Ranks based on merit, not race: Comm Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin

 

t’s been a good run: Khaw (left) presenting the handover documents to Bukit Aman NCID deputy director of Narcotics (Intelligence/Operations) DCP Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali who will be acting as the new Bukit Aman NCID director. Looking on is Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (centre). — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: A rewarding career advancement awaits police personnel who show integrity, commitment and competence in their duties, regardless of their ethnicity, says Comm Datuk Seri Khaw Kok Chin.

The outgoing Bukit Aman Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director said he is living proof that non-Malay officers could break barriers and rise in rank.

“I am one of them and proof that non-Malays can climb the ranks too. I owe who I am today to the police force.

“I strongly encourage non-­Malays to sign up with the force and serve our country,” said Khaw, who will be retiring tomorrow as he turns 60.

With humble beginnings as a kampung boy from Alor Setar, Kedah, Khaw joined the force in 1991 as a cadet.

At age 38, he became a district police chief (OCPD) and more than three decades later, a police commissioner.

Khaw, who has had extensive experience in the CID, had also served as Penang police chief and Johor deputy police chief during his 34 years of service.

“There are ample opportunities for promotions for officers who prove themselves through hard work and professionalism,” he told The Star in an interview at Bukit Aman on Tuesday.

Khaw is the fourth Malaysian Chinese to head a police department and the first for the NCID in the history of the force.

Prior to Khaw was Datuk Koh Hong Sun, who headed the Commercial Crimes Investigations Department (CCID) 13 years ago.

The other two directors of Chinese ethnicity were Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee, who helmed the CID, and police administration department director Datuk Ang Phaik Chin.

Asked about his greatest challenge as a police officer, Khaw said while all police departments have their respective challenges, he finds the NCID to be “the most demanding”.

“The NCID is challenging because we are dealing with hardcore criminals who have a record of violence, carry firearms and have links with the underworld.

“As a result, the risks are high and threats are faced right from the top leadership to those on the ground, especially when we need to carry out surveillance, ambushes and other operations.

“Since drug dealers often carry firearms, if a gunfight erupts, we will need to engage in dangerous situations to apprehend the syndicate members,” he added.

A significant part of Khaw’s ­tenure was also with the CID, where he handled high-profile case investigations.

Khaw had tackled cases involving the country’s most notorious serial rapist, Lee Chow Meng, in 1997, the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006 and the murder of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and four of her associates in 2010.

Khaw said he is confident the NCID would be led by a capable successor after he retires.

“To be chosen as a director would mean the person has the qualities it takes to lead. Leadership is important to earn the respect of our personnel,” he said.

“To succeed in this fight against drugs, superiors must go down to the ground see for themselves what their personnel are going through.

“The welfare of our subordinates have to be cared for too.

“It is the same with fighting the drug menace. We must keep charging at it before it spawns and not wait to act when it gets out of control.

“A strong message must be sent out to the drug lords that we are constantly on their tails. This is why teamwork is so crucial and I am confident my successor will carry out his or her duties well,” added Khaw.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/03/15/ranks-based-on-merit-not-race

Muar-born Tan Lip-Bu is new CEO of Intel

New Intel Corp CEO Tan Lip-Bu. — Photo courtesy of Intel

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian-born Tan Lip-Bu (Americanised to Lip-Bu Tan) has been appointed chief executive officer (CEO) of troubled technology firm Intel Corp, effective March 18, with many industry observers aching to see what strategies the new boss has in place to turn around the chip giant.

He takes over from Pat Gelsinger, three months after the company veteran was forced out by Intel’s board because his costly and ambitious plan to improve the firm’s performance was seen as faltering and sapping investor confidence.

Notably, Tan’s appointment will also attract the attention of Donald Trump, with the US president eager for Intel to rebound in his push for more manufacturing in the country, threatening tariffs on imports that have roiled global markets for weeks.

Independent analyst Jack Gold told Reuters that Tan would be able to leverage his experience and especially his industry connections, while pursuing excellence within Intel. 

“Hopefully the board will stay out of his way as he makes the necessary changes,” Gold said.

Tan moves in the same social circle as Lisa Su from Advanced Micro Devices and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, two artificial intelligence (AI) chip leaders who, according to Reuters, had been pitched to invest in Intel.

Born in Muar in 1959, Tan grew up in Singapore and was educated there, graduating from Nanyang University with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Physics. He later completed a Master of Science in nuclear engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.

Now a naturalised American, Tan began his doctoral studies in nuclear engineering at MIT, before moving to the University of San Francisco in California, where he graduated with a Master of Business Administration and founded venture capital firm Walden International in 1987.

A former Intel board member himself, he had been seen as a contender for the CEO’s post thanks to his deep experience in the chip industry and his status as a long-time technology investor in promising startups.

For example, he took a stake in Annapurna Labs, a startup later purchased by Amazon.com Inc for US$370mil that has become the heart of its inhouse chip division.

He also invested in Nuvia, which Qualcomm bought for US$1.4bil in 2021, making it a central part of its push to compete with Intel in the laptop and PC chip markets.

Tan remains actively involved with startups that could either become competitors or acquisition targets for Intel, exemplified by the fact that earlier this week he invested in AI photonic startup Celestial AI, which is backed by Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices.

In a letter to Intel employees on Wednesday, Tan said: “Together, we will work hard to restore Intel’s position as a world-class products company, establish ourselves as a world-class foundry and delight our customers like never before.”

Intel shares surged 12% in extended trading on Wednesday, and analysts welcomed the move which they said was likely to bring some stability to the chipmaker.

The company’s stock had declined by 60% in 2024.

From 2009 to 2021, Tan was CEO of Cadence Design Systems, a chip design software firm whose fortunes he revived by focusing Cadence around supplying the software for sophisticated designs and partnering closely with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), which from its founding days swore it would focus only on manufacturing.

During Tan’s time at Cadence, the firm’s stock appreciated 3,200% and it landed Apple as one of its largest customers, as the iPhone maker shifted away from suppliers such as Intel and toward its own chips.

Cadence’s tools also became central to chip industry firms such as Broadcom, which helps Google, Amazon and others design their own AI chips and have them made by TSMC.

“He did a really good job of pointing (Cadence) in the right direction. Cadence really aligned itself with TSMC – they saw them as a leader and the go-to shop,” Karl Freund, an analyst with Cambrian AI Research, told Reuters.

Intel is undergoing a historic transition as it attempts to emerge from one of its bleakest periods.

While struggling to cash in on a boom in investment in advanced AI chips that has fired up the fortunes of market leader Nvidia and other chipmakers, the company is spending heavily to become a contract manufacturer of chips for other companies, leading some investors to worry about pressure on its cash flow.

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Strengthening your abdominal muscles, Reclaim Your Stability With Core Exercises For Stroke Recovery

 

The Only Core Exercises You Need For Strength And Stability!

These abdominal exercises aim to ensure that your core muscles are strong and functional.

TODAY, I’m going to focus on one exercise that you can do for every abdominal muscle.

It’s not to achieve a flat stomach, but to strengthen your core muscles to help stabilise your body, allowing you to move in any direction without losing your balance.

From a rehabilitation perspective, a strong core can help alleviate lower back pain, improve spinal alignment and reduce the risk of injury during physical activity.

A strong core doesn’t necessarily mean a toned stomach, while a visible six-pack does not always equate to a strong core.

A six-pack looks good with or without clothes, no doubt, but you have to ensure it is also functional.

Having visible abdominal muscles just means your body fat percentage is low enough to show the muscle fibres beneath subcutaneous fat.

Doing core exercises alone won’t help as burning off body fat is best accomplished by modifying the diet and engaging in cardiovascular activities.

And the reality is that the older you get, the harder it is to trim fat and build muscle.

We have five main muscles in our abdomen:

> Rectus abdominis – the top or

superficial layer.

> Pyramidalis – a small triangular muscle, anterior to (in front of ) the rectus abdominis muscle.

> External obliques – outermost abdominal muscles, extending from the lower half of the ribs around and down to the pelvis.

> Internal obliques – muscles on the lateral (outer) side of the abdomen and anterior to (in front of ) the external oblique muscles.

> Transversus abdominis – the deepest layer.

Of the five, the transversus abdominis is the hardest to get to because it is located in the deepest area.

Virtually all daily movements and activities involve the abdominal muscles to some extent, from walking/running and putting on shoes to playing board games.

However, they don’t bulk up to the degree of other muscles because they are relatively thin structures.

That said, try out these four exercises.

Perhaps do them two or three times a week as all muscles need to be rested in between workouts.

If you’re a beginner, stick to one set of all the exercises, and build up from there.

By Revathi Murugappan , a certified fitness trainer who tries to battle gravity and continues to dance to express herself artistically and nourish her soul. For more information, email starhealth@ thestar.com.my. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

Reclaim Your Stability With Core Exercises For Stroke Recovery

After a stroke, many patients struggle with poor control and strength in the muscles on one side of the body. While the focus of recovery is often on the limbs and facial muscles, without a strong core, extremities and the rest of the body may suffer. With the help of these core exercises for stroke recovery, you can continue to make recovery progress at home on your own.

Beth Thornton and Kathryn Smith, physiotherapists at Physio At Home, promote the importance of core strength in stroke recovery. When the core is strong, the rest of the body benefits. Not to mention, a stroke can impact the core more than many patients realize. When working with stroke victims, Thornton and Smith emphasize the importance of the core in overall recovery and recommends specific core exercises for stroke recovery patients can perform at home to help strengthen the core.

As with any new exercise, stroke victims should talk with their healthcare provider before attempting any of these. If the exercises cause pain, the individual should stop.

Basic Level Core Strength Exercises

Strokes are life-threatening events that can cause irreversible neurological damage, so the recovery period is as much about retraining the brain as it is about strengthening the muscles. In order to regain use of your core muscles, you must keep them active in order to create the brain connections you need to improve after a stroke.
When first starting out, consider practicing these basic level core exercises:

1) Pelvic Floor Contractions

Pelvic floor contractions, also known as Kegels, can help strengthen the muscles on the pelvic floor, which is the muscular base of the abdomen attached to the pelvis.

First, find the muscles by imagining that you are trying to hold urine or stop from passing gas. Squeeze these muscles by lifting and drawing in, then hold for a count of three. Relax then repeat, gradually increasing the holding time until you can hold for 10 seconds.

If at any point you feel the contraction relaxing, let it relax completely and rest for 10 seconds before contracting again.Repeat the exercise 10 times.

2) Knee Rolling

Lay on your back with your hands resting at your side. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Roll your hips so that your knees push to the left, then to the right, then back to center. Repeat 10-20 times.

3) Single Leg Drop-Outs

Lay on the floor with the hips and feet flat with the knees bent. Keep the pelvis still, using the hands to keep it in place if needed. Inhale, and drop the left knee to the left, as far as possible without lifting the pelvis, keeping the knee bent. Exhale, and draw the knee back in. Repeat 5 times per side.

Intermediate Level Core Strength Exercises

Once you begin building some strength, you are ready to progress in your exercise practice. These intermediate exercises will challenge a larger number of core muscles and build even more strength.

4) Single Leg Bridging

Lay on the exercise mat and place one leg flat on the floor with the knee bent. Place the other leg on an exercise ball. Using the core muscles, lift the pelvis off the mat and slowly lower back down. Repeat for 10 repetitions, then switch legs.

5) Side Laying Clams

Clams are a great exercise for your core as well as your legs. Lie down on your side with your knees bent, resting one knee on top of the other. Keeping your feet together, lift the upper knee towards the ceiling and hold your knees apart for 10 seconds. Next, slowly lower your knee back down. Be careful not to roll your hips back. Repeat 5-10 times on each side.

6) Four-Point Kneeling

Kneel on the ground and place your hands flat on the ground so you are in a crawling stance. Contract the pelvic floor and raise one leg while lifting the opposite arm. Hold for a few seconds, and return to the starting position, repeating with the opposite arm and leg. Repeat for two to three sets of 10 reps each.

Advanced Level Exercises

As you continue to develop your core muscles, you will be ready to add more intensity. These advanced exercises increase the intensity of the intermediate exercises so you can regain a strong, healthy core.

7) Bridging with Arms Above Head

Lay on an exercise mat with your shoulders and lower back flat on the floor. Support your legs on an exercise ball. Lift your arms above your head, then use the core muscles to lift your hips off the floor until your body is in a straight line from heels to shoulders. Slowly lower back down and repeat 10-15 times.

8) Bilateral Leg Cycling

Lay on the floor and lift the legs off of the ground, holding them in a cycling position. Then, cycle as if you are riding a bicycle in the air. Rest and repeat 10 times.

9) Superman Pose

Imagine superman flying through the air. Now, lay on the floor on your stomach and take this same position, arms and legs extended. Hold to strengthen the core muscles in your back, and relax.Hold the position for 2-5 seconds and repeat 10 times.

When Retraining the Brain and Body After a Stroke, Don't Neglect the Core

A stroke is a life-altering event that can happen in an instance. For many stroke patients, it serves as a wake up call to pay closer attention to health and wellness. A pro-active approach to retraining the muscles and the brain after a stroke is a great first step towards a healthier life.

When working at home, do not neglect those crucial core muscles. With a little bit of attention to the core, and the help of Saebo products to strengthen the hands, arms, and shoulders, you can experience a high quality of life after a stroke.

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Whether you are a caregiver, occupational therapist or even a stroke survivor yourself, Saebo provides stroke survivors young or old access to transformative and life changing products. We pride ourselves on providing affordable, easily accessible, and cutting-edge solutions to people suffering from impaired mobility and function. We have several products to help with the stroke recovery and rehabilitation process. From the SaeboFlex, which allows clients to incorporate their hand functionally in therapy or at home, to the SaeboMAS, an unweighting device used to assist the arm during daily living tasks and exercise training, we are commitment to helping create innovative products for stroke recovery. Check out all of our product offerings or let us help you find which

 product is right for you.

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中風7天就恢復，它是中風剋星，血管堵了喝一杯，30秒疏通腦部血管，打通全身經絡，知道的都賺翻了

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