Jul 29, 2009 By IVAN LOH
A GROUP of farmers in Jelapang Tambahan in Ipoh had the shock of their lives when part of the crops they were growing on state land was allegedly flattened by a deve-loper.
Spokesman Chai Kok Chuen, 64, claimed that workers of the deve-loper had used tractors to destroy their crops and tool sheds without warning about two weeks ago.
“We have not received any eviction notices from the state authorities or the Land Office.
“Neither were there any verbal warning that the piece of land was to be developed,” he claimed at a press conference at the Jelapang DAP ser-vice centre in Ipoh on Saturday.
Chai noted that he and the other 15 other farmers affected had been growing vegetables and fruits as well as raising poultry and livestock on the 14.6ha piece of land for almost 20 years.
He, however, admitted that the farmers had not applied for the piece of land.
“We have not applied for the land as we know we will not get it. We want the developer to compensate us for the damage.
“We are willing to vacate the land if it does so and show us the eviction notices,” he added.
Their lawyer, Augustine Anthony, said the farmers would be submitting a memorandum to the state government this week in the hopes of having a discussion to resolve the problem.
Making Ipoh the most liveable city in Malaysia
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
State govt plans to rescue ailing bus companies - Star
Jul 28, 2009
THE Perak Government is mulling over various options to help stage bus operators who are incurring yearly losses.
State Executive Councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who is in charge of public transportation, said one of the reasons was because they were competing with each other on the same routes.
“They are also facing problems such as buying insurance coverage, insufficient diesel subsidy and ri-sing costs of spare parts,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with bus operators and state Road Transport Department director Md Yasir Mastakim on Saturday.
“The bus operators had suggested that the state government conduct a feasibility study on taking over as insurers,” he said.
Dr Mah added that he would hold a series of meetings with the state Economic Planning Unit, Commercial Vehicles and Licensing Board as well as bus operators to try to come up with amicable so-lutions.
THE Perak Government is mulling over various options to help stage bus operators who are incurring yearly losses.
State Executive Councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who is in charge of public transportation, said one of the reasons was because they were competing with each other on the same routes.
“They are also facing problems such as buying insurance coverage, insufficient diesel subsidy and ri-sing costs of spare parts,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting with bus operators and state Road Transport Department director Md Yasir Mastakim on Saturday.
“The bus operators had suggested that the state government conduct a feasibility study on taking over as insurers,” he said.
Dr Mah added that he would hold a series of meetings with the state Economic Planning Unit, Commercial Vehicles and Licensing Board as well as bus operators to try to come up with amicable so-lutions.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Najib sets targets for Government to meet - Star
Jul 27, 2009
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on Monday a series of targets for the Government to meet in the next few years and the ministers responsible for it.
He said he would personally oversee the six ministers. The targets are:
* To reduce street crimes by 20% by the end of 2010 as part of the Government’s KPI target.
* To ensure 80% of Malaysian children get access to pre-school by 2012. Currently only 60% have access.
* By 2012, all school kids must master reading, writing and mathematics by Year 4.
* The Kelana Jaya LRT line is to get 35 new four-car train sets by 2012 as part of the Government's efforts to increase public transport usage to 25% from the present 16%.
* To ensure that by 2012, no one lives further than five kilometres from a tarred road and to build 50,000 homes for the poor.
* To improve the international perception of corruption in Malaysia by improving the country's ranking in the world's corruption index.
The following ministers are in charge of meeting the targets:
* Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as lead minister for widening access to quality and affordable education
* Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein for crime prevention
* Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz for fighting corruption
* Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil for raising the living standard of the low-income people
* Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal for upgrading infrastructure in the rural and interior regions
* Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for improving public transport in a moderate period of time.
Najib made the announcement when addressing a gathering of civil service officers at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), here.
The prime minister had announced the six National Key Results Areas (NKRAs) at the "100 Days of Najib with the People" function in Kuala Lumpur on July 11.
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on Monday a series of targets for the Government to meet in the next few years and the ministers responsible for it.
He said he would personally oversee the six ministers. The targets are:
* To reduce street crimes by 20% by the end of 2010 as part of the Government’s KPI target.
* To ensure 80% of Malaysian children get access to pre-school by 2012. Currently only 60% have access.
* By 2012, all school kids must master reading, writing and mathematics by Year 4.
* The Kelana Jaya LRT line is to get 35 new four-car train sets by 2012 as part of the Government's efforts to increase public transport usage to 25% from the present 16%.
* To ensure that by 2012, no one lives further than five kilometres from a tarred road and to build 50,000 homes for the poor.
* To improve the international perception of corruption in Malaysia by improving the country's ranking in the world's corruption index.
The following ministers are in charge of meeting the targets:
* Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as lead minister for widening access to quality and affordable education
* Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein for crime prevention
* Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz for fighting corruption
* Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil for raising the living standard of the low-income people
* Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal for upgrading infrastructure in the rural and interior regions
* Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for improving public transport in a moderate period of time.
Najib made the announcement when addressing a gathering of civil service officers at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), here.
The prime minister had announced the six National Key Results Areas (NKRAs) at the "100 Days of Najib with the People" function in Kuala Lumpur on July 11.
Poll: Most citizens concerned over high crime rate - Star
Jul 27, 2009
PETALING JAYA: The majority of Malaysians who responded to a poll say that they feel unsafe in the country at the moment.
According to the Home Ministry’s website, as at 6pm yesterday, 97% of 6,678 respondents to its poll said they did not feel safe due to the high crime rate.
More than half of the respondents formed this opinion because they or their family members were victims of crime while 36% of the respondents were influenced by news about crime.
Only 1% said they felt safe while the remaining percentage were uncertain.
The ministry’s website started a poll on Saturday to gauge the public’s views on the level of safety in the country and the Government’s performance in safe-guarding the people’s safety and security.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein called on Malaysians to participate in the poll saying that he appreciated their views, comments and complaints.
He said the public could also submit their feedback to ikdn@moha.gov.my for further action.
On the level of safety in the country, 95% of 5,209 respondents felt that it was not guaranteed as compared to 3% who felt that it was still guaranteed.
To a question whether the Government has done its best to ensure that the safety of the people was at the best level, 95% of 6,155 respondents replied in the negative.
Only 2% felt that the Government has taken the necessary measures to ensure public safety.
A total of 79% of 6,244 respondents also disagreed to a statement posted on the website that crime was a global issue and that Malaysia was not the only country faced with the increasing crime rate, while 17% others agreed to it.
PETALING JAYA: The majority of Malaysians who responded to a poll say that they feel unsafe in the country at the moment.
According to the Home Ministry’s website, as at 6pm yesterday, 97% of 6,678 respondents to its poll said they did not feel safe due to the high crime rate.
More than half of the respondents formed this opinion because they or their family members were victims of crime while 36% of the respondents were influenced by news about crime.
Only 1% said they felt safe while the remaining percentage were uncertain.
The ministry’s website started a poll on Saturday to gauge the public’s views on the level of safety in the country and the Government’s performance in safe-guarding the people’s safety and security.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein called on Malaysians to participate in the poll saying that he appreciated their views, comments and complaints.
He said the public could also submit their feedback to ikdn@moha.gov.my for further action.
On the level of safety in the country, 95% of 5,209 respondents felt that it was not guaranteed as compared to 3% who felt that it was still guaranteed.
To a question whether the Government has done its best to ensure that the safety of the people was at the best level, 95% of 6,155 respondents replied in the negative.
Only 2% felt that the Government has taken the necessary measures to ensure public safety.
A total of 79% of 6,244 respondents also disagreed to a statement posted on the website that crime was a global issue and that Malaysia was not the only country faced with the increasing crime rate, while 17% others agreed to it.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Perak politicians share common disinterest in environment - Malaysiakini
July 24, 2009
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Perak are asking Perakians to only vote for politicians who are environmentally conscious.
Spearheaded by the Perak Environment Association (PEA), the move hopes to create environment protection awareness in the state by backing politicians who cared for the environment and took the issue seriously.
PEA president Abdul Rahman Said Alli told Malaysiakini today that the state authority in Perak is deteriorating with politicians ignoring the environmental aspects of because they are too busy lobbying for positions and political clout.
"The forest reserve area in the state is dwindling fast and adversely affecting the environment as a whole and politicians are not bothered about arresting this problem," Rahman lamented.
In line with these objectives, a two-day seminar was held in Ipoh by the Open University of Malaysia.
Shunned by BN and Pakatan
The seminar was attended by seven NGOs comprising the Malaysian Nature Society, World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), Fomca, Ipoh City Watch, KARS Society (watchdog group on limestone operations in the state), Selangor Environmental Society and PEA.
The main objective of this seminar, according to Rahman, was to educate the state politicians on the importance of preserving the environment and to get their support to highlight the problem both at the state assembly and in Parliament.
'But, sad to say the objective of the seminar was not reached as only a handful of the invited politicians turned up for the seminar. We have written to both the federal and state leaders of BN and Pakatan protesting the lukewarm attitude of their political representatives," Rahman stated.
"So, as a reactive measure, we are going to monitor all state politicians and urge the voters to support and vote for those who support the environment in the next state and general elections," he added.
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Perak are asking Perakians to only vote for politicians who are environmentally conscious.
Spearheaded by the Perak Environment Association (PEA), the move hopes to create environment protection awareness in the state by backing politicians who cared for the environment and took the issue seriously.
PEA president Abdul Rahman Said Alli told Malaysiakini today that the state authority in Perak is deteriorating with politicians ignoring the environmental aspects of because they are too busy lobbying for positions and political clout.
"The forest reserve area in the state is dwindling fast and adversely affecting the environment as a whole and politicians are not bothered about arresting this problem," Rahman lamented.
In line with these objectives, a two-day seminar was held in Ipoh by the Open University of Malaysia.
Shunned by BN and Pakatan
The seminar was attended by seven NGOs comprising the Malaysian Nature Society, World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), Fomca, Ipoh City Watch, KARS Society (watchdog group on limestone operations in the state), Selangor Environmental Society and PEA.
The main objective of this seminar, according to Rahman, was to educate the state politicians on the importance of preserving the environment and to get their support to highlight the problem both at the state assembly and in Parliament.
'But, sad to say the objective of the seminar was not reached as only a handful of the invited politicians turned up for the seminar. We have written to both the federal and state leaders of BN and Pakatan protesting the lukewarm attitude of their political representatives," Rahman stated.
"So, as a reactive measure, we are going to monitor all state politicians and urge the voters to support and vote for those who support the environment in the next state and general elections," he added.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Review for all Perak govt offices - Star
July 18, 2009
THE Perak Government has started reviewing the administration of all state departments, agencies and their subsidiaries to ensure their effectiveness.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the state had also begun mulling over methods to reorganise each institution where needed.
“This will involve the process of reinvention, restructuring and possibly reappraisal of each department.
“We will also look at their delivery system to see if they are satisfactory,” he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting here yesterday.
Dr Zambry said that this was to ensure that the institutions would be effective in their ser-vice to the people.
“We also hope that by conducting this review, we will be able to increase the state’s revenue and expand our economic sector,” he added.
Dr Zambry also said that the Perak Economic Council, after holding its second discussion recently, would soon create an economic development plan for the state.
“We hope to improve on certain sectors that can help better the state’s economy,” he said.
Dr Zambry said the state would put emphasis on its manufacturing, tourism, food and service industries.
THE Perak Government has started reviewing the administration of all state departments, agencies and their subsidiaries to ensure their effectiveness.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the state had also begun mulling over methods to reorganise each institution where needed.
“This will involve the process of reinvention, restructuring and possibly reappraisal of each department.
“We will also look at their delivery system to see if they are satisfactory,” he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting here yesterday.
Dr Zambry said that this was to ensure that the institutions would be effective in their ser-vice to the people.
“We also hope that by conducting this review, we will be able to increase the state’s revenue and expand our economic sector,” he added.
Dr Zambry also said that the Perak Economic Council, after holding its second discussion recently, would soon create an economic development plan for the state.
“We hope to improve on certain sectors that can help better the state’s economy,” he said.
Dr Zambry said the state would put emphasis on its manufacturing, tourism, food and service industries.
Jalan Lahat expansion to be ready by year-end - Star
July 18, 2009
THE Ipoh City Council will widen a 50m stretch of Jalan Lahat in Ipoh from two to four lanes to ease the traffic congestion there.
Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the stretch from the Jalan Lahat-Jalan Falim junction to the front of a driving school in Menglembu was narrow and prone to traffic jam.
Speaking to reporters after a meet-the-people session at Menglembu near Ipoh on Wednesday, he said the project would be completed by year-end.
Roshidi was responding to a proposal by councillor Dr Lee Mun Toong during the meeting.
He also said Jalan Lahat and other major roads in Menglembu and Falim would be resurfaced.
On another matter, Roshidi warned night market traders in Menglembu not to litter but to throw their rubbish into garbage bins.
“If they refuse to keep the area clean, we will revoke their licences,” he said, adding that they should maintain the cleanliness of their trading area.
He stressed that the public should stop littering and help keep the city clean.
THE Ipoh City Council will widen a 50m stretch of Jalan Lahat in Ipoh from two to four lanes to ease the traffic congestion there.
Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the stretch from the Jalan Lahat-Jalan Falim junction to the front of a driving school in Menglembu was narrow and prone to traffic jam.
Speaking to reporters after a meet-the-people session at Menglembu near Ipoh on Wednesday, he said the project would be completed by year-end.
Roshidi was responding to a proposal by councillor Dr Lee Mun Toong during the meeting.
He also said Jalan Lahat and other major roads in Menglembu and Falim would be resurfaced.
On another matter, Roshidi warned night market traders in Menglembu not to litter but to throw their rubbish into garbage bins.
“If they refuse to keep the area clean, we will revoke their licences,” he said, adding that they should maintain the cleanliness of their trading area.
He stressed that the public should stop littering and help keep the city clean.
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