KUALA LUMPUR: The National Fatwa Council’s edict on yoga should not be turned into a religious debate, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“If they believe it is wrong, then it is wrong. It is unfortunate that other people think that it is a slur on their religion,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after presenting a keynote address at the English and Asia 2008 First International Conference on Lang- uage and Linguistics organised by the International Islamic University Malaysia yesterday.
“It is like saying Muslims should not eat pork and it is not an insult to the Chinese.
“It is the same when Muslims cannot do yoga, it is not because they are insulting the Hindus.
“It is just that they should not do it. Like all other things forbidden among Muslims, it is not an insult to others.
“Whether the Malays follow it or not, that is really their business.” he said.
He said people should not make it into a religious issue.
Dr Mahathir said he felt sorry that people wanted to make an issue of this.
Source : The Star
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Atasi isu pekerja asing
KUALA LUMPUR 25 Nov. – Seorang Ahli Parlimen hari ini melahirkan rasa kecewa kerana kerajaan masih gagal menyelesaikan isu kebanjiran pekerja asing yang sudah bertahun-tahun membelenggu negara ini.
Malah dengan nada berang, Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) turut menempelak Timbalan Menteri Sumber Manusia, Datuk Noraini Ahmad kerana memberikan jawapan terlalu panjang dan berjela-jela berhubung isu itu.
‘‘Jawapan panjang tetapi tidak sampai ke lubuk hati. Saya tak nak berlakon dalam perkara ini.
‘‘Sebagai rakyat Malaysia, kita mahu satu penyelesaian dicari terhadap tanggapan bahawa negara ini adalah syurga bagi warganegara asing untuk mencari nafkah tetapi neraka bagi rakyat kita sendiri,” katanya semasa mencelah pada sesi soal jawab persidangan Dewan Rakyat hari ini.
Menurut Mohamad, sudah bertahun-tahun kementerian itu memaklumkan akan menyelesaikan isu kehadiran ramai pekerja asing tetapi sehingga kini tiada tindakan konkrit dibuat.
Beliau yang sudah 18 tahun menjadi wakil rakyat termasuk sembilan tahun sebagai Ahli Parlimen juga kesal kerana sehingga kini tiada sebarang langkah tegas diambil bagi memastikan pekerja rakyat tempatan mendapat gaji munasabah iaitu lebih tinggi berbanding golongan miskin tegar.
Tindakan Mohamad yang berkali-kali meninggikan suara kepada Noraini itu ditegur oleh Timbalan Yang Dipertua, Datuk Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar yang mahukan sikap sedemikian dihentikan.
Dalam pada itu, Noraini yang menjawab soalan asal Aaron Ago Dagang (BN-Kanowit) menjelaskan, pendapatan purata asas setiap pekerja di negara ini adalah berbeza mengikut sektor dan ia juga berdasarkan proses rundingan antara persatuan majikan dan kesatuan sekerja.
Katanya, pendapatan purata asas adalah sebanyak RM573 sebulan bagi pekerja kedai kopi, RM628 sebulan (pertanian), RM697 sebulan (perhotelan), RM853 sebulan (pasar raya) dan RM952 sebulan (pembinaan).
Sumber : Utusan
Laksanakan arahan yang betul segera !
Malah dengan nada berang, Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) turut menempelak Timbalan Menteri Sumber Manusia, Datuk Noraini Ahmad kerana memberikan jawapan terlalu panjang dan berjela-jela berhubung isu itu.
‘‘Jawapan panjang tetapi tidak sampai ke lubuk hati. Saya tak nak berlakon dalam perkara ini.
‘‘Sebagai rakyat Malaysia, kita mahu satu penyelesaian dicari terhadap tanggapan bahawa negara ini adalah syurga bagi warganegara asing untuk mencari nafkah tetapi neraka bagi rakyat kita sendiri,” katanya semasa mencelah pada sesi soal jawab persidangan Dewan Rakyat hari ini.
Menurut Mohamad, sudah bertahun-tahun kementerian itu memaklumkan akan menyelesaikan isu kehadiran ramai pekerja asing tetapi sehingga kini tiada tindakan konkrit dibuat.
Beliau yang sudah 18 tahun menjadi wakil rakyat termasuk sembilan tahun sebagai Ahli Parlimen juga kesal kerana sehingga kini tiada sebarang langkah tegas diambil bagi memastikan pekerja rakyat tempatan mendapat gaji munasabah iaitu lebih tinggi berbanding golongan miskin tegar.
Tindakan Mohamad yang berkali-kali meninggikan suara kepada Noraini itu ditegur oleh Timbalan Yang Dipertua, Datuk Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar yang mahukan sikap sedemikian dihentikan.
Dalam pada itu, Noraini yang menjawab soalan asal Aaron Ago Dagang (BN-Kanowit) menjelaskan, pendapatan purata asas setiap pekerja di negara ini adalah berbeza mengikut sektor dan ia juga berdasarkan proses rundingan antara persatuan majikan dan kesatuan sekerja.
Katanya, pendapatan purata asas adalah sebanyak RM573 sebulan bagi pekerja kedai kopi, RM628 sebulan (pertanian), RM697 sebulan (perhotelan), RM853 sebulan (pasar raya) dan RM952 sebulan (pembinaan).
Sumber : Utusan
Laksanakan arahan yang betul segera !
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
'Jadikan Kewangan Islam sebagai peneraju'
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata, sistem kewangan Islam berpeluang untuk berada di hadapan dan menjadi peneraju dalam era pertumbuhan baru.
Perdana Menteri berkata, sistem berkenaan kini dilihat sebagai adil dan saksama kerana menawarkan perkongsian menang-menang kepada pihak yang terlibat dalam kontrak dan bukan hanya ditanggung oleh satu pihak.
''Seperti mana diketahui, kewangan Islam adalah berlandaskan prinsip perkongsian keuntungan di mana kedua-dua pihak dalam kontrak tertakluk kepada potensi kerugian dan juga keuntungan.
''Krisis semasa kewangan global telah menunjukkan perlunya sistem sedemikian, dan semakin ramai pemerhati sedang menimbang untuk menjadikan kewangan Islam sebagai satu pilihan,'' katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam ucapannya pada majlis perasmian cawangan pertama pusat kewangan Standard Chartered Saadiq Bhd. (StanChart Saadiq) di Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI) di sini hari ini. Turut hadir Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Pengerusi Standard Chartered, Tan Sri Datuk Mohd. Sheriff Mohd. Kassim dan Pengarah Urusan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Standard Chartered, Julian Wynter.
Sehubungan itu kata Abdullah, kewangan Islam harus bersedia untuk menghadapi dimensi baru dalam memenuhi perubahan permintaan perniagaan dalam persekitaran yang semakin global.
''Sistem kewangan Islam perlu segera berintegrasi dengan sistem kewangan antarabangsa dan membuktikannya sebagai pilihan yang berdaya maju kepada sistem konvensional yang diamalkan di kebanyakan negara dunia,'' kata Abdullah.
Katanya, dengan berubah menjadi elemen penting dalam kewangan sejagat, sistem kewangan Islam akan meletakkan pada kedudukannya sebagai perkhidmatan kewangan yang tersendiri atau butik khidmat kewangan.
Perdana Menteri berkata, untuk menjadikan sistem kewangan Islam efektif kepada sistem kewangan global, rangka kerja perundangan perlu diwujudkan untuk memberikan kredibiliti kepadanya.
Dalam sistem kewangan Islam, jelas Abdullah, pemakaian konsisten perundangan Islam atau Syariah harus menjadi asas kepada semua transaksi sama ada domestik atau antarabangsa dan pengamalnya perlu mengambil pendekatan 'hikmah' dalam memastikan kejayaan pembaharuan di peringkat antarabangsa.
''Saya menyokong kuat kepada pelaksanaan pembaharuan perubahan sistem kewangan global dengan menerapkan 'hikmah' kewangan Islam sebagai asas perubahan itu. Saya percaya kita perlu menunjukkan komitmen yang serius terhadap perkara ini,'' katanya.
Tambah Abdullah, Malaysia berada di kedudukan yang baik untuk meneraju sebarang usaha untuk memperkenalkan pembaharuan sistem kewangan Islam dengan menyemai konsep dan tema yang dipinjamkan dari kewangan Islam.
Sumber : Utusan
Perdana Menteri berkata, sistem berkenaan kini dilihat sebagai adil dan saksama kerana menawarkan perkongsian menang-menang kepada pihak yang terlibat dalam kontrak dan bukan hanya ditanggung oleh satu pihak.
''Seperti mana diketahui, kewangan Islam adalah berlandaskan prinsip perkongsian keuntungan di mana kedua-dua pihak dalam kontrak tertakluk kepada potensi kerugian dan juga keuntungan.
''Krisis semasa kewangan global telah menunjukkan perlunya sistem sedemikian, dan semakin ramai pemerhati sedang menimbang untuk menjadikan kewangan Islam sebagai satu pilihan,'' katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam ucapannya pada majlis perasmian cawangan pertama pusat kewangan Standard Chartered Saadiq Bhd. (StanChart Saadiq) di Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI) di sini hari ini. Turut hadir Gabenor Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Pengerusi Standard Chartered, Tan Sri Datuk Mohd. Sheriff Mohd. Kassim dan Pengarah Urusan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Standard Chartered, Julian Wynter.
Sehubungan itu kata Abdullah, kewangan Islam harus bersedia untuk menghadapi dimensi baru dalam memenuhi perubahan permintaan perniagaan dalam persekitaran yang semakin global.
''Sistem kewangan Islam perlu segera berintegrasi dengan sistem kewangan antarabangsa dan membuktikannya sebagai pilihan yang berdaya maju kepada sistem konvensional yang diamalkan di kebanyakan negara dunia,'' kata Abdullah.
Katanya, dengan berubah menjadi elemen penting dalam kewangan sejagat, sistem kewangan Islam akan meletakkan pada kedudukannya sebagai perkhidmatan kewangan yang tersendiri atau butik khidmat kewangan.
Perdana Menteri berkata, untuk menjadikan sistem kewangan Islam efektif kepada sistem kewangan global, rangka kerja perundangan perlu diwujudkan untuk memberikan kredibiliti kepadanya.
Dalam sistem kewangan Islam, jelas Abdullah, pemakaian konsisten perundangan Islam atau Syariah harus menjadi asas kepada semua transaksi sama ada domestik atau antarabangsa dan pengamalnya perlu mengambil pendekatan 'hikmah' dalam memastikan kejayaan pembaharuan di peringkat antarabangsa.
''Saya menyokong kuat kepada pelaksanaan pembaharuan perubahan sistem kewangan global dengan menerapkan 'hikmah' kewangan Islam sebagai asas perubahan itu. Saya percaya kita perlu menunjukkan komitmen yang serius terhadap perkara ini,'' katanya.
Tambah Abdullah, Malaysia berada di kedudukan yang baik untuk meneraju sebarang usaha untuk memperkenalkan pembaharuan sistem kewangan Islam dengan menyemai konsep dan tema yang dipinjamkan dari kewangan Islam.
Sumber : Utusan
Monday, November 10, 2008
Bukan Cina tak boleh jadi PM Singapura realistik – Rais
Pendirian kepimpinan Singapura yang menegaskan republik itu belum bersedia memilih Perdana Menteri bukan Cina dalam tempoh terdekat menunjukkan penduduk negara itu sebenarnya bersikap realistik terhadap politik majoriti dan perkauman.
Menteri Luar, Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim berkata, berdasarkan pendirian itu, seluruh rakyat Malaysia juga seharusnya menerima hakikat bahawa majoriti yang memegang tauliah politik di negara ini ialah orang Melayu.
Menurut Rais, sejak tertubuhnya UMNO yang menjadi tulang belakang politik Malaysia pada 1946, orang Melayu merupakan kaum yang mempunyai kuasa politik terbesar.
‘‘Perdana Menteri Singapura (Lee Hsien Loong) sendiri mengakui belum sampai masanya orang Melayu (di Singapura) menjadi Perdana Menteri. Di Malaysia, inilah juga hakikat yang perlu dilihat.
‘‘Saya berani katakan bukan Melayu pun belum sampai masanya menjadi Perdana Menteri di Malaysia dan ia tidak akan menjadi kenyataan sebab majoriti tenaga politik di sini ialah Melayu,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Calon Naib Presiden UMNO itu ditanya pandangannya mengenai kenyataan Hsien Loong bahawa Singapura yang mempunyai penduduk berbilang kaum berjumlah lebih 3.5 juta orang belum bersedia memilih Perdana Menteri bukan Cina dalam tempoh terdekat.
Hsien Loong membuat kenyataan tersebut kelmarin semasa dialog dengan anggota masyarakat Melayu di republik itu sebagai menjawab soalan sama ada pemilihan Barack Obama sebagai Presiden kulit hitam pertama Amerika Syarikat (AS) bermakna anggota kaum minoriti di Singapura turut berpeluang menjadi Perdana Menteri.
Rais yang merupakan pakar Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkata, hakikat bahawa orang Melayu adalah pemegang kuasa politik Malaysia tidak boleh dilenyapkan begitu sahaja.
Kata beliau: ‘‘Pihak-pihak lain mesti akur dengan apa yang telah diehsankan oleh kontrak sosial.
‘‘Kita sudah ehsankan hak-hak mereka (kaum-kaum lain), maka tidak harus ada pihak yang seolah-olah bersikap buta tuli tentang perkara-perkara sensitif yang harus dilenyapkan hanya semata-mata kerena mereka menjangkakan UMNO telah lemah ketika ini.”
Kemenangan Obama di AS mencetuskan analisis politik di kalangan pihak tertentu di negara ini sehingga ada suara pemimpin bukan Melayu yang mahukan bukan Melayu diberi peluang menjadi Perdana Menteri.
Khamis lalu, Presiden MCA, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat berkata, sudah sampai masanya bagi rakyat Malaysia membebaskan diri mereka daripada belenggu isu perkauman.
Dengan mengambil Obama sebagai contoh, Tee Keat berkata: ‘‘Sedihnya di Malaysia, kita masih berbalah dalam soal remeh berhubung pelantikan seorang wanita Cina sebagai Pemangku Pengurus Besar Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS).”
Tindakan kerajaan negeri Selangor yang diterajui Pakatan Rakyat melantik Low Siew Moi sebagai Pemangku Pengurus Besar PKNS dipersoalkan banyak pihak kerana dikatakan tidak memenuhi aspirasi penubuhan PKNS bagi membantu meningkatkan taraf ekonomi bumiputera
Sumber : Utusan
Menteri Luar, Datuk Seri Dr. Rais Yatim berkata, berdasarkan pendirian itu, seluruh rakyat Malaysia juga seharusnya menerima hakikat bahawa majoriti yang memegang tauliah politik di negara ini ialah orang Melayu.
Menurut Rais, sejak tertubuhnya UMNO yang menjadi tulang belakang politik Malaysia pada 1946, orang Melayu merupakan kaum yang mempunyai kuasa politik terbesar.
‘‘Perdana Menteri Singapura (Lee Hsien Loong) sendiri mengakui belum sampai masanya orang Melayu (di Singapura) menjadi Perdana Menteri. Di Malaysia, inilah juga hakikat yang perlu dilihat.
‘‘Saya berani katakan bukan Melayu pun belum sampai masanya menjadi Perdana Menteri di Malaysia dan ia tidak akan menjadi kenyataan sebab majoriti tenaga politik di sini ialah Melayu,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Calon Naib Presiden UMNO itu ditanya pandangannya mengenai kenyataan Hsien Loong bahawa Singapura yang mempunyai penduduk berbilang kaum berjumlah lebih 3.5 juta orang belum bersedia memilih Perdana Menteri bukan Cina dalam tempoh terdekat.
Hsien Loong membuat kenyataan tersebut kelmarin semasa dialog dengan anggota masyarakat Melayu di republik itu sebagai menjawab soalan sama ada pemilihan Barack Obama sebagai Presiden kulit hitam pertama Amerika Syarikat (AS) bermakna anggota kaum minoriti di Singapura turut berpeluang menjadi Perdana Menteri.
Rais yang merupakan pakar Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkata, hakikat bahawa orang Melayu adalah pemegang kuasa politik Malaysia tidak boleh dilenyapkan begitu sahaja.
Kata beliau: ‘‘Pihak-pihak lain mesti akur dengan apa yang telah diehsankan oleh kontrak sosial.
‘‘Kita sudah ehsankan hak-hak mereka (kaum-kaum lain), maka tidak harus ada pihak yang seolah-olah bersikap buta tuli tentang perkara-perkara sensitif yang harus dilenyapkan hanya semata-mata kerena mereka menjangkakan UMNO telah lemah ketika ini.”
Kemenangan Obama di AS mencetuskan analisis politik di kalangan pihak tertentu di negara ini sehingga ada suara pemimpin bukan Melayu yang mahukan bukan Melayu diberi peluang menjadi Perdana Menteri.
Khamis lalu, Presiden MCA, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat berkata, sudah sampai masanya bagi rakyat Malaysia membebaskan diri mereka daripada belenggu isu perkauman.
Dengan mengambil Obama sebagai contoh, Tee Keat berkata: ‘‘Sedihnya di Malaysia, kita masih berbalah dalam soal remeh berhubung pelantikan seorang wanita Cina sebagai Pemangku Pengurus Besar Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS).”
Tindakan kerajaan negeri Selangor yang diterajui Pakatan Rakyat melantik Low Siew Moi sebagai Pemangku Pengurus Besar PKNS dipersoalkan banyak pihak kerana dikatakan tidak memenuhi aspirasi penubuhan PKNS bagi membantu meningkatkan taraf ekonomi bumiputera
Sumber : Utusan
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Govt to introduce measures to insulate country’s economy
Govt to introduce measures to insulate country’s economy
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will introduce several measures to insulate the country’s economy from the global financial crisis, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The Finance Minister said among them were making structural changes to encourage better and competitive economic growth, encourage more investments from the private sector in the local economy and implementing progressive liberalisation of the services sector.
Najib said more efforts would also be made to encourage more foreign direct investments in certain economic sectors and sub-sectors.
“The meeting also decided that more skilled or k-economy workers were needed here, especially for the main growth corridors,” he said.
Najib said the measures were discussed in the Economic Council meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Parliament House on Monday.
He added it was important that the programmes announced in the Budget 2009 and the RM7bil stimulus package, introduced to reinforce the economy, were implemented soon.
“Right now, that’s our priority. These projects must take off, hopefully in the first quarter of next year,” he told reporters Monday.
Najib said the council also discussed efforts to stabilise the national economy at the macro level, adding that the members also noted that the uncertainties in the future of the global economic scenario might be longer than expected.
To a question, Najib said the Government would only come up with additional stimulus packages if the situation warranted them.
“We have the capacity to make capital injections, but at the same time we cannot allow the Government’s fiscal deficit to become too high,” he added.
Earlier, in his welcoming speech to the Council, Abdullah said Monday’s meeting would focus on ensuring sustained and rapid economic growth and meet challenges of the bearish global economic outlook.
Abdullah said although Malaysia has strong macro-economic fundamentals and resilient banking and financial system, it was not completely insulated.
“Malaysia is a very open economy and we expect to experience a slowdown in growth next year, stemming mainly from softening export demand and lower foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow.
“Hence, the growth forecast has been accordingly trimmed to 5% for this year and 3.5% for 2009,” he added.
Abdullah said while the stimulus package announced by Najib last week was a short-term policy response, the Government believed that it should also take the opportunity to address medium- and long-term structural issues and formulate a strategic package to ensure rapid growth of the economy.
He added that China and India, which registered double-digit gross domestic product (GDP) growth recently, are also bracing for a slowdown.
“The affected economies have introduced a wide range of measures, some unconventional, to prevent the collapse of the financial and banking system and stimulate economic growth.
“Massive funds have been injected into the financial system by the United States and Euro zone economies to eliminate toxic assets, improve liquidity and re-start inter-bank lending,” he added.
Source : The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will introduce several measures to insulate the country’s economy from the global financial crisis, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The Finance Minister said among them were making structural changes to encourage better and competitive economic growth, encourage more investments from the private sector in the local economy and implementing progressive liberalisation of the services sector.
Najib said more efforts would also be made to encourage more foreign direct investments in certain economic sectors and sub-sectors.
“The meeting also decided that more skilled or k-economy workers were needed here, especially for the main growth corridors,” he said.
Najib said the measures were discussed in the Economic Council meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Parliament House on Monday.
He added it was important that the programmes announced in the Budget 2009 and the RM7bil stimulus package, introduced to reinforce the economy, were implemented soon.
“Right now, that’s our priority. These projects must take off, hopefully in the first quarter of next year,” he told reporters Monday.
Najib said the council also discussed efforts to stabilise the national economy at the macro level, adding that the members also noted that the uncertainties in the future of the global economic scenario might be longer than expected.
To a question, Najib said the Government would only come up with additional stimulus packages if the situation warranted them.
“We have the capacity to make capital injections, but at the same time we cannot allow the Government’s fiscal deficit to become too high,” he added.
Earlier, in his welcoming speech to the Council, Abdullah said Monday’s meeting would focus on ensuring sustained and rapid economic growth and meet challenges of the bearish global economic outlook.
Abdullah said although Malaysia has strong macro-economic fundamentals and resilient banking and financial system, it was not completely insulated.
“Malaysia is a very open economy and we expect to experience a slowdown in growth next year, stemming mainly from softening export demand and lower foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow.
“Hence, the growth forecast has been accordingly trimmed to 5% for this year and 3.5% for 2009,” he added.
Abdullah said while the stimulus package announced by Najib last week was a short-term policy response, the Government believed that it should also take the opportunity to address medium- and long-term structural issues and formulate a strategic package to ensure rapid growth of the economy.
He added that China and India, which registered double-digit gross domestic product (GDP) growth recently, are also bracing for a slowdown.
“The affected economies have introduced a wide range of measures, some unconventional, to prevent the collapse of the financial and banking system and stimulate economic growth.
“Massive funds have been injected into the financial system by the United States and Euro zone economies to eliminate toxic assets, improve liquidity and re-start inter-bank lending,” he added.
Source : The Star
hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Below are three tips from The Biggest Loser trainers on how to get and stay in shape.
Saying you can't get in shape because you don't have two hours every day to exercise is just another excuse for doing nothing. Start small, because small can only get bigger.
Choose natural, unprocessed foods. A good rule of thumb: If it grows out of the ground or you can pick it off a tree, chances are it's good for you.
Invest in a good pair of workout shoes. Not only is it important for your feet, but it is a motivating reminder to help you get moving.
Source : Yahoo.
Saying you can't get in shape because you don't have two hours every day to exercise is just another excuse for doing nothing. Start small, because small can only get bigger.
Choose natural, unprocessed foods. A good rule of thumb: If it grows out of the ground or you can pick it off a tree, chances are it's good for you.
Invest in a good pair of workout shoes. Not only is it important for your feet, but it is a motivating reminder to help you get moving.
Source : Yahoo.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Govt well prepared to face heavier rains in next two months !
PUTRAJAYA: The authorities are preparing well in advance and on a big scale to respond effectively if the expected heavier rainfall over the next two months brings any disaster.
The logistics alone: 1,775 rescue boats, 20 helicopters and 13 units of Bailey bridges are ready for use.
A total 4,595 evacuation centres had been prepared and 1,182 health personnel were on standby, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“I would like to assure the public that the authorities are well prepared should there be floods,” he told reporters after chairing the Management and Disaster Relief Committee meeting yesterday.
Najib said the equipment needed for rescue and relief work would be sent to the flood prone and low-lying areas soon.
“Once the water level rises, the equipment will already be there instead of having people wait for it to be sent after floods have hit,” he said, adding that the public should not worry about aid such as food as there would be sufficient supply.
Other measures include ordering the Drainage and Irrigation Department to continue deepening the riverbeds as well as directing government-owned media organisations to frequently flash out weather information.
Najib said floods would be unavoidable as calculations by the Meteorological Department had predicted a heavier-than-usual rainfall from next month until January.
Najib said the Government was alerting the public on the possibility of floods to give them time to be prepared, including for evacuations.
Source : The Star
The logistics alone: 1,775 rescue boats, 20 helicopters and 13 units of Bailey bridges are ready for use.
A total 4,595 evacuation centres had been prepared and 1,182 health personnel were on standby, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“I would like to assure the public that the authorities are well prepared should there be floods,” he told reporters after chairing the Management and Disaster Relief Committee meeting yesterday.
Najib said the equipment needed for rescue and relief work would be sent to the flood prone and low-lying areas soon.
“Once the water level rises, the equipment will already be there instead of having people wait for it to be sent after floods have hit,” he said, adding that the public should not worry about aid such as food as there would be sufficient supply.
Other measures include ordering the Drainage and Irrigation Department to continue deepening the riverbeds as well as directing government-owned media organisations to frequently flash out weather information.
Najib said floods would be unavoidable as calculations by the Meteorological Department had predicted a heavier-than-usual rainfall from next month until January.
Najib said the Government was alerting the public on the possibility of floods to give them time to be prepared, including for evacuations.
Source : The Star
Obama’s victory raises hopes of a better future for all
TOKYO: In city squares and living rooms, ballrooms and villages, the citizens of the world cheered the election of Barack Obama as US president, ratcheting up hopes that America’s first black commander in chief would herald a more balanced, less confrontational America.
People crowded before TVs or listened to blaring radios for the latest updates. In Sydney, Australians filled a hotel ballroom. In Rio, Brazilians partied on the beach. In the town of Obama, in Japan, dancers cheered in delight when their namesake’s victory was declared.
People the world over – many of them in countries where the idea of a minority being elected leader is unthinkable – expressed amazement and satisfaction that the United States could overcome centuries of racial strife and elect an African-American – and one with Hussein as a middle name – as president.
“What an inspiration. He is the first truly global US president the world has ever had,” said Pracha Kanjananont, a 29-year-old Thai sitting at a Starbuck’s in Bangkok. “He had an Asian childhood, African parentage and has a Middle Eastern name. He is a truly global president.”
In an interconnected world where people in its farthest reaches could monitor the presidential race blow-by-blow, many observers echoed Obama’s own campaign mantra as they struggled to put into words their sense that his election marked an important turning point.
The magnitude and emotion of the world reaction illustrated the international character of the US presidency. Many look to Washington as the place where the global issues of war and peace, prosperity or crisis, are decided.
“This is an enormous outcome for all of us,” said John Wood, the former New Zealand ambassador to the United States.
Hopes were also high among those critical of President George W. Bush’s policies that an Obama victory would herald a more inclusive, internationally cooperative US approach.
Many cited the Iraq war as the type of blunder Obama was unlikely to repeat.
Indeed, even as they raised expectations, many US-watchers were quick to point out that Obama would have to confront enormous problems once in office: wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, tenacious difficulties in the Middle East and North Korea, a world economy in turmoil.
Some Iraqis, who have suffered through five years of a war ignited by the United States and its allies, said they would believe positive change when they saw it.
Still, many around the world found Obama’s international roots – his father was Kenyan, and he lived four years in Indonesia as a child – compelling and attractive.
Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki declared a public holiday today in honour of Obama’s election victory, and people across Africa stayed up all night or woke before dawn yesterday to watch the US election results roll in.
“He’s in!” said Rachel Ndimu, 23, a business student who joined hundreds of others at the residence of the US ambassador in Nairobi. “I think this is awesome, and the whole world is backing him.”
In Jakarta, hundreds of students at his former elementary school gathered around a television set to watch as results came in, erupting in cheers when he was declared winner and then pouring into the courtyard where they hugged each other and danced in the rain.
“We’re so proud!” Alsya Nadin, a spunky 10-year-old in pink-framed glasses, said as her classmates chanted “Obama! Obama!”
Meanwhile, the citizens of Obama, Japan, were ecstatic. Dozens of supporters swarmed the stage and joined hands, jumping up and down as they chanted “Obama! Obama! Obama!”
The Obama campaign brought an air of excitement to this normally sleepy seaside town. Local leaders, trying to revive the economy, latched onto the connection as a way to promote tourism. An “Obama for Obama” supporters group attracted 1,500 members.
And then there are the Obama Girls, a hula dance group formed in honour of Obama’s Hawaiian heritage.
“This is great. I followed the election closely on TV. I’m hoping Obama can make the world more peaceful,” said Akino Nakaoji. — AP
Source : The Star
Better future for Malaysian also !
People crowded before TVs or listened to blaring radios for the latest updates. In Sydney, Australians filled a hotel ballroom. In Rio, Brazilians partied on the beach. In the town of Obama, in Japan, dancers cheered in delight when their namesake’s victory was declared.
People the world over – many of them in countries where the idea of a minority being elected leader is unthinkable – expressed amazement and satisfaction that the United States could overcome centuries of racial strife and elect an African-American – and one with Hussein as a middle name – as president.
“What an inspiration. He is the first truly global US president the world has ever had,” said Pracha Kanjananont, a 29-year-old Thai sitting at a Starbuck’s in Bangkok. “He had an Asian childhood, African parentage and has a Middle Eastern name. He is a truly global president.”
In an interconnected world where people in its farthest reaches could monitor the presidential race blow-by-blow, many observers echoed Obama’s own campaign mantra as they struggled to put into words their sense that his election marked an important turning point.
The magnitude and emotion of the world reaction illustrated the international character of the US presidency. Many look to Washington as the place where the global issues of war and peace, prosperity or crisis, are decided.
“This is an enormous outcome for all of us,” said John Wood, the former New Zealand ambassador to the United States.
Hopes were also high among those critical of President George W. Bush’s policies that an Obama victory would herald a more inclusive, internationally cooperative US approach.
Many cited the Iraq war as the type of blunder Obama was unlikely to repeat.
Indeed, even as they raised expectations, many US-watchers were quick to point out that Obama would have to confront enormous problems once in office: wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, tenacious difficulties in the Middle East and North Korea, a world economy in turmoil.
Some Iraqis, who have suffered through five years of a war ignited by the United States and its allies, said they would believe positive change when they saw it.
Still, many around the world found Obama’s international roots – his father was Kenyan, and he lived four years in Indonesia as a child – compelling and attractive.
Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki declared a public holiday today in honour of Obama’s election victory, and people across Africa stayed up all night or woke before dawn yesterday to watch the US election results roll in.
“He’s in!” said Rachel Ndimu, 23, a business student who joined hundreds of others at the residence of the US ambassador in Nairobi. “I think this is awesome, and the whole world is backing him.”
In Jakarta, hundreds of students at his former elementary school gathered around a television set to watch as results came in, erupting in cheers when he was declared winner and then pouring into the courtyard where they hugged each other and danced in the rain.
“We’re so proud!” Alsya Nadin, a spunky 10-year-old in pink-framed glasses, said as her classmates chanted “Obama! Obama!”
Meanwhile, the citizens of Obama, Japan, were ecstatic. Dozens of supporters swarmed the stage and joined hands, jumping up and down as they chanted “Obama! Obama! Obama!”
The Obama campaign brought an air of excitement to this normally sleepy seaside town. Local leaders, trying to revive the economy, latched onto the connection as a way to promote tourism. An “Obama for Obama” supporters group attracted 1,500 members.
And then there are the Obama Girls, a hula dance group formed in honour of Obama’s Hawaiian heritage.
“This is great. I followed the election closely on TV. I’m hoping Obama can make the world more peaceful,” said Akino Nakaoji. — AP
Source : The Star
Better future for Malaysian also !
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Kempen Budi Bahasa kepada ahli Parlimen..?
Kempen Budi Bahasa menjadi sesuatu yang amat perlu pada masa ini diterapkan terutamanya kepada Ahli-ahli Parlimen kalau mereka sedar dan mahu dihormati akan kedudukan jawatan yang disandang itu. Langkah Menteri Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan, Datuk Mohd. Shafie Afdal perlulah disambut baik kerana setiap ahli parlimen menjadi contoh terbaik kepada rakyat.
Sungguhpun demikian, sebagai seorang yang telah diamanahkan, orang awam pun dapat memikirkan bahawa ahli Parlimen mereka sebenarnya tidak patut menyuarakan apa yang terbuku di hati secara 'sesedap rasa' aje.
Malu kalau orang kampung tengok nanti !
Sungguhpun demikian, sebagai seorang yang telah diamanahkan, orang awam pun dapat memikirkan bahawa ahli Parlimen mereka sebenarnya tidak patut menyuarakan apa yang terbuku di hati secara 'sesedap rasa' aje.
Malu kalau orang kampung tengok nanti !
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