#4

Local 

   A 17-year-old student of SMK Seri Kota in Ayer Leleh jumped to her death from the third floor of the building at school in front of horrified teachers and schoolmates was a shock to many.

   Sally Lee Qian Chun, a Form five students, who was attending Chemistry at that time had rush out of class and went to the third floor of the building. Witnesses of the incident that happened around 9.15 am were shocked to find her sitting on the ledge facing the classroom and then falling backwards.

   She died from fatal head injuries.

   Earlier she had posted several comments in her profile page in the social networking website Facebook that she planned to take her own life and that this would be her last Chinese New Year. The posts which were made using her profile name “Sally Lee Chun” had resulted in taunts and dare from her friends telling her to go on with her plans.

  Teachers and friends paid their last respects to her on Wednesday, at the Melaka Memorial Park, Jelutong, before her remains were cremated. The scene where her sobbing parents were comforted by relatives and many of her friends crying was heart wrenching.

  Taking her own life just because of rejection? I get how she feels but taking her own life is just really stupid. She might be smart but she's not very bright.

International

   It is assumed that Murabak were to step down when the army met with the head of armed forced not present. For what it's worth, Egypt's information minister says it's all just a rumour and Mubarak will not step down.

   Having failed to meet the demand of the protesters to step down from his position immediately, Hosni Murabak, current president of Egypt have announced on Thursday that he will transfer his powers to his vice president, Omar Suleiman, a former intelligence chief trusted by Washington.

   Protesters in Cairo's Tahrir Square were enraged by the fact that Murabak have not stepped down. They hurled shoes during the address while shouting “Down, Down, Hosni Murabak”.

   "My heart went out and I felt the pain as you did. I tell you, that my response to your voice and message and your demands is a commitment that cannot be waived," he said. Murabak had stated on his speech on Thursday that he will not step down until the September polls, saying this could lead to chaos in Egypt.

   I think he should just step down so that everyone else can have a peace of mind. The protest is already at this state and he is still so desperately trying to hold on to what he is bound to lose. If he really is "for the people" then do what that is right.

#3

Local

   Chinese New Year is just around the corner and things seem to be in the waters as the flood that had badly affected five states. Incessant rain caused rivers to overflow and flood surrounding areas, mainly in Johor, Negri Sembilan and Malacca. The flood waters have cut off roads and rail links to owns in the southern part of the country.

   Thousands were evacuated, being displaced from their homes and recently claiming another life, increasing the death toll to five. The four previously reported deaths, three were from Johor and the other from Malacca. 

   Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris, Johor’s Sultan consort, will work closely with the district offices and the Welfare Department to help the Chinese in Johor affected by the floods. She hoped to bring some cheers to the victims who are celebrating Chinese New Year as some of them are forced to be away from their home due to the flood.

   “Our work does not end here such as giving contributions to the flood victims. We must continue to help them to deal with the aftermath of the flood,” Raja Zarith Sofiah said.

   Raja Zarith Sofiah also said that there is much more that needs to be done as victims not only need material and financial support but also moral support for them to move forward and continue on with their lives.

   I really pity those who have to go through a new year like that. Chinese New Year should be a joyous and filled with happiness but to be so far away from you own home is just really UNhappy. But this is the consequences that we have to bear. We are responsible for what that is happening to earth, global warming.

International

   Having no more freedom than the Tunisians, the Egyptians have been inspired by the recent fall of the Tunisian government to rise up against their president, Hosni Mubarak, who has been ruling the Egyptian regime since the early 1980s. More than ten thousands of protesters have gathered to protest against their autocratic governments, high level of corruption, and grinding property.

   They want more freedom, more jobs and for prices of consumer products to go down. Egypt is ranked 138th of 167 countries on The Economist's Democracy index, a widely accepted measure of political freedom. That ranking puts Egypt just seven spots ahead of Tunisia. And Egyptians are significantly poorer than their cousins to the west.

   The internet has been shut down to prevent the protesters to communicate widely to gain more support and  gather up more people to go against the government. Even mobile communications are not working and all international news channel on the television have been closed down so that the locals do not know what that is happening. With most of the communications down, people are more likely to stay home.

   Many of the protestors in Cairo’s Liberation Square were bowing in prayer, chanting and waving the Egyptian flag on Friday, hoping for the removal of Murabak. The US have been working behind the scenes  to have him hand over the power. Murabak said he is willing to retire but he has warned of the chaos if he goes now.