'SELAMAT DATANG KE BLOG 'PUSAT MAKLUMAT RAKYAT KUCHING'

Kami menyediakan bahan maklumat mengenai dasar-dasar kerajaan serta perkhidmatan internet bagi para pelanggan.

LEAVING THIS BLOG NOW...................

As I will be on a long months' holidays starting 7th July 2010 prior to my retirement in October 2010, I will suspend my service in updating my blog on daily issues or facts of interest.

I would like to thanks everyone for having the interest in surfing my blog and sharing the thoughts with me.

Thank you to everyone.


Friday, October 31, 2008

Hakim Chin letak jawatan

HAKIM Mahkamah Tinggi, Datuk Ian Chin Hong Chong, yang pernah mendedahkan bahawa hakim diugut pecat jika membuat keputusan tidak memihak kepada kerajaan, mengemukakan surat peletakan jawatan berkuat kuasa 1 Disember depan.

Timbalan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Senator T Murugiah, berkata Chin menghantar surat peletakan jawatan itu kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong pada 16 Julai lalu. Beliau kini bercuti sejak 21 Ogos lalu sehingga 30 November depan.

“Dalam hal ini tidak timbul lagi kenapa perlu kita siasat kes ini kerana dia (Chin) sudah meletak jawatan,” katanya menjawab soalan Chua Tian Chan (PKR-Batu) yang ingin tahu langkah kerajaan menyiasat isu-isu dibawa Chin pada persidangan Dewan Rakyat semalam.

Pada 11 Jun lalu, Chin ketika mendengar kes pertikaian terhadap keputusan pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu di Sarawak, berkata kononnya bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad pada satu persidangan hakim pada 1997 pernah mengugut akan menggunakan tribunal khas untuk menyingkirkan hakim yang membuat keputusan tidak menyebelahi kerajaan

Sarawak: Empangan Hidroelektrik Murum siap ikut jadual

Pelaksanaan projek empangan Hidroelektrik Murum berkuasa 944 megawatt yang dijangka siap sepenuhnya menjelang 2013, diyakini tidak akan terjejas di sebalik keadaan ekonomi dunia tidak menentu pada masa sekarang.

Malah, kos pembinaannya yang pada asal dianggarkan RM3 bilion dijangka menurun sedikit, berikutan tempahan terhadap bahan binaan berkaitan terutama daripada Amerika Syarikat dan China semakin berkurangan, sekali gus membawa kepada penurunan harga bahan terbabit.

Sarawak Energy Berhad sudah memberikan kontrak bagi melaksanakan projek Murum pada asas siap bina kepada Yangtze Three Gorges Technology and Economy Development Co Ltd.

Pengarah Urusan Kumpulan Sarawak Energy Berhad, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Husain, berkata ujian operasi bagi unit pertama stesen janakuasa Murun dengan kapasiti 230 megawatt akan dilakukan Disember ini, diikuti unit kedua dengan kapasiti 430 megawatt pada Februari tahun depan.

Katanya, keseluruhan projek stesen janakuasa itu dijangka akan beroperasi sebelum 2013, sekali gus akan memenuhi permintaan yang semakin meningkat yang kini mencecah 800 megawatt.

"Saya tidak melihat krisis ekonomi yang melanda dunia akan menjejas projek Murum, apa lagi kita sudah menandatangani perjanjian dengan kontraktor terbabit. Sebaliknya kita menjangka kos pembinaannya akan menurun dan mungkin akan mempercepatkan pelaksanaan projek," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui pemberita selepas majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri Sarawak Energy Berhad di sini, semalam. Menteri Perancanghan dan Pengurusan Sumber II, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, menjadi tetamu kehormat pada majlis itu.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Eurocopter deal suspended, priority for people's projects



The Government has put on hold the RM1.7bil purchase of Cougar EC 725 helicopters due to the current economic climate.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the money would now be used for other public programmes which would benefit the people.

He said the decision was made during the Economic Council meeting on Oct 13.

“We need money but we cannot be borrowing. If we feel that some projects need to be postponed then we will decide accordingly,” Abdullah told a press conference after hosting a Hari Raya and Deepavali open house at the Defence Ministry yesterday.

Abdullah, who is Defence Minister, said the purchase of the helicopters would be reactivated once the economy improved.

“We have to decide by 2011 and we may buy earlier if we have the money or we may buy fewer than what we require,” he added.

Abdullah said the RMAF would have to continue using its 28 Nuri helicopters, which he said were old and had been involved in accidents which cost the lives of soldiers and civilians.

On the Letter of Intent issued to Eurocopter for the purchase of the Cougars, Abdullah said the Government would postpone the project and no compensation would be involved.

He said the Public Accounts Committee could still go ahead and scrutinise the Cougar helicopter deal.

On reports of irregularities over the project, Abdullah said the tender was participated by many companies.

On allegations that another company had offered lower prices he said: “The (Malaysian) specifications themselves mean that it will cost more.”

On reports that Brazil had bought the Couger at a lower price, Abdullah replied: “The Brazilian version was not fixed to the level that we required. If it’s only for transport, of course it will cost much less.”

Abdullah said the postponement of the purchase and reallocation of the budget did not mean that the economy was in a recession.

Agriculture sector will cushion impact of downturn, says PM

A global economic meltdown should not stifle measures to enhance our agriculture sector, said the Prime Minister.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said efforts to improve people’s lives by developing the agriculture sector would assist the country cushion the impact of an economic downturn.

He said the National Economic Council had already identified agriculture as one of the primary sectors that should be developed further for the national economy.

In fact, he said, Malaysia’s efforts in agriculture had made it well-placed to weather the crisis, as acknowledged by, among others, the international advisory panel on biotechnology.

Abdullah said the panel members recently told him that Malaysia’s incorporation of information and communication technology (ICT) and biotechnology would be the catalyst to national development, especially in agriculture.

“This is more important as the world faces a food crisis,” he said at a gathering with farmers at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang near here yesterday.

Abdullah said that when he became Prime Minister, he wanted a renewed focus on the sector and to take advantage of its huge potential by value-adding.

“I did not want agriculture to continue to be seen as backward, without potential for development and as a last option for those who cannot get any other jobs,” he said.

He said the confidence in the sector as the third driver of the national economy was not a foolish dream but based on its real potential.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

SPR memohon kerjasama waris pemilih berdaftar yang meninggal dunia supaya menghantar salinan sijil kematian atau permit menguburkan kepada mana-mana p

Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Malaysia (MTUC) yang mewakili lebih 500,000 pekerja di negara ini meminta kerajaan memansuhkan lesen yang diberikan kepada 226 syarikat dan ejen pengambilan pekerja asing tempatan bagi mengawal kebanjiran tenaga asing yang semakin membimbangkan di negara ini.

Setiausaha Agung MTUC, G Rajasekaran, berkata dalam tempoh 10 bulan tahun ini, pihaknya menerima lebih 2,000 aduan daripada pekerja asing yang mendakwa ditipu ejen dan tindakan itu membawa imej yang buruk kepada negara.

Beliau berkata, antara aduan yang kerap MTUC terima daripada pekerja asing sejak kebelakangan ini ialah mereka tidak mendapat pekerjaan seperti yang dijanjikan oleh ejen, malah kebajikan turut diabaikan.

“Ada pekerja asing mendakwa mereka hanya sempat bekerja untuk tempoh singkat iaitu selama satu bulan atau dua bulan, dan terpaksa mencari pekerjaan baru. Ada segelintir pula mendakwa mereka diberikan wang saku sebanyak RM40 hingga RM50 oleh ejen sebelum mendapat kerja baru.

“Segelintir pekerja asing pula tidak tahu siapa ejen mereka sebenarnya.

Ejen tidak seharusnya terlalu ‘ghairah’ dalam membawa terlalu banyak pekerja asing melebihi keperluan sebenar kerana risau ia akan menjejaskan nama baik negara.

“Apabila semua pekerja ini pulang ke negara asal masing-masing, mereka tidak akan berkata mereka ditipu ejen, sebaliknya Malaysia sudah menipu mereka. Kita tidak mahu perkara seperti ini berlaku dan membawa imej buruk kepada industri tenaga kerja tempatan,” katanya kepada Berita Harian di sini, semalam.

Rajasekaran berkata, majikan yang memerlukan pekerja asing perlu melalui Jabatan Imigresen seperti yang dilakukan sebelum ini dan menyatakan jumlah tenaga kerja yang diperlukan kepada pihak berkuasa.

“Melalui cara itu, MTUC percaya pelbagai masalah dapat diselesaikan kerana sebelum meluluskan permohonan majikan, Jabatan Imigresen sudah tentu akan meneliti beberapa perkara termasuk tujuan kemasukan mereka sebelum meluluskan pengambilan pekerja asing.

“Selain itu, majikan juga perlu merujuk kepada Jabatan Tenaga Buruh dan menyatakan mengapa mereka mahu mengambil pekerja asing dan kenapa tidak mengutamakan sesuatu pekerjaan itu kepada rakyat negara ini.

Sekiranya jabatan berkenaan berpuas hati dengan penjelasan majikan, mereka boleh meneruskan hasrat mereka,’’ katanya. Katanya, kemasukan pekerja asing melalui Jabatan Imigresen dan Jabatan Buruh, MTUC percaya kerajaan akan menetapkan kuota pengambilan tenaga asing bagi mengelak lebih ramai pekerja asing ‘terkandas’ di negara ini.

24,531 pengundi baru berdaftar

Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) menerima 24,531 permohonan pendaftaran sebagai pemilih baru dan 6,200 permohonan untuk pertukaran alamat pusat mengundi daripada pemilih sedia berdaftar pada Julai hingga September lalu.

SPR dalam kenyataannya semalam berkata, Rang Daftar Pemilih Tambahan bagi Suku Tahun Ketiga 2008 itu akan dipamerkan mulai hari ini (28 Oktober) hingga 3 November di 985 tempat pameran terpilih seluruh negara termasuk Pejabat Pilihan Raya Negeri, pejabat pos, pejabat majlis daerah atau perbandaran serta kompleks penghulu.

Sehubungan itu, mana-mana warga negara Malaysia yang baru memohon menjadi pemilih atau pemilih berdaftar yang memohon untuk bertukar alamat pusat mengundi dinasihat menyemak rang daftar pemilih itu.

Bagi warga negara yang baru mendaftar sebagai pemilih tetapi mendapati nama mereka tidak tersenarai di dalam rang daftar, mereka perlu membuat tuntutan dengan menggunakan Borang B dan dikembalikan kepada Pendaftar, iaitu Pengarah Pilihan Raya Negeri masing-masing dalam tempoh tujuh hari daripada tarikh rang daftar dipamerkan.

Bagi pemilih berdaftar di bahagian pilihan raya yang hendak membuat bantahan ke atas kemasukan nama baru dalam rang daftar pemilih pula, boleh membuat bantahan dengan mengisi Borang C dan dikemukakan kepada Pendaftar, iaitu Pengarah Pilihan Raya Negeri masing-masing dalam tempoh itu.

SPR juga akan mempamerkan nama pemilih yang akan dikeluarkan daripada daftar pemilih atas alasan meninggal dunia, lucut hak warga negara dan mereka yang bersara daripada angkatan tentera atau polis, yang bermakna hilang kelayakan sebagai pemilih melalui pos.

SPR memohon kerjasama waris pemilih berdaftar yang meninggal dunia supaya menghantar salinan sijil kematian atau permit menguburkan kepada mana-mana pejabat SPR.

Pemilih yang mahu membuat pembetulan ke atas kesilapan data direkodkan boleh menghantar pembetulan itu terus ke e-mel info@spr.gov.my atau menulis surat atau datang sendiri ke Pejabat Pilihan Raya Negeri atau Ibu Pejabat SPR di Putrajaya.

Pertanyaan lanjut boleh dibuat melalui nombor 03-88856500; atau faks 03-88889117 atau menghubungi mana-mana Pejabat Pilihan Raya Negeri; atau melayari laman web SPR di www.spr.gov.my untuk semakan Rang Daftar Pemilih Tambahan Suku Tahun Ketiga 2008.

11,834 pencarum KWSP pilih skim fleksibel

Seramai 11,834 pencarum Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) memilih pengeluaran caruman secara fleksibel apabila mencapai umur 55 tahun membabitkan tunai sebanyak RM728 juta sehingga Jun lalu sejak skim itu dilancarkan pada November 2007.

Pengurus Kanan Perhubungan Awam, KWSP, Nik Affendi Jaafar, berkata kaedah yang fleksibel ini membolehkan ahli menguruskan simpanan persaraan mereka dengan lebih tersusun selain terus berpeluang menikmati dividen tahunan sehingga berusia 75 tahun.

Beliau berkata, melalui skim ini bayaran pengeluaran boleh dibuat melalui dua kaedah iaitu pengeluaran sebahagian, iaitu ahli boleh mengeluarkan sekurang-kurangnya RM2,000 bagi setiap pengeluaran dalam tempoh 30 hari sekali. Ahli perlu mengemukakan permohonan pada setiap kali membuat pengeluaran.

Kaedah kedua, pengeluaran bayaran secara bulanan dengan kadar minimum RM250 sebulan bagi tempoh sekurang-kurangnya 12 bulan, dengan syarat ahli memiliki minimum RM3,000 di dalam akaun mereka. “Kaedah bayaran yang fleksibel ini bertujuan menggalakkan ahli supaya tidak mengeluarkan simpanan secara sekali gus.

“Kajian menunjukkan sebahagian besar ahli membelanjakan simpanan mereka dalam tempoh kurang dari 10 tahun selepas mengeluarkan secara sekali gus,” katanya kepada Berita Harian.

Beliau berkata pengeluaran fleksibel mengelakkan pencarum kehabisan sumber pendapatan dalam tempoh singkat sekiranya gagal mengurus kewangan mereka.

Sehingga Jun lalu KWSP membayar RM2.7 bilion kepada 62,270 pencarum yang membuat pengeluaran penuh sekali gus.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Minyak turun lagi

Dijangka tak melebihi 15-20 sen elak pengusaha rugi

Kerajaan akan menurunkan lagi harga minyak akhir bulan ini tetapi tidak akan melebihi 15 sen bagi petrol dan 20 sen bagi diesel berikutan penurunan harga minyak dunia ketika ini yang sehingga kelmarin turun kepada AS$62 (RM221.34) setong.

Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, berkata penurunan sebanyak itu dilakukan bagi mengelakkan sebarang kerugian mendadak khasnya di kalangan pengusaha stesen minyak.



"Kita tak mahu penurunan harga yang tinggi hingga menjejaskan pengusaha stesen minyak di seluruh negara," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan pameran Minggu Kesedaran Kewangan di Pusat Konvensyen Antarabangsa Persada Johor di sini, semalam.

Katanya, harga petrol dan diesel akan dikurangkan secara berperingkat sehingga ke paras harga yang berpatutan kepada pengguna.

Sementara itu, di KUANTAN, Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak berkata, Majlis Ekonomi yang dipengerusikan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi akan bermesyuarat pada waktu terdekat untuk membuat keputusan mengenai harga minyak itu.

"Langkah itu selaras janji kerajaan yang akan menurunkan harga minyak supaya ia melambangkan harga sebenar pasaran minyak dunia.

"Kabinet sudah memberi mandat kepada Majlis Ekonomi yang dipengerusikan Perdana Menteri untuk membuat keputusan dan ini bermakna, jika harga minyak dunia semakin menurun, maka harga minyak tempatan juga akan melambangkan penurunan harga itu," katanya.

Ketika ditanya sama ada harga petrol dan diesel akan diturunkan ke paras bawah RM2, Najib sambil ketawa berkata: "Tunggu dululah (pengumuman harga baru itu). Setakat ini, kita tidak boleh beritahu bila ia akan turun tetapi akan berlaku dalam masa terdekat ini.

"Mungkin hujung bulan ini tetapi tertakluk kepada bila mesyuarat Majlis Ekonomi itu dan tunggulah berapa harga yang akan diturunkan kelak," katanya selepas menyampaikan sumbangan kepada 180 bakal haji Parlimen Pekan, di kediamannya di sini, semalam.

Harga minyak dipam turun tiga kali sejak Ogos lalu iaitu pada 23 Ogos, 24 September dan kali terakhir 15 Oktober. Harga petrol Ron97 turun dari RM2.70 seliter kepada RM2.55, RM2.45 dan RM2.30 manakala petrol Ron92 dari RM2.62 seliter kepada RM2.40, RM2.30 dan RM2.20. Diesel pula turun dari RM2.58 seliter kepada RM2.50, RM2.40 dan RM2.20.

Tiga bulan lalu harga minyak adalah AS$147 setong berikutan kelembapan ekonomi global yang menyebabkan permintaan terhadap sumber tenaga semakin berkurangan.

Ditanya mengenai trend penurunan harga petrol dan diesel ini dilihat tidak menjurus kepada penurunan harga barang, Najib berkata, kerajaan sedang mengambil beberapa langkah untuk mengatasi perkara itu.

Beliau berkata, setakat ini, sudah ada pengeluar bersetuju menurunkan harga beberapa barangan atau produk yang akan diumumkan dalam tempoh sehari dua ini.

Ketika berucap, Najib berkata, kerajaan akan terus menjana pembangunan hingga ke luar bandar walaupun menghadapi banyak cabaran akibat krisis kewangan dunia yang berlaku sekarang.

Beliau berkata, Malaysia mampu bertahan walaupun keadaan semakin tidak menentu, malah yakin mencatat pertumbuhan ekonomi lima peratus pada tahun ini.

"Malah, mengikut perkiraan Dana Kewangan Antarabangsa (IMF), kita boleh mencapai pertumbuhan ekonomi 4.8 peratus tahun depan tetapi kita akan kaji semula unjuran itu.

"Jadi, saya akan memberi beberapa langkah lebih terperinci berhubung usaha mengelakkan negara daripada terjerumus dalam kemelesetan ekonomi pada penggulungan hujah di Parlimen, 4 November ini.

"Selain itu, rakyat juga digesa berbelanja secara berhemah dan memanfaatkan setiap ringgit yang ada sebaik-baiknya," katanya.

Parts of northern Sarawak cut off after floods

The people of interior Baram district in northern Sarawak have been cut off from the outside world following widespread floods and a fuel shortage.

The district, with a population of some 30,000 people living in an area the size of the state of Johor, was inundated with flood waters that measured more than a metre deep following heavy downpour over the past 24 hours.

Road access linking towns, bazaars and longhouses were severed while rivers overflowed their banks and swelled to dangerous levels. As at 2pm Monday, Marudi town and six remote bazaars inside Baram district were affected.

A spokesman of the flood operations centre in Marudi said land linkages with people in longhouses and riverine villages in Long Bedian, Long Bemang, Long Wad, Long Panai, Long Banyok and Long Ikang have been severed.

SK Benawa has been shut down, and more than 200 pupils are now stranded in more than a metre of water.

The ferry that links the two banks of the mighty Baram River near Marudi town have also been halted because of dangerous river currents.

This means that those who had gone by road from Miri to Marudi are now stranded because they cannot get back across the Baram River to travel back to Miri.

Baram MP Datuk Jacob Sagan held an emergency meeting on Monday at noon with the various heads of departments to discuss plans for evacuation if the situation worsens.

A police spokesman in Marudi and Long Lama, when contacted, said those villagers stranded are still living in their longhouses.

“Some longhouses are under more than a metre of water, but the residents are still staying put, hopeful that the rain will stop soon. We have not received any request to initiate any evacuation,” said the spokesman.

The situation in Baram was made even more chaotic when fuel supplies depleted Monday.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry chief for Miri Division Zakaria Awang on Monday confirmed that the fuel shortage in Baram had reached critical level.

“Over the past few days, there was a lot of overbuying because the price of fuel had dropped. However, the supplier in Marudi town did not replenish his stock because he lost more than RM20,000 following the fuel price adjustment.

“He had ordered a large amount of fuel based on the old price. The stock that came from Bintulu (500km south of Marudi) was sold at the new price and he had to sell the stock he bought (at the old price) using the new price structure, that was why he lost a lot of money.

“However, my ministry had directed him to start ordering new stock as the shortage in Baram may worsen. I have spoken to the Shell depot in Bintulu and asked them to send up emergency supplies to Baram as soon as possible.

“However, they are concerned about the floods in Baram. Access roads had been cut off and the rivers had swelled to dangerous levels and they may not be able to send in the emergency supplies,” he said.

Bintulu is about 400km south of Baram district. There are two ways to ferry fuel from Bintulu to Marudi town which is the transit town into other settlements in Baram.

First is via road link from Bintulu to Miri and then using timber road to Marudi, but the timber roads are now flooded and impassable.

The other way is to send fuel to Marudi using the Baram River, but this will take a long time.

Furthermore, boats can only accommodate very limited number of fuel drums and the Baram river is too dangerous for cargo vessels due to the heavy rain and rising water.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Ammonium bicarbonate for biscuit-making tainted with melamine

The import of ammonium bicarbonate from three manufacturers in China has been banned as the substance has been found to be tainted with melamine.

Ammonium bicarbonate from Broadtech Chemical Int. Co Ltd, Dalian Chemical Industries and Tianjin Red Triangle International Trading Co Ltd has been categorised under Level 6 which means automatic rejection.

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said having pinpointed the contaminant source, the ban of ammonium bicarbonate made by other China manufacturers would be relaxed to a “hold and test” status.

Ammonium bicarbonate is a raising agent used in biscuit production and local biscuit makers get almost 95% of the ingredient from China.

Liow said the tainted ammonium bicarbonate was most likely due to cross contamination as some factories that produce food-grade ammonium bicarbonate also produce other chemicals such as urea and melamine. There is no benefit in using melamine in biscuit production.

Ammonium bicarbonate from other manufacturers in China has been placed under Level 5 (to be tested before release) and that from other countries has been placed under Level 4 (under surveillance).

Liow, who was not certain of the market share of the three companies, was speaking to reporters after meeting 50 representatives from biscuit manufacturers and ammonium bicarbonate suppliers.

Last week, Malaysia banned all import of ammonium bicarbonate from China after it was found to contain traces of melamine, leading to the recall of 18 types of biscuits from local makers Khong Guan and Khian Guan.

Malaysia Foodstuff and Toy Merchants Association president Yeow Kock Tiong appealed to the ministry to relax the ruling on milk-related products from China from Level 6 to Level 5.

“Many imported products are already in the market and they have been tested and cleared.

“It is the same product and the same brand. Why bar them at the entry point when there have been no problems with the products?” he said.

SARAWAK : Krisis kewangan dunia tidak jejas pelaksanaan Score

Krisis kewangan yang melanda dunia ketika ini dijangka tidak menghalang kemasukan pelaburan bagi pembangunan Koridor Pembaharuan Tenaga Sarawak (Score).

Menteri Kewangan II Sarawak, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh berkata, sehingga kini Sarawak masih belum menerima sebarang kesan ekoran masalah kelembapan ekonomi dunia itu namun menjangkakan pengaruhnya selepas tiga atau enam bulan akan datang.

Menurutnya, ini kerana krisis kewangan dunia itu tidak membabitkan negeri ini secara langsung bagaimanapun mungkin tempias kesannya akan dirasai tetapi bukan secara serta merta.

''Walaupun keadaan ekonomi dunia mengalami krisis, namun ekonomi Sarawak dalam keadaan baik, mungkin ia (krisis kewangan) berlaku di kawasan-kawasan yang lain.

''Selain itu, kita yakin pelabur akan terus melakukan pelaburan di Score malah pada masa ini pembangunan wilayah tersebut telah menerima pelaburan daripada para pelabur China, Singapura dan Jepun," katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.

Beliau diminta mengulas mengenai perkembangan ekonomi Sarawak dan Score sama ada telah terjejas selepas krisis kewangan melanda dunia pada ketika ini.

Dalam perkembangan lain, ditanya sama ada beliau akan mencalonkan diri dalam mana-mana jawatan tertinggi Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak (SUPP) pada Mesyuarat Perwakilan Tiga Tahun Sekali (TDC), Soon Koh memberitahu, beliau memutuskan biar ahli di peringkat akar umbi yang bersidang menentukan kedudukannya.

Beliau yang kini Timbalan Setiausaha Agung SUPP turut menafikan desas-desus namanya disebut-sebut untuk dicalonkan ke jawatan nombor dua parti.

Katanya, kedudukannya dalam parti adalah terpulang kepada suara pemimpin tertinggi, delegasi serta akar umbi yang akan bersidang pada 13 dan 14 Disember ini.

''Kita mempunyai tradisi sendiri dalam memilih pemimpin-pemimpin utama dalam parti, dan saya tidak fikir TDC akan datang mencetuskan ketegangan atau 'panas' malah ia akan berjalan dengan lancar seperti biasa," ujarnya.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

King to launch anti-war foundation

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, will launch the Kuala Lumpur Foundation to Criminalise War Incorporated at a royal charity dinner at the Putra World Trade Centre here on Friday.

Held under the joint patronage of Tuanku Mizan and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, dinner organising committee chairman Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali said it hoped to raise about RM3 million to fund the foundations activities. This includes acquiring a building here for its headquarters and the establishment of the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Utama Rais Yatim and Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal have also been invited to attend the dinner.The foundation, a non-govermental organisation established under Malaysian laws, was founded by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on March 12, 2007.

Dr Mahathir had said that war was not an option in this modern world, not just because of the massive deaths and destruction that modern weaponry can inflict, but also because the cost of war had gone up so much that even rich countries like the US could be bankrupted.

Among the foundations principal objectives are to undertake all necessary measures and initiatives to criminalise war and energise peace, and to provide relief, assistance and support to individuals and communities suffering from the effects of war and armed conflict wherever they occur and without discrimination on the grounds of nationality, racial origin, religion belief, age, gender or other forms of impermissible differentiations.

It will also promote the education of individuals and communities suffering from the effects of war or armed conflict and foster schemes for the relief of human suffering as a result of war or armed conflict.

Dr Siti Hasmah told a news conference here that there would be cultural performances by children who had been affected by armed conflicts and a multimedia presentation during the dinner.

She said seats were still available for the dinner and donations to the foundation would be tax-exempted. Details are available from tel. no. 03-8885 8900.Elaborating on the activities of the foundation, its secretary-general and one of its trustees, Datuk Dr Yaacob Hussain Merican, said it had four departments — the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Commission; Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Tribunal; Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Legal Team; and Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Secretariat.

Under the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Legal Team, it would have four divisions for investigation, prosecution, defence and victims.Dr Yaacob said persons identified for prosecution would be notified directly or through their embassies or high commissions.

If they refused to attend the trial in Kuala Lumpur, they would be tried in absentia and all the principles of international law would be applied. Accused persons would also be assigned defence lawyers of international standing.

Dr Yaacob said that while the tribunal had no legal powers under international laws to enforce its verdict, the convicted persons would bear the stigma of being labelled war criminals.

He said several retired judges and law professors from abroad and locally had volunteered to serve in the foundation.Dr Yaacob said the foundation would be looking at war crimes committed after the Second World War.

— BERNAMA

Felda settlers get RM144 million windfall

Some 85,000 Felda settlers across the country will be paid incentive bonuses totalling RM144.44 million in December, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“The total is less than the RM146.39 million paid out last year but the payment rate was improved because of higher palm oil and rubber prices besides the increase in acreage in replanting which further boosted production,” he said.

Najib said although the number of recipients this year totalling 84,581 was less than last year’s total of 90,322 settlers, there were more settlers eligible for the top bracket of the incentive scheme, which was also increased from RM1,800 to RM2,000.

He told this to reporters after chairing Felda’s top management’s monthly meeting here today.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said the minimum payment was also raised from RM600 to RM700.

The maximum rate involved 59,924 settlers or 53.2 per cent while 7,283 people or 6.47 per cent received the minimum rate. Najib said 28,055 settlers or 24.9 per cent did not get any incentives because they did not file in their production reports or did not qualify.

“Settlers who manaqe their acreage themselves are also not eligible for this incentive,” he said, adding that the payment would be in the form of cash and not share certificates in Koperasi Permodalan Felda Bhd (KPF).

He said the government hoped the incentive payments would spur the settlers to further increase their productivity. He added that the government was committed to ensuring their monthly earning did not dip below RM1,000 in the current bearish market.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

MCA ELECTIONS

Newly-elected MCA president Datuk Ong Tee Keat said one of his first tasks was to collaborate with the other elected leaders.

The Transport Minister polled 1,429 votes to beat former vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng who got 917.

Ong said he now had more than one task to tackle.
On working with newly-elected deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, he said he could work with anybody.

Dr Chua: I will work together with the new leadership

Newly-elected MCA Deputy President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek says he is ready to help re-invent the party.

Chua said he would continue to work towards his vision for the party and community despite his defeat.

His vision, as outlined in his manifesto, included fighting for fairness for all Malaysians and eradicating corruption


Saturday, October 18, 2008

Malaysian shuttlers sweep gold, silver, bronze medals at Commonwealth Youth Games

Up-and-coming young Malaysian shuttlers made waves at the Commonwealth Youth Games 2008 (CWYG), winning gold, silver and bronze medals on the last day of the badminton event late Friday.

It was an all-Malaysian affair in the men’s doubles finals, where the Yew Hong Kheng and Ow Yao Han pair beat Lim Yu Sheng and Low Wei Sheng for the gold in an exhilarating three sets which took 30 minutes. Yew and Ow lost the first set 14-21 but bounced back to win the next two sets, 21-13 and 21-14.

Earlier, Ng Hui Ern and Lim Ee Von easily defeated the New Zealand pair of Jonggowisastro and Mary O’Connor 21-8 and 21-19 for the bronze in the women’s doubles.

With the victory in badminton, Malaysia’s medal haul in the third CYWG games rose to 13 in total — three gold, four silver and six bronze. India, using the Pune games as a training platform ahead of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, topped the table with 33 gold medals. Malaysia is in seventh spot.

— BERNAMA

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Hindraf declared an illegal organisation by Home Ministry

The Hindu Rights Actions Force (Hindraf) has been declared an illegal organisation from Wednesday.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said in a statement the decision was made following the ministry being satisfied with facts and evidence that showed Hindraf, had and was, being used for unlawful purposes and posed a threat to public order and morality.

FUEL GOOD: Drop in pump prices reflects global reduction

Pump prices for fuel have been reduced by up to 20 sen a litre from today.

Premium unleaded petrol (RON97) is now priced at RM2.30 per litre after a 15-sen reduction, while unleaded petrol (RON92) will sell at RM2.20, 10 sen lower.

The biggest price cut is for diesel, which now costs 20 sen less at RM2.20 per litre.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the decision to reduce pump prices, less than three weeks after a 10-sen cut, followed the drop in world prices for crude oil.

"The government decided to expedite the reduction of retail fuel prices, so as to enable the people to quickly benefit from it," he said yesterday.

This is the third time the government has brought down fuel prices since it cut subsidies in June, resulting in the price of petrol reaching RM2.70 a litre.

The last review was on Sept 24.

In the first review on Aug 23, the retail price of RON97 was reduced by 15 sen and RON92 by 22 sen to RM2.40 per litre.

Diesel then saw a drop of eight sen from RM2.58 per litre before being reduced further to RM2.40 per litre last month.

The government had announced on Aug 1 that pump prices would be adjusted according to world crude oil prices on the first day of each month, starting Sept 1.

A minimum subsidy of 30 sen a litre and a ceiling price of RM2.70 a litre for petrol had been fixed until at least year-end.

In Kota Kinabalu, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the decision was made now because of the risk of the world crude prices falling steeply.

"The drop (in retail prices) has to be gradual" in order to prevent severe shortages of fuel.

He said there was no reason for petrol station owners to fear losses as they had been informed on Monday not to replenish their supplies until today.

Shahrir said a proposal to speed up decision-making on fuel price changes would be tabled in cabinet on Friday.

Under the proposal, prices would be determined by a committee comprising the prime minister, finance minister, second finance minister and the domestic trade and consumer affairs minister instead of the full cabinet.

"The point of this is we should deliver the price reduction as fast as we can," Shahrir said.
"In situations like this month when the crude prices have dropped rapidly, a decision needs to be made speedily."

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Malaysians told to brace for tough times

Although not in recession, Malaysia must nevertheless steel itself for tougher times as the world economy continues its downward spiral, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said the domestic economy, with its strong fundamentals, would be able to ride out the crisis in credit and stock markets worldwide.

Speaking after a keynote address at the US-Islamic World Regional Forum here, Abdullah repeated his assurances of the economy's resilience but cautioned that the way forward would not be smooth.

"God willing, we are not going into a recession. We have strong reserves, a good trade surplus, our savings are high and our currency is stable, so I think we will be able to withstand the shockwaves of the crisis.

"Asian and European stock markets rallied yesterday as the Group of Seven rich countries and 15 European Union leaders moved to salvage their beleaguered banks.

"We have the strength and resilience as we have faced this before and our banking system is strong. There's stability in the country and predictability in terms what's going to develop politically. We are not in turmoil, but I am not saying that it will be easy.

"It is going to be tough, but if the rakyat stand united behind the government and if we can work with a private sector that acts as one, we can weather the storm.

"He said there was no plan to peg the ringgit or to inject funds into the flagging local bourse.He acknowledged that the panic that gripped stock markets worldwide last week would affect Malaysia but said its impact would be limited.

"A little bit of damage, but we'll be okay." Abdullah was responding to a question on Malaysia's economic situation as countries such as Singapore, the United States, Britain and other developed countries slide into negative growth.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Melamine: Authorities clear 11 more products

The Health Ministry has cleared 11 more products containing melamine after it found they were at a permissible level.

The products are Japanese Green Tea Stick (Green Tea Flavour); Milk Candy (Omilk); Soda cracker (Bairong); Chocolate Biscuits (My Bis); Orange Cream Biscuits (Kinshan Bridge); Grape Layer Biscuit (Golden Fuji); Milk Chocolate Peanut Sandwich Biscuits (Guang Zhan Yi Rui Feng Food); Orange Sandwich Cookie (Lai Li Hong); Xylitol Tea Polyphenol Biscuit (Yi Yi Brand); Crystal Red Bean Cracker (Yang Ye Pacific Food); and Potato Gong Fang Cracker (Jia Yau Food).

Ministry Food Safety and Quality Division director Nooraini Mohd Othman urged concerned consumers to call the division for further clarification at (603) 8883-3655/ 8883-3503/ 8883-3652/ 8883-3500 from 8am to 9pm daily, including public holidays.

Consumers can also get more information at http://fsq.moh.gov.my.

Malaysia not slipping into recession: PM

Malaysia is not going into recession at the moment because of its strong economic fundamentals, reserves and trade surplus, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

The country also had high domestic savings and a stable currency which was not subjected to fluctuation, the Prime Minister said when commenting on Malaysia’s current standing following Singapore’s announcement of anti-recession measures.

“I believe, insya-Allah (God willing), we can weather the storm. We still have strong economic fundamentals. We have very strong reserves. Our trade surplus is still strong. We do have high domestic savings.

“We are not in any kind of turmoil. We have a healthy democracy,” Abdullah told reporters after delivering his keynote address at the US-Islamic World Regional Forum here on Monday.
He said the country would have to generate greater domestic consumption and he wanted to see more investments in the country.

However, he said that the Government had no intention of pegging the ringgit like it did to weather the 1997 Asian currency crisis, and would remain “pro-business.”

“We have a lot of assets that we can use to withstand the impact of the situation we are facing today, but I’m not saying that it’s going to be easy.

“It’s going to be tough. If we stand together, if the rakyat (citizenry) supports the Government, we can continue to work well with the private sector as a unit. We should be able to weather the storm,” he said.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Umat Islam rai 1 Syawal dalam kesederhanaan

Umat Islam di seluruh negara meraikan Hari Raya tahun ini dalam suasana sederhana mengambil kira kos sara hidup yang telah meningkat, khasnya ekoran kenaikan harga minyak dunia sejak awal tahun ini.

Bagaimanapun ini tidak melunturkan keceriaan sambutan dengan umat Islam memulakan sambutan Hari Lebaran selepas menunaikan solat sunat Aidilfitri di masjid-masjid dan surau-surau di seluruh negara.

Harga minyak boleh turun lagi jika harga dunia di bawah US$104 setong

01/10/2008

Harga minyak runcit tempatan hanya boleh diturunkan jika harga purata minyak mentah dunia pada bulan Oktober menurun ke US$104 setong, Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad berkata hari ini.

“Ia bergantung kepada keadaan harga minyak di dunia. Trend penurunan harga kena berterusan dan putaranya mestilah di bawah US$104 satu tong,” katanya apabila ditanya sama ada kerajaan bercadang menurunkan lagi harga minyak runcit petrol,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita di rumah terbuka Hari Raya Perdana Menteri dan menteri-menteri kabinet di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra, di sini, hari ini.

Pada 24 September, kerajaan mengumumkan harga petrol dan diesel diturunkan 10 sen, masing-masing kepada RM2.45 dan RM2.40 seliter berikutan penurunan harga minyak dunia.

“Jadi kalau harga purata pada bulan Oktober boleh turun di bawah US$104 setong, ini bermakna harga runcit boleh diturunkan lagi,” kata Shahrir.

Mengenai khabar angin yang menyatakan stesen-stesen minyak di sekitar ibu kota menghadapi kekurangan bekalan, beliau menjelaskan bahawa minyak yang dibekalkan adalah bergantung kepada pengusaha stesen.

“Minyak adalah barang kawalan. Jadi mereka (pengusaha stesen) kena berhati-hati kalau menyatakan bahawa kekurangan minyak ataupun mereka tak dapat bekalan yang cukup. Nanti kita akan siasat siapa yang terlibat,” kata Shahrir.

— BERNAMA