Compiled by SIRA HABIBU, NG SI HOOI and R. ARAVINTHAN

SOME 5,000 government servants risk losing their jobs if they fail to buck up within six months, reported Mingguan Malaysia.

On the watch list are those who had been absent from work for more than 200 days in a year, perpetual latecomers, those involved in businesses as well as those with performance records of less than 60%.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said tough action was necessary in line with the civil service transformation plan.

However, those in the watch list would be given a chance to improve their performance.

“We will call them for training. But if they still refuse to help themselves, we will have to do something,” said Dr Ali.

> A group of firemen set aside religious sentiment to help a stray dog trapped in a muddy river in Malacca, reported Metro.

Ayer Keroh Fire and Rescue operations commander Hadzar Hassan said although touching dogs was forbidden in Islam, exceptions could be made when lives were at stake.

“As taught in Islam, the Muslim firemen cleansed the part of their bodies that came into contact with the dog,” Hadzar was quoted as saying.

He said six fire fighters including an officer went to rescue the dog after receiving a distress call at 7.19pm on Friday.

It took the rescuers more than two hours to brave the muddy river to rescue the dog.

As it was impossible to manoeuvre a boat in the muddy river, members of the public helped build a makeshift plastic raft to ferry the dog, he said.

> Actress Diana Johor who was wearing the tudung is now back to being sexy again. Diana, who is also a producer, said she did not fear being condemned for wanting to be herself.

The 34-year-old, who had shocked her fans when she started wearing tudung early last year, had decided to be sexy again this year.

Diana said she decided to wear tudung last year following the death of several of her friends. But she was not 100% prepared to change her image.

“So I decided to stop wearing tudung several months ago. I do not care about public condemnation. I am immune.

“Right now I only want to take care of my feelings and my family’s,” she said.

However, Diana did not dismiss the possibility of changing her mind and wearing tudung again.

Found in translation is compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.

