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M’sia wants regional squad created to put out haze-causing fires
Look east for investment opportunities, Najib tells Europeans
11 govt reserve land to be developed nationwide

M’sia wants regional squad created to put out haze-causing fires

Posted: 15 Jul 2011 05:18 AM PDT

Published: Friday July 15, 2011 MYT 8:19:00 PM

SERDANG: Malaysia is pushing for a quick-response regional squad to fight fires that trigger transboundary haze, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas.

The "rapid firefighting force" would be able to move speedily within Asean countries, he said.

"But how soon it can be done depends on the understanding and preparation of all countries," he told reporters after launching the ministry's biennial sports meet at Universiti Putra Malaysia Friday.

Uggah also said the matter would be discussed in an Asean ministerial steering committee next month.

Meanwhile, the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as of 5pm on Friday showed the air quality had deteriorated to unhealthy levels in Cheras and Sri Manjung in Perak.

Twenty-four areas were rated to have moderate air quality while another 24 areas were rated healthy.

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Look east for investment opportunities, Najib tells Europeans

Posted: 15 Jul 2011 05:13 AM PDT

LONDON: European investors have been urged to go east as Malaysia is among the top ten most competitive countries in the world.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak invited British companies to come and see for themselves how Government programmes and policies are transforming Malaysia day by day.

"Experience our fast-growing infrastructure, our vibrant economy and our progressive modern outlook," he said when addressing a Global Investment Forum at the prestigious Claridges Hotel in London Friday.

He said this growth was achieved by working with the private sector to find new niche areas, sources of growth and ways of gaining a competitive advantage.

"Open, transparent, and even-handed economic stewardship has always been our hallmark in Malaysia.

"We are moderate not just because it's right but because it works and provides a clear path to economic growth," said Najib who is on a four-day official visit to Britain.

He added that Malaysia's progress had been built on the bedrock of political, social and economic moderation.

"As income levels in Asia rise, people's demand for goods will stretch increasingly beyond their nation's borders.

"An increase in living standards in the East not only doesn't cause the West to fall or falter, it helps it rise yet higher," he said,

Najib said the New Economic Model would expand the role of the private sector and make Malaysia an even more attractive proposition for global investors.

"It will cut red tape and enhance investment incentives, increase competition and improve the business environment.

"It will also rebalance the roles of the public and private sectors because in the modern world it is no longer good to say "the government knows the best".

Najib said those investors who were truly global in their outlook would reap the biggest reward because "the sun may set in the west and rise in the east but it's always daylight somewhere in the world."

"Today, a car assembled in Dagenham is designed in Denmark, powered by an engine from Tokyo and fitted with tyres from Kuala Lumpur.

"National economic interest is becoming more and more about collective interest and this is why Malaysia has rejected the outdated notion of "taking sides" in international trade and relations.

"We have opted instead for a new multilateralism that works both for Malaysia and for our partners overseas," said Najib.

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11 govt reserve land to be developed nationwide

Posted: 15 Jul 2011 03:50 AM PDT

Published: Friday July 15, 2011 MYT 6:51:00 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Government reserve land at 11 locations nationwide will be developed through a collaboration between the Defence Ministry and Greencity Development Sdn Bhd.

An agreement to that effect was signed Friday by Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Dr.Abdul Latiff Ahmad, on behalf of the Defence Ministry, and Green City chief executive officer, Mohamad Khairuddin Taha.

Speaking to reporters later, Abdul Latiff said that under the agreement, the land, covering 30 hectares, would be leased to the company for 30 years for development, including for building of petrol stations, integrated vehicle service centres and other automobile-related activities.

"This is a good collaboration to avoid the land from being left idle and will also provide the government with RM7mil in revenue a year for 30 years," he added.

Abdul Latiff said implementation of the projects would also provide employment opportunities for army retirees.

"We will ensure 35% of the jobs created from these projects is given to army retirees," he added. - Bernama

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Jumaat, 15 Julai 2011