Fear fuels refugees Australia dreams

Now he dreams of a better future in Australia under a controversial refugee swap deal.

If that doesn t happen, he says, he is willing to risk death to sneak into Australia by boat.

Akhbar, 35, is among thousands of migrants here hoping they will be part of a scheme that would see Australia send 800 illegally arrived boatpeople to Malaysia in exchange for 4,000 registered refugees.

The plan was put on hold by the High Court in Canberra after human rights groups protested. But Akhbar, who is a registered refugee, is determined to make it to a developed country like Australia even if it means entering illegally via a dangerous sea voyage.

“If we die, no problem. If we arrive in Australia, it s so good. No more torture,” he said, referring to the precariousness of living illegally in exile.

Akhbar s dreams underline the desperation that motivates refugees from countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and Myanmar to attempt perilous journeys and live like fugitives in the distant hope of making it to Australia.

Speaking in the two-bedroom flat he shares with seven relatives in Malaysia s bustling capital Kuala Lumpur, Akhbar — who asked that a pseudonym be used because he feared discovery by authorities — said his family s difficult journey began four years ago.

Farmers from the Hazara minority, they fled their central Afghan town to escape harassment by armed nomads of the Pashtun majority who would graze their livestock in Akbhar s fields of wheat and vegetables.

“Every year when the land is growing, they bring their animals… They eat everything, then we have nothing,” said Akhbar, seated on a colourful Persian carpet.

“If we stay there, maybe we will be killed today or tomorrow,” he said, adding that many of his friends had died at the hands of brigands.

With the hired help of human-smugglers, he and his family snuck across the border to Pakistan and then Iran.

A friend there told them of work opportunities in fellow Muslim country Malaysia, which at the time offered a visa exemption — later scrapped due to abuse — to Afghans and other Asian tourists.

The family, including his parents, wife and daughter, soon arrived in Malaysia, after spending more than $6,500 — the bulk of the family savings — on smugglers and air tickets.

But to Akhbar, the odyssey is unfinished.

They were registered as bona fide refugees by a UN agency in Kuala Lumpur, but that is unrecognised by Malaysia, leaving them vulnerable to harassment and deprived of access to legal employment, education and health care.

Several jobs later, Akhbar now works illegally 12 hours a day as a chef s assistant in an Iranian restaurant, earning 1,200 ringgit ($400) per month, half of which is spent on rent. He has about two days off per month.

He and his brother were once detained for 17 days after they were caught working in a shop. His wife and two-year-old daughter rarely leave the flat, fearing harassment from authorities and thugs.

Malaysia has an estimated two million illegal migrants from around Asia. More than 94,000 are considered refugees — mostly from Myanmar — including about 500 Afghans.

Many of the Afghans spent years in exile in Iran before coming to Malaysia.

They suffer from a lack of support networks, said Sharuna Verghis of Health Equity Initiatives, which counsels refugees with mental health problems.

“It s generations being born and growing in exile without a legal identity… You can t live a whole life like that without identity, without meaning, without purpose,” she said.

“The sense of hopelessness is so deep and so pervasive.”

Activists in Australia and Malaysia have heavily criticised the swap agreement, citing Malaysia s track record of detaining refugees.

Under the deal, those transferred to Malaysia cannot be detained. The UN refugee agency will assess their situations and they will receive help with finding housing and other basic needs.

Those not deemed to be fleeing persecution face deportation.

Australian and Malaysian officials say the plan will deter boatpeople — but they have continued to arrive.

Akhbar knows many who have attempted the voyage to Australia, exasperated by a resettlement wait which can take years. Last year, just 8,000 of Malaysia s registered refugees were resettled elsewhere.

Some of Akhbar s acquaintances obtained asylum, but others — including several families — never made it as their rickety boats sank.

Akhbar stands ready to take that risk if his family is not resettled and if they can scrape up enough money for the illicit passage.

“I wish to go to a place with respect for humans. Then I will be there forever,” he said.

China coalmine blast leaves 15 dead: state media

BEIJING: Fifteen people have been killed in a coal mine blast in northern China, state media reported Saturday, in the latest accident to hit the notoriously dangerous industry.

The explosion happened at about 2:40 a.m (1840 GMT) at the Liugou coal mine near Linfen city in the northern province of Shanxi, the official news agency said, citing an official at the local coal mine safety bureau.

Malaysian court clears Muslim of church firebomb attack

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian court has cleared a Muslim man accused of firebombing a church, reports said Saturday, one of a spate of attacks on places of worship that escalated ethnic tensions.

Eleven churches were attacked with Molotov cocktails, stones and paint in violence earlier this year in Muslim-majority Malaysia, triggered by a ruling that overturned a ban on non-Muslims using “Allah” as a translation for “God”.

Dispatch rider Azuwan Shah Ahmad and two brothers are the first to face the courts in connection with the attacks.

They were charged over the firebombing of a church in a southern suburb of Kuala Lumpur on January 7.

“There is insufficient evidence to link Azuwan Shah Ahmad, 23, to the offence,” Sessions Court judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah said in acquitting him on Friday, according to the Star newspaper.

Witnesses reportedly told the court that Azuwan was only present at a gathering before the attack, but did not go to the church. Azuwan”s lawyer could not be reached for comment.

Eng Wah Cinema Showtimes

Eng Wah Cinema Showtimes, This was inside the house in Bombay in which Gandhi used to live, which has since been converted into a museum documenting his life. Found this tucked away on the wall in a side passage. Gandhi meets Charlie Chaplin.

One of the biggest chains in Singapore / Malaysia in general I think – Golden Screen. Very swanky multiplexes, extremely clean and comfortable but not very big screens. Found it endearing how they were such modern, smoothly run places yet they still had the show times on a good old fashioned board outside.

Mall cinema in Kuala Lumpur above. That row of people around the railing? Times that by a few hundred, add a fenced queue section that doubled back on itself five times, and you have the hour long queue I stood in to watch The X Files.

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Eng Wah Cinema Showtimes was first posted on February 16, 2010 at 11:46 am.

Sania Mirzas Engagement Breaks

NEW DELHI: Sania Mirzas Engagement Breaks, Tennis star Sania Mirza’s family has reportedly called off her engagement to Mohammad Sohrab Mirza. Sania got engaged to long time friend Mohammad in Hyderabad in July 2009.

According to a media report, she confirmed it saying, “We were friends for half a decade, but found ourselves incompatible during our engagement period. I wish Sohrab the best in life”.

Sania’s father Imran, who coaches and manages her career, called off his daughter’s engagement to Sohrab Mirza.

Sohrab is currently studying business management in the United Kingdom. Sania, who is in Melbourne, has crashed out of Australian Open.

She will go to Kuala Lumpur on Friday for Fed Cup Asia Oceania Group 2 competition.

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Sania Mirzas Engagement Breaks was first posted on January 28, 2010 at 10:53 am.

Huge Blast Hits Rawalpindi Safe Zone

RAWALPINDI: A large blast Monday morning has killed at least 10 people and injured at least 25 in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, according to police and local rescue services.

RAWALPINDI: A large blast Monday morning has killed at least 10 people and injured at least 25 in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, according to police and local rescue services.

According to reports, the explosion occurred when a car standing in the parking lot of the Shalimar Hotel exploded.

The hotel is located on Mall Road, within the high-security safe zone of Rawalpindi. Pakistan Army’s headquarters, GHQ, and the State Bank of Pakistan building are several hundred metres away.

Security forces have cordoned off the area, while military personnel have also arrived at the scene of the explosion.

Rescue services have begun rescue efforts for those trapped under the debris and several injured people have been taken to nearby hospitals.

The government has declared emergency in hospitals across the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The attack comes amidst a deadly wave of terrorist attacks which have killed over 190 in the last month. —DawnNews

Rawalpindi Blast Death Toll Rises to 34: Rescue 1122

RAWALPINDI: At least 34 people have been killed and 32 others wounded in the alleged suicide explosion in Rawalpindi Cantonment area, said spokesman Rescue 1122. President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the blast. According to reports, the blast occurred at 10:40 am outside door of bank near Shalimar Hotel killing and wounded several persons present in the area and damaged mangy buildings and vehicles.

RAWALPINDI: At least 34 people have been killed and 32 others wounded in the alleged suicide explosion in Rawalpindi Cantonment area, said spokesman Rescue 1122.

President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the blast.

According to reports, the blast occurred at 10:40 am outside door of bank near Shalimar Hotel killing and wounded several persons present in the area and damaged mangy buildings and vehicles.

The sources said there was long queue of persons outside the bank who were gathered to collect the salaries and pension when an alleged suicide bomber blew up himself.

RPO Aslam Tarin said suicide bomber was riding on a motorbike. Some body parts of bomber and a suicide jacket have been recovered from the blast site. A head is also found from the scene. Police have cordoned off the area as rescue operation is underway. Thirteen bodies were shifted to DHQ and 16 in different hospitals whereas three bodies transferred to military hospital, rescue 1122 sources said. Emergency has been imposed in the hospitals.

India Vs Australia 4th ODI Today Live Stream

India Vs Australia 4th ODI  Today Live Stream, MOHALI: The fourth one day international between Australia and India will be played today. In a series that has marginally swung India’s way, it is now the turn of M.S. Dhoni’s men to cope with the uncertainty that injuries trigger.

India Vs Australia 4th ODI  Today Live Stream, MOHALI: The fourth one day international between Australia and India will be played today.

In a series that has marginally swung India’s way, it is now the turn of M.S. Dhoni’s men to cope with the uncertainty that injuries trigger. India leads 2-1 against Australia in the series.

However, as the two teams reached Mohali ahead of Monday night’s fourth One Day International of the seven-match series, the injuries afflicting Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir have partially dented the force that India gained through victories at Nagpur and Delhi.

On Saturday night when Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni guided India to a six-wicket victory at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium, two incidents caused anxiety within the host’s dressing room. Peter Siddle’s delivery hurt Sehwag’s feet and Ricky Ponting’s pull cannoned into Gambhir’s head and though the Delhi duo did turn up to bat when India successfully chased Australia’s 229, they looked ill at ease.

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India Vs Australia 4th ODI Today Live Stream was first posted on November 2, 2009 at 3:14 pm.

Pakistan Suggests Removal Of D-8 Non-Tariff Barriers

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday proposed for the removal of all non-tariff barriers to facilitate intra-D-8 trade to meet the challenges posed by global economic slowdown as well as to stimulate economic recovery in member countries. He was speaking at the 12th opening session of the D-8 Council of Ministers’ meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, according to a message by Pakistan’s High Commission in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday proposed for the removal of all non-tariff barriers to facilitate intra-D-8 trade to meet the challenges posed by global economic slowdown as well as to stimulate economic recovery in member countries.

He was speaking at the 12th opening session of the D-8 Council of Ministers’ meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, according to a message by Pakistan’s High Commission in Malaysia.

The Foreign Minister said it was encouraging to note that since its inception in 1997, the intra D-8 trade had quadrupled from US$14.5 billion to US$61 billion.

This, he said, however, is much below than the potential of D-8 countries, therefore, we need to take concrete measures, to leverage the true potential of D-8 members countries.

Qureshi said that D-8, with its more than 930 million population, has a promising future with vast natural resources such as oil and gas, mineral and agriculture, scientific know how and industrial manpower.

Foreign Minister said to benefit from these opportunities, D-8 countries need to invest in research and development and human resource development.

Our mutual cooperation in learning from each other experiences and sharing good practices, would certainly help in achieving shared objectives, he added.

Qureshi said in order to make the organization more relevant and vibrant, there was a need to focus on expanding mutual economic cooperation, and increasing intra organizational trade and commerce.

He suggested that the D-8 countries should work toward achieving the modest target of US$200 billion intra D-8 trade by 2012.

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan offers one of the most liberal investment regimes in the region. All sectors are open for any foreign investment without any restriction on repatriation of capital and dividend.

He invited the entrepreneurs from D-8 countries and beyond, to come to Pakistan and benefits from Pakistan’s liberal investment regime. He said, in turn, Pakistan will guarantee protection of their investment and help them in every possible way.

He also urged the public and private sector in D-8 countries to come together and invest in the development and promotion of tourism industry in Pakistan as it is blessed with great scenic and archaeological wealth.

He said Pakistan aspires to become a trade and energy corridor at the crossroad of South-Central and West Asia.

‘In the context of D-8 countries, we should pay special attention to strengthen shipping linkages, for expansion of trade and commercial relations,’ he said.

He said Pakistan has already developed a modern port at Gwadar, very close to the straits of Hormuz, to facilitate commercial activities and transit trade with Central Asian states.

Qureshi said Pakistan as an agrarian economy, would be happy to share its technical know how with other member countries to ensure food security in the group.

He suggested that D-8 countries should pay special attention to boost agricultural productivity; through introduction of modern techniques and hybrid seeds. As this is the most effective tools to alleviate the poverty in rural areas, he added.

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan said climate change is another area where D-8 countries should focus. He extended full support of Pakistan to a new comprehensive and science based approach to vulnerability, covering physical, economic and climate related aspect. —APP

Changi Airport Flight Information

Changi Airport Flight Information, Remember the article on Taikiew earlier where we commented on the dropping ranking of Changi Airport?

The online presence of any corporate entity is important, and the online presence of an airport is no exception. For foreigners who want to visit any country or use any airport, they would often check out the website of the airport to find out more information about it. Thus, the design of the site is very important. Let us look at the website of the top 5 Airports (with the exception of Changi Airport, we will leave it to the last).

The top 15 airports in Condé Nast Traveller 2009 Readers’ Travel Awards read as:

1. Beijing (87.30)
2. Incheon (86.44)
3. Singapore (86.38)
4. Schiphol (86.17)
5. Hong Kong (85.65)
6. Dubai (85.56)
7. Madrid(84.53)
8. Kuala Lumpur (84.47)
9. Sydney (84.40)
10. Barcelona (83.35)
11. Zurich (77.63)
12. Frankfurt (76.84)
13. Munich (76.53)
14. Copenhagen (72.74)
15. Vancouver (71.06)

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Changi Airport Flight Information was first posted on October 10, 2009 at 10:45 pm.