THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- INTERNATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL DAY

International AIDS Memorial Day

KUALA LUMPUR:

“Never give up, never forget” is the theme of the International AIDS Memorial Day (IAMD) 2008. Also known as the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial (IACM), the event is the oldest and biggest grassroots mobilisation campaign to enhance the awareness on HIV/AIDS across the globe. The occasion is also held in the memory of those who had succumbed to this scourge, as well as to give support to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients who are still alive. For 2008, this event is held for the 25th time worldwide. It is to combat the stigma and discrimination that comes along with this disease apart from moving the society to actively respond to the prevention and care support for the people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVs). According to Datuk Mohd Zaman Khan, the IAMD Organising Committee Chairman and Malaysian AIDS Foundation trustee: “IAMD gives us a platform to rededicate ourselves to the fight against HIV/ AIDS”. Meanwhile, the Malaysian AIDS Council President and Malaysian AIDS Foundation chairman Professor Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman said this is the first time that the IAMD is held in an open-door concept with the community. “I hope this will empower people living with HIV and raise awareness among Malaysians. “The biggest obstacle they are experiencing is the stigma and discrimination from the society”, said Prof Adeeba. She said Malaysians should be matured and change their perception towards the PLHIVs. For HIV carrier Chandran, not his real name, his 18 years experience as a drug addict was painful. “I was shunned by the society, including my own flesh and blood”, he said. Chandran, 38, said he started to flirt with drugs when he was 17, at the urging of his schoolmates. “After I was confirmed as a HIV carrier in the year 2000, I lost all hope to continue living. I kept resorting to drugs without realising that there are people who still care for me. “I still have my mother, who provides me with the determination to fight my drug addiction. Now I realise that by contracting the HIV, it is not the end of my life as there is still a long journey for me to go through”, he said. “I had been in the police lock up for seven times and was imprisoned for one year. Those times, only my mother cared for me but not my siblings. Chandran admitted that it was not easy to get away from drugs, but his mother gave him the support and encouragement that he needed. Now the ‘born again’ Chandran has a Diploma in Psychology from Sunway University and works fulltime for the Malaysian Aids Council (MAC), helping to free others from drug abuse.

THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- 22 PIRATE,TRANSPORT VEHICLES DETAINED

22 pirate, transport vehicles detained

KENINGAU:

Police detained 22 pirate transport vehicles operating around the town area on Tuesday. District Police Chief DSP Zahari Mohammad who disclosed this yesterday, said it is an offence operating public transportation without a valid permit. “They could face a fine of between RM1,000 and RM1O,000 or one year’s jail if convicted under Section 33 of the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) Act 1987,” he told reporters. According to him, in the operation on Tuesday, police detained eight Kancil cars, Proton Iswara (four), Proton Saga (four), Proton Wira (three) and a Kelisa, a van and a Kenari. “From police investigation, eight of the drivers were Bajau, five Dusun, three Filipinos, a Suluk and a Tator,” He said. Zahari said police also issued summons to seven vehicles without licenses, 11 for offence under Section 33 of the CVLB Act 1987, expired road tax (one), expired licenses (two) and driving without licenses (two). He said the police would also check the registration of the detained vehicles at the Road Transport Department to find out their actual owners. According to him, all the vehicles were released yesterday after investigation and the owners were given a stern warning to stop pirate taxi operation in the district. Zahari also urged the public to use licensed public transportation for their safety. “I also urge the operators of public transportation vehicles such as taxis and buses to continue their services until nighttime. This is the only way to prevent the public from using pirate transport,” he added.

THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- MEET JOHNNY, THE TURTLE MAN

Meet Johnny, the turtle man

SANDAKAN:

While Johnny Appleseed planted apple seeds in the American wilderness and greened the land, Johnny alias Hasbullah Buis is helping to keep the turtle population thriving in the island wildlife parks off Sabah. Even after having worked for 23 years on Pulau Bakkungan Kechil, one of the three islands of the Pulau-Pulau Penyu Park, Johnny looks forward with enthusiasm to the dawn of a new day. “I have never felt bored with my work because the important thing is that I am able to help safeguard the turtles which come to nest in this park,” he told Bernama here. Having started work as a park assistant in 1985, he has progressed into a research assistant whose field of work covers Pulau Bakkungan Kechil and the other two islands, Pulau Selingaan and Pulau Gulisaan, making up some 1,740 hectares. Johnny’s work covers tagging turtles, transferring turtle eggs to the hatchery, maintaining the turtle hatchery, and releasing baby turtles into the sea. He said he has grown accustomed to living away from his family which occupies the staff quarters here. He is not alone on the island though. For company, he has seven other staff on Pulau Bakkungan Kechil, comprising a park ranger and six junior assistants. Johnny said their place of work was close to the Malaysia-Philippines border but none of them feared for their safety as there was a military post on the island. - Bernama

THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- KHIRUDIN NEW SABAH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES DEPT DIRECTOR

Khirudin new Sabah Fire and Rescue Services Dept Director

KOTA KINABALU:

Outgoing Sabah Fire and Rescue Services Department Director Haron bin Tahir handed over his duty to Khirudin bin Drahman @ Hussaini at the Fire and Rescue Services Department Headquarters in Likas yesterday. Haron who is from Johor, became the Director in January 2006 while Sibu-hailed Khirudin was the Assistant Head of Director of Training Division, Putrajaya before he was transferred to Sabah. During the ceremony, Petronas Sdn Bhd handed over a RM20,000 cheque to the Department for the Sabah Cadet Firefighters Competition. Also present were Petroas Sabah and Labuan Territory General Manager Haji Burhan Bin Rasit, Petronas Carigali Sabah General Manager Chris Poheng UjiandPetronasDagang Sdn Bhd Manager Hadimion Jonimul.

THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- ALARMING INCREASE OF FIRE DEATHS IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS

Alarming increase of fire deaths in first four months

KOTA KINABALU:

An alarming increase in the number of fatalities caused by fire was reported between January and April this year, compared to cases in previous years. National Fire and Rescue Services Department Director Khirudin B Drahman @ Husaini said eight deaths were recorded in the first four months of this year while there were only 18 fatalities recorded between 2005 and 2007. “In 2005 there were 11 recorded deaths, four in 2006 and three in 2007, while for the first four months of this year, there were already eight deaths and five injuries recorded,” he said. According to Khirudin, 99 percent of the fire cases recorded were usually caused by human negligence and lack of awareness of the importance of fire prevention. “It is very important for the people to know the methods to prevent and put out fire because most of the cases involved the elderly and children who were trapped by fire and needed assistance. “Therefore I advise the people to respond to the fire first and put it out when they encounter such an incident. I also urge every household to put a fire extinguisher in their own home as it is very important in the instance of a fire breaking out,” he said. Khirudin added that the 3E education, engineering and enforcement method is used in fire prevention and the involvement of the public and the relevant authorities is needed. He also advised the public to be extra careful when dealing with the usage of electricity, the storage of highly flammable things and to look after the elderly as well as children especially during the Kaamatan Festival. However, Khirudin said that there was a decrease in the number of fake calls made by the public since the introduction of a system to detect calls made through the emergency number 999. “Between January and April this year, we only received nine fake calls compared to 77 calls made from 2005 until 2007,” he said, adding that 246 calls received were fire reports and 151 calls were for rescue service. As for the losses incurred by fire, he said the statistics recorded RM14.8 million while RM51.9 million losses were recorded in cases needing rescue service, between January and April this year. Meanwhile, Khirudin said there are a total of 771 firefighters and 20 fire and rescue stations in Sabah and they will conduct more awareness programmes for the public such as general education for primary and secondary schools and also a mobile exhibition to educate the public on fire prevention.

THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- UTM OFFERS FORENSIC SCIENCE DEGREE COURSE

UTM offers forensic science degree course

KUALA LUMPUR:

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has become the first higher education centre in Asia to offer a Forensic Science degree course. Its Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International) Prof Jr. Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir said the course which starts in July had received the cooperation from the police (PDRM) with the force providing it a forensic laboratory in Cheras for research. “For a start, 14 students will enroll in the course and will undergo practical training at the police forensic lab in May-June next year,” she said at a MoU signing between UTM and PDRM here yesterday. The students would also attend a ‘Moot Court’ to expose them to real court environment and how to become an expert witness. Dr Siti Hamisah hoped that the course would make UTM the Forensic Science learning and research centre not only for Malaysia but also Asia. - Bernama

THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- POLICE WARN OF ILLEGAL PARKING

Police warn of illegal parking

LAHAD DATU:

The police will take action on vehicles parked at taxi parking lots and bus terminal. District Police Chief Ahmad Jawina, who issued the warning yesterday, said parking vehicles at the bus terminals or taxi parking lots would affect the business of the commercial vehicles in the area. He said the police would also summon those who double park their vehicles in front of shophouses and at the alleys. “Illegal parking is the main cause of traffic congestion in the town centre,” he said.

THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- SABAH TO HAVE TRANSPORT ACADEMY

Sabah to have Transport Academy

KOTA KINABALU:

The fourth Transport Academy in the country would be built in Sabah to train Road Transport Department (RTD) officers and personnel from Sabah and Sarawak, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Lajim Ukin. He said a 33-acre land at Mile 10, Jalan Sungai Sibuga in the industrial zone in Sandakan had been identified for the proposed RM36 million project. The project to build the Transport Academy complex is expected to commence this year, said Lajim during a working visit to the RTD Sabah headquarters in Penampang yesterday. He said it is among the Federal- funded projects implemented in the State under the current Ninth Malaysia Plan. “Works to build the academy complex will commence after the acquisition of the land as the site for the project is completed,” said Lajim. Also present were RTD Deputy Director General Datuk Haji Solah Hassan, RTD Sabah Director Haji Wan Idrus Wan Sariff and Assistant Director Abdul Rahman Zakaria. Lajim said the existing Transport Academies are located in Melaka, Johor and Kelantan. In another development, Lajim who is also the Member of Parliament for Beaufort, said that last year, the State’s RTD registered RM80 million in revenue collections.

THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- FOREIGN VEHICLES TO BE DENIED FUEL ANYWHERE IN COUNTRY:ABDULLAH

Foreign vehicles to be denied fuel anywhere in country: Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR:

Foreign- registered vehicles, mainly from Singapore and Thailand, are likely to be denied purchase of subsidised petrol and diesel anywhere in the country under a decision to be made at the Cabinet meeting on Friday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday the foreign—registered vehicles might have to pay the market prices for the fuels and not the subsidied prices meant for Malaysians. This ruling will be in addition to an announcement already made preventing foreign-registered vehicles from purchasing the fuels from petrol kiosks within 50km of the Malaysian borders, also from Friday. “Wait for Friday (for the announcement),” he said at Parliament House, here. Last Monday, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said foreign- registered vehicles from Singapore and Thailand would not be allowed to buy petrol or diesel within 50km of the Malaysian borders from Friday. Referring to Shahrir’s statement, Abdullah said the Government wanted to prevent smuggling out of Malaysian petrol and diesel. He also said that a proposal to implement a fuel subsidy according to the engine capacity of, vehicles would also be considered. On another matter, Abdullah said he had not received any report from the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) on alleged offers made to Members of Parliament from Sabah and Sarawak to cross over to other political parties. On a statement by Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said for the Federal Government to hand back management of the oil royalty to the State Government, he said the Government had yet to decide on the matter. The Federal Government had taken over management of the state oil royalty in 1999 after PAS won the State Government in the general election.

THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- ILLEGALS START COLONY ON RENTED LAND IN PENAMPANG: COUNCIL

Illegals start colony on rented land in Penampang: Council

PENAMPANG:

Landowners in the district have been warned against renting their land to illegal immigrants or face the consequences of their action. District Officer William Sampil in issuing the warning, said a special team to address the matter had been set by and spot checks on landowners in the district would be conducted soon. The team will be assisted by the police and enforcement officers from the State Land and Survey Department, he said, adding that action would be taken against landowners in the district who are found to have rented their land to illegal immigrants. “I have been informed that the illegal immigrants start their own colony on the rented land and this is one reason for the influx of illegal immigrants to the State and district,” he said during the full council meeting here yesterday. “These people would construct houses on the land they rented and their families will live with them. As the family increases, more structures will be put up and soon their relatives will come and build houses there. “With the illegal colonies come many problems, including health and sanitation, as these places do not have proper drainage or sewage systems,” he said, adding that wastes including from humans, are thrown around the colonies or into nearby public drains. “This is a burden to our society and we need not wait any longer to take action as this issue has been highlighted over and over again by the public. So any landowners in the district who are renting their land to illegal immigrants should take this warning seriously and remove the transient migrants from their property,” he said. Meanwhile Council Vice Chairman Chong Pit Fah said after the meeting that action must be taken as the problem had been around for a long time and had to be solved immediately. “How can we allow them to stay on our land and build any kind of buildings without proper drainage or sanitation?” he asked. Two Council members who preferred to remain anonymous, said some of the illegal immigrants are also involved in criminal activities such as drug smuggling and peddling. “It makes sense as without any proper documents, they are unable to secure employment so they deal in drugs and this business is a threat to our children, youths as well as families,” they pointed out. Other matters raised during the meeting were implementation of the new local plan (Putatan), the proposal to prepare a plan for Babagon and a “Total Landscape Master Plan” policy for all areas under the authority of the Penampang District Council.

THURSDAY-29 MAY 2008- EZAM LOST CONFIDENCE IN PKR'S STRUGGLE, SAYS NAJIB

Ezam lost confidence in PKR’s struggle, says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR:

Deputy Prime Minister and Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak yesterday welcomed the readmission of former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth leader Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor into Umno, and said Ezam’s move showed that he had lost confidence in PKR’s struggle. It also showed that Ezam was convinced of the credibility of Umno and that it was the right platform for his political struggle, he told reporters when commenting on Ezam’s rejoining Umno yesterday. Ezam had handed his application form and RM100 life membership fee to Prime Minister and Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after calling on the latter at the Prime Minister’s office at Parliament House. Asked about the Opposition to Ezam’s readmission into Umno from several sections of Unmo Youth, Najib said Umno should open its doors to those who chose to support the Party. “If we pick and choose, we will lose many of those who want to support us,” he said. Elaborating, he said Umno’s history showed that the Party had readmitted many who had opposed it at one time and, as such, Ezam’s readmission was not an issue. Najib acknowledged that it would be difficult for Ezam to gain 100 per cent support based on his having opposed the Government and Umno in the past. - Bernama

WEDNESDAY-28TH MAY 2008- BANKS TO RECYCLE AND COLLECT WASTE MATERIALS

Banks to recycle and collect waste materials

KOTA KINABALU:

The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Intan in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Culture and Tourism through the Environment Action Committee (EAC) will be organising an environmental project in conjunction with the World Environment Day. Miss Zyee F. Dullie, the Organizing Chairperson, said the environmental project is involving 10 major banks along the City’s main street of Jalan Gaya. According to her, this project came about as she was formerly working in one of the international foreign banks and found out that the big piles of papers shredded everyday by the bank employees were just being thrown away at the main garbage bin, pending collection by the local authority. “There was no proper way of dispensing the paper wastage. There is no denying that every company is going for electronic processing and storage. However, some things still require documentation and will thus lead to their eventual disposal,” she said. According to Zyee in this project, all the participating banks will be given reusable gunny sacks provided by Bernas Corporation as well as garbage bins funded by the EAC for them to gather their shredded papers. The duration of the project is for one year and proceeds will be given to EAC for future environmental projects. “Apart from that, they are also encouraged to collect other recyclable wastes such as old newspapers, cardboards and even outdated pamphlets, brochures and forms. These wastes will be collected weekly by Madam Foong & Sons Trading, a recycling collection company,” she said. Zyee, who is also the JCI Intan Honorary Secretary, disclosed that from a survey that she conducted among the banks, there is an average of three to four kilograms per week of shredded paper produced by each bank. “Thus by encouraging this recycling it is hoped that less recycable waste will end up at the main garbage site in Kayu Madang, Telipok which is quickly filling up,” she said. She also stated that among the other objectives of the project are to create awareness in the community on the importance of recycling, to reduce the wastage of shredded paper and instead to encourage the recycling of it, giving another meaning of “sustainable banking”. “Based on the views from many people whom I have come in contact with throughout this project, they find that it is normally easier for people to recycle when it is done collectively rather than individually,” she said. Zyee hoped that this project will be extended beyond the intended one-year period and the same project or similiar ones may be organised to reach out to other sectors such as the hotels. The local banks which have stated their interest in participating in the project are Agro Bank, Eon Bank, Hong Leong Bank, Affiance Bank, CIMB Bank, Affin Bank and AM Bank, while the international foreign banks are HSBC Bank, United Overseas Bank and OCBC Bank.

WEDNESDAY-28TH MAY 2008- SUSPECT HELD AT ASSISTANT MINISTER'S OFFICE

Suspect held at Assistant Minister’s office

LAHAD DATU:

An elderly man has been detained by police for allegedly threatening a woman at the office of Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nasrun Datu Mansor here yesterday. Acting District Police Chief Ahmad Jawina said police received a report of the incident about 10am. “According to the report, an elderly man wielding a knife was seen in the office,” he said, adding that a team of police was immediately dispatched to the scene. The 71-year-old man was alleged to have been waving an eight-inch knife outside the 43-year-old woman’s office room. The frightened woman locked herself in the room. When police arrived, the suspect was confrontational but was later overpowered and arrested. Ahmad said the suspect was being detained at the police station to facilitate investigations into the case. In another case here, a 21-year- old youth was assaulted by a stranger near a superstore at Taman Aman yesterday. Ahmad said the young man was coming out from the superstore after buying some things when he was confronted by the stranger. He was assaulted on the face and hit on the head with a can. He was sent to the hospital for treatment. The 32-year-old suspect was detained by the public before the arrival of the police. He would be charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term up to seven years and also liable to fine on conviction.

WEDNESDAY-28TH MAY 2008- MINISTRY URGED TO TELECAST NATION NARRATION LIVE

Ministry urged to telecast Nation Narration live

KENINGAU:

Bingkor Assemblyman Justin Guka yesterday urged the Information Ministry to telecast the Nation Narration (Pengisahan Kenegaraan) live on radio and television so that people throughout the country can focus on historical events in the State. He said through this effort, people from Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia could learn about the struggles of prominent Sabahan leaders for the State’s independence. “I believe through live telecast the people from Peninsular States, including Sarawak, can identify more closely with the independence struggles of leaders from this State,” he said in his speech during the Upper Interior Nation Narration competition held at the multi-purpose hail in Gerakan Daya Wawasan Kampung Kota Ayangan here. His text was read by District Officer Zulkifli Nasir. Guka said the young generation should be given exposure to the struggles of prominent leaders in the country when they fought against colonialism and strived for independence. Justin believed through narration, the work of people like Datuk Mat Kilau, Tok Janggut, Datuk Paduka Mat Salleh, Tun Sambathan, Tan Sri Tan Chin Loke, Tun Mustapha, Datuk GS Sundang, Datuk Seri Panglima Ontoros will be better understood and appreciated. He hoped through the Nation Narration competition, Malaysians will be able to focus on the history and struggles of the leaders and their experience can be used by future generation as reference towards strengthening and maintaining the progress which they have enjoyed throughout the 51 years of independence. Kustin Ladi from Keningau emerged the champion in the competition and will represent Upper Interior in the State-level Nation Narration to be held at Nabawan district on June 6 and 7. The second and third places were won by Salmiah and Jaisah Jahadi from Tenom, and Jainah Matui and Susiah Petrus from Nabawan respectively. All the prizes were presented by Zulkifli. Also present at the event were State Komuniti Bestari Assistant Director Harun Madasa, District Chief OKK Mohd Amir Datuk Arif, Upper Interior Information Department Acting Chief Ramawie Haji Bakni and Organizing Deputy Chairman Rufus Gahim.

WEDNESDAY-28TH MAY 2008- GOVT TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO INTERNET MEDIA, SAYS NAJIB

Govt to pay more attention to internet media, says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR:

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday the Government would give more attention to the non-conventional media of Internet websites and blogs to ensure that the people receive accurate information. This was most necessary as the impact of this so-called new media on the people was evident in the last general election, he said during a question-and-answer session at the Asia Media Summit 2008, here. Najib earlier read out the keynote address of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the event. “We will certainly introduce the new dimension in terms of winning over public opinion. One of the aspects that perhaps we have overlooked is how to manage the new media. “I have to admit, frankly, that we have underestimated their role and I have to admit that we are not ‘tech savvy’ to tackle this and utilise the impact of the new technology,” he said. On remarks raised by an American participant on freedom of speech and human rights in Malaysia, Najib said the United States should look at itself first before criticising others. He said the United States, which has been projecting an image of a democratic country, was guilty of abuses especially in Guantanamo Bay, a US detention centre in Cuba. “In the name of national security, there have been violations of human rights and even abuse. So please, criticise the US Government and ask them to close Guantanamo Bay,” he said. - Bernama

WEDNESDAY-28TH 2008- LOOK INTO POLICIES THAT CAN STRENGTHEN USE OF MEDIA TO AID DEVELOPMENT, SAYS PM

Look into policies that can strengthen use of media to aid development, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR:

There is a need to look at policies that can strengthen the use of media and communication channels to enhance development especially in facing the new era of communication technologies, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The Prime Minister said with the explosion of media channels combined with the rapid growth of global networks such as the Internet, had dramatically increased their potential as an enabler for development. “They offer enormous opportunities for narrowing social and economic inequities and supporting sustainable wealth creation, and thus helping to achieve broader development objectives,” he said in his keynote address at the two-day Asia Media Summit here yesterday. His speech was read by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Abdullah said the new communication technologies could act as tools for efficient governance and greatly facilitate access to Government information and services. “However, poor networks and infrastructure remain a major stumbling block in addressing developmental problems. Many of our people do not yet have adequate access to these technologies,” he said. Thus, the traditional media - TV, radio and newspapers - was still relied on to fill the void, he added. Abdullah said while the country needed to invest in expanding broadband infrastructure, it also needed to ensure that its advantages were not limited to a select few. “We need to enhance workforce training to support employment and growth in the information and communications sector. Training is key to preparing our economies for the future,” he said. The Prime Minister said that it was by building a critical mass of human capital in the information and communications sector that a knowledge society could be developed. Abdullah said there was also the need to develop local content to remove linguistic differences which were substantial barriers to communication, and to help democratise access to information. Abdullah said communications technologies had an important role to play in helping nations cope with the present rapid increase in global food prices.

WEDNESDAY-28TH MAY 2008- ABDULLAH EXPOUNDS USE OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Abdullah expounds use of freedom of speech

KUALA LUMPUR:

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday the freedom of speech and expression cannot be used as an excuse to violate and abuse the reputation and dignity of a people. Neither can it be used to “slander and libel or to defame religious or religious symbols,” he added. “If this was the case, there would be no laws of defamation or libel and laws against those who incite racial or ethnic violence,” he said in his keynote address at the two-day Asia Media Summit, here. The text of his speech was read out by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Abdullah said that even the most freedom-loving people in this world knew that there was no such thing as unlimited freedom. “Freedom of speech is a fundamental right, but it is not absolute,” he said. However, he said, it was difficult to ascertain the limits of freedom of speech and expression. “Where do you draw the line between disrespect and dissent and between opinions and opinions that defame or are seditious? “This is where I believe that readers of both traditional and new media must have the knowledge and maturity to sieve between the facts and the innuendos and unsubstantiated accusations,” he said. Abdullah said the Government continued to support ethical journalism and the responsible corporations that undertook it. “The media, as we all know and accept, is central to nation-building— how it is conceived, promoted and finally accomplished. It is also central to good governance,” he said. The Prime Minister said the fundamental consideration was of course that “we have a media that is not only free but that is responsible as well”. Abdullah said: “We also desire that media does not undermine racial and religious harmony to the extent where national security and public order become threatened. “This is not always easy when we have media that cater to different ethnic constituencies with their special religious sensitivities,” he said. Touching on religion, Abdullah said different societies could hold to different values based on their dominant culture and historical experience, and “it may be all right, indeed it may be a matter of principle, for some nations with a secular tradition to be able to caricature the prophets of God. “But not here. We should not be shy of our cultural norms nor be abashed of our voluntary self-censorship in respect of them. It is not a moral or media sin to respect prophets,” he said. Abdullah said that in a globalised world where news travels in the blink of an idea, and is accessible to all, cultural insensitivities and arrogance can lead cultures to clash and nations to collide. On the challenges of new media, Abdullah said he believed that the traditional media can remain at the leading edge of providing content even as it loses its monopoly on the people’s attention. “Although some Netizens come quite close, quality journalism is still by far the domain of old media. Democracies still need the traditional press to hire the professionals whose job it is to discover and disseminate the truth. “It is with this in mind that I urge you not to be too taken in by the bells and whistles of technology but to hold fast to your established virtues of accuracy, intelligence, fairness and grit. These are the values that set you apart from the excess of information now upon us. These are your competitive advantages in the anarchic environment of the new age,” he said. Touching on criminal defamation, Abdullah said Malaysia also needs laws to protect the people from such defamation, and it also needs laws that protect core institutions from seditious attacks. “I do not see these laws as curbs on freedom. Rather, they are essential for the healthy functioning of our society,” he said. The Prime Minister said that though this “may cost us a few decimal points on the World Press Freedom Index, which is based on specific assumptions and premises, our security and the well-being of our society takes precedence.” - Bernama

WEDNESDAY-28TH MAY 2008- DAP WON'T SUPPORT POWER PLANT

DAP won’t support power plant

SANDAKAN:

Sandakan DAP will not support the proposed 300kw coal-fired power plant to be built in Sandakan unless Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd ( SESB) can come up with a detailed and comprehensive report to alleviate the public fears as to how well the toxic wastes are to be dealt with and the type of technology being adopted. DAP Sandakan Coordinator and Sabah DAP Chief for Industrial Development Bureau, Anthony Teo, said the proposed plant would burn a massive amount of about one million tones of black coal annually and would produce 300,000 tons of toxic wastes. “The plant is said to have a life span of 75 years. Therefore, it will produce a mountain of 22.5 million tons of toxic wastes,” he said.

WEDNESDAY-28TH MAY 2008- CHECK HEAVY VEHICLES TRAVELLING AT NIGHT: CASH

Check heavy vehicles travelling at night: CASH

KOTA KINABALU:

Relevant enforcement authorities such as the Road Transport Department (RTD) and police have been urged to conduct spot checks on heavy vehicles travelling through the City, especially at night. CASH Deputy President Nordin Thani, in making the call, said spot checks were necessary to ensure that these vehicles adhere to the maximum limit and weight restrictions on the roads as well as bridges. “Enforcement must be done as most of these heavy vehicles which are overloaded, travel during the night and this is dangerous for the public,” he said. According to Nordin, he believes these vehicles travel under the cover of night because they want to avoid detection by the authorities as most of them are overloaded. “Their action not only endangers pedestrians and other road users, it also causes damage to the roads and bridges within the City areas. In fact, they have damaged certain areas and nothing has been done to repair them. “if we look around the City areas, road repairs are being done almost everyday resulting in traffic congestion and pollution and causing inconvenience to the public,” he said, adding that he noticed that some of the repaired roads were damaged again within a short period of time. Weight restrictions, he said, should be imposed efficiently because of the danger it poses to the public and the structural damage to roads, property as well as for environmental reasons. “The culprits must be punished in accordance with the law and pay for the damaged roads and pavements that they have caused,” he said.

WEDNESDAY-28TH MAY 2008- WHY PHILIPPINES HAS NOT DROPPED CLAIM TO SABAH? -MP

Why Philippines has not dropped claim to Sabah? -MP

KUALA LUMPUR:

A Member of Parliament from Sabah yesterday questioned as to why the Federal Government was being overly diplomatic to the Philippines when the republic still did not want to drop its claim to the State. Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BNKinabatangan) said the Philippines also still did not show they valued Malaysia’s cooperation in trying to help resolve their conflict in Mindanao. “Why are we being too nice to them when they have not even opened up a consulate in Sabah or dropped their claim to ownership of the State,” said the Backbenchers Club Deputy Chairman when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill (2007) 2008 in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. On Monday, another MP from Sabah, Datuk Wilfred Bumburing (BN-Tuaran) had urged the Government to act fast on the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah following statements by Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari that the dispute over Sabah be referred to the International Court of Justice. On another matter, Bung Moktar also wanted the Government to investigate why Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras KL (RapidKL) did not use 1,000 buses valued at RM500 million used by Intrakota and Parkmay Sdn Bhd to improve public transportation in Kuala Lumpur when they were already available for use. “Instead, they (RapidKL) go and buy new Mercedes Benz buses. Imagine, what can be done for my rural constituency with that kind of money,” he added. He also wanted the Finance Ministry to explain why Maybank was buying a stake in Bank International Indonesia (BII) for RM4 billion when it was said the bank was facing financial difficulties. - Bernama