RM180k Brazilian tree in Kuala Nerus township dies

  

An exotic RM180,000 Brazilian tree, which attracted controversy due to its price tag, has died five months after it was first planted at Bandar Baharu Kuala Nerus in Terengganu early this year. State Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Energy and Green Technology committee chairman Rosli Othman said the state government has no plans to replace the silk-floss tree that was specially brought in from Brazil, as it was contributed by the township's project contractor. The Ceiba Chodatii tree which has a bottle-shaped trunk could have died due to weather and soil incompatibility, he explained. Although both Brazil and Malaysia have tropical climates, there are still differences in the weather which can affect the survival of the plant here, he added. Early this year, critics had alleged that the tree was wasteful and attacked the state government and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman on social media. It was later clarified that it was a contribution from the project contractor and the hefty price tag covered both the transportation and cost of buying the 3.5m tree.

>Boy suffers broken foot after getting it caught in motorcycle chain

A seven-year-old boy suffered a broken left foot after it was caught in between the drive chain of the motorcycle ridden by his mother at Kampung Teriang in Endau, Mersing. The 1.30pm incident happened on Tuesday when Azharudin Zahalan and his mother, Norsuhana Suhaimi, 32, were on the way to school. The victim endured pain for more than ten minutes before his foot was released from the chain with help from the public. Norsuhana said they had made a stop at a sundry shop to do shopping prior to the incident. "Less than two minutes (after resuming journey), the motorcycle felt heavy and my son shouted out in pain," she said. "I nearly fainted when I saw his left foot caught between the chain right up to his knee, which was drenched in blood," she added. The victim was rushed to Hospital Mersing and later transferred to Hospital Sultan Ismail in Johor Bahru for further treatment.

>TVB stars Hung and Tong split

TVB artistes Tony Hung Wing-sing and Natalie Tong Sze-wing have broken up. Hung, 33, and Tong, 36, announced their decision on social media on Tuesday. Hung said their decision to break up had nothing to do with a third party or their disagreement over wedding plans. Tong, did not elaborate on their decision.

> Teenage girl allegedly raped by online friends

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly raped by friends she met through social media. The victim got to know one of the suspects through Weibo and decided to meet up on April 27. The suspect brought the girl to his friend's house in Rawang and allegedly raped her. His two other friends also allegedly raped the victim before allowing her to leave. They also warned her not to disclose the incident to anyone. The victim lodged a police report two weeks later and police detained one of the suspects on Tuesday.