SATURDAY-31 MAY 2008- FOREIGN TRAVEL AGENTS, PRESS MEDIA TO ATTEND KAAMATAN OPEN HOUSE

Foreign travel agents, press media to attend Kaamatan Open House

KOTA KINABALU:

About 40 foreign travel agents and members of the media will attend the National Tadau Kaamatan Open House 2008 at Padang Merdeka here today. The agents and media members from Australia, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, Canada and Italy are here for the Mega Fam programme organised by Tourism Malaysia. A business presentation was held for them yesterday. It was presented by Senior Deputy Director, South East Asia Division, Tourism Malaysia, Ishak Ismail, Malaysia Airlines Sabah Area Manager Morris Ong and Josephine Chai from Sabah Tourism Board. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will launch the celebration tonight. The main objective of the programme is to raise awareness among foreign media and tour operators about tourist destinations, products and services in Malaysia in order to increase tour packages and publicity on the country as a preferred leisure and MICE destination. Organised by the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and the State Government of Sabah, the open house is expected to receive about 10,000 visitors. The programmes will include cultural performances, traditional games and live music entertainment by favourite Malaysian singers. The highlight of the festival will be the crowning of the Unduk Ngadau or Harvest Queen. Visitors will also be able to buy local handicrafts and traditional ethnic products.

SATURDAY-31 MAY 2008- COLOURED STICKERS TO IDENTIFY RICE GRADES

Coloured stickers to identify rice grades

KUALA LUMPUR:

The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry is to introduce coloured stickers from Sunday to enable consumers identify the different grades of rice. A Ministry statement yesterday said the Super Special Tempatan (SST) five per cent (with five per cent broken grains) packet will carry a purple sticker, the SST 10 per cent packet a yellow sticker and the Super Tempatan (ST) 15 per cent packet a dark blue sticker. “As for the imported rice, which is not a price-controlled item, a light blue sticker will be used for Super White rice, an orange sticker for special rice, a pink sticker for fragrant rice and a brown sticker for parboiled rice,” it said. This latest measure of the Ministry is in accordance with a Cabinet announcement on May 12 that the prices of the SST five per cent and SST 10 per cent rice would be fixed at RM2. 80 and RM2. 70 per kg from Sunday while the ST 15 per cent rice would be fixed at between RM1 .65 and RM1.80 per kg depending on zones. In making the announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said that the controlled prices were to ensure sufficient supply of the rice and curb rising prices following a drastic increase in prices in the market over the last month. The statement also said that through the standardisation of rice prices nationwide, the Government spent RM725 million to subsidise rice imports with RM243.7 million allocated for Sabah and Sarawak. At present, Sabah and Sarawak depend on rice imports to meet their needs, with Sabah importing 70 per cent of its requirements and Sarawak, 47 percent. “If this (control and subsidy) measures are not adopted, the impact of rising prices of imported rice in the world market will cause a drastic rise in rice prices for consumers in Sabah and Sarawak,” the statement said. The statement also said that monitoring by the Ministry’s Padi and Rice Regulatory Division found that the price of the SST five per cent had reached RM3 per kg since April and the fixing of the price had enabled the people to buy the rice at a reasonable price. On the exemption of fixed prices for other imported rice such as Basmati rice, glutinous rice and Thai fragrant rice, which have floated retail prices, the statement said consumers of these rice varieties were from the middle and high- income bracket and could afford to pay the higher prices. At present, the average price of rice in the world market had risen by as much as three times the average price of last year, and hovers at US$1,100 per tonne (US$1 = RMI-24). - Bernama -

SATURDAY-31 MAY 2008- SABAH TO GET PRICE-CONTROLLED RICE EFFECTIVE JUNE 1

Sabah to get price-controlled rice effective June 1

KUALA LUMPUR:

Consumers in Sabah and Sarawak will be able to get the price-controlled Super 15 per cent (S15) rice at the price of the already controlled grade, Super Tempatan 15 percent, in Peninsular Malaysia. “The controlled price of RM1.80 per kg for this grade is fixed for the areas around seven major ports in both states, namely Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan and Lahad Datu in Sabah; and Kuching, Sibu and Miri in Sarawak,” Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) said in a statement here yesterday. Bernas said the S 15 per cent would be available in six different brands distributed by its subsidiaries in Sabah and Sarawak. “They can be identified by the use of blue sticker ‘Super Beras Nasional 15 per cent’ on the packs of Sabah Beras Super Vietnam (15 per cent). “In Sarawak, they will be on Cap Hornbill Kenyalang, Cap Beras Premium Beras Vietnam 25, Cap Batang Rajang, Beras Super Cap Ikan Gurami (ungu) and Emperor,” it said. Bernas said to improve uniformity in pricing and packaging of S15 per cent rice nationwide, effective 1 July 2008, a standard 10-kg rice packaging carrying the national brand ‘Super Beras Nasional 15 per cent’ would be introduced in the country to replace the use of stickers on various S15 per cent brands. - Bernama

FRIDAY-30 MAY 2008- 887 TEACHERS TO BE POSTED TO SABAH, LABUAN IN JULY

887 teachers to be posted to Sabah, Labuan in July

KUALA LUMPUR:

A total of 887 attachment teachers will be posted in Sabah and Labuan this July. The teachers are among the more than 5,000 educationists who will be sent on attachment to all Government schools from July to overcome the shortage of teachers in the country, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said. He said 1,077 of them would be sent to national-type Chinese schools, 399 people at Tamil schools, 2,980 teachers to national schools and 666 others to special education schools. Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby here, he said most of them would be sent to Sarawak, totalling 1,115 people, followed by Sabah (876), Johor (647), Selangor (636), Perak (432), Pahang (356), Kedah (210), Negeri Sembilan (189), Melaka (172), Kuala Lumpur (155), Kelantan (143), Penang (75), Terengganu (80), Putrajaya (25) and Labuan (11). Dr Wee said the teachers would be sent to attend courses to improve their teaching skills during the school holidays. He said the Ministry also conducted interviews for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers to become teachers, especially at Chinese and Tamil schools. “Teachers with SPM qualification will be sent for a three year training to equip them with the teaching skills,” he added. - Bernama

FRIDAY-30 MAY 2008- SHELL,SJA JOIN FORCES TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Shell, SJA join forces to support environmental leadership programme

KOTA KINABALU:

Shell Malaysia and the Sabah Journalists Association (SJA), two longstanding partners in the annual Kinabalu-Shell Press Awards, this year brought the partnership to a new level when they decided to support an environmental conservation and leadership programme by an international non-profit organisation the Southeast Asian Service Leadership Network (SEALNet) in collaboration with the Sabab Wetlands Conservatiøn Society at the Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre (KKWC) in Likas here. Shell contributed RM20,000 towards the programme, known as ‘Environmental Awareness In Action’, which will witness 20 American college students interacting with 30 local high school students ma two-week long project at KKWC - a 24-hectare area of mangrove forest which is home to native as well as migratory birds, mangrove crabs and fish. Mr. George Ling, General Manager and Director, Sabah Shell Petroleum Co Ltd, handed over the contribution to the partners - JA President Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, SEALNet Project Leader Mr Wesley Koo and Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society President Datuk Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin in the presence of Tourism, Culture and Environment’ Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun following a courtesy call to brief him on the project. Masidi praised the four partnering organizations for coming together to advocate such a worthwhile project. He added that SEALNet had come to the right place in learning about wetlands conservation efforts as Sabah has two-thirds of the country’s wetlands reserve. “Environmental conservation is everyone’s responsibility and I am happy to see that’ a corporate organization like Shell Malaysia remains committed to this cause,” he enthused. Speaking after the same ceremony, Mr Ling said Shell was happy to be part of this environmental leadership programme. “This is a very commendable effort as it involves the younger generation who will inherit mother nature in the future. Our support reflects our conscious and responsible stand with regards to the sustainable development agenda.” Joniston said the programme fitted very well as a community support project organized in conjunction with the Kinabalu Shell Press Awards this year. “We hope that this programme will further raise public awareness of the importance of our mangrove wetlands and hopefully increase public involvement in wetlands protection,” he added. Wesley hoped that the hands- on experience would act as a capacity building opportunity with the view to impart valuable leadership skills to help participants establish their own sustainable community service projects in the future. In matching the green words with green action, the programme’s participants along with SJA members, Shell and KKWC representatives will plant 100 mangrove tree seedlings as a physical reminder of their commitment towards mangrove conservation at KKWC. Masidi will lead the mangrove tree planting and gotong royong exercise scheduled for June 8, which also marks the final day of the programme.

FRIDAY-30 MAY 2008- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ASSISTANCE, YAHYA URGES FISHERMEN

Take advantage of assistance, Yahya urges fishermen

KOTA KINABALU:

Fishermen in Sabah should capitalise on the various assistance such as funds and subsidies provided by the Government to help them improve their livelihood, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin. He said many of the fishermen in the State are stifi living in poverty and left out in the mainstream of development in the fishing sector. The Government, he added, had provided various assistance such as loans and subsidies for the fishing community, especially traditional fishermen. “Like people from the other sectors, the Government also want our fishermen to progress economically and come out from the poverty,” Yahya, who is also the Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, said when opening the 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the State Fishermen’s Association (Pengasah) here yesterday. Some 10 regional fishermen’s associations from across the State have joined Pengasah, namely Kuala Penyu, Kota Belud, Semporna, Sandakan, Labuan, Papar Tuaran, Teluk Padas, Tawau and Marudu/Pitas with 5,610 members. Another four regional fishermen’s associations from Kudat, Beluran and Kota Kinabalu have not joined the umbrella body yet. In ensuring that none of the fishermen in Sabah are still lagging behind, Yahya advised Pengasih to take the initiative of coming up with a record on the income of every member. He said such record is useful in determining the level of poverty among the fishermen, apart from making it easier for the Government to provide the assistance to them. “It is also important for fishermen to grab opportunities available in the small and medium industries, seafood business, boat repair and maintenance workshop and other related business,” said Yahya.

FRIDAY-30 MAY 2008- SQUATTERS APPEAL TO CITY HALL TO DEFER DEMOLITION

Squatters appeal to City Hall to defer demolition

KOTA KINABALU:

The squatters of Kampung Teluk Likas have appealed to the Kota Kinabalu City Hall to defer demolishing their houses until they are properly resettled as promised by the State Government in 1996. They made the appeal during a peaceful demonstration held at their village yesterday. Some 100 residents of all ages took part in the brief demonstration to highlight their plight over the imminent exercise by the City Hall to demolish their houses on June 2. A total of 147 houses with more than 400 squatters will be affected by the exercise. Their spokesman Yassin B. Amat, 73, claimed that they were victims of improper relocation exercises carried out by the relevant authorities back in 1996 and 1997, to relocate them to the free housing scheme in Kampung Warisan Phase 1 and 2 in lnanam, near here. He said that during the two relocation exercises facilitated by City Hall, only half of the 300 over families were relocated while the remaining failed to do so when their houses were taken by outsiders, due to alleged irregularities in the relocation exercises. “We have concrete evidence to prove this (irregularities),” he stressed. They were subsequently offered the walk-up apartments in Telipok Ria which they turned down, as they could not afford the monthly rental, as well as other expenses like transportation that they would incur if they were to move there. “Furthermore, that (Telipok Ria housing) was not what we have been promised earlier by the State Government. We were supposed to get the free housing in Kampung Warisan Phase 1 & 2,” pointed out Yassin. He also regretted that their numerous written appeals to City Hall, including those by their elected representative, Sepanggar Member of Parliament Datuk Eric Majimbun to rectify the problem, were to no avail. Yassin thus hoped the State Government could immediately intervene and provide for a proper solution to the problem. He especially reminded the State Government that they were hardcore Barisan Nasional(BN) supporters who voted for the Coalition in the last general election. “We hope this (imminent demolition of their houses) is not what we get in return for supporting the BN Government,” he said. He added that they might file for a legal suit to safeguard their rights after this, if the City Hall proceeds with the demolition exercise.

FRIDAY-30 MAY 2008- PENSION ACT (AMENDMENT) 2008 PASSED, RETIREMENT AT 58

Pension Act (Amendment) 2008 passed, retirement at 58

KUALA LUMPUR:

The Dewan Rakyat yesterday passed the Pensions Act (Amendment) 2008 Bill that will increase civil servants’ retirement age from 56 years to 58, effective July 1. The new ruling involves full- time staff although there is an option for retirement at the age of 55 or 56. The Dewan Rakyat also passed the Local and Statutory Bodies Pension (Amendment) Bill 2008. The bill will incur additional expenditure for the Government although the amount has not been determined. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, said based on a detailed study in 2001 when the retirement age was increased from 55 to 56, the move did not affect unemployment. “There is no political agenda in this matter. If there is, we would have done it before the general election,” he said when winding up the debate on the bill yesterday, adding that the Government would consider increasing the retirement age to 60 in stages. -Bernama

FRIDAY-30 MAY 2008- ACCEPT SACKED MEMBERS, SAYS GHAPUR

Accept sacked members, says Ghapur

KOTA KINABALU:

Umno has to be fair to former members who were sacked on disciplinary grounds and wanted to rejoin the party, said MP for Kalabakan Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh. He said the readmission of former Parti KeadilanRakyat (PKR) Youth Chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Noor should open doors to all former members to return to the Party. “We do not want just because we want Ezam back into Umno, we accepted him. “How about other former Umno members who had been slapped with disciplinary action. Is Umno willing to accept them back?” he asked. He was commenting on the acceptance of Ezam’s membership form by Prime Minister and Umno President Umno Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi two days ago. Ezam was formerly the Political Secretary to former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. -Bernama

FRIDAY-30 MAY 2008- SABAH CUSTOMS INTENSIFIES OPS AGAINST TURTLE EGG SMUGGLERS

Sabah Customs intensifies ops against turtle egg smugglers

SANDAKAN:

The Sabah branch of the’ Royal Malaysian Customs is intensifying efforts to check the smuggling of turtle eggs from a neighbouring country by focusing enforcement operations in this district. State Customs Director Datuk Md Yusop Mansor said operations were being focused in this district because of its proximity to the maritime boundary with the Philippines. “The operations against turtle egg smugglers are not only carried out at sea but also on land as various methods are being used by them to deceive the authorities,” he said when contacted by Bernama yesterday. Md Yusop said the operations, which had been intensified recently, had succeeded in confiscating 1,500 turtle eggs estimated to be worth RM11,500 which were being smuggled into Kota Kinabalu on May 20.- Bernama

FRIDAY-30 MAY 2008- TNB HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON POWER PLANT

TNB has not given up on power plant
Company has appealed on proposal to use coal: Masidi

KOTA KINABALU:

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has not given up on its proposal to set up a 300MW coal-powered plant in Sabah. “TNB has appealed on its proposal of using coal technology in Sabah. As for the proposed coal-powered plant at Silam, it is a straightforward answer ‘no’ as decided by the State Government,” Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said at a press conference after attending a briefing! presentation on coal technology organized by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) at Sutera Harbour here yesterday. According to Masidi, the East Coast of Sabah is facing a serious shortage of power supply and SESB had to conduct the briefing for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on why Sabah has to use coal to produce electricity. However, several of the participants objected to the proposal. “We are still keeping our option open. Please give SESB a chance to explain the coal technology and environmental mitigation to the NGOs,” said the Minister. SESB Managing Director Jr Baharin Bin Din, who was present, said the focus of the briefing was to highlight the need of electrical power for Sabah and he hoped the participants would realise the advantages of having a coal-powered plant, especially in the East Coast. One of the participants pointed out it would be expensive to import coal from Indonesia to power the plant. “What happens when we have run out of it and who would pay for the expenses in future? “Why don’t we use gas? It is clean and cheap, just like we have seen and experienced in reality today, in Sepanggar!” said the participant. A participant from the public sector spoke on the solar system. “The air that we breath here is natural and Sabahans must know how to utilise it, just like what other developing countries have done to reduce the climate change. Why not think of it as a resource for power supply? “Ninety percent of scientists in Australia believe that it is the best natural resource for the power supply, so if we know how to use our own natural resources here or how to exploit them, it is very beneficial because all these are positive sides that could be applied here,” he said. Unfortunately, an executive from SESB informed that the solar system capacity is not reliable, despite of all its advantages as explained by several NGOs.

FRIDAY-30 MAY 2008- LONG DRY SPELL AHEAD

Long dry spell ahead
Forestry Director urges precautionary measures over El Nino which could hit

KOTA KINABALU:

Sabah foresters are calling for precautionary measures to be taken in anticipation of a repeat of the 1 0-year cycle of El Nino dry spell which could hit this part of Southeast Asia. Due to the possibility of a long drawn dry spell affecting the State again, Sabah Forestry Director Datuk Sam Mannan urged the public to take steps to avoid open burning activities near forest areas and peat swamps to prevent major forest fires. He said in the six- month drought in 1983, some I mill ion hectares of forests were destroyed while some 190,000ha including 130,000 ha of permanent forest reserves were destroyed in the 1998 dry spell. “As there are signs of the El Nino cycle returning this year; we, have to take steps to ensure our forest reserves are safe by taking precautionary steps early,” he said in a statement here yesterday. According to him, activities like illegal hunting, shifting cultivation and land development near forest areas are among main factors that could trigger off forest fires during dry spells Sam also urged people living close to peat swamp reserves in Binsuluk, Kuala Abai and Klias to be extra cautious as in the event of peat fires, it would be very difficult to control and extinguish. He advised licence holders of Forest Management Units to step up patrols in high fire risk areas in their respective forest areas, ensure all fire fighting equipment are in working order and check on illegal hunters entering their forest areas. Under the Forestry Enactment those involved in burning activities that could cause a forest fire are liable to seven years jail or a fine of RM100,000 or both, he warned as he asked the people to inform the Department if they come across forest fires.

FRIDAY-30 MAY 2008- LAST PAPER AIRLINE TICKETS TOMORROW

Last paper airline tickets tomorrow

THE paper airline ticket comes to the end of its life on Sunday when 240 carriers belonging to the world association JATA switch to all electronic ticketing, much of it through Internet booking. IATA members account for 94 percent of world airline traffic and by the end of February, 94 percent of them had already abandoned the rectangle of stiff paper in favour of digital technology. In Africa, 87 percent of IATA airlines had made the switch. The last paper tickets will be sold on Saturday, and the International Air Transport Association estimates that its member airlines will save three billion dollars (1.9 billion euros) a year, a much-needed economy in the face of a huge rise in fuel costs. “From June 1, no travel agent will be able to issue a paper ticket,” an IATA spokesman said. However, paper tickets issued before the deadline will still be valid for the travel dates indicated on them. The issue and handling of a paper ticket costs an airline 10 dollars: its electronic replacement one dollar on average. IATA also calculates that the end of the paper ticket will save 50,000 trees per year. — AFP.

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.