Tribute to P.Ramlee

Enjoy the works of the unforgettable Tan Sri P. Ramlee in Astro’s appreciation month.

THE late Tan Sri P. Ramlee has remained an icon in the entertainment industry, not only in Malaysia, but in neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia as well.

Although he never received any formal training in music and film, his creativity and talent ensured that he became a phenomenon in the entertainment industry.

A legend remembered: The late Tan Sri P. Ramlee (1928-1973) became famous as a screen star in the 1950s and his movies and songs are still very popular today.

Now, almost four decades after his death in 1973, P. Ramlee still lives on in the hearts of Malaysians. His songs and movies, which epitomise the Malay cinema back then, have attained cult status and still garner a huge following.

The life and works of the late actor-musician are this month showcased on Astro. Aptly called Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti, after one of his best-known songs, the special is part of the broadcaster’s efforts to bring the uniqueness of the nation’s culture and local talent to the world.

“We are excited to highlight the works of the icon, which has remained a symbol of pride in the history of the entertainment industry, in Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti. We have an array of comprehensive offerings online, on air and on ground,” said Khairul Anwar Salleh, vice president of Malay Business of Astro, at the launch in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

The programme includes the airing of 56 of his films in different genres – action, comedy and drama – on various channels.

Astro Citra (Channel 131)

The award-winning and signature movies on show are Sumpah Orang Minyak, Madu Tiga and Laksamana Do Re Mi.

Astro Warna (Channel 132)

For a good laugh, tune in to Labu Labi, Nasib Si Labu Labi, Do Re Mi,Nasib Do Re Mi, Abu Hassan Penchuri and Tiga Abdul.

‘We have an array of comprehensive offerings online, on air and on ground,’ says Khairul Anwar Salleh.

Astro Prima (Channel 105)

Dramatic movies include Penarek Becha, Putus Harapan, Rachun Dunia, Sedarah,Sejoli, Sesudah Suboh and Siapa Salah.

Astro Ria (Channel 104).

Check out action titles Nasib, Nilam, Putus Sudah Kasih Sayang, Antara Dua Darjat andEnam Jahanam.

Documentary and songs

In addition, a special documentary which explores the life of P. Ramlee, with some rare footage, will premiere on History Channel (Astro Channel 555) on Oct 31 at 9pm.

History Channel, in collaboration with Astro and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), will also be hosting an appreciation concert entitled Konsert Penghargaan P. Ramlee Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti on Oct 24 at Auditorium DBKL, Kuala Lumpur.

It will be aired on Astro Ria, History HD (Channel 575) on Oct 29 (9.30pm) and on History Channel on Oct 30 (9pm).

The concert will also be screened on a special new channel PRAMLEE HD (Channel 188), which can be enjoyed by all Astro B.yond customers at no cost from Oct 29 (9pm) until Oct 31 (11.59pm).

Featuring established and new names such as Datuk Sharifah Aini, M. Nasir, Ning Baizura, Meet Uncle Hussain, Yuna, Ella and Aizat, the concert will highlight P. Ramlee’s popular compositions with new interpretations by the singers.

There is also a collaboration with AMP Radio Networks (XFM, Sinar FM, Era FM and THR Gegar), with each station spinning songs of the legend.

Inspired by the campaign, XFM, has been working on a special project,Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti: Satu Indiepretasi, which gathered 18 young local musicians such as Yuna, Hujan, Pesawat, Monoloque, One Buck Shot, Seven Collar T-Shirt, Pop Shuvit and Bittersweet, to record cover versions of popular P. Ramlee tunes.

The songs will be available online for download by the fans and part of the proceeds will be channelled to Pustaka Peringatan P. Ramlee Fund. There will also be limited edition T-shirts of P. Ramlee on sale, the proceeds of which will also be channelled to the fund.

Watch out for the specially-produced music video Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti featuring Aizat, Vince, Jaclyn Victor, Ning Baizura, Dayang Nurfaizah, Ella, Stacy, Atilia, KRU, Azlan & The Typewriter and Bunkface, that complements the appreciation month on Astro.

Japan to pilot digital textbooks in classrooms

GOING DIGITAL: A Uchida Yoko employee demonstrating the company's latest PC tablet, to be used as a digital textbook, at an education fair. - AFP/Relaxnews

TOKYO: Japan will soon start testing electronic textbooks in primary schools, enhancing the role of information technology in the classroom for a generation of "digital natives" born in the wired age.

Under the "future school" project, 10 elementary schools will give all their under-12 pupils Tablet PCs and fit their classrooms with interactive electronic blackboards starting as early as next month.

The networked devices boast software that lets them trace complex Chinese characters onscreen or exchange ideas on a virtual white sheet of paper in real time, while a teacher digitally monitors their work.

Japan, despite its status as a high-tech pioneer, lags behind South Korea, Singapore, Britain and other countries in IT use in education, said an official with the communications ministry, which is running the pilot programme.

Nurturing Japan's human resources is seen as crucial for the resource-poor island nation with a shrinking population, and a newly-adopted government growth strategy aims to give every student a computer by 2020.

Publishers of textbooks, software and other educational materials showed off their latest cutting-edge goods for the wired classrooms of tomorrow at the industry fair the New Education Expo here.

Toshiba has developed a Tablet PC designed for educational use called the CM1, together with US microprocessor giant Intel, which will be used in the "future school" project along with devices made by Fujitsu.

One of the software programs for it is CollaboNote by JR Shikoku Communication Ware, which allows pupils to share a virtual sheet of paper, to write, read and share information in real time.

It can link students within the classroom but also in remote locations, allowing them to discuss and study a common subject.

The programme can help shy students, said the company's Kazuaki Aonuma.

"Some kids do not raise their hands in class and end up saying nothing," he said. "But they find it easier to express what they think by typing it."

The company said it has already shipped 5,000 of its software packages to elementary and junior high schools for students aged under 15, charging about 750,000 yen (US$8,800 or RM28,000) per school.

Today's children are dubbed "digital natives" because they have been exposed to information technology since they were born, and they quickly embrace such new tools, said JR Shikoku Communication's Takayuki Furuno.

"Kids are faster learners than their teachers," Furuno said. "They aren't afraid of making mistakes... They know any wrong input can be erased easily."

Another digital textbook, to be released by Tokyo Shoseki early next year, offers videos of scenes difficult to observe in real life, such as a time-lapse film of an insect emerging from its cocoon.

Add-ons

Japanese students have already used games consoles for quizzes in individual school programmes, but not as part of nationwide initiatives. Many teachers already use digital devices at the front of the classroom.

Major textbook publisher Mitsumura Tosho said its teacher-use digital textbooks are already being used by 3,000 publicly funded elementary schools.

They include software that gives animated, stroke-by-stroke instructions on how to write complex Chinese characters, and a program that provides matching backgrounds as poems are recited.

Textbook makers agree digital books should not replace conventional paper editions but instead serve as additional educational tools.

"There is big doubt on whether digital tools will replace all paper-based materials. We adults also print documents if the information is important," said Masami Matsumura, a software marketing official of Mitsumura Tosho.

"What has been effective should stay," he told AFP at the expo site.

Students seemed to like the idea of digital textbooks.

"Just listening to what teachers say is boring, it makes me sleepy," said 13-year-old Kumie Kodani. "Digital textbooks seem more fun. I hope they will be introduced in our class."

The pilot scheme will start as early as this month with a budget of one billion yen (US$8.5mil or RM27mil) for the current fiscal year.

The ministry plans to raise the number of participating schools to 50 next year and has requested a larger budget. - AFP/Relaxnews

Seven officers held under ISA

KUALA LUMPUR: Seven Immigration Department officers and two foreigners have been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for alleged involvement in human trafficking.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said all nine were arrested at different locations between Sunday and Tuesday.

However, Ismail refused to reveal more information on the detention and identity of the suspects.

“The arrests will enable us to investigate the syndicate’s activities,” he told reporters yesterday.

Ismail said if no stern action had been taken, the situation could have posed a threat to national and regional security. “Irresponsible parties might take the opportunity to get involved in criminal activities such as terrorism, firearms and drugs smuggling.”

Ismail said police were also making efforts to ensure Malaysia was not used as a transit point by foreigners for their criminal activities.

On Oct 4, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested five Immigration De partment officers for allegedly allowing foreigners without proper travel documents into the country.

They were arrested at Pulau Ketam Jetty and in various places in Klang.

Two other officers were also arrested in Port Dickson for allegedly receiving bribes and permitting the unlawful entry of foreigners.

The authorities also arrested several runners for syndicates linked to the officers. The MACC also found almost RM100,000 on the officers and the runners.

Friends.Chinggu.

Mira,Nina,Syidah and Farzana

My bestfriend there are 3. Nur Farzana Binti Morad, Rasyidah Binti Sidek and Amirah Hanim Binti Zulkifli.We are friends since we are 4 years old.We all living in Police Depoh.In 1 block. We all school same except Amirah.She school at other place.


Now,we all continue study in different place.Farzana study at College MIIM under TV3.Rasyidah study at Polytechnic Merlimau.Amirah study at USIM and me at UiTM City Campus,Malacca.All 4 of us take care one another and usually have same opinion about something topics.Sometimes we fight also.But,it doesn’t lastlonger.I’m really grateful,to have them as my bestfriend.

Faris,Hanasiah,Nina,Farzana,Syidah,Og & Naufal

My other friends Norisahedayu,Siti Farhanah,Fauziah,Wee Teen,Linda Chia,Faris and Naufal.Norisahedayu or Ayu now work at Permas Jaya.Siti Farhanah study at Kolej Polytech Mara in Banting,Selangor.Fauziah work at restaurants in Johor Bahru.Wee Teen my closest Chinese friends.Wee Teen also close to my family.She study at UNITEN,Muadzam Shah,Pahang.Linda Chia also my Chinese friends.She study at College in Singapore in education.Faris and Naufal study also.


My bestfriend while in PLKN are Aishah,Umairah,Syazwana and Hamizah.We can communication throught phone only because everyone is far between one another.Aishah study under MARA,Umairah work as kindergarden teacher.Syazwana and Hamizah are work.Althought,we know each other only 3 months,but it’s like we know each other for the long time.

Office at 1Stop Docentre

My friend while I’m work are Haiza,Kak Miza,Kak Bahyah,Kak Azie,Kak Zailin,Aisyah,Taufik,Muzafar.In my office,I’m the youngest.So,I’ve got specialty.Everyone is pleased one another.It’s sad for me to leave that place.

Family.Gajog.

Nawi & Faridah

My father Nawi Bin Tahir. Born on 15 November 1962 at Dungun, Terengganu. My father is Policeman. My father have 5 siblings.Ramlah,Othman,Ramli,Rafeah and Nawi.My father is the last child.My uncle and  auntie many live at Dungun.Only My father and 1 auntie live outside from Dungun.My father in Johor Bahru while my auntie in Ipoh.Usually,in school holiday or Hari Raya we all will gathering.My father hobby is watching television.My mother Faridah Binti Abdullah. Born on 20 October 1962 at Hospital Kandang Kerbau, Singapura. My mother is nurse.My mother have 4 siblings.2 girls and 2 boys.Ramlah,Faridah,Yusaini and Hairul Nizam.My mother second child.My auntie live at Muar.While,my uncle live at Bandar Seri Alam,Masai.My mother hobby is cooking.

Nina Diana,Nina Farhana,Nina Nadia & Nina Suharni

I have 4 siblings and all are girls.First,Nina Diana Bt Nawi.Born on 11 October 1989 at Hospital Sultanah Aminah,Johor Bahru.Now,21 years old.She study at University Technology Malaysia(UTM),Skudai,Johor.My sister hobby is watching television.Especially Korean Drama.Second,Nina Farhana Bt Nawi.Thats me.Third,Nina Nadia Bt Nawi.Born on 11 June 1994 at Hospital Sultanah,Johor Bahru.Now,16 years old.She Form 4 at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taman Pelangi.My sister hobby is surfing internet.Fourth or lastly,Nina Suharni Bt Nawi.Born on 4 July 2000 at Hospital Sultanah Aminah,Johor Bahru.She Standard 4 at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Pelangi. My little sister hobby is drawing.I really love my family.Saranghaee..

I.Me.Mine.

Saeng il chugha

My name Nina Farhana Binti Nawi. Just call me Nina. Date of my birth is 20 october 1990 while my place of birth is Mersing, Johor. Mersing is lovely  place. I really love Mersing. When I’m 4 years old, my family move to Johor Bahru. My life began in Johor Bahru. I’m kindergarden at ‘Tadika Perpaduan’. Then I enter Primary School. 


My Primary School at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Pelangi.  From 1997 to 2002. In Primary School I’m an active sports student.In 2002,I've got title 'Sportswoman'.My favourite sport is hockey.My favourite teacher in Primary School are Puan Rohaiza Bt Abd Majid and Encik Shahimi Bin Shariff.In Secondary School,I'm slow down sports.


My Secondary School also in Taman Pelangi. Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Taman Pelangi from 2003 to 2007.There i meet new friends.They are Norisahedayu Bt Mohd Shar,Siti Farhanah Bt Azmi,Cheah Wee Teen,Linda Chia and many more.Althought,we difficult to meet,we still contact with each other.My favourite teacher in Secondary School are Cik Loh.


After finish SPM,i work part-time in Nando's Plaza Pelangi,Johor Bahru.Just 3 month because in Mac 2008 i have to go to PLKN.My PLKN in Kem Lagenda Gunung Ledang Asahan,Jasin Melaka.There i meet new friends.Mai from Pekan Nenas,Nana from Skudai,Aishah from Melaka and Miza from Banting,Selangor.In PLKN,we learn many new things.After 3 month,PLKN ended.


Then,I continue study in Form 6.My Form 6 in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato' Jaafar.2 years struggling.While waiting for STPM result,I work at 1 Stop Docentre,Menara MSC Cyberport as Data Entry Clerk.In June 2010,I've got offer to continue study in University Technology MARA (UiTM),City Campus,Malacca.There,my journey started.

Yohana & Dania