My son is not a 'billionaires' says Dr M

SHAH ALAM - 'My son is not a billionaires', said the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dismissed the claims manager for People's Welfare Party (Kita), Zamil Ibrahim that touch on both their wealth, Datuk Mokhzani and Mirzan who become millionaires rapidly.

According to him, his children making financial loans to fund their business.

"My son is not a 'bilionaires' but they have borrowed millions (of dollars) to fund their business. Mirzan conduct most of its business outside Malaysia but was forced to sell its shipping business to Petronas when the financial crisis.

"Petronas get lucrative to sell the ship when the economy has recovered. Petronas policy is not to answer questions but Petronas account can be checked to verify whether I'm lying or not. Mirza is not a millionaire, "he said through a recent note on his blog today, entitled '1MDB (Part 3)'.

Through the same note, he also stressed that his second son, Mokhzani not steal any money in managing its business.

"Mokhzani existing steel fabrication business that began after I resigned as Prime Minister. It took over three years for him to make money. He did not steal.

"What he can do what he did. No one who lost money due to her business. I do not raise the debt when I became Prime Minister to help my son. If you have evidence, show me, "he said.

Tuesday, Zamil had called Dr Mahathir explained how her children, Mokhzani and Mirzan can become millionaires rapidly.

Through this article, Dr Mahathir slammed Zamil relation to the actual facts related to the total loss suffered by the investment firm in question, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

"I never said RM42 billion has been lost. What I said was RM42 billion was borrowed by 1MDB. Some borrowed money used to buy power plants and government land along Jalan Tun Razak and former airport land in Sungai Besi at a price that is too low.

"RM3.6 billion paid to Petro Arabia and some for other purchases and investments. RM6 billion is being prosecuted in Cayman, but now there was nothing in Cayman. All the money is said to have been brought back and Datuk Seri Najib explain some of the money that has been deposited in a Swiss bank in Singapore but now the bank was denied. So where's the money ?.

"After all this is added, there is a balance of RM14 to RM 20 billion, still can not explain why. Given 1MDB adviser can not explain where the money is, I must assume that the money is lost, stolen or misused, "he said.

Singapore teen Amos Yee pleads not guilty over YouTube video

SINGAPORE (AP) — A Singaporean teenager has pleaded not guilty to two charges over an online video he posted that was critical of Christianity and the nation’s late founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew.

Sixteen-year-old Amos Yee Pang Sang told a packed courtroom Thursday that he would not be taking the stand to provide further evidence in the case. Prosecutors said they did not plan to bring forward any witnesses.

Yee faces two charges, making offensive comments against Christianity and transmitting an obscene image over the Internet of Lee and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

In an eight-minute clip that was posted on YouTube in March, Yee said Lee and Jesus were “both power-hungry and malicious.”

If found guilty, Yee could face jail time of up to three years, or a fine.

Baby dies after Malaysia monkey snatch

News reports in Malaysia say a newborn baby has died after being snatched by a monkey from a family’s living room.

The Star and the New Straits Times report that the body of the four-day-old baby was found outside the home in central Negri Sembilan state Wednesday. The baby, who had been left alone in the room, had bite marks on her neck and face.

The father was quoted as saying a macaque monkey had been seen roaming near the house. State wildlife official Ishak Muhamad reportedly says the monkey may have been attracted by a female pet monkey the family kept in a cage.

Wildlife authorities could not immediately be reached Thursday.

Malaysian authorities have battled a booming macaque population in cities.

Japan zoo apologizes for naming newborn monkey after royal baby Charlotte

TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese zoo has apologized for naming a baby monkey Charlotte after the newborn British princess following complaints at home.

The Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden said Thursday it was considering renaming the macaque. It was flooded with angry calls and emails Wednesday hours after announcing the name for its first born monkey of the year, a tradition at the city-run zoo in southern Japan.

Charlotte was the favorite in a public ballot, receiving 59 out of 853 votes just over a month until Wednesday, when the female monkey was born.

Opponents largely said giving the princess’ name to a monkey is disrespectful to British royals. The zoo says it also received support for Charlotte and the views are now divided.

The British Embassy in Tokyo declined to comment.

Find out what Jaymee Nghi Do, from Vietnam, thinks of her experience at De Montfort University.

Jaymee Nghi Do, from Vietnam, is currently studying the International Foundation Certificate in Art and Design at Leicester International Pathway College, at De Montfort University campus. She is sharing her positive experience below.

“I chose to join Leicester International Pathway College (LIPC) as its International Foundation Certificate in Art and Design allows me to progress to the BA Graphic Design course which is the undergraduate degree I want to study at De Montfort University (DMU).   Through my research of various UK universities, I could see that DMU has a very high graduation rate and this was an important factor for me in choosing DMU.  I really like the art and design workshops here at DMU as they help with my course.  All the staff in the workshops are really nice, they give me free materials and help me with my work.  During my time at university, I want to be more creative, think differently, and improve my drawing skills.  A Vietnamese friend of mine inspires me, he taught me how to draw and he inspires me with ideas on how to approach my work.  I also get inspiration from Oliver Jeffers, an illustrator from New York whose work I really admire, especially his children’s picture books. In the future, I can see myself as a Creative Director.  After I graduate, I want to work for a graphic design company for a few years, and then return to Vietnam to work for my mum with her company.  I know I have to pass the foundation course with high scores to join DMU.  I want to be the best student on the course.   If I could live anywhere in the world, I would like to live in Norway as I have family there.  From Norway, I can travel around Europe, it’s easier to do that from Norway than from Vietnam.  The university provides you with everything you need, from workshops, teachers to student societies.  Everything you need is here, at DMU.”

Nintendo reports $350 million profit

TOKYO (AP) — Nintendo Co. reported a net profit of 41.8 billion yen ($350 million) for the fiscal year through March, a reversal from deep losses the previous year.

The results reported Thursday by the Kyoto-based maker of Super Mario video games and the Wii home console was better than its own forecast for a 30 billion yen ($251 million) profit. It was in line with the forecast in a FactSet survey of analysts.

Nintendo, which did not break down quarterly figures, reported a loss of 23.2 billion yen the previous fiscal year.

Nintendo did an about-face recently and said it’s entering smartphone games, a segment it brushed off for years as irrelevant.

Nintendo pioneered games, developing one of the first machines on the market, as well as the hit Game Boy handheld.

China: Shanghai bans officials’ relatives from running businesses

BEIJING (AP) — Shanghai officials have implemented China’s toughest ban on the business activities of government officials by prohibiting their spouses, children or children’s spouses from running private businesses.

A notice posted on the city government’s website last week said such relatives are not allowed to do any business in the city. The ban applies to the relatives of senior officials such as heads of city departments, district and county governments and courts. Such officials were already prohibited from running businesses.

The rules also require officials to disclose the jobs held by their spouses and children to the local Communist Party.

Chinese laws have already banned officials’ relatives from certain business activities since 1985, but the new regulations are the most all-encompassing and specific yet and come amid a larger government anti-corruption campaign.