News Today

SME clinic
I WOULD like to set up my own business selling takeaway food with light cooking. I have been looking for a shop but can't find any that is suitable. Either the rental is too high ($2,000 per month and above) or... [Read more]

Results
BASKETBALLNBA: Phoenix 115 Cleveland 100, Milwaukee 107 New York 105, San Antonio 96 LA Lakers 94 (OT), Washington 105 Boston 91, Detroit 95 Indiana 87, LA Clippers 98 Seattle 76.CRICKETTri-series one-day international in Perth: Australia 343-5 in 50 overs (Hayden 117,... [Read more]

A lesson in economic defence
SINGAPORE'S political leaders should seize on the ban on sand exports from Indonesia to impart an important lesson on total defence.How Singapore and the affected parties are responding to the emergency situation demonstrates the concept of economic defence.The Ministry of National... [Read more]

Pyongyang's will to disarm still in doubt
BEIJING - PYONGYANG yesterday finally signed on to what observers say is the first concrete step forward in the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. However, analysts say the jury is still out on whether Pyongyang is committed to a long-term process... [Read more]

CapitaLand earns $40m from sale of office space
CAPITALAND has sold all its entire interest in the Samsung Hub office block to two different buyers for a gain of $40 million.The entire divestment of space in the central business district building amounted to $152.9 million.Property company Ho Bee Development... [Read more]

Why no new $10 polymer notes?
AFTER queuing for almost an hour at a POSB branch for its $500 Prosperity Pack, I was surprised to find that the new $10 notes were not of the polymer type, and the serial numbers were not in sequence. Has the... [Read more]

Apples are Good for You
As the doctor says 'An Apple a Day keeps the Doctor away'And I thought it was clear enough.... [Read more]

News In Brief
Tokyo, New York bourses on track for tie-up dealTOKYO - THE Tokyo and New York stock exchanges are expected to reach an agreement on their tie-up when bourse officials meet in New York at the end of the month, said a... [Read more]

Phone call may give vital lead in train blast probe
NEW DELHI - INDIAN investigators are looking into a suspicious phone call made to Pakistani Kashmir just after bombs on a train bound for Pakistan killed 68 people, an official said yesterday. But Kashmiri militants denied any role. The governments of... [Read more]

Terror alert in Manila on Valentine's
POLICE have stepped up security at train stations and an oil depot and set up road checkpoints in the Philippine capital to prevent a repeat of the deadly 2005 Valentine's Day terror bombings, officials said yesterday.The authorities have not monitored any... [Read more]

Foreign undergrads' English not up to par
AS A human resource practitioner for more than 10 years, I have interviewed a number of foreign undergraduates from our local universities for part-time employment. Their command of our working language, which is English, is not up to my expectations of... [Read more]

Is there a need to freeze deceased's bank accounts?

THE estate-duty law, as it stands, favours those who invest in residential properties with exemption of up to $9 million, compared to only $600,000 for 'Other Assets'.

Because of this, many who are in the middle-income group are disadvantaged. When the sole breadwinner dies, the rest of the family are often in financial distress due to the freezing of the deceased's bank account(s) by the bank. To get the bank to release the funds, the family has to seek help from lawyers and accountants and this adds to their financial woes. This process can take anything from a few months to a few years. Much of the problem is attributable to the family's ignorance of the deceased's financial affairs and their inability to explain or furnish information to the tax authorities to verify the deceased's assets and liabilities.

This invariably results in the family paying higher estate duty than had they been in a position to satisfy the tax authorities with the requisite information. The problem does not end there. In the meantime, the family has to rely on friends and relatives to support them financially until the matter is settled fully.

As the Government has often spoken of the need to build a gracious society and to show compassion to our fellow citizens, I hope it will set an example by abolishing estate duty.

Meanwhile, it would be appreciated if the authorities could review urgently the provisions of the law, particularly the freezing of bank accounts of the deceased by financial institutions.



Patrick Chan Choon Meng

Kaka's goal sees Milan through to last eight

MILAN - AC MILAN had Kaka to thank, after reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

But the Italians' stilted all-round display against Celtic raised questions about how much further they can go.

The 24-year-old Brazilian scored in extra time to give the six-time European champions a 1-0 win over the Scottish side on Wednesday.

Celtic had threatened to nick an unexpected victory after keeping the tie level at 0-0 after 180 minutes of play.

'I'm very happy to have helped Milan in a match that was so difficult,' said Kaka.

He had held off Neil Lennon's challenge on the halfway line, before outpacing the Celtic defence and slipping the ball under goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

'At the end, we were all very tired but we did well to do what we needed to go through to the next round,' added Kaka.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said he believed his side could use the win as a springboard to a good run in the competition.

Kaka's superb individual performance on Wednesday, however, failed to hide Milan's shortcomings, the most obvious being the lack of a reliable scorer.

Filippo Inzaghi, Alberto Gilardino and Ricardo Oliveira have scored only 24 goals between them all season and four in the Champions League.

Celtic felt they should have won, with midfielder Jiri Jarosik branding Austrian referee Konrad Plautz 'arrogant' for refusing to award two penalties.

Jarosik saw his fifth-minute shot handled by Milan captain Paolo Maldini, while a tackle on Shunsuke Nakamura five minutes from the end of normal time also drew dismissive gestures from the official.

'The referee was very arrogant and very difficult to talk to and seemed to want to help the Milan players,' Jarosik said.

REUTERS

Temasek operates like any investment firm

WE APPRECIATE Mr Patrick Tan Siong Kuan's concern over Temasek Holdings' investment in Shin Corp ('Billions at stake, so Shin saga a national concern'; ST, March 3).

Temasek operates with commercial discretion and flexibility as a commercial investment company. Like other investment firms, our investment decisions are based on commercial considerations within the appropriate risk-adjusted return framework for the different industries and markets.

Our investment in Shin Corp in Thailand was no different. We had a positive assessment of the outlook for Thailand, and completed the investment in accordance with market norms and best practices in international mergers and acquisitions. We continue to monitor the political situation and business environment in Thailand and will take the appropriate decisions as an investment firm.

Temasek is accountable to our shareholder in terms of our overall returns. We have maintained our Triple A credit rating by Standard & Poors and Moody's. This means we are financially sound and have sufficient assets and liquidity to support our obligations and investments.

It remains our objective to continue to deliver sustainable long-term returns.

Myrna Thomas (Ms)
Managing Director
Corporate Affairs
Temasek Holdings

England feel 'full weight of the law' in Leverock

ARNOS VALE (ST VINCENT) - THE British press have a new pin-up: Bermuda's Dwayne 'Sluggo' Leverock.

The roly-poly left-arm spinner dismissed two of England's best one-day batsmen in their World Cup warm-up match on Monday.

The 35-year-old Leverock's 120kg frame was an excuse for sports editors to trot out a few weight-related jibes yesterday.

'Owzfat! 19st part-time bowler flattens England stars' was The Sun's headline.

It was accompanied by a full-page photograph of his wobbly celebrations, after snaring Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen.

The Bermuda policeman even warranted a mention in the tabloid's editorial, which declared: 'The mystery of the Bermuda Triangle has been solved.

'None of the missing people, ships or planes were abducted by aliens after all. They were eaten by Leverock.'

The Telegraph put him on the front page under the headline: 'The full weight of the law.'

But there was also praise for the big man. His efforts saw England tottering at 132 for five, before they rallied to 286 for eight.

They won by 241 runs as Bermuda, one of the five associate nations in the World Cup, were bowled out for 45 inside 23 overs.

Critics have accused the International Cricket Council of including too many associate teams in this World Cup, starting in the West Indies on Sunday.

They argue that it will make the tournament too long at seven weeks and create too many mismatches.

However, Ireland's loss by only 35 runs to the world's top one-day team, South Africa, on Monday was a shot in the arm for the minnows.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

FAS may sanction Home duo for not joining U-23 side

AS IF losing skipper Baihakki Khaizan and midfielder Tengku Mushadad was not enough, the Singapore U-23 team were hit by another double blow yesterday.

Juma'at Jantan and Kamarulariffin Abdul Karim did not travel with the team to Alor Star for today's Malaysia FA Cup first-round tie against Kuala Muda Naza.

They are likely to face sanctions from the Football Association of Singapore.

The pair did not show up at Changi Airport for the 11.05am flight to Penang.

The Home United defenders, who played the full 90 minutes against the Korean Super Reds on Sunday, asked to be excused from the trip.

'They sent me an SMS at about 11pm on Sunday saying they couldn't make it,' said the U-23 squad's team manager Eugene Loo.

Juma'at said his left thigh was strained, while Kamarulariffin said he was tired after the S-League game.

Both players confirmed this when contacted.

Juma'at declined further comment, while Kamarulariffin said he was celebrating his birthday.

'I tried contacting them repeatedly, but they didn't pick up or return my calls,' added Loo. 'They are still part of the team, and should have travelled with us.'

Home's team manager K. T. Velu said that, as far as Home were concerned, they had allowed the players to go.

The Protectors' other players in the U-23 side, Shahril Ishak and Shahril Alias, travelled with the team.

Last week, the Ministry of Defence said Baihakki and Tengku were not cleared to play in this season's S-League because they were carrying injuries and were medically excused from military training.

This extended to national team call-ups, said Loo.

P. Sivakumar, the FAS' chief of development and planning, said he received a report from Loo yesterday on the Home players.

'I have made the appropriate recommendations to the FAS for action to be taken against the players,' he said.

It is understood that among the sanctions the FAS can impose on the duo are fines and/or suspensions from club and national games.

Under S-League rules, players who do not answer national team call-ups could be restricted from playing for their club for the period of the call-up, plus five days.

The call-up for the U-23 side is until tomorrow.

LEONARD LIM

News Today

Going the extra mile
PAYA Lebar Airport hit a space crunch not long after its opening in 1955. Mr Bernard Chan, now CAAS assistant director for estate management, remembers well the flights that took Muslim pilgrims to Mecca. Going on the haj was a red-letter... [Read more]

Body formed to help make doing business in KL easier
KUALA LUMPUR - A HIGH-profile task force set up to find ways to make Malaysia more business-friendly has been given six months to deliver.Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said on Thursday that he wanted to see some form of achievement within six... [Read more]

Body Shop founder tells of liver damage
BODY Shop founder Anita Roddick is suffering from liver damage after contracting the hepatitis C virus more than 35 years ago, she said.Dame Anita, 64, one of Britain's best-known businesswomen, developed the potentially deadly disease from infected blood given to her... [Read more]

La Liga
TodayDeportivo La Coruna v MallorcaEspanyol v Real ZaragozaValencia v Atletico Madrid Live, Ch22, tomorrow, 4.55amTomorrowAthletic Bilbao v Real BetisCelta Vigo v GimnasticOsasuna v Barcelona Live, Ch22, Monday, 3.55amRacing Santander v GetafeReal Madrid v Levante Live, Ch22, Monday, 1.55amRecreativo Huelva v VillarrealSevilla... [Read more]

Companies in brief
NO INJUNCTION FOR KOON'S EX-CHAIRMANKoon Holdings' former chairman, Mr Oh Keng Lim, has failed to obtain a court injunction to prevent the company from issuing 12 million warrants to India's Valecha Engineering even if a reverse takeover deal between Valecha and... [Read more]

The four main plotters
Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed (Mohammed The Egyptian) The 35-year-old was arrested in June 2004 in Italy, where he was convicted on terrorism charges and sentenced to 10 years in jail. Transcripts following three months of recordings by the Italian police showed... [Read more]

A delisting of Nikko could lead to buyout by Citigroup
TOKYO - AS THE Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) deliberates whether to delist Nikko Cordial over an accounting scandal, bankers are keeping a sharp eye on the brokerage's most likely suitor - financial conglomerate Citigroup.Should the TSE decide next month to revoke... [Read more]

New system to help sniff out threats
LOOKING for that 'needle in the haystack' yet vital clue in foiling terrorist, cyberspace or even bird flu threats will get easier with some made-in-Singapore help.This locally developed computerised tool for intelligence analysts is called the Risk Assessment and Horizon Scanning... [Read more]

What the fuck's happening in the world today
Jazz spoil Webber's homecoming gameAUBURN HILLS (MICHIGAN) - THE Detroit Pistons fans cheered for Chris Webber's debut and Chauncey Billups' return from injury. But they could not cheer for a victory over opponents the Pistons cannot seem to beat. Deron Williams... [Read more]

Hold courtesy drive instead of axing bus bays
THE Land Transport Authority (LTA) plan to do away with bus bays is a step backwards. I agree with readers it would lead to severe traffic congestion and much confusion.Rather than do away with bus bays, the LTA should call for... [Read more]

Experts tip corporate tax to be cut to 18% in one go
TAX experts are putting their money on a hefty two percentage point cut in corporate tax, from 20 per cent to 18 per cent, in Thursday's Budget. And they are tipping that it will be done in one clean cut -... [Read more]

Pollution risks from burning of incense sticks

I am concerned over the pollution and fire hazards caused by intensive burning of incense sticks and papers by the Chinese community here in Singapore.

I recall an incident that happened in my neighbourhood during the early morning of Feb 26.

There was a fire in a nearby shophouse caused by the sparks and leftovers of the burning items along the walkway.

This fire was caused in the wee hours of the morning and so by the time any action was taken, enough damage was done to the property and goods in the shop. I believe this is not an isolated incident.

Singapore has always preached keeping the country clean and green. Even the smallest offence of littering or spitting in public carries a fine and there are signs to remind the public to refrain from littering and maintain a clean neighbourhood.

While so much attention is given to small offences, I fail to understand why nothing is being done about those who break the law by polluting the air, causing damage to public property (cement walkways, drains, green fields) and subjecting the rest of the public to dangers and fire injuries.

What steps have been taken to educate the Chinese community on carrying out the ritual safely and what facilities have been made for them to carry out their prayers without posing dangers and polluting and damaging the environment?

M. Kokela (Ms)

O'Neal fires season-high 23 points

WASHINGTON - JUST like the old times, Shaquille O'Neal assumed dominance when it mattered most on Wednesday.

The Miami Heat centre, who turns 35 next week, scored a season-high 23 points to lead his depleted team to a 92-83 victory over the Washington Wizards in a National Basketball Association game.

Said O'Neal, who missed 39 games this season with a knee injury: 'I don't have the same explosiveness yet, but it's coming back.'

It is a game between two injury-hit sides.

The Heat were without star guard Dwyane Wade, out with a dislocated shoulder.

The Wizards were also missing two of their top three scorers, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.

With Wizards captain Gilbert Arenas having another poor shooting night with only 15 points, O'Neal became the star attraction with a variety of low-post moves against his hapless defender Brendan Haywood.

Said Heat coach Pat Riley: 'A lot of people don't think Shaq can play any more. That's why they guard him one-on-one.

'They're making a big mistake, if he keeps getting his rhythm down.'

Forced to carrying more of the load while Wade is out, O'Neal finished 11-for-17 from the field and also had 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks.

He would have scored more, had he not missed six of seven free throws.

The Heat improved to 2-2 since Wade's dislocated his left shoulder.

He is scheduled to get a second opinion today to determine whether he should have season-ending surgery.

DeShawn Stevenson led the Wizards with 19 points.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

China to consider hosting 2018 Finals

LONDON - CHINA is considering a bid to stage the 2018 World Cup Finals, said Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

It had hosted the inaugural women's World Cup in 1991, and will also host this year's tournament from Sept 10-30.

As for its men's national team, they made only one appearance in the World Cup Finals - in 2002, when Japan and South Korea co-staged the event.

Said Blatter yesterday: 'You can already see what they did with the women's World Cup, they turned it into a great show.

'But I'm not a prophet. I can't see where the World Cup is going.'

The Fifa president was in London for a meeting with British Sports Minister Richard Caborn, with a possible World Cup bid by England on the agenda.

However, he warned that there is no guarantee that the 2018 World Cup will be held in Europe.

The United States and Australia, along with China, have also indicated their intention to bid.

The world governing body's executive committee will decide in December whether the World Cup should rotate among the different continents, or if it should be open to all bidders.

Said Blatter: 'The executive committee must take a decision whether the rotation should include all the confederations, in which case the 2018 World Cup should be in North or Central America.

'They could also decide that the Americas should be considered as one. Then the rotation would go to Asia.

'It may also be that the majority of the executive committee, where you have eight European representatives out of 24, can find the 13 votes needed for the World Cup to return to Europe.'

He added that his personal inclination was for rotation to continue to North America, with the US, Mexico and Canada all capable of hosting the tournament.

BLOOMBERG NEWS

NTUC Income-Yeo's S-League

Format: 12 clubs, three rounds of 11 matches each.

Teams and home stadiums

Albirex Niigata (Jurong East, Jurong East St 31)

Balestier Khalsa (Toa Payoh, Lorong 6 Toa Payoh)

Geylang United (Bedok, Bedok North Street 2)

Gombak United (Jurong West, Jurong West Street 93)

Home United (Bishan, Bishan St 14)

Korean Super Reds (Yishun, Yishun Avenue 1)

Liaoning Guangyuan (Queenstown, Stirling Road)

Sengkang Punggol (Hougang, Hougang Ave 2)

Singapore Armed Forces FC (Choa Chu Kang, Choa Chu Kang St 53)

Tampines Rovers (Tampines, Tampines St 82)

Woodlands Wellington (Woodlands, Woodlands Street 13)

Young Lions (Jalan Besar, Tyrwhitt Road)

Opening fixtures

Sunday: Home v Super Reds (Bishan)

Monday: Albirex v Balestier (Jurong East)

March 8: Gombak v Geylang (Jurong West)

March 9: Young Lions v Liaoning (Jln Besar)

March 10: Sengkang v SAFFC (Hougang)

March 11: Woodlands v Tampines (Woodlands)

News Today

Female seminary students in Pakistan sit-in
ISLAMABAD - VEILED in burqas and armed with canes, scores of female seminary students have occupied a children's library in the Pakistani capital to protest against government plans to demolish mosques and madrasahs built without official permission. The unusual protest has... [Read more]

Girl shot by dad in 'honour killing'
AMMAN - A FATHER shot dead his 17-year-old daughter, whom he suspected of having sex, then surrendered to the police in the latest case of so-called 'honour killings' in Jordan that have attracted international censure. An autopsy found the girl to... [Read more]

Britain fears serial letter-bomber at work
LONDON - BRITAIN may be in the grip of a serial letter-bomber. A wave of attacks, described by police as coordinated, is inspiring comparisons with the so-called Unabomber in the US, who waged an 18-year campaign against airlines and universities that... [Read more]

'Heart attack' on minister on Valentine's Day
TOKYO - A PEACENIK organisation sent Japan's Health Minister a giant chocolate urging him to 'Be Our Valentine and Resign!' as the country's sweet-giving tradition took on a bitter tinge yesterday. For most Japanese, Valentine's Day is an occasion when women... [Read more]

Festive plants can bring cheer...and mozzies
THE plants traditionally brought into the home for Chinese New Year may add to the festive feeling - but they could be breeding disease, too. The pots and water plates are potential breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue,... [Read more]

Putting this shop's best face forward
Many people come to the shop daily, during their lunch breaks, 'to soak in the feel and experience'. Ms Peggy Kho, 31, creative director of The Face Shop chain of cosmetic stores, said the combination of attentive sales staff and look... [Read more]

Tokyo records longest snowless winter
TOKYO yesterday set a record for its longest snowless winter amid growing worldwide concern about global warming. The metropolitan area of the capital has not had snow this season, making it the longest snowless winter since statistics were first kept in... [Read more]

Entertaining is out for Japan bank's unit
BANK of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, the Japanese bank which was recently censured over improper lending practices, has asked bankers at its Singapore office to stop entertaining clients as a penance.The bank is part of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, which has about 600... [Read more]

'I feel like a WHORE'
Daring bus stop shoot brings Fann close to 'emotional breakdown' - it's the price of taking on more risky roles CLAD in a short skirt, Fann Wong is sitting at a bus stop, her legs wide apart.She then props one foot... [Read more]

Stop new gas output, Japan tells China
TOKYO - JAPAN has asked China to halt any new production of gas from a field in the East China Sea claimed by both countries, says Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki. China has started supplying gas from the Chunxiao field to... [Read more]

Subsidies for kindergarten fees to be raised
KINDERGARTEN schooling will be made more affordable for low-income families with children.The Government yesterday announced that it will raise the level of subsidy for kindergarten fees under the current Kindergarten Financial Assistance Scheme.The subsidy will increase from 75 per cent to... [Read more]

News Today

To revive the kampong spirit, HDB has to put its ear to the ground and scrutinise its own heart
Good neighbourliness used to be a hallmark of flat-living. In my childhood home, a block of two-room flats, almost every unit housed three generations, with families numbering six or more. Everybody knew everybody.It was a tight squeeze physically, but the openness,... [Read more]

More market volatility likely ahead of Fed meeting
VOLATILITY'S the buzzword this week as money managers and investors alike try to make sense of the huge array of economic data and corporate earnings due out in the next few trading sessions.While stocks, led by banking and property issues, generally... [Read more]

Asia Quickly
LAW TO TARGET 'AH LONG' CLIENTS?KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians who try to borrow money from loan sharks would be prosecuted under proposals floated by police, who are cracking down on illegal money-lending.The director of the federal Commercial Crime Department, Datuk Ramli Yusuf,... [Read more]

Natsteel's net profit jumps 89% to $132m
NATSTEEL yesterday posted an 89 per cent rise in full-year net income to $132.1 million, boosted by higher one-time gains.These gains shot up to $83 million, from $32.4 million in 2005, after the disposal of its financial assets and gains from... [Read more]

Woods and Mickelson survive, but Els sinks in round one
MARANA (ARIZONA) - TIGER Woods and Phil Mickelson are safe, at least for another day.But Ernie Els said goodbye to the Accenture Matchplay Championship with another first-round loss.It is one down and five to go for Woods, who had little trouble... [Read more]

Nurses' pay to go up by 3-7 per cent this month
PUBLIC-SECTOR nurses and other health-care professionals will take home fatter pay cheques starting this month. Nurses' salaries will go up by 3 to 7 per cent, while allied health professionals such as medical social workers and physiotherapists will receive increments of... [Read more]

Porto the real test for Chelsea
LISBON - CHELSEA'S recent revival faces its first real test today, when the English champions take on their Portuguese counterparts, FC Porto, in the Champions League. The English club's manager, Jose Mourinho, has likened the match to a final. He said:... [Read more]

Going the extra mile
PAYA Lebar Airport hit a space crunch not long after its opening in 1955. Mr Bernard Chan, now CAAS assistant director for estate management, remembers well the flights that took Muslim pilgrims to Mecca. Going on the haj was a red-letter... [Read more]

Contracts for shipping sector firms steam ahead
TRADING of covered warrants issued on companies in the shipping sector is steaming ahead of that for their counterparts in other sectors.In the past trading week, turnover for shipping sector warrants cruised past that for traditionally more popular sectors such as... [Read more]

FJ Benjamin's earnings nearly treble to $10.7m
BOOSTED by healthy sales of its clothing and timepieces, fashion retailer FJ Benjamin Holdings' second-quarter net profit nearly trebled to $10.7 million. The sterling results propelled its net profit for the half-year ended Dec 31 to $13.8 million, 35 per cent... [Read more]

Singaporean jailed in JB for illegal entry returns home
SHE'S back. The Singaporean woman jailed for entering Malaysia with her passport unstamped has been released and deported. Malaysian immigration officers told The Straits Times they released Miss Cai Hui Si late on Tuesday night. Earlier, it had seemed that an... [Read more]

Recall Beckham? Experts can't agree

BY LEONARD LIM - DAVID Beckham's sizzling form in Spain has caused ripples in England.

The big question: Should England coach Steve McClaren, who dropped the player said to be the world's best crosser last year, welcome him back to the fold?

Yes, said three of the five football experts The Straits Times asked.

The detractors feel that Beckham's replacements, Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Philips, are not ready yet for the big stage.

Former Singapore coach Barry Whitbread is among those who hope the Real Madrid midfielder will be given another chance.

'He shouldn't have been left out in the first place,' said Whitbread. 'When McClaren became the new manager, he wanted to send the message that he was in charge. But Lennon and Wright-Philips, are not ready at international level yet.

'Beckham can win a game with his set-pieces.'

The Englishman's view has the support of BBC sports news correspondent, Gordon Farquhar.

'He's on form for Real now,' said Farquhar. 'He's also always determined to do well for his country.

'I think he's still the best crosser in football, and probably one of the best four or five dead-ball specialists in the world.

'England will benefit from his return.'

The Football Association of Malaysia's technical director, Robert Alberts, said that Beckham's return could provide a psychological lift for the Three Lions, after their recent string of poor results.

England travel to Israel for a must-win European qualifier on March 24, on the back of four games without a victory.

The main reason for their poor form, according to Farquhar: Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard failing to gel in the team's engine room.

And this is where Beckham comes in.

Said Dutchman Alberts: 'He may not have the speed of Wright-Philips, but he can deliver a quality pass.'

But not every one feels the welcome mat should be laid out for Beckham. Among them is James Lawton, chief sports writer and columnist for The Independent, an English daily.

He said: 'Beckham is already over the hill. It's ridiculous to recall him when he's already 31.

'He has played in a few World Cups and European Championships, and been a failure in all. He's more hype than anything else.'

Sports journalist Spencer Robinson agreed, saying: 'McClaren should focus on developing the young ones like Lennon on the right wing.

'Beckham certainly is better than everyone else in the England team in terms of his dead-ball skills, but bringing him back means McClaren must change his style.

'If he decides to pump long balls to the forwards, then yes, use Beckham. But that approach won't get you anywhere internationally.

'McClaren should instead stick to building a young dynamic team with pace going forward, to make them real contenders for the World Cup.'

The British-born but Singapore-based scribe added that fleet-footed Wright-Philips, 25, and Lennon, 19, are both good at taking on defenders and getting to the byelines.

'Wright-Philips has also shown in his Manchester City days what a great dribbler and finisher he is,' he said. 'Lennon and Theo Walcott went to the World Cup last year. We've got to continue using and blooding them.

'They are England's future.'

Lawton laid the blame for England's poor run on McClaren.

'He doesn't have a clue in terms of tactics, look at the recent matches' he said, pointing to McClaren's 4-3-3 formation against Spain on Feb7, when England lost 0-1.

'Don't bring Beckham back. Why not move Gerrard out on the right? Apart from being explosive, he also scored 20-plus goals for Liverpool last season from that position.' SHOULD Steve McClaren recall David Beckham to the England squad?

Log on to http://epl.stomp.com.sg to vote and air your views.

Manchester United fans complain that police reaction was over the top

MANCHESTER United supporters were caught in a crush scare during Tuesday's 1-0 Champions League win over Lille.

Riot police fired tear gas into the overcrowded away section of the Stade Felix-Bollaert early in the game.

Some visiting fans appeared to be crushed against a 3m-high metal fence. They then accused the police of beating them with batons.

At least two supporters, one a schoolboy, were lifted over the barrier. Security officials slammed shut a gate which had been pushed open by United supporters trying to relieve the pressure.

United fan Mark Harrison, who saw police hitting supporters with batons, said: 'One young woman fell forward and was crushed against the fence.

'She was crying and tried to climb over the fence. When all the other fans saw this, they started to panic and did the same thing.

'The police reaction was well over the top. They started spraying us with pepper spray. My eyes were streaming and I couldn't breathe.'

United have confirmed goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar suffered double vision as a result of the tear gas.

Another United fan told The Guardian that the overcrowding was caused by Lille officials' slapdash admissions policy.

'They weren't checking tickets, just waving everyone in,' he said.

'I travelled with a few guys who didn't have tickets and they got in. That's why we ended up with more people in there than seats.'

The incident sounded similar to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in Sheffield, England.

Police at the English FA Cup semi-final allowed fans into an already-crowded terrace section, and 96 people were crushed to death along the perimeter fence.

United want to hear from fans who may have been involved before submitting a report to Uefa.

Uefa spokesman Rob Faulkner told the BBC: 'We cannot say now what action the disciplinary committee will take. But, if they find against Lille, it could well be severe.'

Tuesday's incident follows others earlier this season.

In Italy, there was the death of a police officer in Sicily at a Serie A match.

In Germany, a riot injured dozens of police.

In France, a police officer was shot to death while protecting a fan from rioters at a Paris Saint-Germain game.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS

Sats chief exec to take up senior post at SIA

SINGAPORE Airport Terminal Services (Sats) president and chief executive (CEO) Ng Chin Hwee will soon leave the company to take up a senior position at its parent, Singapore Airlines (SIA).

Mr Ng, who joined mainboard-listed Sats in January 2004, will be promoted to his an as-yet-undisclosed new position 'at a date to be announced in due course', said Sats in a statement yesterday.

A search committee has been set up to look for a successor to Mr Ng, who will stay on to oversee the businesses of Sats until his replacement has been found.

Mr Ng has been with the SIA group of companies since 1985, when he joined as a cadet administration officer.

During his 18-year stint with the group, he handled a broad range of responsibilities such as marketing, ground services and country management.

As divisional vice-president of ground services based in Singapore, he had worldwide responsibilities for airport operations.

Mr Ng had earlier served overseas stints in Germany, Australia and Myanmar. He was also based in Los Angeles for a period as senior vice-president overseeing SIA's business in the Americas.

During his tenure as CEO of Sats, Mr Ng has spearheaded its expansion overseas into booming markets including India, the Middle East and China, forging joint ventures with overseas players to offer the company's inflight catering and ground handling businesses at a number of foreign airports.

He had earlier directed the restructuring of the company into a leaner outfit. In September 2004, Sats, which handles about 80 per cent of ground handling at Changi Airport, shed more than 10 per cent of its workforce to slash costs and boost its competitiveness against new players entering its home turf.

Mr Ng graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Engineering.

He later did further studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received a Master of Management Science (Sloan Fellow) degree.

GRACE NG

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