low investment premium.

For regular premium ILPs, by investing a fixed amount on a regular basis, you make dollar-cost averaging work for you. Over time, each unit that you invest in tends to work out to a lower average price overall than if you were to time the market and invest on an ad-hoc basis.


Your costs incurred

There are regular and ad-hoc charges in ILPs that you will need to be aware of, such as policy fee charges, upfront fees, management fees, fund switching fees, as well as partial withdrawal fees, which may be applicable, if you choose to cash out a portion of your policy value while your ILP is still in-force. It also depends on whether the ILP is a front-end or back-end loaded policy.

For example, a front-end loaded policy means you could possibly be charged an upfront fee on your initial premium and top-up premiums, while a back-end loaded policy means you could possibly incur penalty charges if you surrender the plan early.

If you are interested to find out if an ILP is suitable for you, you may wish to seek the advice of an insurance professional or a qualified adviser who can help you to assess your needs.


Tammy Tan is training manager of education and training at AIA Singapore.


Via: http://www.todayonline.com/Commentary/EDC110702-0000242/Factors-to-consider-before-taking-up-an-investment-linked-policy

[Singapore] Prices of resale HDB flats continue to rise

by Wayne Chan and Millet Enriquez
04:45 AM Jul 02, 2011


SINGAPORE - After moderating for three quarters, prices of Housing Development Board (HDB) resale flats surged 2.9 per cent between April and last month - almost twice the rate of increase in the first quarter, according to official flash estimates released yesterday.

However, prices of private homes increased at a slower pace in the second quarter - the seventh consecutive quarter in which the rate of increase has fallen.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) price index of private homes climbed by 1.9 per cent between April and last month, compared to an increase of 2.2 per cent in the first three months of the year.

Property analysts attributed the spike in resale prices to the Government's recent cooling measures, as demand remains strong.

Said PropNex CEO Mohamed Ismail: "There are still many owners who, due to the cooling measures, are reluctant to move or sell their flat, resulting in a supply crunch and driving median resale prices as well as Cash-Over-Valuation (COV) levels up."

ERA Realty Network's key executive officer Eugene Lim noted that the prices of private property have risen beyond the reach of HDB upgraders, causing this group to postpone their upgrading plans, with some subletting their flats instead.

The HDB said yesterday that it is on track to offer 25,000 Build-to-Order (BTO) flats in the remaining months of the year. It also plans to launch 2,000 flats under a Sale of Balance Flats Exercise in August. Mr Lim said the release of new flats - targeted primarily at first-time buyers - will not have much impact on the resale market.

According to ERA's data, median COV rose from S$30,000 in April to S$37,000 last month - a trend that was also supported by Propnex's data.

In April, the HDB data showed median COV decreasing by S$2,000 to S$21,000 between January and March.

It was different picture in the private homes market: Between April and last month, non-landed private residences in the city fringes increased 1.2 per cent while those in suburban areas increased by 1.6 per cent.

In the first three months of the year, non-landed private residences in the city fringes increased 2 per cent while those in suburban areas increased by 3.1 per cent.

The latest statistics reflect the cautious stance and price sensitivity of buyers in these segments, said Ms Chia Siew Chuin, director of Research and Advisory at Colliers International.

Analysts expect private home prices to grow between 6 and 8 per cent this year - lower than 17.6 per cent last year.

Said Chesterton Suntec International head of research and consultancy Colin Tan: "Market sentiment has taken a hit because of the Euro debt crisis ... but once the debt problem is resolved, then maybe we can see markets returning back again because the fundamentals haven't really changed much."


Via: http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110702-0000300/Prices-of-resale-HDB-flats-continue-to-rise

[希臘] 大罷工引爆衝突，國會通過財政緊縮方案

頭條新聞 2011-06-30 10:04

國家面臨破產，政府不得不採取撙節措施，歐洲文明搖籃地希臘的人民發怒了，群起在首都雅典市舉行大規模抗議，但他們打砸燒的行動，正加劇國家的危機。（圖：法新社）

（希臘 雅典29日訊）希臘國會週三在警民爆發衝突聲中，以微弱多數票通過政府提出的新一輪經濟緊縮方案，料將可獲歐盟及國際貨幣基金組織的貸款。

國會300名議員投票，結果以155票贊成、138票反對，餘者棄權下，通過首份方案，不過，在週四，希臘政府將面臨新的挑戰，屆時，議員需要就如何實施緊縮計劃的法案投票。

減少支出、增加稅收，是歐洲國家和國家貨幣基金組織對向希臘提供120億歐元（約524億令吉）救助提出的先決條件。

國家面臨破產，政府不得不採取撙節措施，歐洲文明搖籃地希臘的人民發怒了，群起在首都雅典市舉行大規模抗議，但他們打砸燒的行動，正加劇國家的危機。（圖：法新社）

希臘大批民眾當天在國會大樓外示威，向鎮暴警察投擲石塊，反對通過緊縮議案，而在進行表決前夕，希臘民眾發動48小時大罷工，並在國會大廈前舉行抗議，結果爆發警民衝突，造成46人受傷，至少18人被捕。

緊縮方案令民怨沸騰，兩大工會GSEE及ADEDY號召旗下250萬工人週二起48小時大罷工，導致希臘大規模的停電，雅典交通也停擺。

逾2萬民眾響應號召

超過2萬民眾響應號召，圍堵國會阻撓議員表決，當局出動5千警力，並設置障礙物及水炮等，在國會外戒備。

部份示威者更縱火擲石，鎮暴警察則施放催淚彈還擊，廣場煙霧瀰漫。面對國會的一間豪華旅館大理石階梯也被示威民眾砸碎。一名示威者在憲法廣場受訪時，高喊希望歐洲放過希臘，希臘不要歐洲的錢。一名70歲的前水手補充：“就連土耳其人都沒跟我們收過這麼多稅。”

官員表示，超過30名員警被飛天的石塊擊傷，1人在敵對的年輕人群架中被刺，還有其他8人受傷、數十人因呼吸問題接受治療。警方表示，共18人遭拘留。

海陸空運輸受阻

希臘工會發動的這起罷工已經導致海陸空運輸受阻，多數公共服務部門也都停擺。工會表示，還要發動更多抗議。

希臘財長韋尼澤洛斯呼吁國會議員展現負責的勇氣，支持撙節措施。

總理帕潘德里歐警告，如果緊縮計劃得不到通過，國庫就會面臨無錢可撥的窘境。

希臘執政的社會黨在這個月初表決方案時，曾有黨員倒戈，而新一輪方案終獲通過。

（星洲日報／國際）

转自：http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/210348?tid=2

[中國] 京滬高鐵正式通車，溫家寶坐頭班車考察

國際 2011-06-30 19:44

乘客在即將開通的高鐵前拍照留念。（圖：新華社）

（中國 北京30日訊）連接中國兩大主要城市北京與上海的京滬高速鐵路週四正式通車營運，吸引許多人“躍躍欲乘”，國務院總理溫家寶當天在北京南站主持通車運營儀式，並親自乘坐首發列車考察運營情況。

總長1318公里的京滬高鐵路線開通後，北京與上海之間的往來縮短到5小時以內。

當天下午3時正，北京南到上海虹橋的G1次新一代高速動車組啟動；與此同時，京滬高鐵G2次列車，亦從上海虹橋火車站發車，預計將於晚上8時02分抵達北京。

中國總理溫家寶（右）出席在北京南站舉行的京滬高鐵開通運營儀式。（圖：新華社）

主持通車儀式的溫家寶表示，感謝京滬高鐵的工程人員，他相信京滬高鐵可以加快兩地經濟發展。

京滬高鐵是建政以來建設里程最長、投資最大、標準最高的高速鐵路。北接環渤海地區、南銜長江三角洲的京滬高鐵，途經10多個人口逾百萬的城市，沿線人口佔內地人口比例逾四分一。

運營前夕80%車票未賣出

造價330億美元的高鐵，自5月中旬已開始進行測試，時速300公里，將北京到上海的行程縮短至4小時48分，已對過去經營京滬航線的航空公司構成威脅。

不過，據報導，京滬高鐵在開通運營前夕，上座率仍不高，部份週四晚的京滬高鐵車次剩票超過600張，意味著該班車80%車票仍未賣出，相信是受到削價的航空公司和普通列車的“天地夾擊”之故。

中國鐵道部副部長胡亞東本月初表示，高鐵票價，單程從410元（人民幣，下同，約191令吉）到1千750元（約817令吉）不等，未來還會做調整。而從北京到上海的機票，單程需1千300元（607令吉）。

擔心高鐵瓜分客源
航空削價戰迎擊

由於擔心高鐵將瓜分客源，很多航空公司已展開削價戰迎擊，據各主要航空公司公佈的票價，7月份北京到上海航線平均票價減至50至60%，有些竟高達60%，比高鐵最便宜的票價還低。

除了價格戰，航空業者也想到了增加便捷性，來應對京滬高鐵。

運輸與物流諮商公司的總經理坎帕尼亞克表示，他相信高鐵的出現，將向航空公司施壓，使它們改善不準時的情況。

他也稱，沿京滬高鐵300、400公里路線的城區，“將發展成北京及上海的郊區”，因為在一日之內，即可來回這兩個城市”。

京滬高鐵自2008年4月開始動工，全線縱貫北京、天津、上海三大直轄市和河北、山東、安徽、江蘇四省。

京滬高鐵設24車站
沿線城市尋商機

京滬高鐵除了連接大陸北京、上海這2大政經中心外，也將沿線各二、三線城市串聯在一起，讓這些城市引頸期待，希望京滬高鐵能為當地帶來繁榮及前景。

京滬高鐵週四正式開通，圖為京滬高鐵北京始發站——北京南站（6月24日攝）。（ 圖：新華社）

京滬高鐵全線共設24座車站，除起訖點北京南站及上海虹橋站，以及位在天津市的天津西站、天津南站外，其餘20座車站分布在河北、山東、安徽、江蘇等省市的二、三線城市，其中包括濟南、南京2座省會城市。

在沿線城市中，有些屬於歷史文化名城，像山東曲阜是孔子故鄉，徐州是中國歷史上的著名戰場，蘇州是江南名城；有些屬於新興工業城市，像昆山是台商在長三角的大本營之一，徐州、無錫、蚌埠也全力發展科技產業。

7城市合組“旅遊聯盟”

由於預期京滬高鐵有機會帶動人潮，不只沿線城市，連沿線周邊一段距離的縣市也積極尋求商機。近來動作最明顯的，首推北京、上海和沿線的天津、濟南、南京、滄州及蚌埠等7座城市，合組“京滬高鐵城市旅遊聯盟”，將結合高鐵聯合發展精品旅遊，並相互促銷觀光資源，因此這些城市的旅遊網站將相互連結，讓旅客在沿線尋找景點。

（星洲日報／國際）

转自：http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/210416?tid=2