Ruling governement fail again - Dengue outbreak imminent

Haiyak! Dengue outbreak imminent is a sure sign of a failed governance!

Basic cleanliness could eleminate the breeding grounds of these troublesome-disease-bearing mosquitoes.

City councils or local government authorities should have a system in place to avoid this. Residents should also be made to adhere to basic hygiene as such.

Failure of implementation, another F in the current administration of this BN-component party governance!

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The Star Online > Nation

Wednesday September 28, 2005

Dengue outbreak imminent

Stories by SIM LEOI LEOI, LEONG MENG YEE, AUDREY EDWARDS AND JONATHAN CHEW

PUTRAJAYA: A dengue outbreak is imminent.

And this time, the Government fears that the death toll and number of cases may be higher than last year’s nationwide outbreak.

The warning comes less than a day after The Star reported that authorities were getting worried over the increasing number of dengue cases and related deaths.

Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said that although the number of cases recorded thus far was still lower than the 1,200 cases recorded last year, the authorities were worried this could signal a new outbreak.

“We are warning the public that an outbreak is imminent. And they must take all precautions to keep their compounds clean and free of mosquito breeding grounds.

A state health department officer carrying out fogging exercise.

“They should also seek medical treatment if they suffer continuous fever,” he said.

Dr Chua revealed that several dengue hotspots had been identified – Johor Baru; the southwestern part of Penang island; various parts in Selangor and the Federal Territory, including Shah Alam, Kajang, Kuala Lumpur, Cheras, Setapak, Ampang Jaya and Gombak; and Negri Sembilan.

So far, 70 people have died from dengue, compared with 68 in the corresponding period last year.

The number of dengue cases has shot up from 507 three weeks ago to 752.

Dr Chua said the Government had started to use larvicidal biological control Bti (bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis) in the fogging of dengue-prone areas since last month.

“The biological control agent will kill off mosquito larvae in any breeding area.

“But unlike an insecticide, this agent will not have the side effect of causing mosquitoes to be more resistant or kill any other insect or animal that fed on mosquitoes.

“We will now use this on a larger scale,” he said.

He added that the larvicidal agent was also being used by Singapore's health authorities to control the dengue outbreak in the island.

“We will enhance enforcement on construction sites, which have been identified as having 20% of places prone to the breeding of mosquitoes, and will not hesitate to issue a two-week stop work order under the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act.

“In addition, we will be sending six teams to Johor, Penang, the Federal Territory and Selangor to help contain the spread of dengue. The teams will be working on a two-week cycle,” he said.

He added that prevention and control activities would also be intensified in hotels and holiday resorts.

Related Stories:
I have never experienced such pain, says sufferer
Idol’s mum had no choice but be superwoman
Many factors aggravate situation
Selangor started fight early this year
Changing tactics to check spread

More Stories:
Selayang council puts more bite into its fight
Do not pay, residents told
Allow workers inside homes, folk urged
1,491 cases of dengue in Shah Alam
Fogging alone not enough

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© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

Errant drivers deserve more than 14-day loss of licences

It heartening to note the proposal to impose a 14-day loss of licences for errant drivers.

However, 6-months or a year might be a bigger deterent.

Anyways, improvement to enforcement activities could be the most logical step to be taken at this juncture!
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The Star Online > Nation

Thursday September 22, 2005

14-day loss of licences for errant drivers

BY SIM LEOI LEOI

PUTRAJAYA: Reckless and speeding drivers, beware.

Come next year, in addition to having to pay fines, your licences can immediately be withheld for 14 days if you commit any of the following serious offences:

DANGEROUS or reckless driving resulting in death (Section 41 of the Road Transport Act);

RECKLESS and dangerous driving (Section 42 of the same Act);

CARELESS and inconsiderate driving (Section 43);

DRIVING under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Section 44);

DRIVING or controlling a motor vehicle while the alcohol level in the blood system exceeds the permitted level (Section 45A);

BEATING the traffic lights (Rule 17 of the Traffic Signs: Size, Colour and Types); and

DRIVING in excess of 40kph above the speed limit (Sections 40 and 69 of the Road Transport Act).

Announcing this, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the Cabinet had agreed yesterday to implement these measures as one way of reducing the number of road accidents.

It was also aimed at changing the attitude of Malaysian drivers, he said.

“In addition to these measures, we have also agreed that the minimum age limit for motorcyclists be increased from 16 to 17 years.

“Amendments to provide for the changes will be tabled in Parliament as soon as possible, possibly at the next meeting in March,” he told reporters after the weekly post-Cabinet meeting here yesterday.

Chan said any driver caught committing these offences would be given time to drive to their next immediate destination.

“When we apprehend these drivers, the police will withhold their licences and they will be given a notice slip allowing them to drive until the next destination, which will only be valid for 24 hours.

“On top of this measure, the drivers can still be fined for their offences,” he said, adding that authorities had yet to fine-tune the administrative procedures involved.

Drivers could also have their licences withheld if they were caught on speed cameras or during saman ekor operations for committing any of these offences, said Chan.

Related Stories:
Move to withhold driver’s licence viewed positively
Police extend discount period to Sept 30

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© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

PDRM, Public Prosecuters memang inept!!

Was very sad to note that the killers got away and also to know that the reson being that Poor probes and inept prosecution blamed for it.

With the current administration, these kinds of things continues! The authorities are too damn busy using the services in their machineries to ensure longevity of rule, and not to serve the nation and its citizen.

Tukarlah kerajaan lain!
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The Star Online > Nation

Thursday September 22, 2005

Poor probes and inept prosecution blamed

BY NASA MARIA ENTABAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Poor investigation and incompetent prosecution are the main causes of justice not being served, said former attorney-general Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman.

Abu Talib, now chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), said at a meeting with the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers yesterday that he was concerned that three recent high-profile murder cases had ended in acquittal.

“There have been too many acquittals. Only the right people should be charged and they should not be arrested on suspicion alone,” he told newsmen later.

“The authorities must be more cautious. No one should be prosecuted until there is sufficient evidence to justify a charge and not merely because it’s a high profile case,” he said.

WARM GREETING: Abu Talib greeting the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers’ legal and human rights chairman Shim Paw Fatt in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — Bernamapic

On July 1 last year, the High Court found Shah Alam City Council engineer Hanif Basree not guilty of murdering guest relations officer Noritta Samsudin.

On Aug 11 last year, Indonesian waiter Azman Bakar was freed of a charge of murdering Sabah assistant minister Datuk Norjan Khan Bahadar.

On Tuesday, stockbroking firm director Koh Kim Teck and his bodyguards Mohamad Najib Zulkifli and Resty Agpalo were acquitted of a charge of killing 14-year-old Chinese student Xu Jian Huang.

“In all three cases, arrests were made based on suspicion alone. Within a week the accused persons were arrested and detained for a long time, with each case ending in acquittal,” said Abu Talib.

“There is a need to raise the quality of investigation and prosecution, and to make sure that only competent police officers handle complicated cases.”

At the meeting between Suhakam and the Barisan National Backbenchers, police investigation and prosecution were discussed.

Related Stories:
A-G to file appeal letter
Boy’s brother plans to bring his killer to justice
Someone got away with murder
I can’t accept judgment, says Jian Huang’s dad

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© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

PM to brief Blair on our experience with ethnic diversity

Our dear PM to brief Blair on our experience with ethnic diversity, i.e. how to keep the priciple of 'Divide and Rule' of the former colonial masters?

He he he.

Blair knows better. He's a direct decendant of your former colonial master, Dollah!

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The Star Online > Nation

Tuesday September 6, 2005

PM to brief Blair on our experience with ethnic diversity

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to share Malaysia’s experience in dealing with a multi-ethnic and multi-religious community during a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in New York.

This is likely to take place on the sidelines of the 60th United Nations General Assembly on Sept 14-16.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said London, which was traumatised by the July blasts, wanted to know how Kuala Lumpur tackled issues on ethnicity and religion.

“Britain is interested to find out how we won the hearts and minds of people of various races and how the Malaysian community comprising different religions, traditions and ethnic beliefs can live together in peace,” he said.

He said Abdullah would also hold a bilateral meeting with new Iranian President Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

“We are looking forward to this as we enjoy close relations with Iran,” he said.

Abdullah will also attend the Second Asean-United Nations Summit, the Special High Level Roundtable on Information Communications Technology and the informal Summit of Heads of State or Government on Inter-Religious, Inter-Cultural and Inter-Civilisation dialogue and cooperation.

The Prime Minister is also expected to sign the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and to ratify the World Health Organisation framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

On the general assembly, Syed Hamid said several outstanding issues would be discussed, including the expansion of the UN Security Council and disarmament.

“Malaysia is in support of a total ban on weapons of mass destruction, and we feel the issue of disarmament is insufficiently addressed,” he said.


© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

RM1 coin question which is left un-answered...

The news is out! Bank Negara to withdraw RM1 coin from Dec 7 2005. Press statement from BNM is here.

One question remains un-answered. WHY? It is a small and short question, but very valid! This is not one of the 4 so-called FAQ questions at BNM FAQ to this matter, as of just now!

The 4 questions are 1) Will the RM1 coin still be accepted as legal tender from 7 September to 6 December 2005?, 2) What should I do if retailers and financial institutions refuse to accept RM1 coin during the stipulated period?, 3) Where can I exchange my RM1 coins?, and 4) Is there a maximum quantity of RM1 coins that can be exchanged?. Feeble issues!

Another question also comes to mind, if this RM1 coin was withdrawn due to the fact that counterfeit RM1 coins are being circulated easily, WHY was this issue not being thought-off properly when they first came up with the idea to introduce the RM1 coin in the first place?

Next thing to do, is to introduce RM1 note in the polimer form, similar to the new RM5 format, reason being, RM1 note is easily the most-used note. Durability and longevity of the note could be increased with the use of polimer, as what Singapore national bank has proven!

Malulah Malaysia...
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The Star Online > Nation

Tuesday September 6, 2005

Bank Negara to withdraw RM1 coin from Dec 7

PETALING JAYA: The RM1 coin will be withdrawn from circulation from Dec 7.

A Bank Negara statement yesterday confirmed that the coin would cease to be legal tender from that date.

“The public can exchange the coins at face value without any charge at all commercial banks from Sept 7 to Dec 6.

“The main branches of Bank Simpanan Nasional and Bank Negara branches at Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu will also provide such services,” the central bank said in the statement, adding that the RM1 banknote would continue to be legal tender and remain in circulation.

Details are available at Bank Negara's website, www.bnm.gov.my, or by contacting the currency management and operations department at 03-2698 8044 ext 7442/7417.

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© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

Could somebody else sell a competitively priced 'Touch ‘n Go'-compatible cards?

While it didn't surprised me that people are paying extras for using TnG services, as reflected by this article, Why you pay more to park with Touch ‘n Go, it never stopped me from wondering if any other companies besides Rangkaian Segar should be given the permission to sell a compatible card to avoid monopoly!

Will there be a political will here?

I reckoned the politically-connected Rangkaian Segar will never allow it!
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The Star Online > Nation

Saturday September 3, 2005

Why you pay more to park with Touch ‘n Go

BY FLORENCE A. SAMY

PETALING JAYA: Using Touch 'n Go cards when parking at shopping malls or office buildings is a breeze as users get to avoid long queues.

But some are unhappy that they are charged an extra 10% of the parking amount for the convenience.

For example, if the parking amount is RM3, they pay RM3.30.

However, parking operators said they were not getting anything from the 10% service charge as the money goes to Rangkaian Segar Sdn Bhd, which operates the electronic cash card, and the appointed agents who installed the equipment.

“It’s just an additional facility for our patrons,” said Systematic Corporate Parking Sdn Bhd operations general manager Thomas Ng.

“We don’t even own the equipment as the owners will take it back in the end.

“We already have to spend a lot to repair and maintain existing parking and auto-pay machines,” Ng said.

“If we absorb the surcharge, not only will we be losing money but we will also have extra costs to bear.”

“Plus, we will be paying for something that not everyone wants. The Touch 'n Go system is sometimes requested by building owners and not by operators,” he said, adding that they deal directly with the agents.

1 Utama Shopping complex operations manager Edmund Fong said the Touch ‘n Go system was put up to provide customers with an alternative to the ticketing system.

“It’s up to them. It’s just an alternative for those who want to enjoy faster and better service without the queues,” he said.

He said they had no choice but to pass on the cost to customers as they could not afford to bear the service charge.

It costs the shopping complex a few hundred thousand ringgit to put up the system for their 21 Touch ‘n Go readers.

An official of Metro Parking (M) Sdn Bhd, which operates parking facilities at KL Sentral, Pusat Bandar Damansara and several hotels, agreed that it was up to building owners to install the electronic card system.

“Building owners have to agree to certain terms if they want to absorb the cost. If not, the 10% surcharge goes to the customer.

“It’s eating into our income, and we’re already absorbing the 5% government service tax,” he said.

M. KRISHNAMOORTHY reports that Rangkaian Segar claims it gets only 1.5% of the service charge, and the agents 8.5% for putting up the system, and maintaining and managing it.

“We have had several discussions with parking lot management companies and building complex owners on this issue,” said Rangkaian Segar chief operating officer Swinder Grewal.

“They are not willing to absorb the cost although it helps them save on labour,” she added.

Swinder said it was not fair to pass the cost to the customers.


© 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)