SATURDAY-14 JUNE 2008- NIOSH TO GIVE MORE TO SABAHANS

NIOSH to give more to Sabahans

KOTA KINABALU:

Sabahans would receive more training from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under the Human Resources Ministry. NIOSH Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Lee Lam Thye said this is because Sabahans are the future supporters of the developments in the State, especially the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC). Speaking at a press conference at the NIOSH office here yesterday, Lee said the level of occupational safety and health awareness in the State had increased and NIOSH Sabah was determined to train more Sabahans. “To date, NIOSH Sabah has trained 2,726 participants from - Sabah and Labuan through 101 courses held here, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Sipitang. “As for competency courses, 123 safety and health officers and eight occupational health doctors have been produced,” he said. NIOSH Sabah, which was launched on May 21 last year, has eight staff headed by Regional Manager Hj Azman Sah Bin Hj Sabali. However, the service needed from NIOSH is very demanding and encouraging and the Institute would in future employ more staff to achieve its objectives efficiently. To further strengthen the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) for SDC, Lee said NIOSH Sabah would hold a Borneo Occupational Safety and Health Convention in June next year and it would cover Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, Kalimantan and The Philippines. The convention is also intended to make Sabah an OSH information hub in Borneo. According to Lee, a Memorandum of Understanding between NIOSH and Yayasan Sabah would be signed today at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort to train Sabahan youth on occupational safety and health to support the SDC. He hoped that more industries in Sabah would train their employees on occupational safety and health. On the number of industrial accidents reported in the Country, he said it had reduced drastically. “The latest report we received from PERKESO (Social Security Organisation) indicates that there were 81,810 accidents reported in 2002 and 58,321 in 2006. Most of the cases happened in the manufacturing and construction sectors,” he added. Lee explained that the plantation, tourism and manufacturing industries are booming in Sabah and it is vital for employers to ensure proper and lawful work place and safety for the employees as accidents could occur without any warning. He added that NIOSH is also looking for sponsors to promote its books in the schools which play a significant role in educating the students about safety. Meanwhile, Lee advised Malaysians, especially the unemployed graduates, to be cautious when hunting for jobs through the internet which promises a garden of roses. “It is very shameful that our citizens were caught in the trafficking of drugs and cheated in their efforts to look for higher... paying jobs,” stressed Lee.“I say it is shameful because Malaysia being strict in drugs and has strict penalty, including the death sentence but its citizens still got caught trafficking drugs in other countries,” he said. Lee urged Malaysians to verify the companies they intend to work with from the Human Resource Ministry or the Malaysian Ambassadors before accepting job offers overseas.

SATURDAY-14 JUNE 2008- RISING COST NO REASON TO ABANDON PROJECTS

Rising cost no reason to abandon projects

Govt to be accommodative to contractors: Minister

KOTA KINABALU:

Minister of Infrastructure Development Datuk Raymond Tan said the Government will be accommodating to contractors who are affected by the rising prices of building materials and fuels. “The State Government has decided to be accommodative towards contractors affected by the rise in the prices,” he said at a press conference yesterday after attending the Associate Consultant Engineers of Malaysia luncheon. Tan stressed however that the rising cost cannot be a reason to abandon Government projects. “I do not want any abandoned projects. I believe some of the projects that have been completed on schedule or ahead of schedule, or are near completion are not or little affected,” he said. “That is why I have advised all contractors to complete their projects on schedule or ahead of schedule to avoid any trouble in the future. “The Government projects should not be delayed too long, as if you delay too long, it would effect the cost structure. The longer it takes, the higher the cost would be, and at the end of the day, they cannot carry out the work.” Raymond said they are very serious about the rising cost problem and would consider giving allowance for the ongoing projects and also for those who have been awarded projects. “We understand that some of the projects are affected by the higher material and fuel prices and those that involve transportation of materials; we will study the projects individually and do a reasonable adjustment,” he said. Tan said he hopes all contractors will in future strive to complete their projects on schedule to avoid facing the problem like now. He said consideration to give allowance will be done on a case by case basis, and not all of the projects will be given additional allowance. “It will be based on many major considerations,” he said.

SATURDAY-14 JUNE 2008- KL POLICIES NOW EVEN MORE CONFUSING: HARRIS

KL policies now even more confusing : Harris
Former CM urges Govt to introduce weekly salary payment

KOTA KINABALU:

The various financial and economic policies announced by the Government are now even more confusing not only to the general public but more so to those who are affected by them and involved in implementing these policies, said Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh. Harris said the latest move by the Federal and State Governments to cut perks of Ministers and others shows that the Malaysian Government is trying to link this move with the outward trend of prices and is beginning to face up to the fact that the financial crisis is now a reality. According to the former Chief Minister, the actual source of the crisis is the unstoppable upward trend of international market prices - such as oil, rice and others. The cuts made from the entertainment allowances of Ministers and others will not contribute to saving even five percent of the total amount of this year’s subsidies which reportedly surpass RM60 billion. Also the adjustments of subsidies on diesel and other commodities and the payments of cash rebates to eligible motorists are both confusing and do not make sense. it is maintained that the Malaysian Government when and if it is not facing a financial crisis, is susceptible to a sabotage of funds and as such the cuts on Ministers’ entertainment allowances are merely a drop in the ocean. What is important is that the Government must follow and keep pace with the changing global economic situations and price adjustments. It is wrong to subsidise. Let the changes in the global prices take their course. However, in order to lessen their impact, this means that the Malaysian Government should abolish all subsidies and school and medical fees and in return introduce a ‘hardship allowance’ for every Malaysian over the age of 21 years. The abolition of subsidies will make Malaysians more responsible and thrifty on their spending habits. At the same time this also will encourage them to engage in economic activities which will make them more self sufficient, especially on rice, vegetables and fish. Presently most Malaysians are spending lavishly and beyond their means. Almost every Malaysian earning more than RM2,000 a month has two cars and the low interest rate for car loans at 2.9 percent is only encouraging this trend. On the other hand loans charged for agricultural activities such as for planting rice cost at least six percent. Where then is the logic? Actually almost every Malaysian has already, started to be frugal on his spending after the imposition of substantial increases on diesel and petrol prices. Comments made by those interviewed on TV and print media demonstrate clearly that with the higher fuel prices most Malaysians can only afford to visit their kampongs once a month instead of every week. The much touted promises ofhelping the rural people and the rural economy which have been going on since Merdeka, are only talk. With the exception of the settlement schemes introduced by the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, there is very little progress economically in the rural areas. The FELDA schemes introduced by Tun Razak are a full-fledged model of rural development - where every settler is given 10 acres fully planted either with rubber or oil palm and a small plot for a house. After completion, the lot is handed over to the settlers. Under these schemes, the settlers can look after the fully planted 10 acres and at the same time are able to repay the loan (development costs). Then again so much has been talked about the four million hectares of land which have been alienated and left abandoned. A full and realistic development of such land can only take off if the rural people are guaranteed of their source of daily live without food and sustenance. Therefore, regardless of whatever argument the Government may want to put forth, it is very important that for a start the Government pays a hardship allowance of RM300 to every Malaysian. This will not only contribute towards a distribution of wealth and a wider generation of cash flow, but will also spearhead the development of rural areas. The rural people will then have the incentive to not continue buying rice at RM4 per kilo, but instead to plant rice for their own consumption. Mere cuts of Ministers’ perks and also of others will not help to lessen the painful effects of the cuts in the subsidies nor contribute significantly to savings. Instead, it will only encourage those affected to look for other sources of income to maintain the high standard of living that they have been used to. The Government should after all have plenty of excess funds considering that prices of oil have gone up four times and the prices of commodities sucli as rubber and palm oil have doubled. Another pertinent and necessary factor to be considered is the cancellation of negotiated contracts for projects that are not the top priorities and are indeed not even needed by some States. On the payments of salaries twice a month, Harris said it is good news, but the Government should also consider introducing a weekly payment such as is practised in developed countries like UK, Australia and USA. This is more appropriate now as almost every average income earner does his grocery and other kinds of shopping at supermarkets - which require cash payments — instead of at the ‘kedai runcit’ - which give credit via records in the ‘555’ book. ‘I’1s twice monthly or weekly salaries system will still be of great help to low- income customers who can continue to do their purchases from the ‘kedai runcit’ which dominate in the rural areas, he said.

SATURDAY-14 JUNE 2008- NO QUICK FIX OVER ILLEGALS STREET KIDS: SYED HAMID

No quick fix over illegals street kids: Syed Hamid

KOTA KINABALU:

The longstanding problem of the presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah may not be an easy task to deal with. Although many people in the State are hoping for a quick solution to the problem, there are unfortunately issues which need to be dealt with first. After a two-day visit to Sabah, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar felt that there is a need to address the wide-ranging issue of illegal immigrants and migrants in a humane and rational manner without getting emotional. He said the issue of illegal immigrants is straight forward but the problem of stateless and street children needs to be addressed in accordance with international law and children’s rights. “As for illegal immigrants, we can handle it as the governments of their countries of origin will provide relevant travel documents for deportation. We have deported over 100,000 immigrants since 2000,” he said. “However, those stateless or document-less children of migrants are not being accepted. We have to see what we can do to resolve this problem,” said Syed Hamid, adding that such problems are not peculiar to Sabah, for in Peninsular Malaysia there is the Rohingya (refugees) problem. Syed Hamid explained that those without documents are not accepted by their home countries as they have been considered as refugees under the United Nations definition. “Therefore, efforts must be made to find third countries who are willing to accept them,” he said. “Previously we discussed with the United States and accepted a few thousand Rohingya into their country,” he said, adding that Malaysia hopes to discuss with other countries to help take the stateless people in. “I spoke to a 16-year-old stateless boy; he has no education. It would be difficult to find a third country for him,” he said, adding that they could just load them into boats and send them off without a third country ready to accept them. Speaking to the media after attending a meeting with the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department here, Syed Hamid urged the people here not to be sensitive and emotional over the issue. “Playing up the issue of illegal immigrants makes it look like as if there is an agenda,” he said. “You cannot impose; we need to cooperate and find solutions. We understand the fears of the local people,” he said, adding that the Special Cabinet Committee on illegal immigrants headed by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would be meeting soon The committee would look at the various issues and see who would be best invited to the committee in helping solve the complex problem of illegal immigrants, paperless people and refugees in Sabah as well other parts of the country. On the calls by Sabah leaders for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to be set up to look into cases of illegal immigrants obtaining Malaysian identity cards through the backdoor, Syed Hamid said that there is no need for it. “We realise that the illegal immigrants issue is complex in Sabah and it is not as simple as it seems. We need solution. There is no need to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the illegal immigrants issue; it would help if we can understand the issue better,” he said.

SATURDAY-14 JUNE 2008- STATE GOVT MULLS TWICE A MONTH PAY

State Govt mulls twice a month pay

CM says no problem if civil servants want it; Cabinet will discuss matter

KOTA KINABALU:
Payment of monthly salaries to civil servants in two installments will be among the issues to be discussed in the State Cabinet Meeting next week. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the State Government will only make its decision after the meeting on whether to emulate the Federal Government’s move in paying salaries to its employees fortnightly from August. He said State Secretary Datuk Sukarti Wakiman has been tasked to get feedbacks from various quarters on the matter before the State Government makes its decision. “We must first get the views of the State Secretary and State Government employee before deciding on the matter. If they accept, the Cabinet will have no problem implementing it,” he told the media after opening Bank Islam’s new Kota Kinabalu branch here. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahdullah Ahmad Badawi had on Wednesday announced that Government employees would be paid their salaries in two installment a month from August to help ease the impact of the recent sharp fuel prices hike. Petrol and diesel prices went up by 40 per cent on June 5. Earlier, in his speech, Musa said the Islamic banking and financial system had become a preference for Muslims and also non-Muslims, adding that the opening of the Bank Islam branch here reflected its commitment to improve its image and identity in terms of its delivery and services to customers. “The potential for the Islamic banking system to develop in Sabah is bright,” he said, adding that he is confident Bank Islam will benefit from the implementation of Sabah Development Corridor in view of the interest shown by foreign investors in the country’s Islamic banking system. Meanwhile, Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd plans to open 25 new branches in the next three years. Its Managing Director Datuk Zukri Samat yesterday disclosed that the move is in line with Bank Islam’s aim to develop an Islamic financial system to operate together with the conventional system in the country. The bank, set up 25 years ago, currently has 90 branches nationwide with over 2,900 employees. Zukri said Bank Islam is making efforts t upgrade its branch network in line with it re-branding process which started last August, which among others include improving the quality of services and also ensuring convenience for customers where they are carrying out banking transactions. He said the bank is also looking at ways to lighten the financial burden of customer following the recent fuel prices increase. “We are taking proactive steps and among our innovative offerings is providing payment holiday for the housing bar package,” he said. Through the scheme, customers have the choice of not making repayments for two months each year. Bank Islam is currently offering more than 50 products and services based on the Syariah principles, and the products an intended to cover all the needs of customers including individuals, corporate and organisations.

SATURDAY-14 JUNE 2008- MORE SABAHANS TO JOIN FEDERAL CIVIL SIVIL SERVICE:DOMPOK

More Sabahans to join Federal Civil Service: Dompok

KOTA KINABALU:

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok has a new task in hand to oversee affairs of the Federal Secretaries of Sabah and Sarawak. The United Pasok Momogun KadazanDusun Organisation (Upko) President disclosed that his role is to help coordinate and ensure that Federal projects are implemented smoothly in the two states. Asked if his appointment has something to do with the call by Sabah leaders for a Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Ministry, Dompok replied: “was not told that this is objective of me overseeing the State Federal Secretaries. The Prime Minister did inform me that he wants me to oversee federal matters in the two states.” Dompok, who has also been put in charge of the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu), said the Federal Government is serious about ensuring that hot h Sabah and Sarawak progress in tandem with the rest of the country. “I am looking at 110W the office of the Federal Secretary can be utilised towards achieving the objectives to ensure that Sabah and Sarawak progress,” he said, adding that the Federal Government is serious by getting Mampu involved. Dompok said various departments would report to their respective headquarters and his responsibility is to ensure that whatever projects planned for East Malaysia would be implemented smoothly. He said the new task is in addition to his existing responsibilities, and that he is looking at it in the context of the present day challenges within the Government at State and Federal departments and agencies. “At the dialogue, I was told of hiccups in the implementation of federal projects. We will take steps to resolve them,” he said. On the move to allow State civil servants to join Federal civil service to ensure there are more Sabahans serving in the Federal departments in the State, Dompok said that steps are underway and they are waiting for the State civil service to identify people keen to make the switch. “They would not lose, their entitlements as it is all similar terms,?’ he said, adding that Federal civil service provides better exposure as there are many departments as well as opportunities to serve the diplomatic corp. He added that the Federal Cabinet has agreed to the matter and that steps are being taken to implement the system in an orderly manner. Disclosing it as a new scheme introduced by the Federal Government, he explained that interested parties are allowed to apply and if they are accepted, they will be able to move from one grade to another with their seniority intact. Stressing that the system is to give opportunities for Sabah officers to work in the Federal ministries or departments, Dompok said that eventually they would be promoted to a higher level. “Opportunities to hold higher level posts are wider in the Federal civil service as the officers would be more exposed not only to the working environment in the country but also abroad. “I do not think that Sabahans are reluctant to work in the Peninsular. In fact, in Putrajaya for instance, I meet many Sabah officers who are happily working there and they don’t feel like going back because unlike previously, Kuala Lumpur and Sabah are now enjoying good relations. “We now have the luxury of cheap fares and frequent daily flights. Malaysia is, indeed, getting smaller,” he said. Touching on allowances for Sabah officers working in West Malaysia, Dompok explained that they are given various allowances but the complaint is that the amounts are lower than those given to their Peninsular Malaysia counterparts who are sent to serve in Sabah. “But the difference in the amount of allowance is small,” he explained.

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- FIVE CHECKPOINTS IN SABAH TO BE BUILT , UPGRADED

Five checkpoints in Sabah to be built, upgraded

TAWAU:

Five permanent checkpoints will be built and upgraded throughout Sabah to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar. These checkpoints with lighting facilities will be located at Jalan Tawau-Kunak, Jalan Papar-Beaufort, Jalan Sandakan-Telupid, Jalan Sipitang-Tenom and Jalan Pensiangan-Kalabakan. Syed Hamid said two controlling centres would also be set up at Wallace Bay and Sg Melayu in Sebatik to maintain security and harmony of the islands near the boundary. Speaking at a press conference at the district police station here yesterday morning, Syed Hamid said the entry of illegal immigrants was a national issue and the figure was not exactly accurate. “More than 2.1 million foreign workers are working in our country where 220,000 are working in Sabah. “It was learnt that there are one million of illegal immigrants in Peninsular Malaysia and 89,000 in Sabah. From the year 2001 until 2008, a total of 122,000 illegal immigrants have been deported from the State while 161,000 have been detained for investigation,” said the Minister who was making a visit to Sabah. “It is not an easy task for us to solve it because it concerns logistics and enforcement between boundaries. The Government wishes to reduce such problem to zero level with the cooperation from all the parties. It is important to solve the problem appropriately,” he pointed out. Touching on the stateless issue, Syed Hamid said a committee had been set up to solve the illegal immigrants problem. “A few groups maybe formed based on their (illegal immigrants) categories. Many matters should be studied deeply, including the sensitivity of the local situation,” he said. Syed Hamid also said his Ministry was concerned over the drug smuggling problem in Sabah which has become serious. Sabah is a strategic place for the smugglers to transit the drugs to other countries. Hence, all the parties should cooperate and act seriously to eradicate the problem, he said. Also present at the press conference were Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim and District Police Chief ACP Jaafar Yusof.

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- LDP URGES PETRONAS TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT

LDP urges Petronas to be more transparent

KOTA KINABALU:

A call was made for Petronas to be more transparent in its operation by providing all the facts and figures, especially the royalty payments given to the Government. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Api Api Division Secretary Dr Chang Sui Loong, who made the call yesterday, said that what the Second Finance Minister had stated in his explanation on the necessity to reduce Government oil subsidies can only confuse the people if the facts and figures did not provide the full picture of Petronas’ operation. Chang noted that according to the Government, last year, Petronas contributed RM48 billion to the Federal Government and RM4.14 billion to the State Governments in terms of royalty payments. This year, RM55.7 billion is expected for the Federal Government and RM6.2 billion for State Governments. Last year, the Government spent RM30.8 billion on subsidies. This year, the subsidy payout is estimated to more than double to RM65 billion based on oil price save raging USD125 per barrel. Chang said: “If the people can recall, crude oil price for most part of last year stayed at around USD60 per barrel. Now, it is around USD130 per barrel. In other words, crude oil price has surged by over 217 per cent in the last 12 months. “If Petronas’ production cost has been kept under control, the additional USD70 per barrel should be a clean profit for the Company. Given that oil price increases on a staggered basis this year, the average increase can be taken at say USD50 per barrel (83 per cent increase). “The Advisor of Petronas said in his blog that according to his estimate, Malaysia produces 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, of which 250,000 barrels are for export. Thus, the total additional profit that can be earned from export for this year as a result of the price increase should be around USD4.56 billion or RM14.5 billion. (250,000 x USD 50 x 365 days). This additional profit coupled with the profit earned in the last three years which the Advisor claimed to be over USD70 billion should be about USD74.56 billion or RM238.6 billion. “Yet, the Second Finance Minister said he expected Petronas to only increase its contribution to RM55.7 billion (a mere increase of 16 per cent) in 2008. “Moreover, if the royalty rebate to the oil producing States can only increase by 49 per cent from RM4.14 billion to RM6.2 billion as estimated, it is inconsistent with the hefty 217 per cent increase (or 83 per cent increase on average) in crude oil price.” Chang also noted that Malaysia’s pump prices now stand at RM2.70 for petrol and RM2.58 for diesel. He pointed out that there are huge differences between these prices and the prices of other oil producing countries as follows: U A Emirates (RM1.19), Egypt (RM1.03), Bahrain (RM0.87), Qatar (RM0.68), Kuwait (RM0.67),Saudi Arabia (RM0.35), Nigeria (RM0.32), Turkmenistan (RM0.25) and Venezuela (RM0.16). Chang said that in stead of comparing our petrol prices with those of non-

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- SAME AMENITIES FOR RURAL AREAS IN SABAH

Same amenities for rural areas in Sabah
All areas within 30km radius of towns to get basic facilities

KOTA KINABALU:

Areas within 30km radius from a town and township throughout Sabah will be fully provided with basic amenities within eight years, or before year 2016. Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said the development in the State will be distributed fairly and equitably so that all the rural areas will enjoy the same amenities as those in other States in the country. Muhammad was speaking after a briefing by Sabah Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen on current issues and the State’s programs at Magellan Sutera Harbour here yesterday. According to Muhammad, the 30km radius development projects will include the provision of water and electricity supplies, roads and other amenities as well as Hardcore Poor Housing Project (PPRT). “The Ministry will monitor the distribution of amenities so that we would know which rural areas have more and which lack the amenities, and we will develop the less developed areas,” he said. However, the provision of amenities for remote areas which are 160km from a town, for instance, will be limited, and special programs such as a solar hybrid will be implemented to provide electricity, Muhammad added. In May and June, the Prime Minister announced a RM1 billion allocation each for Sabah and Sarawak to implement basic amenities, as rural areas in both states are far behind the more developed Peninsular Malaysia. “However, we are more interested in building roads in the villages and rural areas within the 30km radius, which will be connected to the federal roads,” he said, adding that 95 percent of the Peninsular has road infrastructure compared to 40 and 34 percent in Sabah and Sarawak respectively. As for water supply, Sabah and Sarawak have 63 and 62 percent coverages respectively compared to 97 percent in the Peninsular, while electricity supply implementation rate in Sabah is 76 percent and Sarawak is 84 percent compared to 99 percent in the Peninsular. Meanwhile, Muhammad urged the State’s people representatives to provide help regarding land matters as certain projects which have been allocated funds could not be implemented yet due to the lack of land or site. “The Assemblymen have to help so that the projects can be carried out,” Muhammad said, adding that the State Government will also provide help to overcome the problem. He said the allowance for heads of villages will be sent directly to the State Government for distribution along with the additional allowance from the State Government Also present during the briefing were Minister of Rural Development Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- SILENT PROTEST A SUCCESS, SAYS HIEW

Silent protest a success, says Hiew

KOTA KINABALU:

Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament Dr Hiew King Cheu said the silent protest launched at noon for 15 minutes yesterday on all roads in Sabah against the steep fuel price increase was a success. “From the response of the general public observed today, that was a true reflection of their feelings and sufferings over the fuel price increase. During noon, the roads in the major towns in Sabah showed a great decrease in the traffic flow,” said Hiew who is also the DAP Kota Kinabalu Chairman. He said the fuel price hike not only caused hardship amongst the low income group, but also affected the middle class. “The survey conducted by Sabah DAP shows that the general public has begun feeling the pinch and the heavy financial constraint on their shoulder. Many are also working out plans to cut daily expenses or skip meal in between. The rich may not feel it, but the poor are the first one who get hit,” he added.

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- SET UP SAFE-CITY PROJECTS TO FIGHT CRIME IN SABAH: LEE

Set up safe-city projects to fight crime in Sabah: Lee

KOTA KINABALU:

The Vice-Chairman of Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye yesterday recommended the implementation of ‘safe-city or safe-neighbourhood initiatives’ projects in Sabah to help fight crime and create a safe living environment for all. The ‘safe-city or safe-neighbourhood initiative’ is basically an MCPF project designed to create a safe living environment, minimizing the opportunities for crime to take place. In the Malaysia context, the ‘safe-city or safe-neighbourhood initiative’ represents a good example of positive partnership between the Government and citizens working towards crime prevention through environmental design, community development and education. The move entails the mobilisation of all relevant parties like planners and architects, developers, voluntary organizations, local authorities and residents to work in partnership and implement initiatives for crime prevention. What is even more significant is the fact that our ‘safe-city or safe-neighbourhood initiatives’ gather all relevant parties to custom-design solutions to existing problems and to anticipate and prepare for solutions to safety issues within the locality. It has been established that the fear of crime is as serious as crime itself. The use of environmental psychology and environmental design can contribute substantially towards eliminating the fear of crime and reduce crime occurrences. Basically, 10 activities will be undertaken in connection with the implementation of the ‘safe-city or safe-neighbourhood initiatives”.

• Selection of project area in consultation with the Police;
• Identification of target groups in the project area;
• Explaining the concept to the target groups;
• Setting-up the safe-city committee for the project area;
• Identifying crime issues and problems by the target groups and the safe-city committee;
• Solving issues and problems by the target groups;
• Implementing suggestions on crime prevention;
• Monitoring the effectiveness of suggestions and making amendments if necessary;
• Documenting project activities; and
• Monitoring the safe-city concept and continuous follow-up action.

The safe-city or safe-neighbourhood committee will be chaired by a resident’s representative, preferably the chairman of the resident’s association, and comprise representatives from the local authority, the police department, the MCPF, the relevant government agencies, non-governmental organizations the developer and professionals like architects, planners, etc. Lee said the implementation of the ‘safe- city or safe-neighbourhood initiative’ requires concerted effort and cooperation between all parties concerned with the community - from city planners and architects who design the environment, developers who build it, Government officials responsible for administering the community and the residents who live there - all working towards creating a safer living environment. The occurrence of crime is a reminder that the people must never take safety and security for granted. It is appropriate that the ‘safe-city or safe- neighbourhood initiative’ be implemented to mobilize community efforts in crime prevention. While we recognise that the police have a major role to play to combat crime, the responsibility is not theirs alone. While Malaysia is a comparatively safe country to live in, its citizens and residents should always be conscious of the need to be vigilant and help participate in crime prevention efforts, said Lee. Besides contributing towards crime prevention, the ‘safe-city or safe- neighbourhood initiative’ also aims to build strong neighbourhood links and forge greater community co-operation which are essential in our multi-racial society. Through such initiatives and working towards a common objective of building safer cities, all those involved in the implementation of the ‘safe-city or safe- neighbourhood initiative’ can help foster and strengthen inter racial harmony and unity in our country, Lee added.

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- COMMISSION TO PROBE ILLEGALS WELCOMED SAYS SUHAKAM

Commission to probe illegals welcomed, says Suhakam

KOTA KINABALU:

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) Vice Chairman Tan Sri Simon Sipaun yesterday welcomed the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into issues pertaining to illegal immigrants in Sabah. “Personally, I support the proposal to have a Royal Commission of Inquiry over the longstanding issue. But the matter has yet to be discussed by Suhakam,” he said. Matters pertaining to illegal immigrants were among the most talked about topic during a dialogue on Politics and Civil Rights here yesterday. “This issue has not been discussed entirely by Suhakam. What I have said earlier is my personal view on the setting up of the Commission,” said Simon. “My support towards the setting up of the Commission is not because it could probably solve the longstanding issue affecting Sabah, but like the Lingham video clip, we were able to dig into the issue and identify the caller and who was responsible in the case,” said Simon after the dialogue. The event was also attended by other Suhakam officials, namely Tan Sri Asiah Abu Samah, Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Datuk Dr Micheal Yeoh, Datuk Siva Subramaniam and Tunku Datuk Nazihan Tunku Mohamed Rus. Simon said that the setting up of an ordinary committee would not be able to resolve problems concerning illegal immigrants, as it would not be effective, especially in calling politicians and influential leaders to facilitate their investigation. He said his view is in line with the people of Sabah’s needs. “However, I cannot speak on behalf of Suhakam but since this issue was raised during the forum today, we might bring it to our (Suhakam) meeting,” he said. Earlier in his speech, Simon described issues pertaining to illegal immigrants as the mother of all problems in the State. The problem started in the 1960s and relatively, it could ‘have been handled by the Government then, but since it was neglected, the issue has grown and is becoming worse today, he said. “This could probably be one of the main reasons for the popular demand to have the Royal Commission of Inquiry look into the issue. I believe that the idea to set up the Commission is to find out the root of this problem,” he said. He said he also believed that setting up more temporary detention centres would not solve the problem. “Instead, it will make things worse as what had happened before this,” he said.

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- ECO-CERTIFICATION FOR TOURISM PRODUCTS

Eco-certification for tourism products
Program to ensure industry developed sustain ably: Masidi

KOTA KINABALU:

An eco-certification program, as proposed in the Sabah Development Corridor Blueprint, will be developed by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment to ensure sustainable development of tourism. According to its Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, the eco-certification will be part of the benchmarks to be developed for accreditation to indicate the quality and standards of our tourism products. “This program aims to make sure that every development project is eco-friendly, and takes into consideration any products for conservation,” he said, adding that the program will enhance the products. Masidi said the program is a growing trend in Europe where people prefer to patronize outlets which are eco-friendly, and the value of a product would be added instead of creating a new product. “We will invite an independent body to give the certification for the products that meet certain standards that we will use to measure the products,” he said, adding that the program will hopefully be conducted before the end of this year. “As about 80 percent of tourists come to Sabah for leisure and recreation, we have to ensure that we not only have new and innovative products that meet their needs and expectations but also high standards and quality of delivery of the products and services to encourage them to return for repeat visits,” he said. Masidi was speaking at a seminar on Sabah Tourism Industry Towards 2025, which was themed ‘Strengthening Sabah Tourism Towards a Vibrant Premier Tourism Destination” at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort here yesterday. It was attended by 200 tourism industry players and representatives. Also present at the one-day event were Deputy Secretary General (Tourism) in the Ministry of Tourism Dr Junaida Lee Abdullah, Institute for Development Studies Executive Director Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub Hj Johari and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Suzannah Liaw. The seminar, which consisted of presentations and workshop, was organised to inform the stakeholders of the mission, vision, strategies and programmes of the SDC Blueprint with respect to the development of the State tourism industry and to obtain feedback to further chart the direction of the industry. According to Masidi, the visitor arrivals in 2007 yielded a total of about RM4.7 billion in tourism receipts for Sabah, contributing some 14.6 percent to Sabah GDP. He said the arrivals jumped by about 220 percent compared to the previous year. “A working target of 3.4 million visitor arrivals by 2010 has been set to provide a focus and thrust for development of tourism; new and appropriate products and services as well as supporting infrastructure,” he said. Masidi said the Sabah Tourism Masterplan 1996, which provides the framework and direction for policy, development and growth of tourism for a period of 15 years from 1995 to 2010 in the State, needs to be reviewed and updated as it is drawing to a close. “It is not only to keep the State tourism roadmap for development and growth current and relevant but also to achieve the vision and meet the objectives presented in the SDC Blueprint,” he said. Masidi said the blueprint, which can transform Sabah into a very desirable destination for tourists, can be realised in three development phases of specific target time-lines for steady growth and positioning of Sabah into a vibrant destination. “Of course, this vision also requires that we take the necessary measures to sustainably manage, protect and conserve the very resources that constitute the foundation of our tourism development and the long-term future of the industry in the State,” he said. Masidi said Sabah’s environmental resources are fundamental assets that will continue to determine the State’s market positioning as a Premier Nature and Adventure Destination. He said that while innovation is encouraged, the core values and integrity of local cultures should be understood and observed at all times and as much as possible maintained and preserved. “We would do a great disservice to our cultural heritage if we carelessly substitute authenticity with creations that completely alter the traditional values and essence of our traditional culture for short-term objectives and gain,” he said. He added that while the tourism in Sabah is still heavily reliant on air access and direct flight connections, the rising fuel costs can be surmounted if we have a clear understanding of the visitor generating markets, needs and behaviour, and respond accordingly with appropriate marketing and product development strategies,

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- FORUM ON COUNTERING EFFECTS OF SURGING FUEL PRICES TOMORROW

Forum on countering effects of surging fuel prices tomorrow

KOTA KINABALU:

A forum to educate the public in countering the effects of the global fuel prices hike will be held tomorrow, June 14. With the theme “Economy in jeopardy,” the three-hour event, organised by the Sabah Progressive Party’s Progressive Institute of Public Policy Analysis (PIPPA), will begin at 9am at the Sabah Trade Centre. According to the Organising Chairman, Datuk Tham Nyip Shen, the short duration may not be able to cover the entire topic but it has to start somewhere. “It would be good if the public could show some response during the seminar so that together we will be able to join hands and find a way to tackle the current economic crisis following the increase in oil price,” he said. He said the forum, which is conducted for free, will share with participants studies done by the speaker to enable them to better understand the current economic situation. “There is no use in being angry, and instead let us find the right measures and work closely with the Government to address the global crisis,” Tham said. “In particular, I would like to highlight that the differences between the demand and supply as a whole is versatile. In other words, the gap between the oil supply and demand is getting narrower. We actually realise one thing that the traders have been very irresponsible and that they have manipulated the oil prices ... this, unfortunately, cannot be stopped,” he said. Tham, who is also the PIPPA Chairman, said that under such circumstances, the question would be whether the people and the Government would suffer together. SAPP, being a responsible political party, he said, would like to make an effort to share the findings with the people. He stressed that a number of measures could be done such as changing the lifestyle and even changing the way the country is run. “For example, today the public consumes 20 per cent of the energy. But switching the lights off would probably cause security problem. So, it is not possible for the Government to just switch it off to save the 20 per cent energy consumption,” he said. On the other hand, new technologies could probably address the problem by coming up with a more efficient energy usage such as the application of Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology. It produces cost-effective lighting system that consume less than half of the power currently used. It consumes only 30 per cent of the actual power. “I would like to propose to the Government to come up with policy that encourages the public to have energy saving by giving incentives to people who make effort to save energy consumption. “For instance, if the electricity bill is RM100 a month and there is an effort to reduce it by half, the Government should give a reward in the form of subsidy,” he said. This, in the long run, would help the Government to reduce energy usage, he added.

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- GIANT FOOTPRINTS CAUSE STIR

Giant footprints cause stir

DARO:

Villagers here were shocked by the discovery of two extra large footprints near the fence of an orchard at a rural village. They probably resembled those mentioned many times in foreign reports in claims of sightings of the mysterious ‘bigfoot’. The shocker had been spreading like wildfire in Daro district for the past few days and among those drawn to the phenomenon was local businessman Tan Soon Kuang. Yesterday, Tan, 42, e-mailed the images of the mysterious creature’s footprints. He said he personally went to the village (which he refused to name out of respect for the wishes of locals) to check on the truth of the story. “The truth is in the photographs that I have taken with my camera,” he said to The Borneo Post in a telephone interview yesterday. According to him, the footprint measures 47 inches from heel to toe and 17 inches sideways, clearly too gigantic for any normal human being. Asked when and how he went to the village and took the photos, Tan answered: “I went there last Wednesday, June 11 after I heard about the news. “I drove about five minutes from Daro town to the village. Then, I walked on foot along a footpath for quite a few minutes to the place where I met many villagers who were gathered there. “Then some villagers pointed to the big footprints. I was shocked to see them and was excited as I took those photographs.” On his conversation with the villagers, he said: “When I asked the villagers the first time they discovered the two big footprints, they told me it was last Monday, June 9. “They also told me that they now recall that before they came across the footprints, the villagers had, a few months ago felt uncomfortable and sick as if there was something ‘unclean’ in the air. “They said they decided to look for a ‘bomoh’ (medicine man) who told them to go to an area, dig a small hole, then build a fence around it. The bomoh further told them to make offerings outside the fenced area. “And then last Monday morning the villagers saw the two big footprints outside the fenced up area.” Tan further said: “When I asked the villagers if they were afraid or not they told me some were afraid; other just curious. But all of them apparently believe that the place was ‘unclean’. “The villagers were now clearing up the footpath leading to the large footprints in anticipation of more people coming to have a look at the footprints. “The villagers also told me that it was not the first time that they saw such mysterious big footprints in their village. In fact, the first time they saw such big footprint was about 50 years ago.” Asked if there is any possibility that the footprints were man-made or false, Tan said it would be tough act for a person to do, to create such a mark on the hard ground. Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie when contacted yesterday said he heard about such discovery somewhere in a village in Daro area. Asked if he thinks it is real, he replied: “Sorry, I can’t say. It could be just rumours. I have not been to the place. I am now in Matu.” The story has spread to Sibu. Here, Abdul Aziz Pung, who is very familiar with Daro, when contacted for his comments, said he had heard about the footprints from friends and relatives. “Yes, they said it is true. Initially I laughed it off, but then some of my friends who came down to Sibu town convinced me that they are real. I may be going there soon to see them for myself.”

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- INCOME TAX CUT POSSIBLE

Income tax cut possible
2009 Budget proposals may include income tax exemption or reduction

PUTRAJAYA:

Personal income tax exemption or reduction to lighten the people’s burden following the fuel price hike and food supply crisis is among the proposals put forward during the 2009 Budget consultation yesterday. Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the proposal was made by several Barisan Nasional (BN) Members of Parliament during the consultation between the BN Backbenchers Club and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Finance Minister, at the Finance Ministry here. “We will include this point as a proposal and see whether it will be implemented in this budget,” he told reporters after the consultation. According to records, personal income tax exemption and reduction to one or two percent had been implemented on 91,000 tax payers in the 2002 Budget. Nor Mohamed said at the moment, only one million of the 10.5 income earners in Malaysia paid tax. He said those who were single and earning less than RM2,950 monthly need not pay income tax, while those married and with children were also not required to pay the tax if they earned less than RM3,200 monthly. “Out of one million tax payers, only 38,000 pay at a high quantum of 28 percent.” Nor Mohamed said income tax contributed about RM10 billion out of the estimated national income at RM147 billion this year. He said the 2009 Budget would also focus on improving the transportation system, including the Government buying buses for use not only in Kuala Lumpur and Penang but also in other areas, besides providing incentives to public transport operators. Prior to this, the Government had announced its plan to buy 100 buses including 30 in the next few months for the purpose. Currently, about 20 percent of the Malaysia’s population use public transport compared to between 50 percent and 70 percent in western countries. Efforts are being made to encourage the people to use public transport to increase the usage to 40 percent in the next few years. -Bernama

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- ASTRO SETS NEW PENALTIES

Astro sets new penalties

KUALA LUMPUR:

From next month, Astro subscribers will not have to pay the RM10 fine for late payment of bills. Instead, a reminder will be issued, failing which the account will be disconnected and a RM20 reconnection fee charged. It will also pro-rate the penalty charge of RM500 currently imposed for early cancellation of subscription, if the set-top-box is returned in good working condition. This was disclosed by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission on Wednesday. It had held two meetings with Astro recently to discuss outstanding consumer complaints. Astro is also introducing more family-orientated programmes so that subscribers have more choice in cheaper, more relevant packages.

FRIDAY-13TH JUNE 2008- INEFFICIENCY IN GOVT DEPTS LEADS TO PROJECTS DELAY: CM

Inefficiency in Govt Depts leads to projects delay: CM

KOTA KINABALU:

Inefficiency in the Government Departments and agencies must be addressed immediately as it has resulted in delay of development projects which sometimes stretches up to a year. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who stressed this yesterday, said: “The allocations have been approved but due to some glitches, the implementation is either delayed or the projects could not be carried out on time. “Sometimes, the allocation given has to be brought forward, so when there is an increase in allocation from the Government, it is not necessarily an increase as the amount has been brought forward from the year before,” he said. Stressing that this is such a waste, Musa said the inefficiency is depriving the people of better development. It is important to identify the source of the problem so that immediate solution can be found to overcome it, he said during the Chief Minister’s Department/Finance Ministry’s monthly gathering at the Tun Ahmad Raffae Auditorium, Tun Mustapha Tower here. Musa said that setting up one- stop centres would be probably the best solution. “With such centres, everything can be done faster and the development projects can be implemented timely for the good of the State and the people,” he said. He said that the revival of State Development Office (SDO) to replace the disbanded Sabah Federal Development Department (JPPS) brings greater responsibility to all Government departments and agencies, especially those involving the implementation of development projects in Sabah. “Apart from directly channeling allocations to the implementation agencies, the move also entails improvement in efficiency and coordination to ensure development projects could be carried out more effectively for the benefit of the target groups,” he said. The Chief Minister urged all civil servants to be more dedicated to earn the people’s trust, especially the rural folks, in their ability to implement and manage development projects in the State. The current situation, where the world is facing slow economic growth in the wake of food crisis and escalating fuel prices, poses a greater challenge to the Government and it requires everyone to be rational and prudent, he said. “We have also taken measures to minimise expenses. In fact, prudent spending is nothing new to the State Government as it has long been our practice, and as a result, we have managed to strengthen our financial position. “All civil servants must play their role to ensure there is no wastage. We would have to cut down unnecessary expenses without affecting productivity and delivery system. I believe this can be done since good governance and being thrifty have long existed in the administration,” said Musa.

THURSDAY-12TH JUNE 2008- GOVT STILL CONSIDERING COAL POWER PLANT

Govt still considering coal power plant

KOTA KINABALU:

Sufficient power supply is needed for Sabah to move on in terms of development, but it must be clean power. “We must realise that sooner or later, we have to move on, especially when talking about development, particularly industrialization, where we need sufficient power supply but it has to be clean power,” stressed Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, yesterday. Speaking at a press conference after the State Cabinet Meeting at Wisma Innoprise here, he said the State Government is still considering the Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s proposal to build a 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the east coast of Sabah. He said the State Government is taking into account the views of everybody, including locals, nongovernmental organisations and experts, on coal-fired technology before making a decision. Masidi was commenting on an advertisement put up by TNB Chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie, entitled “Why Coal For East Coast Sabah?”, which contains information on coal-fired technology and how it would benefit the people. TNB’s initial proposal to set up coal-fired power plant in Silam Lahad Datu was rejected by the State Government in April after strong objections from locals and NGOs’ over fears that the project would cause serious harm to the ecologically sensitive environment there. “TNB had appealed to the State Government to reconsider its decision to scrap the project or identify new place for it to set up the coal-fired plant for the benefit of the people in the east coast of Sabah,” Masidi said. The State Government, he added, had agreed to a second meeting with TNB recently, and allowed a public meeting between Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and NGOs to provide the former an opportunity to explain the rationale behind their insistence in proceeding with the coal-fired project. “We in the Government are actually very transparent; we are not hiding anything. The interest of the people and environment is still our top priority but at the same time, we cannot just live on the environment, life must go on. “In this world, we have to learn that in order to move on, we will need sufficient electricity supply. If the project (coal-fired plant) is approved, it has to be built on a suitable location... for now, let us give it much consideration first. “They (TNB) made an appeal to find a new place. The State Government’s view is very simple, we told them to lay their cards on the table so that the people can evaluate every aspect of the proposal, thus ensuring they will comply with the higher standard of efficiency. “Therefore we will consider and listen to the views of everybody, including the advice given by the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching, Xie Fugen,” said Masidi. Xie, who was on an official visit to Sabah, disclosed that they had ventured into coal-fired plant technology long ago.

THURSDAY-12TH JUNE 2008- ALONGS OFFER LOAN TO BET ON EUROPEAN CUP CASH

Alongs offer loan to bet on European Cup CASH

claims illegal moneylenders advertising services in City

KOTA KINABALU:

The public is advised not to take out loans from illegal moneylenders to bet on the ongoing European Cup soccer matches. Consumer Association of Sabah and Labuan (CASH) Deputy President Nordin Thani said he had been informed that some illegal loan sharks were advertising loans for betting on the tournament. “They are already advertising their services in and around the City,” he said, adding that gambling is risky business and those who lose would not be able to pay their loans and the illegal loan sharks would trouble them. Nordin also urged the relevant authorities to carry out more spot checks on records of all licensed moneylenders following complaints of harassment from their customers who have settled their loans. He said some moneylenders have been calling their former customers to settle “incidentals” incurred when they took the loan. “Those who lodged their complaints with CASH claimed that the moneylenders continued to harass them despite having settled the loan. The excuse given by the moneylenders was that there were incidentals incurred by the debtors which needed to be settled,” he said. Nordin said the relevant authorities should before renewing the licenses of money lenders, check and ensure that they are in compliance with the law as well as interview the company’s customers. “We are requesting that the moneylenders inspectorate interview the borrowers personally and the company’s statement of accounts be audited by an independent body and copies of the statement be extended to the Federal Finance Ministry as well as the Ministry of Housing and Local Government before any license is renewed. “This way the relevant authorities can find out what is the interest rate charged and how much profit the moneylenders are making,” he said. Nordin also suggested that written permission from the employer notwithstanding from the public or private sector be made a criteria in applying for loans from moneylenders. He also disclosed that in Labuan, moneylenders and their associates are taking advantage of the current economic situation by opening up more hand phone shops, which are a front to illegal money lending services. These premises also operate as pawn shops where customers are allowed to pawn their hand phones for a loan with an interest rate of between 15 percent and 20 percent for a 21-day period. Nordin said similar activities are also widely practised in Kota Kinabalu and pointed out that the compensation paid out to the hand phone owners in the event of theft or fire is inadequate. “This is because the licensed pawn shop owners are only liable to pay a compensation of the pawned amount plus another 25 percent on top of that amount to the affected customers. “This compensation is grossly inadequate considering the original Purchase value of the item. The Pawnshops Act 1972 does not protect the consumers but the pawnshop owners,” he said. According to him, under the Pawnshops Act 1972, the interest allowed to be charged is only two per cent monthly and not the 15 per cent to 20 per cent imposed by pawnshops now. On the outcome of his meeting with consumers in Labuan, Nordin said CASH met with 60 people who claimed to have been cheated by licensed moneylenders who charged them exorbitant hidden interest on the loans. “There were also complaints of the loan agreements being tampered with and despite attempts, including reporting the matter to the authority, the problem remains unresolved. “The moneylenders are not worried about the police reports against them as they told the customers that the authorities concerned are on their side,” he said, adding that CASH had advised those affected to seek legal redress to the problem. To this end, he urged the Government to issue licenses to those who will do business according to the law. Nordin, meanwhile, urged banks to extend a copy of authorization letter to their agents instructed to carry out repossession of defaulters’ vehicles instead of the Repossession Order given to their agents. Nordin said many defaulters have complained of being approached by repossessors claiming to be the authorized agents appointed by the banks but could not produce relevant documents to support the claim. “The banks must also specify the amount of fees charged by the repossessors instead leaving it entirely to them. Some charge up to RM300 for a repossession and storage fees even before the car is taken away,” he said.