MediaCorp’s Mocca.Com Organises Motoring Event
SINGAPORE: There was heart-stopping action from fast cars and hot bikes at “Full Throttle” - an event to promote motorsports in Singapore - as the sound of screeching brakes filled the air on Sunday.
The MocCarnival, which was presented by MediaCorp’s mocca.com, transformed the motoring segment of its online classifieds into a real event.
Organisers said this is one way of integrating the Internet’s dynamics with the physical interaction of consumers and businesses.
Interest for motorsports in Singapore was generated by the first-ever Formula One night race in the country recently.
Led by MediaCorp’s CEO Lucas Chow, some participants tried out go-karting at the event, which was also graced by FHM race queens and MediaCorp artist Christopher Lee. Proceeds from the event will go to Rainbow Centre, a provider of Special Education.
Based on the response and turnout at “Full Throttle”, the event looks set to be an annual affair, possibly extending to a series of other MocCarnivals.
- CNA/so
Channel News Asia
‘Refugee Kids Should Have Same Rights’
KUALA LUMPUR: Sandra, 16, (not her real name) suffered the worst kind of pain any child should ever be exposed to. She was repeatedly abused, physically and sexually, by her father.
Being refugees from a neighbouring country, they shared a room in a house in Klang rented by several other refugees, including women and children.
Instead of receiving love, all she got was drunken violence.
It began with a slap, but he soon progressed to kicking, pinching her breasts and beating her. One night, he barged into the bathroom when she was having a shower and began hitting and touching her. She stood there, nude and helpless, as the other occupants of the house did not dare to interfere.
As these incidents escalated, one of the women in the house informed a non-governmental organisation. But a terrified Sandra decided to forgo help and escaped to another state.
The NGO later found her and provided her with counselling. She refused to be interviewed, but agreed for her story to be told.
United Nations Children’s Fund Malaysia representative Youssouf Oomar said the protection offered by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) transcended race and nationality.
“Children who come into a country as refugees should have the same rights as children born in that country.”
Research in several countries in Southeast Asia found that physical and sexual abuse that occurs within families is a common factor causing children to leave home for the streets.
This makes them vulnerable to further violence, exploitation, crime and poverty.
Youssouf said child abuse was not a private matter and needed to be brought to public attention.
He said when parents were the perpetrators, it pointed to fundamental flaws in the attainment of a child’s rights as outlined by the CRC.
Although the convention holds the state accountable for protecting a child’s rights, families and parents are responsible for their children.
In Malaysia, issues related to children will soon be handled by a Children’s Department under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
The ministry will submit the much-awaited child protection policy to the cabinet for approval.
It is also drafting a child policy that will look into the survival, development, protection and participation of children — the guiding principles of the CRC that Malaysia signed in 1995.
New Straits Times
Tampin Clinic Gets WHO Recognition
TAMPIN: The Tampin Health Clinic has been recognised by the World Health Organisation for the management and implementation of its methadone replacement therapy programme.
The local district clinic emerged the top treatment centre for incorrigible drug addicts, beating 50 countries, including the United States, Europe, Africa, Australia and other countries in Asia.
Its Reduced Drug Dependence negotiation specialist, Dr Robert Power, said throughout his 23-year career, he found that the clinic here had the best management in implementing the programme compared with centres in 50 countries.
“The problems faced by clinics around the world are the same. There are no differences. But the Tampin Health Clinic has proved that they are able to overcome the obstacles,” he said after attending a briefing.
“The success of this centre should be an example to others and I will recommend centres abroad to visit the Tampin Health Clinic to learn from its experience.”
He added that he was very impressed with the teamwork shown by the clinic and its cooperation with various government agencies and non-governmental organisations.
Also present were state Health Department deputy director Dr Omar Mihat and the clinic’s family medicine specialist Dr Norsiah Ali, who said the programme was initiated three years ago with 10 former addicts.
She said the figure increased to 121 participants with the cooperation of departments in the state such as the District Office, Agriculture and Fisheries Department, Veterinary Services Department and the district rehabilitation centre.
Dr Norsiah said the pioneer projects like the “Clean Needle Exchange” and “Free Condom Distribution” programme to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS began on July 14.
“To date, we have 29 participants in the programmes, of whom 52 per cent (15 persons) have stopped using needles, and are now under the methadone replacement therapy programme.”
New Straits Times