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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Jesse Jackson: Family wants 2nd autopsy

AP, Jun 27, 2009 5:24 pm PDT Michael Jackson's family wants a private autopsy of the pop icon because of unanswered questions about how he died and the doctor who was with him, the civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson said Saturday.

"It's abnormal," he told The Associated Press from Chicago a day after visiting the Jackson family. "We don't know what happened. Was he injected and with what? All reasonable doubt should be addressed."

People close to Jackson have said since his death that they were concerned about the superstar's use of painkillers. Los Angeles County medical examiners completed an autopsy Friday and said Jackson had taken prescription medication.

Medical officials also said there was no indication of trauma or foul play. An official cause of death could take weeks.

The coroner's office released the body to Jackson's family Friday night. There was no immediate word on whether the second autopsy was being performed right away. Jesse Jackson described the family as grief-stricken.

"They're hurt because they lost a son. But the wound is now being kept open by the mystery and unanswered questions of the cause of death," he said.

Two days after Jackson died at a Los Angeles hospital, his most famous sister, Janet, arrived at the mansion Jackson had been renting. She drove up in a Bentley and left without addressing reporters.

Moving vans also showed up at the Jackson home, leaving about an hour later. There was no indication what they might have taken away.

There was also no word from the Jackson family on funeral plans. Many of Jackson's relatives have gathered at the family's Encino compound, caring there for Jackson's three children.

A person close to the family told The Associated Press they feel upset and angry about a lack of information about those who were around the pop superstar in his final days. The person requested anonymity because of the delicate nature of the situation.

Jackson had been rehearsing for 50 London concerts aimed at restoring his crown as the King of Pop. He died Thursday at age 50 after what his family said appeared to be cardiac arrest.

A 911 call from Jackson's rented home reported that his personal doctor was trying to revive him without success. Police have talked to Dr. Conrad Murray and have said they intend to speak with him again but have stressed he is not a criminal suspect.

Murray has yet to speak publicly since Jackson's death. Police towed his car from Jackson's home hours after Jackson died and said later it could contain medication or other evidence. Coroner's officials also said Jackson was taking prescription medication but declined to elaborate.

A lawyer at a Houston firm, William M. Stradley, confirmed Murray had hired his firm and said one of its partners was meeting with Los Angeles police on Saturday. Stradley said Murray accompanied Michael Jackson to the hospital.

"He was there from the beginning and he's been cooperating with police from the very beginning," Stradley said. "Dr. Murray has never left L.A. since Mr. Jackson's death, and he remains there."

Murray lives in Las Vegas but apparently left his practice and moved in with Jackson about two weeks ago. No one answered the door Saturday at his Las Vegas home, which property records show Murray bought five years ago for $1.1 million.

The promoter of the series of London concerts that Jackson was to begin next month has said Jackson personally insisted Murray be on the payroll.

Also Saturday, spiritual teacher Dr. Deepak Chopra said he had been concerned since 2005 that Jackson was abusing prescription painkillers and most recently spoke to the pop star about suspected drug use six months ago.

Chopra said Jackson, a longtime friend, asked him for painkillers in 2005 when the singer was staying with him following his trial on sex abuse allegations. Chopra said he refused. He also said the nanny of Jackson's children repeatedly contacted him with concerns about Jackson's drug use over the next four years.

He said she told him a number of doctors would visit Jackson's homes in Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. Whenever the subject came up, Jackson would avoid his calls, Chopra said.

___

Associated Press writers Sophia Tareen in Chicago, Juan A. Lozano in Houston, and Gillian Flaccus, Brooke Donald, Beth Harris and Mike Blood and AP Global Media Services Production Manager Nico Maounis in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

ichael Jackson - Billie Jean / Motown 25 ( Moonwalk )

Bilie Jean / Moonwalk

Saturday, June 27, 2009

麥可傑遜──流行音樂天王神奇一生

流行音樂之王麥可傑遜(Michael Jackson)在國洛杉磯因心臟病突發去世,終年50歲。麥可傑遜是繼貓王之後西方流行樂壇最具影響力的音樂家,有人說他是一個神奇的怪物,渾身上下充滿了一股神秘的力量,在音樂響起時他的節奏能帶世界的脈搏。


1958年

8月29日,麥可出生於美國印地安那州的蓋瑞市(The Port of Indiana Harbor Gary)。當時誰也無法預知這個黑人小男孩會在後來的歲月中創下項記錄,擁有全世界最多觀眾註意的眼光。因為他的職業生涯的傳奇性。


1963年

麥可5歲便開始顯露其在歌唱及舞蹈方面的才華,在父母有心的促成下與4位兄長組成的Jackson Five,在接下來的幾年裡,隨著年齡的增長,麥可益發不斷地展現出表演的技巧。


1968年

Jackson Five與唱片公司Steeltown作出版了第一張唱片《Big Boy》,獲得不錯反響。


1969年

麥可獲得市長的賞識,並引薦給Diana Ross,進而結識Motown的老闆Berry Gordy,隨即全家遷居洛杉磯。


同年年底,麥可的首支單曲《I Want You Back》登上排行榜榜首,隨後他又接連發行了《ABC》,《TheLove You Save》,《I´ll be there》等熱門單曲。


1970年

這一年的樂壇同乎成為“麥可傑遜年”。在這一年時間裡,樂隊的前4首歌曲全部成為排行榜的冠軍單曲。與此同時,The Jacksons也展開了世界各地的演出,所到之處,無不引起轟動。


1971年

12月,麥可發行了個人首支單曲《Gotto be there》,成績排名第4。標誌著其傳奇般的個人獨唱生涯的開始。


1972年

首張個人演唱專輯《Got To Be There》發行,產生2首排行榜前十的歌曲。


8月,專輯《Ben》發行,其中的專輯同名單曲成為他首支冠軍單曲,成為美國歷史上獲得單曲冠軍最年輕的藝人(14歲零46天)。並在第2年獲得奧斯卡最佳電影歌曲演唱獎的提名。


12月,麥可獲得Billboard雜誌年終“最佳單曲藝人”和“最佳單曲男性藝人”2項大獎,成為獲得Billboard年終大獎最年輕的歌手。


1973年

5月,《Music And Me》發行,但未能延續佳績。


1975年


2月,《Forever,Michael》發行,仍然未能延續佳績。


5月,隨著Jackson Five投至Epic唱片公司,Jermaine脫離團體,樂隊也改名為The Jacksons。


1978年


參加《新綠野仙蹤》(The Wiz)演出,與DianaRoss共同演唱了插曲《Ease on down the road》,並演出了稻草人一角。由於擔負此片的主題曲演唱,麥可與專輯製作人Quincy Jones結識。


1979年


1979年後是麥可的年代,專輯《Off The Wall》於8月在Epic旗下發行。首支單曲《Don´t stop´til you get enough》不僅登上排行榜的冠軍,更為他得到葛萊美獎的“最佳藍調男歌手獎”。此專輯全球銷售截至2002年已達1900萬張,在Billboard 榜上待到1984年才下榜。


1980年


發行《Triumph》專輯,於1981年間展開全美演唱,所有的收入550萬美金(約馬幣2000萬令吉),被列為該年度收入最高藝人之一。


1982年


12月,麥可音樂生涯最具代表性的專輯,也是他的巔峰之作《Thriller》發行。此專輯稍 後不僅在美國專輯榜上蟬聯了37週冠軍,在世界各國皆成為冠軍專輯,擁有7首Top10單曲,獲得12項格林美獎提名及7項獎座。其全球銷售至今年更已超 過5900萬張,且仍在陸續地增加中。


1983年


3月,由麥可所譜寫的《Billie Jean》登上了美國榜第1的寶座,並蟬聯7週之久,其中一週同時在英國登上了


第1,成為英美單曲排行榜的雙料冠軍,並成為他個人第3支白金單曲。此外, 專輯還同時登上了榜首,使他成為Billboard榜上有史以來首位同時在流行及黑人榜的專輯與單曲榜上獲得冠軍。


12月,音樂錄影帶《Thriller》在全美首映,創下千萬戶收視紀錄。在這一年底的各大傳媒的年終評選中,麥可大獲全勝。其中包括12個Billboard雜誌年終大獎和8個《滾石》雜誌票選獎。


1984年


2月,在第26屆格林美音樂獎頒獎禮上,麥可一人獨攬8項大獎,創造新的紀錄,這項紀錄保持至今。與此同時,《Thriller》的全球銷量已經突破2700萬張,成為史上最暢銷唱片,而被正式載入吉尼斯世界紀錄大全。


6月,麥可和The Jacksons最成功的作品《Victory》發行。隨後,樂隊展開了最後一次的巡回演出TheVictory Tour。在最後一場演出結束前,Michael正式宣佈不再和樂隊同台演出,宣告樂隊的名存實亡,而他們的下一次共同演出則已經是2001年的時候了。


1985年


4月,由45位美國樂壇的音樂巨匠共同聯袂演唱的《We Are The World》出版發行,打破單曲唱片銷售的歷史記錄,並獲得了超過5000萬美元(約馬幣2億2000萬令吉)的唱片銷售收入。


如果計算其他相關活動的收入,整個慈善行動一共籌集善款1億2500萬美元(約馬幣4億3500萬令吉)。


1986年


2月,在第28屆格林美音樂獎頒獎禮上,《We Are The World》一舉拿下“年度錄音”、“年度歌曲”、“年度最佳流行二重唱或團體”和“年度最佳短片錄影帶”4項大獎。


1987年


8月,專輯《Bad》發行,立即在全球24個國家佔據冠軍位置。《Bad》一共產生了6首Billboard榜Top10單曲,其中包括5首冠軍歌曲(創歷史紀錄)。


9月,展開個人首次全球巡演,造訪4大洲15個國家,演出123場,吸引觀眾450萬人,創歷史紀錄。


這次巡演,麥可一共收益1億2500萬美元(約馬幣4億3500萬令吉)。


1988年


12月,音樂錄影專輯《Monnwalker》發行,成為有史以來最暢銷的長篇錄影帶。而排名第2的則是他於1984年發行的《Making Of Michael Jackson´sThriller》。


1989年


2月,獲頒全美音樂獎“特殊成就獎”最高榮譽。


1990年


4月,受布什總統的邀請前往白宮受頒“10年最佳藝人獎”。


1991年


3月,麥可傑遜與新力公司簽立了一張6張專輯及超過10億美元(約馬幣35億令吉)的合約,僅預付版稅就高達1800萬美元(約馬幣6300萬令吉)現金。


11月,單曲《Black Or White》發行,立即登上各國的排行榜冠軍,而其MV更因為其先進的電腦特效與爭議性的舞蹈片段,再次使麥可成為輿論的焦點。


11月26日,專輯《Dangerous》發行,創首發發行量紀錄,在它發行後的5週內,一共在全世界出貨了1400萬張。


1992年


6月,Dangerous Tour全球巡演在德國慕尼黑開幕,揭開了有史以來最為盛大的巡回演出的序幕。


1993年


2月10日,麥可現身於脫口秀王Opra Winfrey的電視節目中,這是他14年來首次接受傳媒訪問。2月24日,獲得第35屆格林美“當代傳奇獎”。


9月,正當麥可的巡演在全世界進行得如火如荼之時,一名男童對他提出訴訟,控告麥可對其實施性侵犯。巡回演出隨後被迫中途結束,他的事業遭受沉重打擊。


1994年


1月,在長達4個月的調查與取證未果後,麥可後來支付數千萬美元與原告達成庭外和解。


5月,麥可與搖滾巨貓王之女Lisa Mary秘密飛赴多米尼加私定終身,由於證婚法官於7月初時走露消息,引發一場媒體追逐戰。


1995年


5月,與妹妹Janet Jackson合唱的單曲《Scream》,破天荒地在進入Billboard雜誌流行單曲榜後,首周即獲第5名佳績。


6月,專輯《HIStory》發行,收錄15首個人音樂生涯的經典老歌和15首全新力作。由於 一部份歌曲敏感地戳到了美國社會的致命神經,大部份的單曲都被這個國家的輿論和傳媒所抵制。所以這張耗巨資打造的巨著只在排行榜上呆了37週便下榜,僅賣 出了400萬套。而在世界的其他地區,專輯延續了不敗神話,累計已經賣出了1900萬套,成為有史以來最暢銷的多碟套裝唱片。


9月,《You Are Not Alone》發行首周即佔據單曲榜冠軍,成為Billboard單曲榜歷史上第一支首周即奪冠的歌曲。


12月,單曲《Earth Song》發行,成為麥可的又一首經典歌曲,僅在歐洲,這張單曲就賣出了350萬張以上,但是在美國,它卻僅作為另一首歌《This TimeAround》的Promo雙單曲,做了電台發行。


1996年


宣佈將與阿拉伯親王合資組成一個多媒體娛樂集團“王國娛樂公司”。麥可表示,這個公司中將橫跨旅館、遊樂場、電影、卡通、唱片、出版、旅遊以及各種家庭娛樂產品。他們不斷調這個合資計劃的家庭價值層面,絕不會鼓吹墮落和不道德。此集團將在美洲,亞洲和歐洲成立分公司。


9月,麥可傑遜展開HIStory Tour全球巡回演出,為期13個月,演出82場,到場觀眾460萬人,創歷史紀錄。雖然演出收入沒有被披露,但以觀眾人數推算,考慮到麥可傑遜的人氣和地位,足以使這次巡演躋身史上最賺錢巡演行列。


而10月27日,麥可首度造訪吉隆坡,開了2場甚具歷史意義的演唱會。


11月,麥可與護士黛碧羅薇在澳洲成婚,開始他的第2段婚姻。


1997年


2月,麥可的新婚妻子黛比在他的全程陪伴參與下,為他生下一個兒子。


5月,舞曲混音專輯《Blood On The Dance Floor》發行。在全球賣出600萬張,成為有史以來最暢銷的混音專輯。


1998年


4月,麥可與黛碧羅薇的女兒出生,取名為“巴黎”。


1999年


10月,麥可與黛碧羅薇的婚姻破裂,他擁有對孩子的監護權。


2000年


5月,麥可在蒙特卡羅舉行的世界音樂獎頒獎禮上,獲得“千年最暢銷男歌手獎”。截至當時,他的各類唱片已經在全世界累計賣出了5億張,在史上無人能出其右。


2001年


9月,麥可在紐約的曼德遜廣場花園舉辦了2場的紀念個人獨唱生涯30週年的演出,The Jacksons樂隊再次回到舞台,這也是Michael自1989年的Bad Tour以來,首次在美國本土進行的現場表演。


10月,專輯《Invincible》發行,10天內出貨440萬張。不過,由於缺少足夠的單 曲宣傳的支持,以及普遍的“缺乏新意、內容老套”的消極輿論評價,這張專輯在很短的時間內消失在人們的視野中。儘管如此,在唱片業蕭條的年代,它還是賣出 了超過800萬張的驚人數字,而這800萬張中的絕大多數都是在它發行後的半年內賣出的。


2002年


1月,麥可傑遜獲得全美音樂獎“世紀藝人獎”殊榮。


2003年


10月,在美國拉斯維加斯舉行的《2003電台音樂大獎》”頒獎典禮上,麥可傑遜獲得了人道主義獎。


11月,就在麥可的冠軍精選《Number Ones》發行的當天,他被迫向加州警方自首,接受另一宗猥褻兒童案件的調查。麥可傑遜再次陷入人生道路上的低谷。


2005年


6月,經過長達1年的取證調查和5個多月的法庭審判,針對麥可的14項指控最終被全部裁定為無罪。


2006年


5月,在離開公眾視線近一年以後,麥可意外現身於日本東京,領取MTV亞洲大獎所頒發的“傳奇藝人獎”。


2009年


5月,宣佈將在倫敦舉行系列音樂會,這是他10年來首次宣佈將復出。5月20日,麥可宣佈推遲復出音樂會,組織者稱麥可的“身體狀況極佳”。


6月25日,麥可心臟病陷入深度昏迷狀態,隨後被醫生宣佈死亡。


光明日報‧2009.06.26

Friday, June 26, 2009

Mystery surrounds Michael Jackson's sudden death

Reuters, Jun 26, 2009 6:38 am PDT One day after Michael Jackson's sudden death, speculation was already turning on Friday to what killed the 50-year-old "King of Pop" just weeks before his long-awaited series of comeback concerts.

Jackson, a former child star who became one of the best-selling pop artists of all time before a descending into a strange and reclusive lifestyle, died on Thursday afternoon at a Los Angeles hospital, where he had been rushed in full cardiac arrest after collapsing at his nearby rental home.

His passing was front page news around the world, airwaves were filled with his greatest hits from "Thriller" to "Billie Jean," social networking sites were bombarded with messages and tributes from fans and musicians continued to pour in.

"It's so sad and shocking," said former Beatle Paul McCartney. "I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever."

Few details were known about the circumstances surrounding Jackson's death, but the entertainer was reportedly unconscious and not breathing by the time he arrived at UCLA Medical Center, and doctors were unable to revive him.

His body was flown by helicopter from the hospital to the coroner's office late on Thursday.

Brian Oxman, a spokesman for the Jackson family, told CNN on Thursday the family had been concerned about his health and had tried in vain to take care of him for months.

"Michael appeared at rehearsals a couple of times, he was very seriously trying to be able to do those rehearsals," Oxman said of Jackson's preparations for a series of 50 concerts that were scheduled to begin in London in July.

"His use of medications had gotten in the way, his injuries which he had sustained performing, where he had broken a vertebrae and he had broken his leg from a fall on the stage, were getting in the way," Oxman told CNN.

Authorities have scheduled an autopsy for Friday. But they cautioned it could take weeks to determine a cause of death, which will likely have to wait for the return of toxicology tests. Those tests will determine if Jackson had any drugs, alcohol or prescription medications in his system.

Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery Homicide division searched Jackson's home in the upscale Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles at the behest of Chief William Bratton. But they called the investigation an "every day" event.

TAINTED TALENT?

Jackson dominated the charts in the 1980s and is considered one of the most successful entertainers of the past century, with a lifetime sales tally estimated at 750 million records, 13 Grammy Awards and several seminal music videos to his name.

"Michael was and will remain one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived," said Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Jackson's first label boss.

"He was exceptional, artistic and original. He gave the world his heart and soul through his music."

But Jackson's reputation as a singer and dancer was overshadowed in recent years by his increasingly abnormal appearance, and bizarre lifestyle, which included his friendship with a chimp and a preference for the company of children.

He named his estate in the central California foothills Neverland Valley Ranch, in tribute to the J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan stories, and filled it with amusement park rides and a petting zoo.

Jackson was twice accused of molesting young boys and was charged in 2003 with child sexual abuse. He became even more reclusive following his 2005 acquittal and vowed he would never again live at Neverland.

Facing a battered reputation and mountain of debts the Wall Street Journal reported ran to $500 million, Jackson had spent the last two months rehearsing for the London concerts, including Wednesday night at the huge Staples Center arena, home to the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team.

Despite reports of Jackson's ill-health, the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March Jackson passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.

"I can't stop crying over the sad news," Madonna said in a statement. "I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats but his music will live on forever."

Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children and first performed with his brothers as a member of the Jackson 5.

His 1982 album "Thriller" yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million internationally.

The following year, he unveiled his signature "moonwalk" dance move, gliding across the stage and setting off an instant trend, while performing "Billie Jean" during an NBC special.

In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996.

"I'm so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. ... This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me," Presley said in statement.

Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999, and he later had another child with an unidentified surrogate mother.

He is survived by three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.

麥可再見‧6.26晨5.26猝死

美國時間週四下午2點26分,流行音樂天王麥可傑遜疑因用藥過量引致心臟衰竭,於50歲之年猝逝洛杉磯。

國‧洛杉磯)“美國有線電視新聞”(CNN)證實,流行天王麥可傑遜(Michael Jackson)美國時間週四(6月25日)下午2點26分(大馬時間今日(週五,6月26日)清晨5點26分)過世。稍早,麥可在家昏迷被緊急送醫,後來宣告不治。


據悉,天王過世的消息最早先由《洛杉磯時報》(Los Angeles Times)搶先報導,指出麥可在家中昏迷,家人打電話報警,急救人員抵達時,發現他已經沒有呼吸,緊急送醫陷入昏迷狀況。


CNN證實麥可於美國時間週四於家中心臟驟停,被緊急送醫急救不治,終年50歲。消息傳出,這位男被送急救的UCLA醫學中心外面湧來大批民眾聚集。


據洛杉磯消防隊員表示,911求救電話是晚間12點21分,從麥可位於西洛杉磯的住所打進來的。

醫務人員到達後,雖施行CPR急救一度將麥可救回,但麥可仍陷入昏迷,隨即送往加州大學洛杉磯醫學中心搶救。


藥過量引發心臟病


洛杉磯驗屍官於當地時間6月25日下午2點26分(大馬時間凌晨5時26分)宣佈死亡,目前引起心臟驟停的原因不明,美國當地時間週五(大馬時間週六)會進行解剖屍檢。


雖然屍檢尚未進行,但卻有傳出這位流行天王可能用藥過量引發心臟病身亡。


報導指出,記者透過一名急診室工作人員獲悉,麥可的助理告訴趕來的醫護人員,麥可在注射了一劑效杜冷丁(Pethidne)之後就昏死過去。


據麥可身邊的人稱︰“注射不久以後,他就開始呼吸急促起來,後來他的呼吸就慢慢停止。他的助理開始對他進行人工呼吸,8分鐘後急救車就已經趕到,但是那時他已經沒有心跳,沒有呼吸和脈搏。急救人員進行了套的心肺復甦術,把他火速送往醫院。但他一直都沒有再醒過來。”


杜冷丁是一種傳統的鎮痛藥,用來緩解由癌症等原因導致的急、慢性疼痛。此前英媒曾披露傑克遜患有皮膚癌。


搶救1小時不治


負責搶救麥可的加州大學洛杉磯分校醫學中心(UCLA Medical Center)發表了一份聲明,這份聲明中表示,醫生曾對麥可進行了長達一個小時的搶救工作。


聲明中寫道︰“流行天王麥可傑遜在美國時間年6月25日下午2點26分去世,他的死因可能是由於心臟驟停所導致,但是具體的死亡原因還要等到屍檢報告出來後才會公佈。


家人請求保留隱私


麥可的私人醫生在之前也對其進行了搶救,麥可是在下午1點14分被送到醫院,包括心臟病專家等一行醫生對麥可進行了長達1個小時的搶救,但最終搶救無效。麥可的家人請求醫院在這段悲痛的時間內保留他們的隱私。

Michael Jackson meninggal dunia

Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the “King of Pop” and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday. He was 50. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ed Winter, the assistant chief coroner for Los Angeles County, confirmed his office had been notified of the death and would handle the investigation.

The circumstances of Jackson’s death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told the newspaper.

Jackson’s death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music’s premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

http://www.solarnavigator.net/music/music_images/michael_jackson_casanova_in_concert.jpgHis 1982 album “Thriller” — which included the blockbuster hits “Beat It,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” — remains the biggest-selling album of all time, with more than 100 million copies worldwide.

The public first knew him in the late 1960s, when as a boy he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the music group he formed with his four older brothers. Among their No. 1 hits were “I Want You Back,” “ABC,” and “I’ll Be There.”

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched voice punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks second only to his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.

“For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words,” said Quincy Jones, who produced “Thriller.” “He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.”

Jackson ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. In fact, he united two of music’s biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie.

But as years went by, Jackson became an increasingly freakish figure — a middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life. His skin became lighter, his nose narrower, and he spoke in a breathy, girlish voice. He surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, often wore a germ mask while traveling and kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions.

In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him. The case took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble.

Jackson was preparing for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13. He was in rehearsals in Los Angeles for the concert, an extravaganza that was to capture the classic Jackson magic: showstopping dance moves, elaborate staging and throbbing dance beats.

Singer Dionne Warwick said: “Michael was a friend and undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest entertainers that I fortunately had the pleasure of working with……..we have lost an icon in our industry.”

Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital as word of his death spread. The emergency entrance at the UCLA Medical Center, which is near Jackson’s rented home, was roped off with police tape.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Jackson has just died,” a woman boarding a Manhattan bus called out, shortly after the news was announced. Immediately many riders reached for their cell phones.

In New York’s Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.

“No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow,” Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend sent to his telephone. “It’s like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died.” -AP

'팝의 황제' 마이클 잭슨 심장마비 사망

‘팝의 황제’ 마이클 잭슨(50)이 25일(이하 현지시간) 심장마비로 사망했다고 미국 언론들이 보도했다.

CNN과 LA타임스, 티엠지닷컴(TMZ.com) 등에 따르면 마이클 잭슨은 이날 낮 12시쯤 미국 로스앤젤레스의 자택에서 심장마비 증세를 보여 현지소방서에 긴급구조를 요청했으나 사망했다.

이 날 낮 12시 21분쯤 911전화를 받고 출동한 긴급의료진이 마이클 잭슨 자택에 도착했을 당시 그는 숨을 제대로 쉬지 못하는 상태였다. 의료진은 곧바로 심폐소생술을 실시했지만 마이클 잭슨은 반응을 보이지 않아 UCLA 메디컬센터로 옮겨졌다.

미 소방당국은 마이클 잭슨이 이날 오후 2시 26분쯤 사망했다고 공식 발표했다.

잭슨 패밀리의 변호사인 브라이언 옥스만도 “가족들이 울고 있다”면서 마이클 잭슨이 세상을 떠났다는 사실을 확인했다.

영국의 공영방송인 BBC에 따르면 마이클 잭슨은 다음 달 13일 영국 런던에서 컴백 콘서트 시리즈를 준비중이었다.


(Source : http://news.chosun.com)

Raja Pop Michael Jackson Meninggal Dunia

TEMPO Interaktif, Jakarta - Raja pop dunia Michael Jackson meninggal dunia hari Kamis (26/6) tengah malam, setelah dilarikan ke University California Los Angeles Medical Center. Dia terjatuh akibat serangan jantung di dalam rumahnya di Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, pada siang harinya, dan dipastikan meninggal pada malam harinya. "Dia meninggal di rumah sakit akibat serangan jantung," ujar saudaranya Randy Jackson.

Letnan Fred Corral dari kepolisian Los Angeles mengatakan sebuah otopsi untuk memastikan penyebab kematiannya akan dilakukan pada Jumat (26/6) hari ini, yang hasilnya akan segera diumumkan pada Jumat siang.

Jackson dalam kondisi kritis sejak Kamis siang, Ia kemudian dilarikan ke UCLA Medical Canter oleh dinas pemadam kebakaran Los Angeles, setelah mendapatkan panggilan darurat 911 pada pukul 12.21 waktu Los Angeles. Jackson segera masuk ke fasilitas unit gawat darurat begitu sampai di rumah sakit tersebut, namun jiwanya tak tertolong dalam beberapa jam kemudian. Ia meninggal pada usia 50 tahun.

Seluruh fasilitas umum di UCLA Medical Center, untuk sementara ditutup dan mendapatkan penjagaan ketat, begitu artis yang mendapatkan julukan sebagai 'the king of pop' ini masuk ke rumah sakit tersebut. Beberapa personel keamanan tampak disiagakan, untuk mengantisipasi serbuan kalangan media yang ingin meliput peristiwa ini. Sejumlah penggemarnya, terutama warga Amerika Serikat yang berkulit hitam, sudah tampak berada di UCLA Medical Center, dengan membawa karangan bunga dan tak kuasa menahan haru, menangis dan larut dalam kesedihan yang mendalam.

Menurut penulis buku biografi Michael Jackson, Ian Halperin, sebelumnya Jackson belum pernah dikabarkan menderita penyakit jantung. Pada bulan Desember tahun lalu, Michael Jackson memang sempat masuk rumah sakit, akibat menderita kelainan genetis tubuhnya tidak bisa memproduksi protein Alpha-1 antitrypsin, yang kemudian mempengaruhi kondisi paru-parunya, sehingga Jackson mengalami emphysema (sesak nafas). Ia sebernarnya direncanakan akan menjalani operasi cangkok paru-paru, namun karena kondisi fisiknya yang lemah, operasi itu masih tertunda sampai menjelang kematiannya. Ia dikabarkan juga menderita sejumlah penyakit pada saluran pencernaannya. Untuk itulah, proses otopsi masih diperlukan untuk memastikan penyebab kematian Jackson.

Michael Jakson tak hanya dikenal sebagai bintang penyanyi pop, tetapi juga dikenal sebagai 'icon' kebudayaan pop, yang melawan perspektif rasisme sebagian publik Amerika, dengan keputusannya menjalani operasi penggantian warna kulitnya yang aslinya berkulit hitam menjadi kulit putih, untuk menyatakan bahwa warna kulit sesungguhnya bukanlah sebuah penentu dominasi dalam kebudayaan, karena warna kulit bisa diubah. Sekaligus pernyataannya agar semua orang bisa menerima perbedaan warna kulit.

Sejumlah album legendaris Michael Jackson diantaranya adalah Off the Wall, Thriller dan Bad. "Ia akan dikenang dalam sejarah, bahwa yang menentukan keberhasilannya adalah benar-benar musik dan penampilannya yang luar biasa," ujar kritikus musik Al Sharpton.


(Sumber : www.tempointeraktif.com)

米高積遜洛杉磯疑心藏病發逝世 (國際)



美國媒體報道,一位知情人士稱,搖滾巨星米高積遜於當地時間25中午在洛杉磯去世,終年50歲。目前,仍未清楚米高積遜的死因。

包括洛杉磯時報等當地多個傳媒都報道,現年50歲的米高積遜是心臟病發,他送院時心臟已經停頓,經搶救後不治。他的爸爸及經理人,暫時未作出評論。

米高積遜死訊傳出後,醫院外面的人愈來愈多,數以百計民眾從不同傳媒得到訊息,來到醫院了解,亦有大批傳媒在醫院外守候。

洛杉磯消防局負責人魯達表示,當消防局的護理人員接到求救電話,並於周四中午12點半趕到米高積遜位於洛杉磯的住所時,他已經沒有呼吸。急救人員對米高積遜進行心肺復蘇術,並將他緊急送往加州大學洛杉磯分校醫療中心。

美國媒體稱,米高積遜的死,標志著一個悲劇的結束,自20世紀80年代攀上流行音樂的巔峰之後,米高積遜一直受連串醜聞困擾,人們不斷從媒體上看到米高積 遜愈來愈白的皮膚、塌陷的鼻子、以及總是帶著口罩的臉,無休止的整容、破產傳聞、2005年的孌童案,讓米高積遜的形象一落千丈。

米高積遜原計劃在今年努力重回公眾視線:擬於7月在倫敦開始連續50場的演唱會,從今年7月8日一直持續到2010年2月24日,但這個演唱會卻因故延期,當時即有傳言稱,米高積遜患上皮膚癌。

(Source : www.singtao.com)

Michael Jackson life

Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael - first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.

Jackson made his first solo album in 1972, and released "Thriller" in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.

The next year, he unveiled his signature "moonwalk" dance move while performing "Billie Jean" during an NBC special.

In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996. Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999. The couple never lived together.

Jackson has three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.

(Source : www.chinadaily.com.cn)

King of Pop Michael Jackson is dead: report

LOS ANGELES: Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing to exuberant rhythms for decades, died on Thursday, the Los Angeles Times said. He was 50.

"Pop star Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by doctors this afternoon after arriving at a hospital in a deep coma, city and law enforcement sources told The Times," the newspaper reported on its website.

King of Pop Michael Jackson is dead: report
Pop superstar Michael Jackson performs a song dressed like a US 'Cop' during a concert in Sao Paulo, in this October 15, 1993 file photo. [Agencies]

ackson had been taken ill at his home and found not breathing by paramedics who rushed him to a hospital, the paper said.

The paper's report followed news of Jackson's death first reported by the TMZ entertainment website, which said that the singer suffered a cardiac arrest. There was no immediate comment from spokespersons for Jackson.

Known as the "King of Pop," for hits that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," Jackson's dramatic stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world.

His one-gloved eccentric style also earned him plenty of critics and another nickname, "Wacko Jacko."

Jackson, who had lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.

TMZ said on its website that Jackson suffered a cardiac arrest on Thursday afternoon at his Holmby Hills home and paramedics were unable to revive him. "We're told when paramedics arrived Jackson had no pulse and they never got a pulse back," the site said.

Earlier, the Los Angeles Times said the singer had been rushed to a Los Angeles-area hospital by fire department paramedics. The newspaper said paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the singer's home before taking him to the UCLA Medical Center hospital.

King of Pop Michael Jackson is dead: report
US pop star Michael Jackson gestures during a news conference at the O2 Arena in London March 5, 2009 file photograph. [Agencies]


COMEBACK CONCERTS

Jackson had been due to start a series of concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months.

The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March.

His lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, makes him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

King of Pop Michael Jackson is dead: report
Michael Jackson's fans gather at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles June 25, 2009. Pop giant Michael Jackson is dead, the Los Angeles Times reported on June 25, 2009, citing city and law enforcement sources.

There were concerns about Jackson's health in recent years but the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.

New Yorkers and tourists in the city's Times Square were shocked at the news of Jackson's death.

"I don't know what to say. It's sad, it's really, really sad," said Nicole Smith, an 18-year-old student from Brooklyn, New York, in Times Square. "My mother was a fan. I listened to his music."

"I'm shocked. I thought someone was lying to me when I first heard it. I was a fan from when he was a little boy and then he got weird," said Sue Sheider, 51, a teacher from Long Island.

CHILD STAR TO MEGASTAR

King of Pop Michael Jackson is dead: report
Singer Michael Jackson is pictured holding a child out of a window as he looks at fans after arriving at a Berlin hotel, in this November 19, 2002 file photo.


麥可傑克森心臟病發 送醫不治

麥可傑克森1993年在新加坡開演唱會的檔案照。(美聯社)

「洛杉磯時報」(Los Angeles Times)25日報導,美國流行歌壇巨星麥可傑克森(Michael Jackson)心臟病發,緊急救護人員抵達他的住處時,發現他已無呼吸,立即將他送往洛杉磯地區的醫院救治。

娛樂消息網站TMZ報導,傑克森經急救後不治,得年50歲。

報導說,警方是在25日中午約12時30分接獲報案,緊急救護人員趕往麥克傑克森住處時,曾在現場實施心肺復甦術急救,才將他送往加州大學洛杉磯分校醫學中心(UCLA Medical Center)醫院。

警方25日下午已在醫院急診室入口附近拉起了禁止出入的警戒線。洛杉磯時報與有線電視新聞網於晚間6時30分左右報導,傑克森已不治。

目前還無法找到他的發言人求證此事。

50歲的麥可傑克森原定7月13日在倫敦展開東山再起的系列演唱會,預定持續到明年3月。這位前歌壇天王的成名曲包括Thriller和Billy Jean等歌曲,他近兩個月一直在洛杉磯地區為演唱會排練。

(source : www.worldjournal.com)

Michael Jackson, the 'King of Pop,' dies at age 50

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child star who rose to become the "King of Pop" and the biggest celebrity in the world only to fall from his throne in a freakish series of scandals, died Thursday. He was 50. Jackson died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. Ed Winter, the assistant chief coroner for Los Angeles County, confirmed his office had been notified of the death and would handle the investigation.

The circumstances of Jackson's death were not immediately clear. Jackson was not breathing when Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home about 12:30 p.m., Capt. Steve Ruda told the Los Angeles Times. The paramedics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told the newspaper.

Jackson's death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music's premier all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage.

His 1982 album "Thriller" — which included the blockbuster hits "Beat It," "Billie Jean" and "Thriller" — remains the biggest-selling album of all time, with more than 100 million copies worldwide.

The public first knew him in the late 1960s, when as a boy he was the precocious, spinning lead singer of the Jackson 5, the music group he formed with his four older brothers. Among their No. 1 hits were "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "I'll Be There."

He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched voice punctuated with squeals and titters. His single sequined glove, tight, military-style jacket and aviator sunglasses were trademarks second only to his ever-changing, surgically altered appearance.

"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words," said Quincy Jones, who produced "Thriller." "He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."

Jackson ranked alongside Elvis Presley and the Beatles as the biggest pop sensations of all time. In fact, he united two of music's biggest names when he was briefly married to Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie.

But as years went by, Jackson became an increasingly freakish figure — a middle-aged man-child weirdly out of touch with grown-up life. His skin became lighter, his nose narrower, and he spoke in a breathy, girlish voice. He surrounded himself with children at his Neverland ranch, often wore a germ mask while traveling and kept a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles as one of his closest companions.

In 2005, he was cleared of charges he molested a 13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003. He had been accused of plying the boy with alcohol and groping him. The case took a fearsome toll on his career and image, and he fell into serious financial trouble.

Jackson was preparing for what was to be his greatest comeback: He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13. He was in rehearsals in Los Angeles for the concert, an extravaganza that was to capture the classic Jackson magic: showstopping dance moves, elaborate staging and throbbing dance beats.

Singer Dionne Warwick said: "Michael was a friend and undoubtedly one of the world's greatest entertainers that I fortunately had the pleasure of working with........we have lost an icon in our industry."

Hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital as word of his death spread. The emergency entrance at the UCLA Medical Center, which is near Jackson's rented home, was roped off with police tape.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Jackson has just died," a woman boarding a Manhattan bus called out, shortly after the news was announced. Immediately many riders reached for their cell phones.

In New York's Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.

"No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow," Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend sent to his telephone. "It's like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died."

Monday, June 22, 2009

Michelle Yeoh to star in John Woo kung fu movie

SHANGHAI (AP): Former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh said Sunday that she will star in an upcoming kung fu movie directed by John Woo, adding that she's not avoiding action movies despite a recent break from the genre.

The "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" actress told a press conference at the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival that the Chinese-language film will start shooting in China in September.

She said Woo will share directing duties on the film - tentatively called "The Sword and the Martial Arts World" - with Taiwanese filmmaker Su Chao-pin, who directed the horror film "Silk."

She declined to give further details.

Yeoh is a former beauty queen who first made her name as an action star in Hong Kong. Her recent roles in "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005) and "Far North" (2007) have veered toward drama, but the 46-year-old actress said she still feels fit enough to handle action.

"I have felt physically stronger the past few years. I don't let age limit me," Yeoh said, adding she chose her recent projects because she enjoyed the stories - not because they were less physically taxing.

The film with Yeoh is Woo's first new project since his $80 million two-part historical epic "Red Cliff." The Hong Kong native was supposed to next direct "1949" - an epic romance set against the Chinese civil war in that year - but the project fell through because of a dispute with its Taiwanese investors.

Band Indonesia masih boleh 'cari makan' di Malaysia

GRAF industri muzik tempatan dilihat berada dalam keadaan menurun selari dengan penurunan graf ekonomi sekarang.

Berikutan itu, banyak lambakan CD, VCD dan kaset berlaku apabila permintaan berkurang sementelah produk dalam format digital atau muat turun semakin popular kini.

Fenomena ini dilihat ketara berlaku di kebanyakan negara yang mempelopori dunia muzik termasuk Indonesia.

Menurut Andra & The Backbone, sebuah band dari Indonesia, mereka akui yang penjualan CD dan kaset adalah kurang bagus di negaranya.

Andra & The Backbone. -foto mStar oleh SITI AZIRA

"Walaupun begitu, kami tetap membikin karya yang bagus dan hits kerana jika sangat hits, kami boleh 'survive' sehingga 100 tahun lagi," luah band yang popular dengan lagu Sempurna ini dalam nada seloroh.

Mereka dianggotai oleh Stevie Morley (gitar), Andra Ramadhan (gitar) dan Dedy Lisan (vokal).

Dalam pada itu, band Gigi yang dianggotai oleh Gusti Hendy (drum), Dewa Budjana (gitar), Thomas Ramdhan (bass) dan Armand Maulana (vokal) berkata 'muzik tetap bagus' walaupun mengalami krisis global.

"Hampir semua kumpulan pasti 'perform' pada setiap minggu termasuk Gigi," kata Armand yang popular dengan nyanyian lagu 11 Januari dan Nakal.

Gigi.

Buktinya, band-band Indonesia ini tetap unggul dan bertahan apabila mereka dijemput untuk menjayakan Festival Muzik Pesta Malam Indonesia (PMI) 3 yang akan berlangsung esok, 20 Jun, pukul 3 petang di Stadium Bukit Jalil (tempat letak kereta A).

Selain Gigi dan Andra & The Backbone, rockers hebat lain yang akan beraksi selama 7 jam tanpa henti adalah Dewa 19, Sheila On 7 (SO7) dan Padi.

Menurut SO7, ini merupakan kali kedua mereka menjayakan PMI.

"Kami yakin setiap band ada peminat mereka dan kami selalu 'fun' kalau ke sini,' kata band yang popular dengan lagu Dan, Sephia dan Pria Terhebat ini.

Padi.

Sementara band Andra & The Backbone yang pertama kali menjayakan PMI bagaimanapun akui tidak gerun dengan kemunculan band popular lain.

"Kami anggap band-band yang lain ibarat teman-teman kami juga. Jadi, kami sentiasa bersaing secara sihat sahaja.

"Untuk konsert ini nanti, kami menjangkakan lebih ramai orang yang datang untuk menonton banyak band.

"Kami akan nyanyikan lagu-lagu dari album pertama dan kedua kami," kata Andra.

Padi pula yang pernah menjayakan PMI 1 menjanjikan penampilan yang berbeza dan lagu yang peminat tahu termasuk lagu dari album terbaru 'Tak Hanya Diam'.

"Mudah-mudahan Padi dapat menghiburkan penonton dengan 10 buah lagu hits gabungan dari album pertama hingga kelima," ujar pemain bass, Rindra R. Noor.

Band yang turut dianggotai oleh Ari Tri Sosianto (gitar), Fadly Arifuddin (vokal), Surendro Prasetyo (drum) dan Satriyo Yudhi Wahono atau Piyu (gitar) ini akan mendendangkan lagu popular Kasih Tak Sampai, Maha Dewi dan Begitu Indah.

11 year-old girl among new A(H1N1) cases

PUTRAJAYA: An 11-year-old girl from a Chinese vernacular school in Kuala Lumpur is among seven new confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) cases, bringing the total number to 42.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the pupil had gone to Melbourne on holiday with her family during the school break and travelled with her grandmother who also contracted the flu.

She returned on AirAsia X flight D7 2723 at 7am on Tuesday via the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal and went to school the next day.

“On the second day of school, she developed a fever and was sent to hospital. It was confirmed last night (Friday) that she was infected,” Liow told a press conference after launching the 10,000 Steps Healthy Lifestyle Campaign during the ministry’s Family Day here yesterday.

He said that as of Friday night, the girl’s 46 classmates were placed under home quarantine.

There was no need for parents and teachers to panic, he said, as this was still an “imported” case.

If a locally-transmitted case was reported at the school, Liow said the ministry would order the National Security Council to close the school and initiate “cleaning” activities.

Any closure of schools because of Influenza A (H1N1) cases is to last seven days, which is the period set for home quarantine.

“I have also told the Health director-general to meet with the Education director-general to look into measures that we can introduce, including screening at schools to detect cases earlier,” he said.

Liow called on state governments to check with the Health Ministry before making any announcements on any new cases or ideally, leave it to the ministry to make public such information.

“Our worry is that if there are quarters giving information on cases confirmed after our cut-off time, newspapers will carry varying figures and this will create confusion among the public,” he said.

On the 10,000 Steps Healthy Lifestyle Campaign, Liow said the ministry started the campaign after looking at the worrying trend of rising lifestyle-related diseases in the country.

“I also urge office workers to get off the lift two floors below their office level when they go to work and walk up the stairs,” he said.

A(H1N1): First school in Malaysia closed

KUALA LUMPUR: SJK(C) Jalan Davidson is the first school in Malaysia to be closed after an 11-year-old student testing positive on Friday for the Influeza A(H1N1) was found to have transmitted the virus to two classmates.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the National Security Council agreed to close the school until June 26 and its students and staff numbering some 2,100 were home quarantined.

Making the announcement after meeting with the school staff and Parent-Teacher Association here Sunday, Liow said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who chairs the National Security Council agreed to close the school for a week.

He added that the other two schools with infected students in Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam would be closed only if the authorities discovers a local transmission of the virus.

Earlier when opening a A(H1N1) awareness campaign in Batu 11, Cheras organised by the Serdang MCA division, Liow had said that he had proposed for the closure of the school with the council after the local transmission was detected.

“It is our opinion that we should close the school. As long as there is even one case of local transmission, we must take precaution and close the school,” he had said.

Another eight new cases were reported Sunday bringing the total to 50 cases.

It included five school children - an 11-year-old from SRK Assunta 2, a 16-year-old from SM Shah Alam, and the three at Class 5 I of SJK(C) Jalan Davidson.

He said the Ministry had to look at all eventualities and take necessary steps to ensure the virus does not spread further in the school.

“We don’t want to have any problems in that school so we have to make sure the safety of the children come first,” he said, adding that the Health Ministry’s guidelines recommended schools to be closed if a local transmission is detected.

大彩首獎落首都‧下期總獎金累積1500萬

(霹靂‧怡保)2009年第9期在新加坡賽馬公會開跑,並在霹靂賽馬公會開彩,來自吉隆坡的幸運兒因為對不中積寶號碼“6”號,無法贏走已經累積到1350萬令吉的頭獎加積寶獎金,使到下期總獎金累積到1500萬令吉。

泛馬大彩有限公司營運經理沈志亮今日(週日,6月21日)指出,這期大彩首獎的票根由來自吉隆坡的代理售出,二獎落在芙蓉,三獎則是在柔佛。

這期大彩首獎號碼是6937419,積寶號碼是6。由於頭獎幸運兒沒有對中積寶號碼,只能贏走300萬令吉的頭獎獎金。二獎號碼是7677672及三獎是6911056。

2009年第十期的大彩將於7月12日開彩,地點未定。第十期的積寶獎金是1200萬令吉,加上頭獎獎金300萬令吉,總獎金是1500萬令吉。

光明日報‧2009.06.21

Friday, June 5, 2009

Appey Rowenna Unduk Ngadau 2009

APPEY Rowenna Januin (tengah) diapit oleh Pearl Dianne Petrus (tiga dari kanan) dan Joanne Kimberly J. Majalap (tiga dari kiri) serta pemenang lain selepas diumumkan sebagai Unduk Ngadau 2009 di Penampang.

PENAMPANG 1 Jun - Appey Rowenna Januin yang mewakili Papar dimahkotakan sebagai Unduk Ngadau 2009 iaitu pertandingan ratu cantik paling berprestij sempena Pesta Kaamatan peringkat negeri di Dewan Persatuan Kebudayaan Kadazandusun (KDCA) di sini, semalam.


Appey mengetepikan 40 jelitawan lain sekali gus membawa pulang hadiah bernilai RM32,000 dalam pertandingan yang disaksikan kira-kira 10,000 masyarakat berbilang kaum.


Melalui kemenangan itu, Appey menerima sebuah trofi emas, mahkota, wang tunai RM3,500, selendang dan tajaan biasiswa RM25,000 untuk pengajian ke Institut Pelancongan Asia.


Appey turut menerima tiket penerbangan pergi-balik ke Hong Kong, produk barangan hamper, anting-anting emas, telefon mudah alih 3G Sony, produk kecantikan dan rawatan kecantikan bernilai RM500.


Tempat kedua pula menjadi milik Pearl Dainne Petrus yang mewakili Kota Kinabalu manakala tempat ketiga dimenangi Joanne Kimberley J. Majalap dari Penampang.


Dainne melangkah pulang dengan sebuah trofi, wang tunai RM2,500, tiket penerbangan pergi-balik ke Manila, Filipina, produk barangan dan kecantikan, anting-anting emas, telefon mudah alih 3G Sony dan rawatan kecantikan bernilai RM500.


Sementara Kimberley pula meraih sebuah trofi, wang tunai RM1,500 dan turut menerima hadiah lain yang diperoleh Dainnne.


Mahkota dan hadiah-hadiah berkenaan disampaikan oleh isteri Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah, Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah iaitu Toh Puan Dayang Masuyah Awang Japar.


Turut hadir Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Musa Aman; Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz, Timbalan Ketua Menteri, Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan dan menteri-menteri Kabinet Sabah.


Tempat keempat pula dimenangi oleh peserta dari Kiulu, Flina Rutum manakala tempat kelima, keenam dan ketujuh masing-masing diraih oleh Jacgueline Joseph (Keningau), Fredericka Camilla Richard Daut (Tuaran) dan Elinna Musiun (Likas).


Pada kali ini, hampir 40 peserta dari seluruh Sabah layak ke peringkat akhir dan pertandingan tersebut diadili para pengadil yang profesional dan berpengalaman.


Selain kecantikan, peserta turut dinilai melalui pengetahuan am dan kelebihan masing-masing contohnya boleh bertutur lebih satu bahasa serta mampu menjawab soalan pengadil dengan tepat.



Monday, June 1, 2009

Festival indicated strong spirit of unity, harmony

PENAMPANG: The active participation by all parties in organising the state-level Kaamatan Festival which ended yesterday was a clear testament to the strong spirit of unity, harmony and peacefulness among the different ethnics in Sabah, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said.

Officiating at the closing ceremony of the one-month celebration at the Hongkod Koisaan here, the Chief Minister said such spirit must continue to be preserved and strengthened to ensure harmony of races and prosperous development in Sabah.

“Solidarity and unity have allowed the people in Malaysia, in particular Sabah, to continue living in prosperity and peacefulness.”

But he reminded that it should never be taken for granted.

“We must bear in mind that peacefulness and stability is not something that will continue to exist naturally. It must be preserved, nurtured and defended to ensure it remains strong and not destroyed by irresponsible parties,” he said.

Celebrated every year by all ethnics, Musa said the Pesta Kaamatan is among the most important platforms for strengthening the spirit of solidarity among the people in the state.

He said the celebration which was filled with various cultural programmes presented the public with opportunities to know and experience the culture, customs and traditions of the Kadazandusun and Murut (KDM) and therefore promote better understanding between the KDM and other ethnics in the state.

Apart from promoting unity, he said the festival was also in sync with efforts to promote the state tourism sector.

In the meantime, Musa urged the public to attend the national level Kaamatan celebration to be held at Padang Merdeka this Sunday (June 7).

The event is expected to be officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“I am confident our presence will not only ensure the success of the event, but will also show the solid unity and strong sense of togetherness among us,” he said.

MUSA AJAK RAKYAT SERTAI PESTA KAAMATAN PERINGKAT NASIONAL

Pukulgong-2-1_6
RASMI ... Musa memukul gong sebanyak tujuh kali sebagai menandakan perasmian karnival sukan Kaamatan.
1st June, 2009

PENAMPANG: Ketua Menteri Sabah Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman mengajak seluruh rakyat Malaysia, khususnya di Sabah untuk datang beramai-ramai menyertai perayaan Pesta Kaamatan peringkat nasional pada 7 Jun ini.

Semasa berucap menutup Pesta Kaamatan Peringkat Negeri di bangunan Hongkod Koisaan di sini kelmarin, beliau melahirkan keyakinan bahawa kehadiran rakyat bukan sahaja akan memeriahkan majlis itu tetapi membuktikan betapa kukuhnya semangat perpaduan, muhibah dan harmoni sesama mereka.

“Secara keseluruhannya, perayaan ini merupakan manifestasi ekonomi, sosial dan budaya negeri Sabah yang perlu dihayati, bukan saja oleh masyarakat Kadazandusun dan Murut malah seluruh masyarakat berbilang kaum di negeri ini.

“Di samping memelihara dan mengekalkan budaya serta tradisi suku kaum masing-masing, masyarakat lain juga sewajarnya mencontohi aspek-aspek positif yang ditonjolkan melalui perayaan ini. Semangat ini bertepatan dengan konsep 1Malaysia yang diilhamkan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” kata Musa.

Pesta Kaamatan Peringkat Nasional itu yang akan diadakan di Padang Merdeka Kota Kina-balu, dijangka dirasmikan oleh Timbalan Per-dana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Musa berkata penglibatan semua pihak dalam menjayakan Pesta Kaamatan peringkat negeri jelas menunjukkan semangat perpaduan dan muhibbah di kalangan rakyat di negeri ini, sememangnya amat membanggakan.

“Keamanan dan perpaduan yang kita nikmati pada hari ini membolehkan rakyat Malaysia, khususnya di Sabah terus hidup dalam suasana aman, damai dan makmur.

“Namun demikian, perlu diingat bahawa sua-sana aman dan stabil bukanlah sesuatu yang wu-jud secara semula jadi, sebaliknya perlu dipupuk dan dipelihara agar sentiasa teguh dan tidak mampu untuk digugat oleh golongan tidak bertanggungjawab,” katanya.

Timbalan Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan yang juga pengerusi jawatan-kuasa induk perayaan peringkat negeri, pula berharap suatu hari nanti program sebegini termasuk segala bentuk warisan tradisi masyarakat Kadazandusun dan Murut secara khusus dan Malaysia secara amnya, dapat dikeluarkan dalam bentuk dokumentasi, journal atau buku rujukan.

Katanya ini amat penting bukan saja untuk pengetahuan generasi akan datang tetapi juga sebagai usaha tambahan bagi memartabatkan Malaysia di mata dunia.

“Oleh yang demikian, saya berharap kepada semua lapisan masyarakat di negeri ini agar sentiasa memberikan sokongan dan kerjasama kepada agensi-agensi kerajaan bagi membawa atau mengetengahkan warisan-warisan tradisi atau kebudayaan yang belum diketahui atau dipromosi sebelum ini,” kata Pairin.

Beliau juga menyuarakan penghargaan atas kelulusan peruntukan RM800,000 kepada Persatuan Kebudayaan Kadazandusun yang diumumkan oleh Musa kelmarin.

Invitation to national Kaamatan festival

1st June, 2009

PENAMPANG: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman has urged Malaysians particularly those in Sabah to join the national Pesta Kaamatan celebrations in Kota Kinabalu on June 7.

He said the festival was a manifestation of Sabah’s economy, social and culture and should be appreciated not only by the Kadazandusun and Murut (KDM) community but also the state’s multi-racial population.

“Although the festival is aimed at protecting the cultures and traditions, other communities can take the positives in line with the 1Malaysia concept inspired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“The festival is proof of the strong unity and harmony of the people,” he said when closing the state level Pesta Kaamatan at Hongkod Koisaan building here yesterday.

The national Pesta Kaamatan celebrations to be held at Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu next week would be launched by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan hopes that the celebrations would be produced in the form of documentaries, journals and books showcasing the cultural heritage of KDM.

Pairin who was also organising committee chairman thanked Musa for the state government’s contribution of RM800,000 to the Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA).

'Poco-poco should not be included in Kaamatan'

Published on: Saturday, May 30, 2009
www.dailyexpress.com.my

Kota Kinabalu: Kadazandusun Cultural Association (KDCA) President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said alien dance forms like the Poco-poco are not appropriate to be included in festivals like the Kaamatan.

Pairin, who is also Deputy Chief Minister and Paramount leader for the Kadazandusun community (Huguan Siou), said it is inevitable that in this modern and challenging borderless world, some practices will be eroded.

"Likewise, in conserving and preserving culture and tradition, modern living can also threaten efforts to preserve culture among the young generation, especially with foreign influences.

"In my opinion, it is not wrong for us to learn dances from other races, but to have the Poco-poco in a cultural function, like the Kaamatan Festival, is inappropriate."

He was asked whether it is all right for other cultural dances, including the Indonesian "Poco-poco" to be included in the itinerary for the Kaamatan celebrations. There had been criticisms in the past when other than Kadazandusun dances were showcased at Kaamatan events.

Pairin was speaking in an interview with Bernama's Newmon Tibin on the efforts taken by KDCA and the State Government to promote the Kaamatan festival at the Dewan KDCA on May 30 and 31 as a tourism product.

Rest of the interview follows:

Q: What's your assessment of the Kaamatan Festival before and now?

Pairin: Based on my observation, the celebration for the Kaamatan Festival before and now is generally still the same which is based on the spirit of "mitatabang" (gotong royong) that provides the strength for the success of the festival.

The difference is that, before, the Kaamatan Festival is celebrated by family members, relatives and friends in a village by holding the "Moginakan" (small thanksgiving ceremony). In the context of the present-day celebration, the Kaamatan Festival is not only celebrated at the village-level, but also on a grander scale, like at the mukim, district and state level.

In fact, now the Kaamatan Festival is celebrated at national-level, not only by the Kadazandusun Murut, but also by all Malaysians as one big family.

Q: What is the significance of the Kaamatan festival to the farming community in Sabah, particularly the Kadazandusun Murut, and why should this traditional celebration be preserved?

Pairin: The Kaamatan festival carries a big meaning for the Kadazandusun Murut. The Kadazandusun Murut is a society which is synonymous with farming where their main economic activity is farming, besides livestock rearing and hunting.

The main crop, which provides the main food for the Kadazandusun Murut community is rice. The type of padi grown is hill padi and also those grown in padi fields.

According to the Huminodun legend, a massive disaster, involving a serious drought occurred to the extent that nothing could be grown to provide food for the people. Realising this, 'Kinoingan' sympathised with the fate that befell the Kadazandusun Murut, who were without food. So, to overcome the problem, Kinoingan decided to sacrifice his daughter, 'Huminodun", and from her sacrificial body grew various crops, like padi, and maize.

Hence, the Kaamatan festival, celebrated after the padi harvesting season, is a tradition of thanksgiving for Kinoingan and Huminodun, who are rice spirits known as 'bambarayon'. Among the activities held during the Kaamatan festival is the 'Magavau' ceremony to pray for the rice spirit and also the selection of the pageant queen or the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan to commemorate the sacrifice and positive values gathered from the Huminodun legend.

Q: The Kaamatan festival was previously only celebrated by the Kadazandusun Murut society in Sabah, but now has been recognised by the federal government as one of the national-level celebration. What are your views on this in the context of national unity?

Pairin: Historically, the Kaamatan festival has become an agent which has united the Kadazandusun Murut people. The first time the Kaamatan festival was celebrated on a grand scale was on the banks of Sungai Pegalan, Tambunan in June 1982.

At that time, the crowd was so huge that there was no space left on the river banks. The people who went there were not only from Tambunan, but from all over the state. They came with their family members and friends. Until now, the Kaamatan festival is an important celebration in the state which is celebrated at the village level up to the state-level every year, not only by the Kadazandusun Murut , but also all the people in Sabah.

Looking at the success and benefits brought by the Kaamatan Festival, it was appropriate and timely for the federal government to have made it a national-level celebration because the Kaamatan Festival is an effective platform to unite the multi-racial society into one big family.

Q: In your opinion, can the Kaamatan Festival be a channel to help enhance the 1Malaysia concept mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak?

Pairin: In my view, it is not too much for me to say that Sabah is a good example if we want to see the concept of 1Malaysia in the context of unity among the people in the state.

The people in the state adopt a high level of tolerance in all aspects of their daily life. As an example, in a family living under one roof, the family members comprise the siblings who may be from different religions, but are able to live under one roof and eat together at the same table.

Likewise, in coffee shops, the people from various background can sit at a table while having a drink and talking to each other. All these can be seen clearly everywhere which indicate that the society in the state has tolerance and are strongly united.

In the context of the Kaamatan Festival celebration, the important element which provides the strength in making the festival a success is the unity spirit and cooperation which emanates from the concept of 'mitatabang' that has been inherited for so long from their forefathers.

It is these values which make the Kaamatan Festival acceptable by everyone as an occasion that is celebrated not only by the Kadazandusun Murut, but also as a celebration for the multi-racial society in Sabah. The move by the government to raise the Kaamatan Festival to a national level celebration is timely, making it an effective platform to unite the people of all races and in tandem with the theme for this year's celebration, which is "Together Moulding a Better Future".

Apart from that, the recognition given to this Kadazandusun Murut celebration is also a move to teach the young generation to know the culture and tradition of the people in Sabah towards moulding a society which is united, tolerant, and understanding, and acts as a catalyst for the country's progress.

Q: In the early 1980s, Datuk Seri was very loud in pursuing for the Kaamatan Festival to be given appropriate recognition. What were the challenges facing you then, including in Tambunan? And now, after two decades, the Kaamatan Festival is celebrated at the national-level.

Is this latest development good for Sabah, and Malaysia, in general?

Pairin: The Kaamatan Festival is a celebration which is very close to the hearts of the Kadazandusun Murut people. That is why, the Kaamatan Festival has provided them with the strength and love for the culture left behind by their forefathers.

It is not surprising for them to feel threatened that their culture was being wiped out in the 1980s when attempts were made by some quarters to celebrate the Kaamatan Festival in a different way. The festival, which was held in the Keningau district, was not accepted by the Kadazandusun society because it belied the actual purpose of celebrating the occasion. Following which, another celebration was held on the banks of Sungai Pegalan, Kampung Karanaan Tambunan, on June 29, 1982.

The love for the Kaamatan festival continues to flourish until now and we are thankful to the state government, which has since accepted the fact that the Kaamatan Festival is capable of creating harmony, tolerance, and the spirit of unity and goodwill among the people of various races and ethnic background.

We are also thankful to the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman for their sensitivity and support which has made it possible for the Kaamatan Festival to be celebrated every year, even when the country is hit by the global economic uncertainty. Not forgetting, we also want to thank the federal government for recognising the Kaamatan Festival as a channel to enhance the spirit of one big family.

Looking at it now in the context of 1Malaysia, the Kaamatan Festival is an example which can contribute and further enhance the concept of 1Malaysia which was mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Unduk Ngadau pledges to promote Sabah

KAAMATAN QUEEN… Appey Rowenna (seated) is flanked by first runner-up Pearl Dianne (second right) and second runner-up Joanne Kimberly. Third runner-up, Flina Rutum of Tamparuli is at right and fourth runner-up, Jacqueline Joseph of Keningau at left.

PENAMPANG: Appey Rowenna Januin from Kampung Tomui, Papar, was crowned the 2009 Unduk Ngadau during the grand finals at the state-level Kaamatan celebrations yesterday.

The 18-year-old student said that she was totally surprised by the result because of the stiff competition in this year’s event.

However, she was happy and proud to represent Papar and promised to do her best in promoting Sabah.

Appey also expressed gratitude to her family for their constant support in pursuing her dream to be an Unduk Ngadau and dedicated her win to them.

As this year’s winner, Appey received a total of RM39,000 in cash and prizes.

The winner was crowned by Toh Puan Dayang Masuyah Awang Japar, wife of the Sabah Head of State, Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah.

The second place went to polytechnic student Pearl Dianne Petrus, 22, representing Kota Kinabalu City Hall while the third placing went to Joanne Kimberly J. Majalap, 19, from Penampang.

Kaamatan advice not to drive drunk

Published on: Saturday, May 30, 2009
www.dailyexpress.com.my

Penampang: Police reminded the public to lock their houses and drive carefully ahead of the Kaamatan festivities this weekend.

District Police Chief DSP Madang Usat advised those leaving their homes to secure them and let neighbours know of their temporary absence.

He said many people are expected to converge at the KDCA hall here for the culmination of the celebration and advised them to follow the instructions of his personnel.

"Only vehicles with special 'A' stickers will be allowed into the KDCA compound while other motorists will have to park outside. Lock your cars and drive carefully as there would a lot of cars on the road during this period."

Meanwhile, City Police Chief, ACP Ahmad Sofi Zakaria issued a similar advice, urging people not to drink and drive. He lamented that there are still motorists risking it.

"Don't do this and please have a designated driver who is sober if you had too much to drink," he said.

Those driving under the influence of alcohol face a charge under Section 44 of the Road Transport Act if they caused injury or death in the event of mishaps.

"Those found guilty will face a minimum jail sentence of three years or maximum 10 years, and minimum fine of RM8, 000 or maximum of RM20,000," said Ahmad Sofi.

He added intoxicated drivers face a minimum fine of RM1, 000 or maximum RM6,000, or maximum jail sentence of 12 months.

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