four of Terengganu's eight state executive council members are using newly purchased Mercedes-Benz E200 Kompressor cars despite a Cabinet directive ag

JOHOR BARU: At least four of Terengganu's eight state executive council members are using newly purchased Mercedes-Benz E200 Kompressor cars despite a Cabinet directive against doing so.Several of them were seen travelling in the cars to official functions and meetings.

Those who were seen taking rides in the car said they were waiting for Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said to make an announcement at Wednesday's state executive council meeting on when to give up the cars.Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Za’abar Mohd Adib attended the Malaysian Flora Fest here yesterday in his gleaming new black Mercedes-Benz.“I think the issue is overblown,” said Za'abar yesterday when met after the function.

Official use: Ahmad Razif leaving in his Mercedes after attending an event opened by the Deputy Prime Minister in Kuala Terengganu on Friday night.

When asked whether he knew about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's announcement, he said he was aware of it and that Ahmad had already commented about it.
On Friday, Abdullah had announced that all the Mercedes-Benzes bought by the state for its executive council members could only be used for foreign dignitaries.

Za'abar also described the overall performance of the car bearing the licence plate number TAM 28, as “justified”. The car was parked at the Dataran Bandaraya Johor Baru parking area reserved for VIPs and some press members noticed it as they were leaving the function.

“Oh, you all are more interested in the car than in the floral fest,” he said in jest when approached by reporters.When asked whether his action was going against Abdullah's decision, Za’abar said: “That was not my intention.”“I think the matter will be discussed at the next exco meeting,” he said.He also said he first used the vehicle on Wednesday when he went to Kuala Lumpur to attend an executive council meeting.“From Kuala Lumpur, I drove back to Terengganu because on Friday morning I had another meeting to attend and later that day, I drove to Johor Baru,” he said.

Datuk Za’abar’s car with registration number TAM 28 was seen at the VIP carpark as the executive council member attended the Malaysian Flora Fest parade in Johor Baru yesterday.

On Friday night, another executive council member, Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, was seen leaving in his Mercedes after attending an event opened by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.In Kuala Terengganu, R.S.N. Murali reports that nine people have been questioned by the Anti-Corruption Agency over the high service costs of Proton Perdana V6 Executive cars owned by the state government incurred from 2004 to this year.State ACA director Sharudin Sapian said those summoned to his office were civil servants and members of the public and several mechanics.

Most Popular Mid-Size Cars

2008 Subaru Legacy

Hybrids and small, fuel-efficient cars are in short supply, and the auto industry, in general, is having one of its worst years ever.But auto buyers, driven by rapidly rising gas prices, found some appealing fuel-efficient mid-sized and crossover vehicles in the $18,000 to $30,000 range. Sales of some models in this segment surged in June 2008, compared with June 2007, and the increase provided a ray of hope to automakers otherwise struggling to stay afloat.

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The biggest winners were the Chevrolet Malibu sedan (25 mpg), sales up 73.4% in June 2008 compared with June 2007; Honda Accord sedan (24 mpg), sales up 54%; Chevrolet Equinox crossover (19 mpg), sales up 45.9; Subaru Forester crossover (22 mpg), sales up 41%; and Pontiac G6 sedan (25 mpg), sales up 34.2%.
The double-digit surge in sales of some mid-size vehicles highlights the shift in consumer preference away from gas-guzzling SUVs and pickups, whose sales continued spiraling downward in June--by 28.4% for the month.

Rough Month All Around

Overall, sales for June fell 18.3%, one of the weakest selling periods in years, according to Autodata Corp., which tracks vehicles sales. There were three fewer selling days in June 2008 (24) compared with June 2007 (27); the percent change calculation is based on numeric comparison and has not been adjusted to reflect the fewer selling days in the period.Three days made little difference, however, as no automaker was exempt from the sales plunge--even Toyota, which many analysts predicted would overtake General Motors in U.S. sales. GM held its position with an 18% sales drop; Toyota's sales dipped 21%.It may take some time before automakers catch up to the marked shift in consumer preference for fuel-efficient vehicles. If June sales are any indication, demand for these cars is way ahead of supply--and will be for some time to come.

No segment was excluded from the sales slump, including hybrids such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic. Both experienced a sharp drop in sales last month--not because of a lack of interest, but because of a lack of availability. Auto buyers purchased the vehicles faster than auto makers could build them, so there are fewer of them left to sell. Sales of the Prius (46 mpg) tumbled 25.5% in June 2008 compared with June 2007; Civic hybrid sales (42 mpg) were off 6.1% (gas-powered Civics sales soared, however, by 23.1%).

2009 Saturn VUE

Auto sales likely won't rebound "until consumers get their confidence back, and that may not be until next year," he adds. Many consumers are holding off on making purchases until they feel more secure about their jobs, housing and cost of living, auto analysts say.

"The source of weakness is coming from a distressed consumer," says Bob Schnorbus, chief economist at J.D. Power and Associates. "Consumer confidence is as low as one may imagine it getting, and there are uncertainties about where the energy market is going."

Mid-Size On The Rise

Consumers who did enter the market in June to purchase a new vehicle bypassed SUVs and searched for other options to reduce fuel expenses. Some snubbed subcompact or small cars for mid-priced vehicles. This broad segment includes a mix of sedans, coupes, convertibles, compact SUVs and crossover vehicles that appeal to families of varying sizes. They want fuel-efficiency but may need a larger vehicle that is versatile enough to meet the demands of their lifestyle.

"Some people really don't want smaller cars," says James Hossack, a consultant for AutoPacific Inc., an automotive marketing and product-consulting company. "What they really want is more fuel-efficient vehicles. They want room for the family and their stuff." Also important is safety, says Hossack.

5 Quick Ways to Cut Your Gas Bill

The price of gasoline is unconscionable. Who would have thought it possible we’d be paying over $4.00 a gallon in some parts of the country, with talk of even higher prices down the road? In fact, AAA points out it's costing us an average 22 percent more for gas today than just a year ago. Many wonder when this will end. Some get mad. Others suck it up and just pay the price, figuring it will go away. It won’t. But what can you do about it?

After dismissing the thought of boycotting your local gas stations – a pleasant thought, but a move that won’t get the kids to school or you to work – you’re faced with thinking over some real options. We think of these, too … and here are some that come to mind. None of these involve dumping your car and getting a new one. We know that’s not always possible, especially if you’re in the middle of a lease with nowhere to go. Plus, if your vehicle is a larger model like an SUV that gets marginal fuel economy, its present sale or trade-in value probably leaves a lot to be desired. So, if you need to keep driving your everyday ride but just have to do something about the high gas costs that are wrecking your budget, then give these tips a shot.

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1. Start here: Don’t drive as much. Really, this isn’t as painful as it sounds. We’ve grown accustomed to our cars providing mobility on demand, which is a good thing when it isn’t hurting our wallets or contributing to growing oil dependency. It’s not so good when the reverse is true, which is the situation today. So plan ahead. Consolidating your day’s errands into sequential trips one after another is a great strategy that will save gas. It will also cut tailpipe emissions by eliminating unnecessary cold-starts when your car’s emissions control system is least effective.

2. Ease off on the pedal, Speed Racer. Okay, maybe you’re not really hot rodding your way down the street, but chances are pretty good you’re not thinking about taking it easy from one traffic light to the next. Light accelerator pressure and a conscious effort to avoid quick starts and stops do make a difference in fuel economy, sometimes a pretty big one. Give it a try. While you’re at it, smooth out your pedal pressure at highway speeds as well by using your cruise control whenever appropriate.

3. Feeling the need for speed? Let it go. It’s easy to creep past posted speed limits without thinking about it, especially on urban highways where traffic often tends to move well beyond 65 mph. Some freeways in Southern California regularly flow at 80 mph and sometimes more. The problem is that fuel efficiency diminishes rapidly above 60 mph. In fact, the EPA says that each 5 mph driven above that speed has the net effect of costing you about 20 cents more per gallon of gas.

4. If you’re filling up on mid-grade or premium fuel, check to see if you really need to do this. Some high-compression engines do require higher octane fuel to run properly, and in fact serious engine damage could result from using a lower grade fuel than is specified in your owner’s manual. But if you don’t need premium fuel you shouldn’t be filling up with it. Premium fuel costs about 20 to 40 cents more per gallon but doesn’t provide better performance in engines designed to run on regular … so you’re essentially pumping cash out your tailpipe. Not a pleasant thought, is it?

5. Check your tire pressure weekly and keep your tires aired up to the recommended psi. This is so simple you’d assume everyone does this regularly. Not so. And that’s too bad since tires with low pressure create greater rolling resistance that can cost you up to 3 percent in fuel efficiency. Tires heat up while you drive and checking them while hot will give an artificially high reading. Make a habit of checking tire pressure before driving when your tires are cold. You might also consider buying low rolling resistance tires the next time your car is ready for new treads.

7 Super Snacks That Heal

If some doctors had their way today, Americans would be more medicated than industrial feedlot cattle. But what most people don’t realize is that the first line of defense against stress, fatigue, depression, and so many other maladies is found in supermarket aisles, not in the drug store.

Research shows that the vitamins, minerals, and active compounds specific to certain fruits, vegetables, and even chocolate and red wine have an immediate and lasting impact on your mood, your health, your fitness — even your sex life.

Whether you have a big presentation at work, or the need to burn a few hundred extra calories a day (and who doesn’t want to do that?), why not put food to work for you? Here are seven research-backed quick cures just waiting for you in the fresh produce bins and supermarket shelves.

1. When You're Stressed...

Eat This:
1 Cup of Low-Fat Yogurt or 2 Tbsp of Mixed Nuts

Scientists in Slovakia gave people 3 grams each of two amino acids — lysine and arginine — or a placebo and asked them to deliver a speech. Blood measurements of stress hormones revealed that the amino acid–fortified public speakers were half as anxious during and after the speech as those who took the placebo. Yogurt is one of the best food sources of lysine; nuts pack tons of arginine.

Not That!
A Can of Soda

A study from the American Journal of Public Health found that people who drink 20 ounces of soda daily are three times more likely to be depressed and anxious, compared with those who drink less.

2. When You Want to Increase Your Metabolism...

Drink This:
Green Tea

Catechins, the powerful antioxidants found in green tea, are known to stoke your metabolism, making it burn hotter and torch more calories. A study by Japanese researchers found that participants who consumed 690 milligrams of catechins from green tea daily had significantly lower body-mass indexes and smaller waist measurements than tea-totalers (i.e., they avoid the stuff).

Not That!
Nothing

Skipping meals lets your body's calorie-burning furnace go cold. Spread out snacks throughout the day. Try a cup of yogurt with fresh fruit or almonds between breakfast and lunch, and a hard-boiled egg or hummus with vegetables in the afternoon.

3. When You're Low on Energy...

Eat This:
A Handful of Trail Mix

Raisins provide potassium, which your body uses to convert sugar into energy. Nuts stock your body with magnesium, which boosts metabolism and improves nerve and muscle function. (When magnesium levels are low, your body produces more lactic acid — the same fatigue-byproduct that makes your muscles ache at the end of a workout.)

Not That!
Espresso-Based Drinks

Sure, the caffeine will perk you up, but the spike in blood sugar that follows — with anywhere from 16 grams (latte) to 59 grams (white chocolate mocha) of sugar coursing through your veins — will ultimately launch your own personal energy crisis. Stick to brewed coffee with one packet of sugar, max.

4. When You Need a Brain Boost...

Eat This:
Blueberries

Antioxidants in blueberries help protect the brain from free-radical damage, which could decrease your risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and improve cognitive processing. Wild blueberries, if you can find them (or grow them!), have even more brain-boosting antioxidants than the cultivated variety.

Not That!
Ice Cream

Sugary foods incite sudden surges of blood glucose that, in the long term, cause sugar highs and lows, and make you as distractable as a toddler in the Disney store. And foods high in saturated fat can clog blood vessels and slow the flow of nutrients and blood to the brain.

5. When You're Under the Weather...

Drink This:
Ginseng Tea, Hot or Iced

In a Canadian study, people who took 400 milligrams of ginseng a day had 25 percent fewer colds than people who popped a placebo. Ginseng helps kill invading viruses by increasing the body's production of key immune cells.

Not That!
Caffeinated Beverages and Energy Drinks

Excessive caffeine messes with your sleep schedule and sabotages key immune agents. And insufficient sleep opens the door to colds, upper respiratory infections, and other ills. What's more, caffeine can dehydrate you, and hydration is vital during illness: Fluids not only transport nutrients to the problem zones, but also carry away toxins.

6. When You Need to Wake Up and Go...

Eat This:
Eggs and Whole-Wheat Toast

Eggs are a great source of protein, and having them for breakfast sets you up for a perfect day of eating. Saint Louis University researchers found that people who eat eggs for breakfast consume 264 fewer calories the rest of the day than those who eat bagels and cream cheese.

Not That!
Bagel and Cream Cheese

At 500 calories and 20 grams of fat, this deli disaster is one of the worst ways to start your day. Sixty grams of fast-burning carbohydrates will cause a dip in energy and a spike in hunger, long before lunchtime. The same goes for croissants, danish, donuts, and pancakes.

7. When You Want to Get ''In the Mood''...

Eat This:
Dark Chocolate

The cocoa in chocolate contains stimulants that increase your body's sensitivity. Chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, a chemical that can give you a slight natural high. And Italian researchers found that women who often eat chocolate have a higher sex drive than those who don't. Make sure your chocolate has at least 60 percent cacao.

Not That!
The Third Glass of Wine

The alcohol in wine affects your prefrontal cortex, which can decrease inhibition and up your sexual appetite. But only for the first glass or two. Beyond that, the toxic affects of alcohol in your system take over and are as likely to make you sleepy as they are to make you sexy. The more pouring, the more snoring.

For even more delicious food fixes that can help burn calories, dampen stress, and give you a rush of natural energy, check out these incredible picks. And to make sure you know all the best and worst foods for a better sex life, check out this indispensable list!

The Best (and Worst) Summer Barbeque Foods

The Great American Barbecue is as much of a summer staple as the Hollywood blockbuster, the belly flop, and the farmer tan.In fact, 71 percent of American households fire up the grill at least once a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, which means all of us will chew our way through thousands of calories worth of grill-friendly foods.And while a live flame can be a healthy cooking tool, the nutritional differences between a hot dog and a hamburger, a mojito and a margarita, might determine whether you fit into, or overflow, the waistline of your swimsuit this summer.

But it’s not just the main courses that demand careful consideration. The vast supporting cast of sides, drinks, and desserts that round out the BBQ menu have potentially dramatic caloric implications. Choose the wrong ones and you’ve added 300 or 400 unnecessary calories to your meal; choose the right ones and you can fill your belly, and show it off, all summer long!


Eat This:
Hot Dog with onions, relish, ketchup and mustard
270 calories
12 g fat

Hot dogs get a bad rap, but they score a resounding victory in the battle of American barbecue classics. Hot dogs benefit from two simple realities: First, the skinny bun makes for built-in portion control, which means unless you’ve fired up foot-long brats or have a penchant for chili and cheese, you’re unlikely to build a dog with more than 300 calories. Second, the traditional condiments for hot dogs — ketchup, mustard, relish, onions — are of the low-calorie variety.

Not That!
Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, ketchup and mustard
600 calories
28 g fat

It may carry a fig leaf of lettuce, but it’s also overloaded with empty calories. And if you're among the half of Americans who slather their hamburger buns with mayo, you'll lump another 100 calories onto the total. Most burger meat is 20 percent fat even before you blanket it in processed cheese, so the calories add up quickly. Unless you’re willing to build your burger from 95 percent lean beef and ditch the cheese, you’re looking at 500 calories, minimum. (Go with 95 percent lean beef, though, and lose more than 20 grams of fat!)


Eat This:
Chips and Guacamole
175 calories
12 g fat

No, tortilla chips don’t beat out raw vegetables, but guacamole trounces ranch dressing (below). That’s because avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, so they help fill your belly at the same time that they protect your heart. But make sure your guac is made from real avocados; many national-brand “guacamole dips” are made with less than 2 percent avocado. Your best bet? Make it at home; you can have a huge, crowd-pleasing batch ready in under 5 minutes. Our favorite recipe is right here.

Not That!
Veggies and ranch
200 calories
14 g fat

This ubiquitous summer appetizer is less about the vegetables and more about a sturdy delivery system to offload the ranch from bowl to mouth. Unfortunately, on a scale of 1 to 10 in terms of solid nutrition, ranch registers a resounding 0. Want to make the ultimate snack? Ditch the ranch and the tortilla chips and dip your veggies in guac instead.


Eat This:
Baked Beans
150 calories
2 g fat

Beans are holders of the nutritional triple crown: They’re packed with protein and fiber, they're sultans of satiety, and they’re one of the richest sources of antioxidants on the planet. So for a mere 150 calories, you get a food that will fill your belly, rev up your metabolism, and help fend off the Reaper. Just make sure your version — whether homemade or store-bought — isn’t loaded with added sugars.

Not That!
Potato Salad
220 calories
12 g fat

Potatoes are already at the low end of the vegetable totem pole: they’re high in carbohydrates and low in fiber, which translates into a big spike in blood sugar levels. Want diabetes with that? But when you add a jar of mayonnaise to the mix, things go from bad to worse pretty quickly. Odds are that potato salad will be the most calorie-dense side dish at any barbecue you attend this year. Give it a wide berth, or grow a wider gerth.


Drink This:
Mojito
175 calories
15 g sugars

This rediscovered favorite among cocktail connoisseurs is made from fresh mint, fresh lime juice, and zero-calorie club soda. Add to that a restrained glug of rum and a teaspoon of sugar and you’re looking at one of the “healthiest” libations you’ll ever stumble across. And if you drink few enough to avoid stumbling yourself, you've solved the booze weight-gain problem.

Not That!
Margarita
500 calories
35 g sugars

Pre-made margarita mix is slime green for a reason. It’s a warning sign: Toxic spill ahead! Margarita mixes are high-fructose corn syrup with an injection of artificial lime flavoring, making them a serious threat to your beach body. If you simply must have a margi, make it a real one, with fresh lime juice, tequila, and just a touch of sugar.


Eat This:
Ice Cream Sandwich
180 calories
7 g fat
13 g sugars

If you simply must indulge your sweet tooth, do it with an ice cream sandwich. Unlike a piece of pie or a bowl of ice cream, which are dangerously undefined, size-wise, the ice cream sandwich comes in a small, pre-determined portion that rarely cracks the 200-calorie threshold.

Not That!
Apple Pie
400 calories
15 g fat
29 g sugar

Don’t be fooled by the wholesome association with "mom." Think "Eve," instead, and eternal damnation. The crust that holds those innocent apple slices is fashioned from lard and refined flour, and the fruit floats in a thick ooze of sugar sludge. Pie has more calories than an 8 oz sirloin and more sugar than most candy bars — and that’s not even counting that big scoop of vanilla ice cream you’re likely to flop next to the slice.

To discover — and avoid! — other insulin-spiking, gut-busting, sugar-laden foods, check out these sickly sweet offenders that rate as America’s most sugar-packed foods! And consumer beware: Sugar is lurking in more than just the food you eat, as this guide to the 20 unhealthiest drinks shows. Need to avoid salt? Then go with this indispensable list of 20 foods your cardiologist wouldn’t ever eat!