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Japan defence system kena hack

ucasappraisal — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:08:31 +0800

China? India? Malaysia??

SOS MISIL

QUOTE

Japan's top weapons maker has confirmed it was the victim of a cyber attack reportedly targeting data on missiles, submarines and nuclear power plants.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) said viruses were found on more than 80 of its servers and computers last month.

But the firm said it has not detected any leaks of sensitive information.

Japan's defence ministry has demanded MHI carry out a full investigation. Officials were angered after learning of the breach from local media reports.

All government contractors are obliged to inform ministers promptly of any breach of sensitive or classified information.

"It's up to the defence ministry to decide whether or not the information is important. That is not for Mitsubishi Heavy to decide. A report should have been made," a defence ministry spokesman was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Better protection

The online attacks - which are believed to be the first of their kind against Japan's defence industry - originated outside the company's computer network, MHI said.

They have been described as "spear attacks" - when hackers send highly customised and specifically targeted messages aimed at tricking people into visiting a fake webpage and giving away login details.

MHI has confirmed its servers and computers have been infected by at least eight viruses.

The viruses targeted a shipyard in Nagasaki, where destroyers are built, and a facility in Kobe that manufactures submarines and parts for nuclear power stations, public broadcaster NHK reported.

A plant in Nagoya, where the company designs and builds guidance and propulsion systems for rockets and missiles, was also reportedly compromised.

MHI said it had consulted the Tokyo police department and was carrying out an investigation alongside security experts, which should be concluded by the end of the month.

A second defence contractor, which supplies engine parts for military aircraft, said it had also been targeted.

IHI said it had been receiving emails containing viruses for months, but its security systems had prevented infection.

There are also reports that Japanese government websites, including the cabinet office and a video distribution service, have been hit by denial-of-service attacks.

Last month, a Japanese defence white paper urged better protection against cyber attacks after US defence contractors were hit by a spate of assaults

Orang Minyak defensive mechanism

ucasappraisal — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:36:54 +0800

QUOTE

> A flat resident was shocked when a stranger, naked like an orang minyak (oily man), appeared in front of her home in Pinggiran Batu Caves in the wee hours of Saturday morning and started re-enacting silat moves, Kosmo!Ahad reported.

Housewife Norlida Hassan, 42, had earlier heard noise outside the ground-floor unit of the five-storey block and opened the door to find out what was going on.

She screamed upon seeing the naked man and tried to frighten him away but the intruder, believed to be an Indonesian, did not budge from her doorstep.

She then alerted her husband, who raised an alarm that drew other residents to the house.

The stranger, in his 20s, was caught after he fell into a drain whilst trying to make his escape.

A neighbour, who gave his name only as Zakaria, 46, said the suspect was nabbed at 2.30am after the residents gave chase.

The man mumbled some strange words when he was caught by the residents. They later handed him to the police.

SOS minyak

Najib using your money to be cool

ucasappraisal — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:58:15 +0800

QUOTE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — In the last few weeks, a group of political strategists that includes members of the team behind Tony Blair’s “New Labour” have started work to reinvent Datuk Seri Najib Razak as a moderate reformist to appeal to voters as he prepares to lead his Barisan Nasional (BN) for the first time into elections.
The Malaysian Insider understands that besides the former Blair operatives, the Najib team is also seeking the counsel of a familiar face — Paul Stadlen, the former boss of APCO Malaysia, the team that met an ignominious end a few months ago for alleged links to Israel.

As part of the Najib team’s big push, it is also understood that multi-million ringgit funding has also been worked out for a new website and to hire hundreds of people to promote “Brand Najib” and “Brand BN” on social media and other websites.

Najib attended Astro’s Suarakami concert on Saturday night as part of his makeover. — File picA new Najib — one who attends concerts and speaks of being “cool” — has already emerged despite the short time the “Blair team” has been working here.
Last week, the prime minister pushed aside the hawks that had been dominating space in his administration by announcing plans for a raft of reforms including the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA).

This was seen by political observers as a bid to reclaim middle Malaysia after the disastrous handling of the July 9 Bersih rally that gained the PM and BN unwanted negative publicity in the international media just as he was pitching the country to foreign investors.

Fresh from announcing his reforms, the PM told a gathering of BN parties in Selangor on Saturday that they needed to be “progressive, dynamic, cool and the party of the future.”

To buff up the new cool factor he hopes to inject into his ruling coalition that is currently dominated by fusty conservatives, Najib also attended Astro’s Suarakami concert on Saturday night.

The grey-haired PM took the stage to greet and charm the young concert-goers and later spent time taking and sharing photographs to his more than 200,000 followers on Twitter.

After the concert, the PM sent out this message on Twitter: “Thank u guys for all your tweets. Nice to know some of u think I am cool! Glad to know it was a great concert.”

By attempting to turn Najib into a “cool” leader who is also committed to reforms, the PM’s new advisers appear to be taking a leaf out of their tried and tested campaigns for the former British PM.

The election as Britain’s PM of a relatively young Blair in 1997 was seen as a successful bid by his campaign to capitalise on the “Cool Britannia” era marked by a resurgence in British pop music acts, artists and fashion.

Blair’s New Labour movement that moved his party to the centre was closely associated with the “Cool Britannia” idea.

In the next few weeks, Najib’s team is expected to have the PM attend symbolic events to sell the idea that he is a moderate leader for the future.

But while Najib takes the stage as a centrist, the more negative aspects of his campaign ahead of polls expected soon will be taken up by a new website and the social media team.

It is understood that the new website, which started operating recently, has secured initial funding from supporters of the PM of between RM5 million and RM10 million.

But it is unclear how much money is being spent to hire the hundreds of people whose task is to promote Najib and BN while attacking the opposition Pakatan Rakyat on Twitter, Facebook and through comments on various websites.

Najib’s new team of advisers is just the latest in his administration’s penchant for foreign public relations firms.

APCO’s time in Malaysia was marked by controversy after the opposition alleged the public relations firm was linked to Israel.

Last month, Putrajaya was forced to end its contract with British publicity firm FBC Media after an embarrassing exposé revealed Malaysian leaders routinely appeared in paid-for interviews on global television programmes.

Cool Story, SOS

Utusan Melayu sungguh berprinsip

ucasappraisal — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:15:45 +0800

.....owaiiiiiiiiiii

QUOTE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — Utusan Malaysia, one of the staunchest defenders of the Internal Security Act (ISA) is now changing its tune about the security law but without remorse for what had happened in the past when they called for its usage.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a slew of reforms to press and security laws on Thursday and the lifting of three Emergency Declarations, saying that the move to increase civil liberties was “risky, but we are doing this for our survival.”

“It is true what Najib had announced is appropriate at this point in time. We should look forward to the new world reality today. Change will happen sooner or later. The country cannot forever remain set in its ways.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a slew of reforms to press and security laws on Thursday. — file pic
“This era demands a more open and modern government which is efficient in dealing with threats without depending on laws such as the ISA,” the Malay daily’s editors wrote today under the pseudonym Awang Selamat.
Apart from the repeals, Najib said there will be amendments to the Police Act to allow for freedom of assembly according to international norms, although street protests would still be outlawed.

Both Najib and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had said that the ISA along with the three Emergency Declarations would be repealed when both the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat have their next sitting.

However, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had said there will not be enough time to repeal the ISA when Parliament next convenes in October and that the draft replacement laws would be tabled during the next sitting in March.

Mingguan Malaysia, the weekend edition of the Umno daily, pointed out that reaction to the abolishment of the ISA had been mixed.

“A lot are positive and received it well, calling it a bold step for change for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. No fewer are sceptical and concerned because the ISA is still seen as relevant in Malaysia. There are also some who are upset.

“But Awang’s opinion is not important. More important is the reaction and thoughts of the people, non-governmental organisations (NGO), the security forces, academics, civil servants, and various other groups. At this stage, let the people give any reaction and input. We have to be brave to listen to all kinds of comments,” he wrote.

Awang said people who are upset about the announcement should be given due attention and shouldn’t be dismissed as “they are the ones who had been strong government supporters”.

“Awang thinks that the announcement to abolish the ISA needs to be followed by a thorough explanation from the ministry and relevant agencies.

“If not, it may paint the government and its leadership in a negative light,” he said, adding that he is confident that the opposing voices can turn positive through meetings and dialogues.

Awang also said based on his observations, a lot of people are still unclear about the “wisdom” behind abolishing the ISA and the strength that the two new replacement laws will have in dealing with security threats.

“There is also speculation that the abolishment of the ISA will hurt Malay politics. Other than that, the government has been accused of bowing down to the aspirations of other races without guaranteeing that this will boost support for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next general elections,” he said.

Awang added that Malays should reassess the situation so as not to be afraid of changes, adding that the abolishment of the ISA should encourage Malays to be more aggressive in politics.

“Of late, only the non-Malays are politicking wisely; in fact, they are more united and vociferous. The minority voice has become like the majority to the extent that it has shaped the new political landscape.

“The abolishment of the ISA and other changes, including amendment to the Printing Act, is a sign of openness to all, not just to a certain group or race only,” he said.

SOS RENDANG

Kesian Namewee

ucasappraisal — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 01:33:13 +0800

QUOTE

KLANG, Sept 16 — Viewers distressed by the screening of Namewee’s “Nasi Lemak 2.0” can direct their complaints to the Home Ministry for investigation, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said today.
“If there was anything inappropriate in it, they can refer to us,” the home minister was quoted saying in a Bernama Online report today.

Hishammuddin was responding to the criticism by the Perak “People First Organisation” against the film due to producer Namewee’s past controversies, including one in which he was deemed to have demeaned the national anthem.

Hishammuddin today said no official complaints have so far been lodged over the movie, but said his ministry’s film control division will examine any that are submitted.

Sambal Nasi Lemak

Ibrahim say racist group still exist

ucasappraisal — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:08:17 +0800

QUOTE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — Datuk Ibrahim Ali has cautioned against early celebrations over Putrajaya’s decision last night to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA), telling the government that racism still exists in the country.

The fiery founder and president of Malay rights group Perkasa, who supported suggestions to use the ISA against Bersih 2.0 protestors, said he would adopt a “wait-and-see” approach to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s reform promises before declaring a formal stand.

“To Perkasa, do not let it end like the saying ‘jangan keris makan tuan’ (do not fall on your own sword).

“Many issues should be considered because Malaysia is a multi-racial country where there are groups that are still bent on having racist attitudes and do not respect the basis of the Federal Constitution with their many demands, as we have seen recently,” he said in a statement last night.

Ibrahim (picture), who has been detained twice without trial under the ISA, also appeared to doubt the government’s sincerity in its latest reforms, questioning if the Najib’s announcement was merely a populist move.

“Was the decision made for the government to gain popularity or are they truly prioritising national security?

“As such, Perkasa chooses to wait and see,” he said.

Najib announced a slew of reforms during his Malaysia Day address to the nation last night, including repealing the ISA, amendments to other security and press laws and the lifting of three Emergency Declarations.

Ibrahim, however, lauded the decision to lift the Emergency Declarations, saying they were no longer relevant.

“Perkasa congratulates the PM in conjunction with Malaysia Day celebration and the 54th Merdeka Day,” he said.

Najib also said that two new preventive laws would be enacted in place of the ISA, which de facto law minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz later told The Malaysian Insider would still allow for detention without trial.

But the laws, said to be fashioned after anti-terrorism legislation like the Patriot Act in the US, are to be solely used against terrorists and not to curb individuals from supporting different political ideologies.

The Malaysian Insider understands that Najib’s speech last night is the start of an election push which will definitely not be held this year although there was speculation of snap polls in November.

Najib came to power in April 2009 with the promise of reviewing the ISA but has now done away with the security law completely in what appears to be a drastic move to win back middle Malaysia.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this week Najib should push back the election timetable and the influential former prime minister’s views have found support among the Cabinet and senior government leaders who want the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to regain greater support.

The latest survey from local pollster Merdeka Center showed that Najib’s popularity slid to 59 per cent this August from the highest of 79 per cent in May 2010, fuelled by rising concerns over the surge in living costs and his government’s handling of the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally.

The Bersih 2.0 rally and spike in living costs this year are similar to events in 2007 that eventually led to BN’s loss of its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority and four states in Election 2008 to three opposition parties that later organised themselves into a pact called Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

That led to Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi losing his job in 2009 in favour of Najib who became the country’s sixth prime minister after more than 30 years in government. Najib’s father, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, was the country’s second prime minister.

SOS

Breakdown of Bijan bullcrap

ucasappraisal — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:14:37 +0800

I'm sorry, but it's not convincing at all. His speech. Let's take a look.

“No individual will ever be detained simply due to political ideology,” he said in his speech that was broadcast live on all local television stations.

Will this be expressly stated in the new Acts replacing the ISA? I doubt it.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) chief said that two new security laws would be introduced for preventive detention which would be limited only to cases of terrorism and “ensure that basic human rights are protected.”

How is "terrorism" defined? Would marching down the street demoing be considered as terrorism activities? If judiciary has the power to define and enact this, fine. But then you go on to say...

...Najib said that under the new laws, detentions could only be extended by the court and therefore “the power of detention will be shifted from the executive to the judiciary, unless it concerns terrorism.”

RIIIIGHTT....

Before a studio audience of 800 including his entire Cabinet, he also announced that the Banishment Act would be repealed while he will do away with the need for annual publishing permits under the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA).

Before, you only don't have to renew to prevent them from getting the licence. Now instead of waiting the year out, you can revoke straight away. How is that better?!?

The Umno president also said that the Police Act would be amended to allow for freedom of assembly according to international norms, although street protests would still be outlawed.

LOL. Small demo = okay. Big demo = not okay. Any demo in public sufficiently large enough will be a street demo. WTF you toking Bijan?

Bijan dear son, I am disappoint.

Malaysians mudah lupa

ucasappraisal — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:03:02 +0800

about the bigger perompaks in Malaysia

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

TLDR: Malaysians mudah lupa. Terima kasih RPK for reminding us of Malaysian heroes like Rosli Dahlan.

Source @ Malaysia Today

What would you do if your spouse dieded

ucasappraisal — Thu, 26 May 2011 19:30:02 +0800

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

Kesian doh the janda. Hubby buta buta kena bunuh by MACC

/k/Muslim bros

ucasappraisal — Tue, 17 May 2011 12:49:47 +0800

Today wesak day. Go temple tanggal kasut. Came back got stolen!!!

I nao now ur feelings melei bros. Pencuri kasut tak mengenal bangsa..

I'm here to assist with UCAS!

ucasappraisal — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 01:07:55 +0800

Yes, you may check my ID and realise I had created this account recently, and yes, my first post was to advertise my services. But I can kill two birds with one stone, why not?

I start this thread to try to assist prospective undergraduates with key pointers on maximising your UCAS application chances. I also will try to help with university choices, on how to use your limited selections wisely - spreading your bet, if you will.

I will NOT:

a) teach you how to write better
b) teach you how to do your subjects better (unless it's law, then I can help a little)
c) give free services

It doesn't matter what courses you are selecting, the key principles are all the same. And I am here to help! If you want to know why I think I have something different to contribute from your seniors who have done their applications and got to where they are at the moment, click on my link in the sig below, and find out why I am different!

Thanks!