Monday, September 10, 2012

Today's Pick (08/09/12/159/852) Easier and cheaper shopping with iPhone?


Easier and cheaper shopping with iPhone?

NEW YORK: Wal-Mart Stores Inc is testing a system that would allow shoppers to scan items using their iPhones and then pay at a self-checkout counter, a move that could trim checkout times and slash costs for retailers.
If the "Scan & Go" test by the world's largest retailer is successful, it has the potential to change the way people shop and pay, making the process more personal and potentially faster.
Earlier this week, Walmart invited employees with Apple Inc iPhones to participate in a test at a Walmart supercenter in Rogers, Arkansas, near the company's headquarters, according to a form on the Survey Monkey website. (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/selfcheckout)
"All of the effort is to speed your way through the checkout so that we can reduce costs and improve the shopping experience," said Paul Weitzel, managing partner at retail consulting firm Willard Bishop, who said he had not seen Wal-Mart's test. "With smartphones and improved technology we're only going to see more of this."
The test comes months after Wal-Mart said that it would add more self-checkout lanes at its Walmart and Sam's Club stores as it continues to look for ways to lower costs and prices for its shoppers.
Pushing more shoppers to scan their own items and make payments without the help of a cashier could save Wal-Mart millions of dollars, Chief Financial Officer Charles Holley said on March 7. Wal-Mart says it can save $12 million a year for every second it can cut from the average checkout time at the Walmart chain in the United States.
Shoppers often complain on Twitter and in other forums that it takes too long to pay at Walmart, where sometimes only a few of the several checkout lanes are open and staffed with cashiers. While some retailers employ baggers to speed up the checkout process, at Walmart one employee scans and bags items.
"We're continually testing new and innovative ways to serve customers and enhance the shopping experience in our stores," said Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar.
Walmart's iPhone app already includes functions such as letting shoppers create lists and seeing which items are in stock.
The test comes as retailers and restaurants are trying to figure out ways to speed up the checkout process by letting customers pay with a tap of their smartphones.
In the Walmart iPhone scanning test, shoppers can scan products with their phone and put them in bags while they shop, and then pay at a self-checkout counter.
The test does not allow users to pay on their phone. The app transfers the scanned items to the self-checkout kiosk and then shoppers complete the transaction using the normal self-checkout process.
Walmart declined to give details on where the test might lead, but it could conceivably allow for scanning on other smart phones and be paired with mobile payment.
Wal-Mart earlier this month said it was joining with other retailers to develop a mobile payment network, a retailer-led initiative that would match similar services by Google Inc and eBay Inc , among others.
While self-checkout aisles are common at many stores, the ability to scan items with one's mobile phone while shopping is not a typical process. Among other tests, Supervalu Inc's Jewel-Osco chain once let shoppers use handheld scanners and then enter that information at the checkout to pay, but that test ended years ago.
"This is probably the fourth technology that we've tried between shopping carts, RFID chips, the handheld scanners and now we've got smartphones," Weitzel said of the retail industry. "We're looking for ways to improve that experience as an industry."
Wal-Mart's test appears to be limited to one store, but it appears that the company sought out participants beyond its staff for its study. The company asked employees to reach out to friends and family in its search for participants, according to a copy of an email sent by the company's @WalmartLabs team and obtained by Reuters. A company spokesman would not verify this on Friday afternoon.
Wal-Mart offered participants in one-hour sessions $100 for their time and a $25 gift card to use in the store for purchases, according to the form on the Survey Monkey website.
Wal-Mart shares closed up 35 cents at $72.60 on Friday on the New York Stock Exchange. - Reuuters
Source : The Star
Date : 7 September 2012

Friday, September 7, 2012

afternoon highlight (07/09/12/154/629) Call for end-of-life for motor vehicle policy


Call for end-of-life for motor vehicle policy


KUALA LUMPUR: Perodua, Malaysia's leading compact car maker, says there is a need to introduce the end-of-life vehicle policy to address vehicle safety and roadworthiness issues.
Managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh urged the Government to consider the policy.
“During recent discussions with the Government, the automotive industry proposed that the policy should be implemented voluntarily before making it compulsory,” he told reporters when asked on Perodua's wish list for Budget 2013 at the company's Aidilfitri open house yesterday.
Aminar also hoped the Government would come up with certain standards and provide training to vehicle mechanics who cannot offer quality service.
Workshop operators must ensure that their employees at least have a certificate in car repair and maintenance work to provide quality service to customers and at the same time protect their sovereign rights, he said.
The Government should also introduce laws and regulations on how to run used-car and vehicle licence business for consumers' benefit. - Bernama
Source : The Star                Date : 6 September 2012
afternoon highlight (07/09/12/154/629)  

Today's Pick (07/09/12/158/851) Menjelang Bajet 2013: 'Jual kuota Bumiputera'


Menjelang Bajet 2013: 'Jual kuota Bumiputera'


Mekanisme perlu dirangka elak pemaju tanggung kos pegangan

Petaling Jaya: Persatuan Pemaju Perumahan dan Hartanah Malaysia (REHDA) mencadangkan kerajaan menyediakan sebuah mekanisme berstruktur bagi membolehkan pemaju perumahan melepaskan kuota hartanah Bumiputera yang tidak terjual.
Presiden, Datuk Seri Michael KC Yam, berkata mekanisme itu penting kerana unit Bumiputera yang gagal dijual menjejaskan aliran tunai pemaju selepas perbelanjaan modal pembangunan dibuat.

Kebiasaannya, unit Bumiputera gagal dijual disebabkan kekurangan permintaan. Keadaan ini memaksa pemaju menanggung kos pegangan lebih tinggi sebelum memindahkannya menerusi jualan harga hartanah yang lebih mahal kepada pembeli lain.

Aktiviti vandalisme

Yam berkata, unit Bumiputera yang tidak terjual juga membawa kepada aktiviti vandalisme dan tidak bermoral, dengan implikasi undang-undang dan denda kepada pemaju kelak.

“Justeru, kami mencadangkan kerajaan supaya menyediakan sebuah mekanisme berstruktur yang selepas enam bulan sijil layak menduduki (CF) diterima dan jika unit Bumiputera masih gagal dijual, ia kemudian ditawarkan kepada pembeli lain,” katanya selepas taklimat mengenai kaji selidik industri hartanah bagi separuh pertama 2012 di sini, semalam.

Beliau berkata, mekanisme itu adalah sebahagian cadangan yang dikemukakan REHDA kepada Kementerian Kewangan untuk dimasukkan dalam Bajet 2013 yang akan dibentangkan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak pada hujung bulan ini.

Payungi pemaju

Yam berkata, selain mekanisme pelapasan kuota Bumiputera, aspek lain yang dicadangkan persatuan yang memayungi lebih 800 pemaju hartanah di Malaysia ialah penghapusan duti setem dan pelbagai yuran berkaitan yang perlu dijelaskan pemaju kepada pelbagai pihak berkaitan termasuk penyedia utiliti.

Mengenai kaji selidik itu, Yam berkata, REHDA mengunjurkan tahap keyakinan dalam kalangan pemaju bagi separuh kedua tahun ini kekal kukuh tetapi lebih berhati-hati bagi tempoh 12 bulan akan datang.
“Berdasarkan kaji selidik itu, 56 peratus pemaju merancang untuk melancarkan lebih banyak projek dalam separuh kedua tahun ini,” katanya.

Kaji selidik itu juga mendapati, kenaikan harga bahan mentah dan kos pekerja mahir serta peningkatan peratusan kegagalan permohonan pinjaman menjadi antara faktor yang mungkin menyebabkan pertumbuhan agak sederhana.

Sektor hartanah tempatan berkembang pada purata 3.7 peratus setahun dalam tempoh 2004 hingga 2011.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, REHDA berkata, pembelian hartanah oleh warga asing bukan penyebab utama peningkatan mendadak harga.
 
Source : Berita Harian
Date : 5 September 2012
Today's Pick (07/09/12/158/851)  

afternoon highlight (06/09/12/153/628) Construction industry sets RM120b 2013 target


Construction industry sets RM120b 2013 target

KUALA LUMPUR: The construction industry is expected to secure RM120bil worth of projects next year, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) said.
Its general manager (corporate division) Ahmad Asri Abdul Hamid said the projects would be mainly in the oil and gas and transportation sectors.
“We estimate the Petronas Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) project in Pengerang would bring in RM60 bil and the Mass Rapid Transit project, RM40bil.
“If we add all these and other ongoing projects, it will accumulate to RM120bil,” he said.
He told reporters this after officiating the soft launch of Ecobuild 2013 on behalf of CIDB chief executive Datuk Sri Dr Judin Abdul Karim.
Ahmad Asri said the second half of the year would remain bullish as a result of the 18.9% growth recorded in the first half, and the uptrend was expected to continue next year.CIDB, in cooperation with United Business Media (M) Sdn Bhd (UBM), will bring to Malaysia Ecobuild 2013, the world's leading event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment.
The event will gather the construction and building industry to showcase their latest designs, equipment, material and technology on sustainable building to the regional market.
Malaysia is the first country in South-East Asia to host the event. It is also supported by the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water.
Ecobuild 2013 Malaysia will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre from Sept 17-19, 2013. - Bernama
Source : The Star
Date : 5 September 2012
afternoon highlight (06/09/12/153/628) 

Today's Pick (06/09/12/157/850) Resilient property market expected


Resilient property market expected


Developers optimistic of H2 but not sure about 2013
PETALING JAYA: The Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda) expects the housing and property market to plateau in the second half of 2012, but will remain resilient.
According to a survey Rehda conducted, property developers are optimistic of the second half and more respondents plan to launch projects.
The survey is based on a sample size of 180 companies, out of the 1,003 Rehda members.
Property developers are less optimistic of the first half of 2013 due to certain factors, including the outcomes of the 13th general elections and Budget 2013. The current global economic situation also contributes some uncertainty.
The results of the survey show that the property market in the first half of this year is still driven by the domestic market, despite beliefs that foreigners are buying more local properties. Last year, only 2% of total properties transacted were from foreigners.
Rehda president Datuk Seri Michael Yam said the Government should review building less low-cost homes. In 2011, 1.04 million units out if the total 4.51 million total residential stock were low-cost homes.
“As Malaysia moves towards striving to reach developed nation status by 2020, the Government should review if there is a need for so many low-cost homes,” Yam said.
Rehda national treasurer N.K. Tong said: “Perhaps the Government should consider implementing a limitation to low-cost homes like what Singapore has done with the HDB (Housing and Development Board) flats.”
HDB flat owners-to-be are not allowed to own any other properties in Singapore, or in any other part of the world. Tong said if such a plan was implemented in Malaysia, there would be less abuse of these properties, unfairness caused to developers and to a larger extent the people.
“I'm more concerned with the supply factor. It is moving downwards due to the shortage of prime land and rising building costs. Come 2015, if the Government is serious about implementing the build-and-sell plan, the supply (of houses) will reduce by about 80%,” Rehda past president Datuk Ng Seing Liong said.
His main concern if the plan was implemented was that property prices would continue to trend upwards due to the supply and demand equilibrium.
In terms of the property sector, we must look at a long-term scenario,” he said in regards to future plan implementations.
Rehda public relations, communications and publication committee member Che King Tow said the Government usually owned the best-located properties.
He said it would benefit the public if the Government could consider releasing its land in high-density areas such as Jalan Duta and Selangor Golf Course in the upcoming budget.
“Those are suitable prime land for mass housing. They can cut down on ownership of cars, and use public transport instead,” he said.
Yam also urged the Government to establish an automatic-release mechanism to enable the release of unsold bumiputera units. Although Rehda has not complained about allocating a portion for bumiputera buyers, the unsold properties are affecting the developers.
“More projects are having unreleased unsold bumiputera lots which impact the developer's cash flow. An auto-release mechanism should be put in place to automatically release the unsold properties after a stipulated time to prevent this,” he said.
Source : The Star                Date : 5 September 2012
Today's Pick (06/09/12/157/850)

afternoon highlight (05/09/12/152/627) Malaysians among biggest chocolate eaters in Southeast Asia


Malaysians among biggest chocolate eaters in Southeast Asia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians are among the highest consumers of chocolate in Southeast Asia (SEA) on a per capita basis, says Kraft Foods Malaysia.

Managing director Sunil Sethi said the per capita consumption of chocolate here is roughly about 500 grammes, compared with about 80g to 100g in a market like India.

In the wider Asia Pacific, however, Australia tops a consumption per capita of about 10kg to 12kg.
"I think in Southeast Asia, Malaysia and Singapore probably have the highest consumption of chocolate.
"Similarly, when it comes to biscuits and salty snacks, your consumption is on the higher side when it comes to Southeast Asia, but maybe lower compared with some of the developed markets ," he told Business Times in an interview.

Kraft sells products that include Cadbury chocolates, Oreo cookies and salty snacks like Twisties and Cheezels. It is the leader in the chocolate and biscuit segments in Malaysia.

Sunil said Malaysian consumers tend to love food and that propels Kraft to keep investing and innovating in new products.

"Malaysians are consumers that are willing to try, and if you give them something which they are satisfied with, then they tend to stick to it," he remarked.
Kraft is part of Kraft Foods Inc, the world's second largest food company which hadhad an annual revenue of US$54.4 billion (RM169.8 billion) last year.

Oreo, the world's number one cookie brand, which turned 100 this year, achieved double-digit growth in Malaysia in the first quarter this year.

Globally, it has doubled sales in the last five years and is on track to reach US$1 billion (RM3.12 billion) in annual revenues in developing markets this year, he said. Adeline Paul Raj

Source : New Straits Times
Date : 5 September 2012
afternoon highlight (05/09/12/152/627)

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Today's Pick (05/09/12/156/849) Hairdressing is big business in Malaysia


Hairdressing is big business in Malaysia


Lim said the hairdressing industry is a positive contributor to the economy and it also offers a lot of employment opportunities.
 
MALAYSIA's hairdressing industry is worth a staggering RM10 billion a year, Malaysian Hairdressing Association (MHA) president Billy Lim said.

The figure is sure to shock many, but just think everybody needs a hair cut on a regular basis, and for women and the metrosexual male, there are trimming and styling services (wash, colour and rebonding).

The source of the RM10 billion revenue comes from cutting and styling services (such as wash, colour and rebonding), equipment sales (such as hair dryer, iron and steamer), product sales (such as styling products and shampoo), event services (such as hair show competition and seminar), photoshoot services (such as modelling), education services (such as training programmes and fees) as well as other activities that include setting up the salon (such as renovation, interior and decoration).
Lim noted that the industry has a bright future ahead, with the potential to grow bigger and stronger.
However, despite the promising future, Lim said local hairdressing industry currently faces challenges in terms of financial support and society's perception towards the profession.
"This is because many of those who become hairdresser are school dropouts or those without higher education," he said.

Therefore, Lim said it is crucial for MHA and the government to educate society that hairdressing is actually a profession for anyone who has a passion in it.

He added that a good hairstylist is a valuable commodity and it is easy to get a job as a hairdresser in countries such as the UK and Australia, compared to other professions.
"We want to gain public respect and recognition as a professional... the public needs to change the perception on the industry. Hair is like a frame to our face." Lim said.

He said it is important to develop the hairdressing industry's infrastructure at this stage. This include setting up hair academy, coming up with standard guidelines for hairstylists and having a government policy on the industry.

In fact, Lim said MHA is working together with the Domestic Trade and Consumerism Ministry to compile a national standard guideline for hairdressing practices.

He said the guideline is expected to be completed by year-end or the latest by early 2013.

Lim added that hairstylists also need to be trained on the latest technology used in the industry and on how to manage the hairdressing business as well as on marketing and branding.
Meanwhile, he said MHA is inviting investors to invest in the hairdressing industry as it is in dire need of financial support to grow.
Lim said the association has ideas and plans to develop the industry, but without funding, they are not able to do many things. "Funding is very important to us," he said.

For example, Lim said, many local hairdressers could not compete in the HairWorld Championships of Beauty due to the lack of funds.

He said hairdressers who are interested to take part in the competition to represent Malaysia need to use their own money for the fees, flight and accommodation.

Lim hopes that the government will support the industry with funding, so that the hairdressers are able to make their names by participating in international competitions such as HairWorld.

"It is time that local hairdressers make their names and show that being a hairdresser is also a good career choice," he said.
 
Source : New Straits Times
Date : 28 August 2012
Today's Pick (05/09/12/156/849) 

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

afternoon highlight (04/09/12/151/626) Malaysian restaurants cook up a storm overseas


Malaysian restaurants cook up a storm overseas


Malaysian restaurants under the brand name Malaysia Kitchen Programmes (MKP) are slowly but surely gaining a foothold in the overseas markets.
 
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said there was a 42.5 per cent increase in number of new Malaysian restaurants registered with MKP.

In terms of revenue, participating MKP restaurants in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand registered a combined 23.7 per cent increase in revenue.

"Going forward, leveraging on the image and growing popularity of MKP to win confidence of consumers in the market, efforts are being taken to bring Malaysia into every home in targeted markets through supplies of products and services," he told a news conference here, last night.
The MKP, with the primary objective to brand Malaysia through its cuisine, began in 2006.
 

It has gone through various agencies and ministries, such as the Economic Planning Unit and the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development. It was then put under the Ministries of Tourism and Foreign Affairs before it was assigned to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) in late 2009.

Mustapa said over the past two years, MKP has evolved to become a national branding initiative. Through an integrated and holistic approach, the MKP introduces Malaysian products and services that spans from food to non-food.

It has also elevated Malaysia's offerings in tourism in major cities such as New York, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Auckland and Wellington.

In 2010, a survey showed that there were 454 Malaysian restaurants worldwide located mainly in Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Netherlands and New Zealand.

This year, the number of Malaysian restaurants worldwide has risen to 647.
Mustapa said Matrade' promotional initiatives in 2010 were focused on "creating a buzz" in seven major cities in four mainstay markets, namely the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

A year later, it was expanded to include three cities in China and Hong Kong.

"The number of restaurants has increased about 42.5 per cent since the relaunch of MKP in 2010," he said.

The minister added that about 1.3 billion people in New York, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Auckland and Wellington learned about Malaysia through the MKP media programme.

Currently, some 1,056 Malaysian product lines representing 265 brands are on the shelves of 50 mainstream supermarkets in London, New York, Sydney and Auckland.

Besides, a total of 864 reviews on the MKP's activities undertaken were lodged in the largest On-line Food Guide in London and New York.
For the first time, Malaysian restaurants have received Michelin awards in New York and recognition in Hong Kong.

Mustapa said the Malaysia Kitchen Programme has also spurred more Malaysian franchises abroad and led to the establishment of a Malaysian restaurant association in the United Kingdom.
 


Source : New Straits Times
Date : 4 September 2012

Today's Pick (04/09/12/155/848) Revised national auto policy will allow more car models to come in


Revised national auto policy will allow more car models to come in

PETALING JAYA: The revised National Automotive Policy (NAP), which aims to liberalise the local automotive industry, will encourage an open market and allow greater availability of vehicle models with the latest technologies in the country, said Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) chief executive officer Madani Sahari.
“Within certain segments of our local automotive industry, there is domination by certain models,” he said.
Madani said the NAP would allow greater market forces through its policies to liberalise the local automotive sector, such as the emphasis to make Malaysia a regional, if not global, energy efficient vehicles (EEVs) hub.
“With EEVs in Malaysia, existing players both local and foreign will face stiff competition. These (EEV players) are original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that are producing (EEVs) in their country of origin.”
EEVs are vehicles that meet a set of defined specifications in terms of emission level and energy usage including fuel efficient vehicles on ICE technologies, hybrid, electric vehicles and alternatively fuelled vehicles such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen and fuel cell.
Last month, StarBiz reported that three China-based automotive companies were close to making Malaysia their EEV base of operations for the region. Madani said the authorisation for EEVs in Malaysia would be based on a single standard.
“There will be one standard for EEVs in Malaysia and it will comply with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) World Forum on Harmonisation of Motor Vehicles Regulations (WP 29). With this implementation, the safety aspect of cars in Malaysia will systematically be enhanced,” said Madani.
The MAI is an agency under the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) that was established as the focal point and coordination centre for the development of the local automotive industry.
Madani pointed out that the NAP was aligned with the Government's Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) and is aimed at creating a “quantum leap” for the local automotive industry players to move forward and face global automotive challenges of the future.
“The objective of the revised NAP is to create a competitive automotive business atmosphere in Malaysia,” he said.
Madani said that with the latest standards and the emphasis to make Malaysia an EEV hub, Malaysians would be able to have access to models with the latest technologies.
“Today, items such as airbags, global positioning systems (GPS) and anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are naturally included in all cars in other countries. In Malaysia, it's not, and these are not even high-tech items!”
Madani also said the NAP would standardise the local automotive after-market industry.
“This industry has a direct impact on the consumer. We need to set proper systems to standardise all of the stakeholders in the after-market that includes workshops (independent ones or those directly under OEMs), tyres and accessories shops, spare parts centres (new and used parts) and car dealers.
“The NAP focuses to give consumers greater benefits that include costs transparency, enhanced level of repair and services with proper procedures and qualification of mechanics, spare parts standardisation, insurance coverage and others,” he said. Madani pointed out that the independent dealers received lower insurance coverage, causing customers to eventually pay a higher price for their services.
As part of the Government's goal to ensure safety, Madani said the NAP also proposed for a policy regarding the inspection of vehicles exceeding a certain number of years in Malaysia.
“This policy is to ensure good road-worthiness of your vehicle and the inspection will be based on a single, globalised standard.”
He said this policy is aimed at educating consumers on the importance of inspecting their cars on a regular basis.
“It will not be a mandatory procedure as we need to ensure that there is sufficient infrastructure to carry out the checks and cost structure for consumers to inspect their cars need to be competitive,'' said Madani.
Source : The Star                   Date : 4 September 2012
Today's Pick (04/09/12/155/848) 

Monday, September 3, 2012

afternoon highlight (03/09/12/150/625) WHSmith opens 1st store at KLIA


Source : The Malaysian Reserve
Date : 29 August 2012

Today's Pick (03/09/12/154/847) MasterCard: Consumer confidence rises 17.1 points


MasterCard: Consumer confidence rises 17.1 points

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has shown significant improvement across all consumer confidence indicators with an increase of 17.1 index points, according to MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Confidence.
In a statement yesterday, MasterCard Worldwide said Malaysia recorded an increase across all key indicators regular income (from 72.1 to 83.9 index points); employment (53.5 to 73.8 index points); economy (45.6 to 64.1 index points); quality of life (47.8 to 67.4 index points); and, stock market (44.8 to 60.2 Index points).
MasterCard Worldwide vice president/senior country manager for Malaysia and Brunei, Jim Cheah, said the improvement demonstrated by Malaysia was encouraging as the country moved to become a high-income nation.“Malaysians have shown confidence in the development of the country through these insights,” he said.
MasterCard Worldwide said overall, nine out of 14 Asia/Pacific markets polled recorded positive improvements when compared to the second half of 2011 with a regional rise from 52.1 index points in the second half of 2011 to 57.2 index points in the first half of 2012.
Consumers in the region which remained most optimistic were India (82.1 index points), China (77.4), Vietnam (77.2) and Thailand (75.8), while the least optimistic markets were Japan (23.6), Taiwan (25.7) and Australia (39.2). Hong Kong, which dropped 38.7 Index points in the last Index, improved by 21.9 index points to lead the region, followed closely by South Korea (up 21.4 Index points), Malaysia (up 17.1 Index points) and New Zealand (up 15.3 Index points), it said.
Meanwhile, MasterCard Worldwide global economic adviser, Dr Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, said the latest reading of consumer confidence in Asia/Pacific reflected the increasingly complex mix of key influences affecting the region. - Bernama

Source : The Star
Date : 30 August 2012
Today's Pick (03/09/12/154/847)