Malaysia pauses in solemn homecoming for MH17 dead

Yahoo – AFP, M Jegathesan, 22 Aug 2014

Soldiers carry a coffin with the remains of a Malaysian victim from Flight MH17 

during a ceremony at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on August 22, 

2014 (AFP Photo/Manan Vatsyayana)

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - Black-clad Malaysians observed a minute of silence and a nationwide day of mourning on Friday as the first remains of the country's 43 citizens killed in the MH17 disaster returned home.

People across the country of 28 million went silent at 10:55 am (0255 GMT), about an hour after a Malaysia Airlines jet landed with the remains of 20 people killed when MH17 was blasted from the sky by a suspected surface-to-air missile over Ukraine on July 17.

Malaysia's King Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, Prime Minister Najib Razak and dozens of other top officials were on hand for a sombre reception ceremony at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Soldiers carry a coffin with the remains of

a Malaysian victim from Flight MH17 during

a ceremony at Kuala Lumpur International

Airport in Sepang on August 22, 2014

(AFP Photo/Manan Vatsyayana)

Flags flew at half-mast nationwide and various entertainment events and other festivities in the Muslim-majority country were cancelled or put on hold out of respect.

Residents of the capital Kuala Lumpur were overwhelmingly black-clad, including many Muslim women in black Islamic headscarves, as state television aired recitations from the Koran and photos of the Malaysian victims.

"No words can express the sense of loss in seeing the bodies return, my prayers are with the victims and families of #MH17," Najib said on his Twitter feed.

Dozens of Malaysia Airlines cabin crew and pilots in their work uniforms, some weeping, gathered near the welcoming ceremony holding Malaysian flags and white flowers to remember their lost colleagues.

'Life must go on'

Shazly, 40, a flight attendant who gave only his first name, citing a company request regarding contact with the media, mourned Nur Shazana Mohamed Salleh, who joined the airline with him in the same 2004 recruitment class.

Relatives attend a ceremony for the return

 of the remains of Malaysian victims from

 Flight MH17 at Kuala Lumpur International

 Airport in Sepang on August 22, 2014

(AFP Photo/Manan Vatsyayana)

"She was a very jovial girl. She loved her job very much. She was very close with all her friends," he said.

"Life has to go on, even though it's very difficult for us to accept what has happened to our airline. They are our friends."

Some wore T-shirts with their dead colleagues' names and the Arabic phrase for "See you in Paradise." Fifteen crew were aboard.

The first batch of remains included those of Ariza Ghazalee, 46, and her son Muhammad Afif, 18, part of a family of six wiped out in the disaster.

It was a far different homecoming than what they had planned -- the family was returning to live in Malaysia after three years abroad, and Ariza's final Facebook post had said, "Starting our new migration. Praise God."

Friday's special flight arrived from Amsterdam, where remains have been taken for identification by Dutch authorities investigating the tragedy.

All 298 on board Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight MH17 were killed, including 193 Dutch nationals.

Malaysia Airlines flight attendants cry

 during the arrival in Sepang of the remains

of the Malaysians who perished onboard

Flight MH17, on August 22, 2014 (AFP

Photo/Mohd Rasfan)

The West accuses Russian-backed separatists of shooting down the plane, while Moscow blames Ukraine.

A military guard conveyed the coffins and urns -- at least three people have already been cremated -- from the plane and into waiting hearses.

Some were to be put aboard other aircraft for transport to their final resting places throughout the country.

A number of prayer sessions and funerals were planned for Friday in mosques, churches and temples, reflecting Malaysia's multi-ethnic make-up.

The MH17 tragedy has compounded Malaysian grief over the troubling and still-unexplained disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 just four months earlier.

Healing process

The airline and the Malaysian government came under fire worldwide for their chaotic response to MH370, which disappeared on March 8 with 239 people aboard en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Soldiers carry a coffin with the remains of a

Malaysian victim from Flight MH17 during

a ceremony at Kuala Lumpur International 

Airport in Sepang on August 22, 2014

(AFP Photo/Manan Vatsyayana)

The plane is believed to have inexplicably diverted to the Indian Ocean, but no trace of the jet has been found. Some angry relatives have alleged a cover-up.

Malaysia Airlines, now in a financial crisis over the double disasters, said in a statement it was "deeply saddened" by MH17, noting that Friday ends a "long and painful wait" for next of kin.

The government has said 30 Malaysians on MH17 had so far been identified. Further remains will return in coming days.

Malaysian Twitter feeds filled with sorrow as MH17-related hashtags dominated top-trending rankings.

Many expressed hope that Friday's homecoming could help Malaysia find closure from both air disasters.

"Welcome home #MH17, and please come back to us #MH370," read one.

New policies set to boost China's new-energy car market

Want China Times, Staff Reportor 2014-08-20

A new-energy car at the Wuhan Auto Service Industry Expo International,
Aug. 10. (Photo/Xinhua)

Beijing has introduced a series of measures that are expected to provide a shot in the arm to the new-energy vehicles market this year, according to Shanghai's National Business Daily.

China sold merely 17,533 new energy vehicles in 2013, but 20,000 were sold during the first half of this year, according to data from the China Association of Automotive Manufacturers.

The 20,000 figure remains quite small, however, compared with the 11.68 million cars sold nationwide in the first half of this year. However, a slew of new measures are expected to help accelerate the development of the market this year and boost sales to between 60,000 and 150,000 vehicles.

New-energy vehicles include fully functioning electric cars, plug-in hybrids and those powered by fuel cells.

The wave of favorable policies introduced during the first half is expected to create enormous opportunities in the market, and domestic and foreign automobile makers are competing to roll out new models of green cars.

Industry experts believe the entry of foreign companies and joint ventures with local automakers will help form a manufacturing chain and improve manufacturing techniques.

On the other hand, domestic carmakers have stepped up their entry into the sector. They produced 20,700 and sold 20,500 new-energy vehicles in the first half of this year, reflecting a 230% and 220% year-on-year growth, respectively.

Since domestic automakers play a dominant role in the fully electric car market, they are likely to be the largest beneficiaries of the new round of preferential policies. However, after the new policies come into effect, carmakers will have to develop a new business model for marketing new-energy vehicles and boosting profitability, according to the report.

Meanwhile, since an insufficient number of charging stations are frequently cited as the reason for low public enthusiasm for new-energy vehicles, more still needs to be done in this area.

In addition, a new market making new energy vehicles available only for rent or leasing is expected to emerge due to the preferential policies, according to the report.

Japanese auto bearings suppliers fined for antitrust violation

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2014-08-20

Japanese NTN staff prepare for a product show in Nanjing,
Jiangsu province. (File photo/Xinhua)

China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) fined two Japanese suppliers of automotive bearings Tuesday for market monopolization practices, reports Shanghai's National Business Daily.

Nippon Seiki KK issued a statement on its official website that the Chinese regulator has ordered the company to pay a fine of 174.9 million yuan (US$28.5 million).

NTN Corporation also stated that the NDRC has fined the company 119.2 million yuan (US$19.42 million).

NSK and NTN are the two of the largest manufacturers of bearings in Japan.

The Japanese companies were ruled to engage in common bid-rigging practices, in which the bidders take turns to win contracts.

In China's auto parts industry, Japanese and South Korean firms have relatively closed their supply chain. It has been a tradition for Japan and South Korea to be protective towards domestic automotive parts suppliers.

In addition, an analyst said that Japanese firms have the technological edge over other firms, making it easy for them to conduct horizontal monopolization, in which bid-rigging is the most common practice, according to the report.

Japanese auto parts companies have faced antitrust probes in the United States and Europe. They have also been punished in Canada, the European Union, Singapore and Australia earlier this year for price fixing.

It was reported that over ten Japanese parts suppliers have been accused of violating China's antitrust laws. The automotive parts involved include panel switches for heater controls, steering wheels, seat belts, wiper blades and airbags.

According to China's Anti-Monopoly Law, businesses that take advantage of their dominance in the market or agree to and implement price fixing have to pay a fine of 1%-10% of their one-year sales, along with their illegal gains being confiscated.

Some analysts said that overseas auto parts makers have earned high profits in emerging markets such as China. The antitrust investigation will help regulate the industry and create a positive environment for new domestic automotive parts suppliers, they said.

Related Article:

Japanese auto parts suppliers mum on antitrust probe in China

Dutch teenager set to become world's youngest Formula One racer

DutchNews.nl, Tuesday 19 August 2014

Max Verstappen is currently just 16. Photo: Philip Platzer/Red Bull Content Pool

Dutch teenager Max Verstappen is set to become the youngest Formula One racing driver ever at the age of just 17 when he takes part in the Australian Grand Prix next season.

Verstappen, son of successful Dutch racing driver Jos Verstappen, is joining team Scuderia Toro Rosso for the season.

Verstappen has won eight races so far in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and is currently in second place. He switched from karting to racing cars in 2014.

‘Ever since I was seven years old, Formula One has been my career goal, so this opportunity is truly a dream come true,’ the youngster told the Red Bull website.

His father drove for Benetton, Stewart and Arrows between 1994 and 2003.

Max Verstappen at the Zandvoort Masters of Formula 3 in July,

a race he won. Photograph: Sander Koning/AFP/Getty Images

Related Article:

Max Verstappen takes a step into the unknown as F1’s youngest driver

Snoozing China air traffic controllers force jet to delay landing

Yahoo – AFP, 19 Aug 2014

A Chinese aircraft was forced to delay its landing after two air traffic controllers
nodded off, reports say (AFP Photo/John Macdougall)

Beijing (AFP) - A Chinese aircraft was forced to delay its landing after two air traffic controllers nodded off, reports said Tuesday, sparking a wave of online anger about airline safety.

The Boeing 737 was preparing to land at Wuhan airport in central China but had no response from the air traffic control tower for 12 minutes, reports said.

Contact was eventually made and China Eastern Airlines flight MU2528 from Sanya landed safely, the Sina.com news portal said.

"Because air traffic control was asleep on duty, (the plane) called many times," civil aviation authorities said in a statement quoted by Chinese business magazine Caijing.

"But there was no reply, and no contact could be made with the control tower."

A separate investigation report cited by Caijing said two controllers had fallen asleep.

The incident happened on July 8 and the statement was dated July 29. There was no explanation for the delay in making it public.

"Air control work is truly exhausting, but it is unforgivable to sleep on duty," a post on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter, said Tuesday.

"Hundreds of people’s lives depend on the actions of flight tower controllers. We entrust our lives to you," the post continued.

Another netizen added: "Such serious consequences. Should let him sleep as much as he wants in prison."

Uber’s Taxi App Lands in Jakarta

Jakarta Globe, Vanesha Manuturi, Aug 13, 2014

A woman shows the Uber apps on her smartphone in Jakarta,
Wednesday (13/8). JG Photo/Jurnasyanto

Jakarta. Traditional taxi companies in Indonesia may soon face a big shift in the market, as new competition from smartphone-based transportation services like San Francisco’s Uber taps into the insatiable demand for transportation in the world’s fourth-most populated country.

Uber — a software company focusing on transportation services — officially launched its eponymous smartphone application into Indonesia on Wednesday, gunning for the growing middle class population in the capital city Jakarta.

The company, which has established its presence in 43 countries worldwide, had previously arranged a soft launching in Jakarta earlier in June and rolled out its service in the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD).

“There are currently tens of thousands people who have signed up for Uber. That’s what’s exciting about Jakarta — things go viral very easily,” said Chan Park, Uber’s head of expansion for the Asia-Pacific region, to the Jakarta Globe on Wednesday.

The Uber app assists Indonesian commuters in finding transportation — private driver included ­— through its partnerships with local limo and car rentals, offering brands ranging from Toyota Camry to Hyundai Sonata.

Its base fare currently stands at Rp 7,000 (60 cents), with each additional minute costing Rp 500 and each kilometer Rp 2,850 — placing Uber at par with local taxis.

“You can think of [Uber] like Expedia,” said Park, referring to a travel booking website. “We’ll facilitate the transactions and that transportation experience by connecting driver and transportation provider with the rider, and we provide the app that enables that.”

Uber will be jumping into a competitive market that’s already filled with various public transportation options for the Indonesian middle class, such as taxis and ojeks , or motorcycle taxis.

The company is not the first smartphone-based transportation service to break through the Indonesian market. Brazil’s Easy Taxi and Malaysia’s Grab Taxi — both of which allow customers to hail a taxi from their smart phones — had already launched their services in the capital in June and April respectively.

Mixed reactions

The presence of Uber and other similar transportation apps in Jakarta has so far been met with a variety of responses by prominent business figures and taxi companies in the area.

Teguh Wijayanto, head of public relations at Blue Bird Group, the country’s largest taxi operator, said new competition is not unusual, adding that the company had already anticipated the growing use of smartphones among Indonesians with the launch of its own Blue Bird smartphone application back in 2011.

“Competition is something that’s expected and is needed … As long as the company continues to push for the best services, it’s in the public’s hands,” Teguh said.

Sandiaga Uno, an Indonesian businessman and the country’s 45th wealthiest person according to Globe Asia’s 150 Richest Indonesian list, echoed Teguh’s sentiments, noting that tighter competition from Uber and other similar transportation-related smartphone apps will eventually lead to better service for customers as traditional transportation providers work toward improving themselves.

“The prospect looks good for Uber in Jakarta with the increasing demand for more innovative modes of transportation from the country’s fast-growing and highly mobile middle class,” Sandiaga said on Tuesday.

Sandiaga is also advocating the use of the smartphone app.

In contrast, some remain skeptical as Uber’s business model remains unclear against Indonesia’s regulatory backdrop.

Daniel Podiman, president director of taxi operator Express Transindo Utama, said that Express, along with the Organization of Land Transport Operators (Organda), is currently reviewing how Uber’s business model fits into the country’s public transportation scene.

“We’re waiting for more clarity on the issue … Something that’s new will always be assessed and examined. But if it goes against regulation, then something must be done,” Daniel said.

Regulatory pushbacks are not new to Uber, considering its history of numerous legal hurdles in some countries. Uber has faced lawsuits from taxi companies in Chicago, San Francisco and Washington DC. Reuters recently reported that Hamburg, Germany and Seoul, South Korea is seeking to ban Uber’s operations in the area.

However, Park said that the company has not yet been approached by regulators in Indonesia.

“How will the regulators react? I’m not sure. I haven’t heard anything from them,” Park said. “But we’re not trying to come in and cannibalize [the market]. We’re trying to provide an alternative.”

Uber is backed by Google Ventures and Goldman Sachs.

Related Articles:

Uberpop drivers threatened with fines in Amsterdam

Ahok Says Jakarta Won’t Hesitate to Take Uber Cars Off Streets

In Jakarta, Uber Seen as an ‘Illegal’ Taxi Service

Iran airliner crashes in Tehran street, killing 39

Yahoo – AFP, Siavosh Ghazi, 10 Aug 2014

A member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards stands next to the remains of a

 plane that crashed near Tehran's Mehrabad airport, on August 10, 2014 (AFP

Photo/Atta Kenare)

Tehran (AFP) - An Iranian passenger plane crashed Sunday moments after takeoff from Tehran, killing 39 people on board and narrowly avoiding many more deaths when it plummeted near a busy market.

The plane was headed to the eastern city of Tabas, the IRNA and Fars news agencies said, when it crashed at 9:18 am (0448 GMT), after leaving Mehrabad airport.

It triggered a fireball when it smashed into the capital's Azadi neighbourhood, close to where hundreds of military families live, and only a few hundred metres (yards) from a row of shops.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards and security

 forces stand next to the wreckage of a

plane after a crash near Tehran's

Mehrabad airport on August 10, 2014

(AFP Photo/Atta Kenare)

Iran's deputy transport minister, Ahmad Majidi, said the Antonov An-140 turboprop plane had 40 passengers, including six children, and eight crew on board.

The accident killed 39 people and injured nine, according to the latest official toll. A fire official initially said all on board had been killed.

The aircraft was operated by Sepahan Airlines, and a tail section bearing the company's dolphin logo could be seen sticking out of the road as security forces cordoned off the crash site where firefighters had doused the flames.

Black smoke billowed from the mass of burnt out and twisted metal, with officials saying the plane hit a wall and trees.

"The scene was terrible, with the back of the plane in the middle of the street," one witness said.

"But we were lucky because there was a market 500 metres away and a lot of people were there."

Another witness told state television: "I was on my motorbike and I heard something behind me. I turned round and it was a plane, so I got on to the ground because it was so close.

Iranian security forces secure the scene of a plane crash as emergency

 personnel search for survivors near Tehran's Mehrabad airport on August 10, 

2014 (AFP Photo/Atta Kenare)

"With other people, we ran to try to save the passengers but there were two or three loud explosions and a huge fire."

Busiest domestic hub

Mehrabad airport, near central Tehran, is by far the country's busiest domestic hub, serving routes to all major Iranian cities.

Most international passenger flights take off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, which is farther west of the capital.

Iranian firemen attach the remains of a

 plane to a crane to remove it from the

 scene of a crash near Tehran's Mehrabad

 airport on August 10, 2014 (AFP Photo/

Behrouz Mehri)

Alireza Jahangirian, the head of Iran's civil aviation authority, said: "The plane crashed in trees. There were no casualties on the ground."

An investigation is under way, he added.

The Ukrainian-designed An-140 is intended for regional use, has a range of around 2,400 kilometres (1,500 miles) and can carry up to 52 people. Iranian airlines are one of the plane's biggest users.

The Isna news agency reported that the plane in Sunday's crash had been assembled under licence by an Iranian company in Isfahan, 450 kilometres south of Tehran.

Later Sunday, President Hassan Rouhani ordered the grounding of all domestically produced An-140s.

"The president has asked for a complete report from the transport ministry, and in the meantime has ordered a halt to all flights by this type of aircraft," IRNA reported.

Municipality workers clean up the scene

of a plane crash near Tehran's Mehrabad

 airport on August 10, 2014 (AFP Photo/

Behrouz Mehri)

Iran had nine locally built Antonov An-140s before Sunday's crash.

Iran has suffered several air crashes in recent years, blamed on ageing planes, poor maintenance and a shortage of new parts because of international sanctions.

Iranian airlines, including state-run operators, are short of finance and have seen business suffer because of banking restrictions imposed on the Islamic republic by the United States and Europe.

Iran's last major air crash was in January 2011, when an Iran Air Boeing 727 shattered on impact while attempting an emergency landing in a snowstorm in the northwest, killing 77 people.

And in July 2009, a Russian-made jetliner crashed shortly after taking off from the capital, killing all 168 people on board.

China breaks new record in drone development: Strategy Page

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2014-08-10

China's Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle (Photo/CNS)

China has broken a record in its drone development by successfully keeping a civilian unmanned aerial vehicle aloft for 30 consecutive hours, reports a Washington-based military website.

The UAV used for the test was designed by the state-run Chinese Academy of Surveying & Mapping for mapping and land use surveys. The previous record for a Chinese drone in the air was 16 hours. Designed with lightweight materials and weighing under 50 kilograms, the drone is capable of carrying lightweight and powerful cameras to economically survey agriculture and natural resources.

In addition, the drones can also be used by the police and security services. "For several decades a growing number of Chinese commercial firms have been developing military UAVs. One of the most powerful of these is the Wing Loong UAV which can be equipped to carry two BA-7 laser guided missiles," said the Strategy Page. Photos and videos of the Wing Loong were revealed by the People's Liberation Army in 2008.

The Strategy Page was able to conclude from promotional materials that the two BA-7s, also known Blue Arrow 7 missiles, are very similar to the US-produced Hellfire. Each of the missiles weighs 47 kilograms and has a max range of 7,000 meters. They were basically designed as laser-guided anti-tank missiles to attack ground targets. China offers the Blue Arrow 7 at a lower (at least a third lower) price than the $70,000 Hellfire and is willing to negotiate.

Ranting bus passenger forced to make public apology

Want China Times, CNA and Staff Reporter 2014-08-09

Jackson Chu, right, apologizes to the bus driver he subjected to a verbal
assault, Aug. 8 (Photo/CNA)

A Taiwanese American man who recently threw a tantrum on a bus and verbally assaulted the driver in a foul-mouthed tirade in English made an open apology to the driver on Friday.

Jackson Chu called the Taoyuan Bus Co to say that he wished to apologize to the driver, Chen Chin-chi, in private, a request that was rejected outright by the company given the notoriety of the incident, which had been captured by a fellow passenger who uploaded it to the internet. The video swiftly went viral and pitchforks were out for the "foreigner," as the poster supposed him to be, as did the first media outlets to jump on the story.

The company insisted instead that Chu instead make an open apology at a police station, so he presented himself at a police station later that day where he read a statement in halting Mandarin Chinese interspersed with English.

Chu said it was not right for him to have used bad language and that he was "impolite." He apologized to Chen and the passengers on the bus.

Chu also asked Chen's forgiveness and expressed hope that he can continue to ride on his bus. He and Chen then shook hands and hugged, with Chen saying that he forgave Chu and welcomes him to use his bus again.

"We are a happy country, he is our guest and we welcome him to take our bus. He has said sorry and that will do," Chen said, adding that he did not want a minor dispute to turn into a big confrontation.

Chen said that although he did not understand all of Chu's Chinese, he felt his sincerity.

The bus company, which had earlier decided to file a lawsuit against Chu, said the incident "has come to a happy conclusion" and that it would drop the suit.

Chu lost his temper when the driver went past his stop — witnesses claim he pushed the bell too late — and swore and used intimidating body language as he demanded the driver apologize.

Chu's behavior was widely condemned online and internet users used a "human flesh search" to identify him and publish information about him and his wife, who was also present during the incident. The practice of seeking out and shaming people who break the rules of social conduct is common in China, but is not seen so often in Taiwan.

When identified as the ranter, Chu initially defended his outburst as "protecting" his pregnant wife, and later threatened to sue the college student who posted the video online, but later decided not to do so.

Crisis-Hit Malaysia Airlines Faces ‘Complete Overhaul’

Jakarta Globe – AFP, Aug 08, 2014

A Malaysian Airline System (MAS) flag flies at half-mast in front of the control
 tower at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, Malaysia, on July 19,
 2014, following the downing of fight MH17 over the Ukraine. (Bloomberg Photo/Brent
 Lewin)

Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines will be de-listed after being taken over by the country’s state investment fund as part of plans announced on Friday for a “complete overhaul” of the company to rescue it from oblivion after two crippling air disasters.

Khazanah Nasional, which owns 70 percent of the airline, said it intends to purchase all minority shareholdings — later pulling the stock from the Kuala Lumpur exchange — and will finalize a restructuring plan by the end of the month.

The 68-year-old flag carrier has hemorrhaged cash for years as it struggled to cope with intensifying industry competition, and the double tragedies of MH370 and MH17 have further pummeled bookings.

Flight MH370 disappeared mysteriously in March with 239 people aboard, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. No trace has been found and the airline was widely criticized for its handling of the crisis.

On July 17, MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, with another 298 people killed.

MAS is burning through an estimated $2 million a day as a result of its crumbling business and disaster-related costs, and speculation had been mounting that Khazanah would step in.

Khazanah said all stakeholders would need to work together to rescue the company via a “complete overhaul” extending across “the airline’s operations, business model, finances, human capital and regulatory environment”.

“Nothing less will be required in order to revive our national airline to be profitable as a commercial entity and to serve its function as a critical national development entity,” a Khazanah statement said.

The widely expected move requires approval from MAS’s board. The airline said its operations would be unaffected in the interim.

Future in doubt

Analysts said Khazanah would need to undertake a management purge, painful layoffs, and scrap major routes in order to restore the company’s bottom line and global reputation.

“It needs a new heart, a new brain. As it exists now, the airline is doomed,” said Shukor Yusof, an analyst with Malaysia-based aviation consultancy Endau Analytics.

“Each passing day is destroying its reputation and bottom line.”

Earlier Friday, Malaysia Airlines suspended its shares on the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange ahead of the Khazanah statement.

Analysts have long blamed poor management, government interference and powerful, reform-resistant employee unions for preventing the airline taking the steps needed to stay competitive.

Malaysia Airlines previously had a solid safety reputation.

But it lost 4.1 billion ringgit ($1.3 billion) from 2011-13, and a further 443 million ringgit in the first quarter of this year, blaming MH370’s “dramatic impact” on bookings.

Local media reported that Khazanah would need to spend nearly 1.4 billion ringgit to acquire the outstanding shares.

‘Sick airline’

Taking the company private allows Khazanah to make changes without shareholder interference.

But Shukor noted that previous Khazanah-sanctioned turnaround plans have failed.

“I don’t take comfort in Khazanah overhauling the sick airline. I am very skeptical about it,” he said.

Airline experts said Khazanah should sack MAS management and bring in top-level, possibly foreign, professional managers to restore trust in the company, as Korean Airlines and Garuda Indonesia did in response to past safety-related crises.

“It needs to take steps to restructure itself internally for safety considerations and procedures, and transparently communicate this to consumers. Probably new management is needed to carry all this out,” said Scott Hamilton, managing director of US aerospace consultancy Leeham Company.

Costs must be slashed, possibly through staff downsizing and accelerating a pull-back from unprofitable long-haul routes that the airline has clung to for prestige, analysts add.

MAS has struggled against intensifying competition from nimble, upstart budget carriers, particularly Malaysia’s AirAsia.

But larger carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Australia’s Qantas also have squeezed MAS on long-haul routes while routes to the Middle East — once a MAS strong suit — face growing pressure from Gulf-based carriers.

“They may as well shut down international routes which are not making money, cut staff and sell planes. Just concentrate on the profitable domestic and key regional routes,” said Mohshin Aziz, aviation analyst with Maybank.

Union resistance is expected.

Ismail Nasaruddin, president of the National Union of Flight Attendants, said indications are that “a few thousand” people could be laid off. The airline employs 19,500.

“There must be an amicable solution. There must be open discussions with us on matters involving job cuts,” he said.

Some have suggested a complete name change and re-branding to expunge the stigma of tragedy, but industry experts said that would accomplish little.

“Rebranding and renaming are efforts that come at significant cost, create little real value, and smooth over no part of a carrier’s history,” said Robert Mann, head of US-based consultancy R.W. Mann and Company.

Agence France-Presse

Related Article:

Ex-PM Mahathir Criticizes Malaysia Airlines Takeover

Imported cars cut prices amid China's anti-monopoly probes

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2014-08-06

A cartoon featured in a Chinese media outlet depicts the anti-monopoly
probe on Mercedes-Benz. (Photo/CFP)

Chrysler China announced price adjustments for car parts and accessories in China on Aug. 5, following similar moves from fellow carmakers Jaguar Land Rover, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, in response to the country's anti-monopoly investigation which has been underway since June.

BMW and Toyota are likely to follow suit.

There will be a 20% price reduction for 145 Chrysler parts and accessories with high warranty return rates, including front lights, rear mirrors, and starters. The price of the manufacturer's flagship Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will drop 65,000 yuan (US$10,500), while the 5.7L Grand Cherokee will drop 45,000 yuan (US$7,300).

Jaguar Land Rover lowered the price of its three models by 200,000 yuan (US$32,500) and Audi will offer a 16%-38% price cut for parts and accessories. The price changes are effective Aug. 1 for both carmakers.

Mercedes-Benz China followed suit, announcing that it would reduce the price of component repair by 15% on Aug. 3, which is its second price cut within a month. This move failed to help the manufacturer dodge a probe, however. The day after it released the announcement, the National Development and Reform Commission turned up for a spot check at the carmaker's offices and took some of its senior staff and computers in to help with the investigation.

According to Xinhua, even with the generous price cuts, imported cars are still much more expensive than the same cars sold overseas. The Jaguar 5.8V8 Autobiography model, for example, costs 2,600,000 yuan (US$422,000) in China after the discount, which is nearly three times its UK price.

Related Articles:

Anti-monopoly laws in China finally start to bite
Probe into imported cars may damage China's own automakers

Chrysler, Audi to be punished for antitrust violations

China targets foreign auto sector with Mercedes probe

Australian commuter's leg gets trapped; passengers free him by tilting train

Hindustan Times – AFP, August 06, 2014

Dozens of Australians tilted a train Wednesday to free a commuter whose leg was trapped between a carriage and a platform, with authorities praising their efforts as an example of "people power".

The man was boarding in the Western Australia city of Perth when he slipped and became jammed in the five-centimetre (0.4-inch) gap between the carriage and the station, operator Transperth said in a statement.

Passengers were initially told to move to the opposite side of the train in the hope their weight would shift it away from his leg, a passenger who gave his name as Nic told The West Australian newspaper.

But when that failed, staff told commuters to get off the train and about 50 of them lined up in a row along the platform to tilt the carriage away from the man so he could be lifted out.

"It is the first time we've seen something like this happen," Transperth spokeswoman Claire Krol told AFP.

"We were really fortunate that the staff were there straight away... and all of the passengers not only listened to the instructions from staff, but pitched in and helped.

"This is a real case of passengers of working together... and people power are the perfect words to describe it."

Transperth said the man was treated by paramedics but was able to catch a later train.

"The end result here is: really lucky for the man involved, but really nice as well to see that everyone came together as a community," Krol added.

Mind the Gap !!, Stirling Station this am @Transperth pic.twitter.com/p0uKvltadf
— Nicolas Taylor (@nicolastaylornz) 6 augustus 2014

Mercedes-Benz issues China recall over short circuit risk

Want China Times, Xinhua 2014-08-06

The Mercedes-Benz stand at a car show in Beijing, September 2013. (Photo/Xinhua)

Mercedes-Benz will recall 57,843 vehicles in mainland China due to risks associated with short circuits, the country's quality watchdog said on Tuesday.

The recall involves imported petrol-powered Smart Fortwo produced between Oct. 5, 2010 and June 2, 2014, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

The producer will fix the problem with the warm water shut-off valve, which may trigger a short circuit after being used for a long time.

The recall will start on Aug. 22.

Chrysler, Audi to be punished for antitrust violations

Want China Times, Xinhua 2014-08-06

A Chrysler dealership in Shanghai, Aug. 6. (Photo/CFP)

Two separate anti-trust probes into Chrysler and Audi have found that the two multinational carmakers have pursued monopolistic practices and will be punished, an official with China's top economic planning agency said Wednesday.

Li Pumin, spokesperson for the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), told reporters that the Chrysler investigation was launched by the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission and the Audi probe was conducted by the Hubei Province Price Bureau.

The two investigations are drawing to an end, he said, without specifying details of the punishment.

Li also confirmed that the Jiangsu Province Price Bureau launched an anti-trust investigation last week into dealers of German auto giant Mercedes-Benz in five Jiangsu cities.

On Monday, inspectors from the Jiangsu Province Price Bureau and the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission made visits to Mercedes-Benz's Shanghai premises, he said.

Inspectors are still collecting evidence and investigating whether Mercedes-Benz has used monopolistic tactics, Li said.

The NDRC is one of three government antitrust agencies in China. It is in charge of the examination and regulation of price-related monopolistic practices.

According to Li, the NDRC has recently finished investigations into 12 Japanese companies and found monopolistic behaviors in auto parts and bearing prices. Li said the commission will punish them in accordance with the law.

Li said the commission launched anti-monopoly probes into the auto industry at the end of 2011 with the aim to safeguard competition in the market and protect customers' legitimate rights.

China has an anti-monopoly legal system containing an Anti-Monopoly Law, Regulations on Anti-Price Monopoly and Procedural Regulations on Administrative Enforcement of Anti-Price Monopoly.

Related Article:

China targets foreign auto sector with Mercedes probe

Fugro appointed main contractor in MH370 search

DutchNews.nl, Wednesday 06 August 2014

(NOS/AFP/ANP)

Geotechnical survey group Fugro has been selected as the main contractor in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 which disappeared on March 8.

The Leidschendam-based company joined the search on June 10 at the request of the Australian transport safety council which is leading the investigation.

On Wednesday, the Australian deputy prime minister Warren Truss announced that Fugro will now lead the search of a 60,000 square metre area of the seabed of the Indian Ocean to the west of Australia, the Financieele Dagblad reports.

Echo equipment

The Dutch experts will use two specialist ships containing advanced echo equipment. They will be searching for wreckage and other indications of the exact location of the Boeing which disappeared from radar on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Truss said Fugro offered the best price-quality combination for the technical operation, the FD says.

He estimates the search will take a year, costing the Australian government €36m.