Permata Negara Centres To Implement Dental Care From Next Year PUTRAJAYA, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- A dental care programme is to be implemented at all the Permata Negara early childhood care and education centres nationwide beginning next year, the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, said Tuesday. Rosmah, who is the founder of the Permata Negara programme, said the dental care programme would be implemented at the 600 centres for the 24,000 children to instil the habit of maintaining oral health from an early age. An epidemiology study of oral health in 2005 found that 76.2 per cent of children below the age of five years suffered from dental caries or tooth decay, she said. "This is most worrying because it has a negative impact on children, such as pain which interferes with the nutritional function and undermines the overall growth of the children. "It also has an effect on the social and emotional growth and the quality of life of the children and their famili...

Somali pirates have hijacked a Malaysian-flagged boxship with a crew of 23 west of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, a regional maritime watchdog said on Tuesday. The MV Albedo container vessel was en route from the United Arab Emirates to Kenya when it was hijacked on Friday despite sailing around the Seychelles, no less than 900 nautical miles east of the Somali coast. "MV ALBEDO has a crew of 23 from Pakistan, Iran, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh" and is being commandeered towards central Somalia, said Ecoterra International, an environmental group monitoring maritime activity in the region. Naval powers have deployed dozens of warships to patrol the region's waters but they have failed to stem piracy, one of the few thriving businesses for coastal communities in a country devastated by war and poverty. Over the past two years, marauding sea-jackers on skiffs equipped with RPGs, ladders and grapnels have moved away from the heavily-patrolled Gulf of Aden and expanded their a...

‘Political conspiracy’ in MIC thwarted, claims Samy November 30, 2010 KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 — MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu might have thwarted a possible “political conspiracy” to destabilise the party by filling the number one and two slots in the MIC before handing over his post to the successor. The outgoing party president said he sought the party’s powerful Central Working Committee (CWC) decision to fill the two top posts to prevent ‘saboteurs’ from causing a power tussle in the MIC. “My intention is to ensure there is strong leadership after me,” he told reporters here when asked if there were attempts by certain people to cause trouble in the MIC after his retirement. With MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel set to take over the presidency, the party’s senior vice-president, Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, would be appointed as the acting deputy president, most likely at next Monday’s CWC meeting, the last to be chaired by Samy Vellu as party president. Samy Vellu, who is...

UPDATED @ 06:07:44 PM 30-11-2010By Boo Su-Lyn November 30, 2010 KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 — Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah has called for Malaysia to cut its dependence on low-cost structures in a bid to compete internationally. Ahmad Husni highlighted a growing competition for trade and investment as international players attempt to move up the value chain. “Malaysia can no longer depend on a low-cost structure to remain competitive internationally,” said Ahmad Husni in a speech read by Deputy Finance Minister Senator Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai at Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER)’s National Economic Outlook Conference 2011-2012 today. Malaysia’s economy depends on exporting goods and services and relies heavily on cheap foreign labour. Malaysia now has approximately 1.9 million foreign workers spread across sectors such as manufacturing (39 per cent), construction (19 per cent), plantation (14 per cent), housemaids (12 per cent), services (10 per c...

Five-fold increase in allocations for temples, NGOs says Samy KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 — There is more than a five-fold increase in government allocation for Hindu temples and Indian-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) this year, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today. He said the RM5.5 million allocation was made available through Human Resources Minister and MIC vice-president Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam. “Previously, the government only allocated RM1 million a year for Hindu temples, but through the efforts of Dr Subramaniam, we are able to get more than RM5 million this year. “Part of it (allocation) will be given to NGOs,” he said, before handing over cheques totalling almost RM2.1 million to 98 temples and 28 NGOs from Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur. Also present was Dr Subramaniam and other MIC leaders. The RM2.1 million was part of the RM5.5 million allocation from the government, said Samy Vellu, adding that the rest of the money would be distributed in ...

By Shaun Ho, The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The civil service must be ready to accept public feedback and be responsive to their expectations. “The era of the Government knows best is over,” Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said in his speech before officiating the 15th Civil Service Conference 2010 here Tuesday. He said the public had access to information, which could sometimes be inaccurate and the civil service needed to be ready to professionally handle any issue raised by the public. “The civil service can create various channels for the public and private sector to engage in governance processes and decision-making, such as dialogues and consultative meetings. He acknowledged that not all governance mechanisms could be opened for public participation, but urged the civil service to encourage citizens to actively participate in development programs. The New Economic Model (NEM) required a new framework of governance that empowered the people, he said, adding that the trust ...

By Joseph Kaos Jr., The Malay Mail KUALA LUMPUR: The number of days allowed by law for detention without trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA) will be reduced to 30 days from 60 days, said de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (pic). Speaking to The Malay Mail at Parliament yesterday, Nazri said the government felt 60 days was too long for a suspect to be detained. “Sixty is the number of days currently allowed by law and we want to reduce it to 30,” said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. Nazri said the reduction would help speed up investigations. “Currently, if a suspect is held for 60 days, the investigation unit will take their time in their probe. Only when it is nearing 60 days will they start their work,” he said. “We don’t want a person to be detained longer than required.” The proposed reduction is just one of the few changes expected in the upcoming ISA amendments, currently in its final stages of approval. Other provisions which would be amended ar...

By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 — Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong confirmed today that the schoolteacher who was accused of uttering racial slurs against the Chinese and Indian communities had been relieved of her invigilating duties for the SPM examination. “I have already been informed that this person will not be carrying out her duties as an invigilator. She was suspended immediately after the incident,” he said when approached by reporters in Parliament today. He added that a report on the incident had been forwarded by the state Education Department to the national Education Department’s secretary-general and was presently being reviewed in the ministry’s special committee. “As I have mentioned before, this particular teacher has been relieved and no longer carries out out her duty as an invigilator. We will leave it to the committee to handle it according to the procedures. “All this while, all complaints will be channelled to the commi...

THE government will not impose capital controls except in urgent situations Read more: 'No capital controls plan from Donald Lim 林祥才 by Donald Lim Siang Chai 林祥才 THE government will not impose capital controls except in urgent situations, such as a recurrence of the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis. Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim said Malaysia had the ability to control the in-flow of capital and it was monitoring the situation. "Our reserves are high at US$105 billion while our external debt remains low at 30 per cent of gross national product," he said in reply to a question by Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) yesterday. In a supplementary question, Khairy said the International Monetary Fund and World Bank had warned of the "hot money" problem, whereby sudden capital inflows could affect economic stability. Lim said the government was monitoring of the types of fund that was entering the country. "However, should there be an urgent situation like...

Azmin Isytiharkan Perang Ke Atas Orang Melayu from Hikayat Malaysia Heaven by YB Raz PETALING JAYA 28 Nov. - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) semakin lantang mengisytihar 'perang' menentang ketuanan Melayu apabila Timbalan Presidennya, Azmin Ali pula berikrar menolak konsep tersebut. Azmin berkata, konsep tersebut jika dilaksanakan hanya akan menggalakkan amalan kronisme serta nepotisme dan bukannya memberi manfaat kepada rakyat meskipun ia secara tidak langsung terkandung dalam Perlembagaan. Sambil menegaskan bahawa beliau sanggup dilabelkan sebagai pengkhianat Melayu demi menghapuskan konsep itu, Azmin berkata, PKR akan mengangkat ketuanan rakyat sebagai dasar perjuangan parti jika dipilih untuk mentadbir negara. "Saya tidak akan apologetik dan tidak bimbang dengan apa yang media nak labelkan saya. Saya berikrar kita akan tentang konsep ketuanan Melayu dan angkat ketuanan rakyat," katanya dalam ucapan penggulungan pada Kongres PKR, di sini hari ini. Sumber : Utusan Mala...

Where got burr ? 1Malaysia simply means all Sakai, Thieves, Muggers, Robbers, Plunderers, and even Murderers are "Melayu" ... and there are 2 standards. One for the chosen ones and one for the ordinary folks. The chosen ones can do anything including stealing robbing all the way to murder, no ISA, no jail, not even have to say sorry ... ever. That's what I heard, ada betui kah ? NOV 30 — 1 Malaysia was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on September 16, 2008. It is now over two years since that announcement but till today no one is clear of what 1 Malaysia is all about. According to the 1 Malaysia website which is the personal website of Najib, it is stated that: “1 Malaysia is intended to provide a free and open forum to discuss the things that matter deeply to us as a nation. It provides a chance to express and explore the many perspectives of our fellow citizens. What makes Malaysia unique is the diversity of our peoples. 1 Malaysia’s goal is to preserv...

NOV 30 — I remember the March elections in 2008. It was supposedly the first elections where I was eligible (or old and wise enough) to vote, but a few friends and I opted to be in Jakarta for the Java International Jazz Festival. So while waiting for the constant updates from home by our friends, we all sat together at the food court, laughing at the fact that we’re not there to contribute to the crazy waves of a tsunami hitting the shores of Malaysian politics. Much has happened since then. These include my ongoing battle with friends on why I didn’t register myself as a voter and, of course, the ups, downs, sideways, inwards, twirling typhoon that comes after. We see everyone’s true colours, their rudeness, immature responses, some indecent sexual scandals and not to mentioned people being thrown off buildings and blown up. Coming from the younger generation who practically grew up under a single premiership, it being Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure as prime minister, I couldn’t se...

But Melayu are NOT natives - they are also pendatang like Mamak, so ? By FMT Staff KUCHING: Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian has received complaints from native parents about their children being classified as Malays in their school report cards. According to him, the children's “keturunan” (origin) were stated as “Melayu” instead of “Lain-Lain” (others) as practiced in the past. “We were informed by one parent that the status cannot be changed (back) because it was already within the system and the education officer was not able to make the changes,” he said. Sarawak PKR was also furnished with a copy of a letter inked by six concerned parents which was sent to the state teachers' union president seeking a clarification on the matter. “We echo the concerns of these parents because it has great implications in the future,” said Baru. “If the status is not clarified and maintained, it can be implied that a native person, once he or she is classified as a Malay in official school docu...

Najib: "UMNO will spend a lot more resources on nonsense like this ... Hope you like it!" By Patrick Lee KUALA LUMPUR: Guidelines on building places of worship in housing areas are in the works, and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will be a part of it. “The Ministry of Housing and Local Government is considering a set of guidelines with regards to the construction of places of worship in housing areas. "Jakim will be roped into the committee for its input to implement these guidelines,” said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Mashitah Ibrahim in Dewan Rakyat today. “Once they are finalised, we will inform everyone concerned,” she said. However, Mashitah did not elaborate on the areas these guidelines would cover. She was replying to query raised by Md Sirat Abu (BN-Bukit Katil), who asked if the government had taken action in promoting understanding of religion among Malaysians. Most people, said Sirat, had no problems res...

Just jail Mahathir then you can build anything ... literally. If not building chicken house also people will f*** you. KUALA LUMPUR: Permodalan Nasional Bhd's proposed 100-storey Warisan Merdeka tower will go ahead only if it is commercially viable, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said today. He said the project must also contribute towards the larger economic development within the particular area and provide business opportunities. "The project must satisfy these conditions and if the conditions are met, it will go ahead. "It must provide the impetus and catalyst for a greater Kuala Lumpur," he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the Seventh Asean Finance Ministers' Investors Seminar entitled "Discovering Tomorrow's Asean" here. Yesterday, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said there was no need for another high tower in the country yet because there were signs of a property glut. Najib, who is Finance Minister, said it was...

By Queville To KOTA KINABALU: Former deputy chief minister Tham Nyip Shen will give his full cooperation to the police following a report lodged against him on Nov 25, by his former party boss-cum-ally, Yong Teck Lee. “That’s his (Yong's) right... he definitely has a right to do so (lodging the police report). When the time comes when the authority requires my assistance, I will cooperate fully. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t have anything more to say,” Tham said. Yong, who is Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president, lodged the police report against Tham in Sandakan over the latter's claim on Nov 15 that six timber tycoons from Sandakan had paid money to persons known to him in return for FMU (Forest Management Unit) licences but later got nothing. Tham also said that he was shocked that these people were duped, adding that they were his friends and he was forced to clarify that he had nothing to do with the FMU licences. “I feel that we should move ahead and do other things...