The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Cyclists take to the heart of Kuantan to promote activity
- A-G’s report lists faults and cost overruns for Senai-Desaru Expressway
- Pilot project for vocational training
| Cyclists take to the heart of Kuantan to promote activity Posted: 29 Oct 2011 03:50 AM PDT SOME 300 cyclists "invaded" the heart of Kuantan recently, in what was actually a show of support for the state government's effort to promote cycling as a leisure activity as well as a healthy form of exercise. Families, friends and members of the public as young as four years old took to the streets to join in the latest lifestyle craze. The "Kuantan Townride" was officially flagged off by state Culture, Arts, Heritage and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Shariff who led the group to cover a 7km route. Other riders included Kuantan Municipal Council (MPK) president Datuk Zulkifli Yaacob, Pahang Tourism Ministry office director Idros Yahya, Bukit Fraser Development Corp general manager Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Abdul Mutalib, his deputy Ishak Mokhtar and several media representatives. Some of the riders family members also joined in the ride. The cyclists were accompanied by traffic police throughout their journey. The group cycled through Jalan Gambang, passing by Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital before proceeding to Jalan Mahkota, Jalan Teluk Sisek, Jalan Beserah, Jalan Tun Ismail (near the East Coast Mall) and entered Jalan Lim Hoe Lek, Jalan Bukit Ubi, Jalan Wong Ah Jang and Jalan Penjara before completing the ride at Taman Esplanade. Shafiq Fauzan said the activity was part of the state's event called "Bicycle Mania" which is going to be promoted as a tourist attraction. "The Kuantan Townride started at 8am and lasted for a few hours. Cyclists were allowed to roam the streets of Kuantan without having to worry about traffic, since certain sections of the roads were closed during that time," he said after the ride. He added that the objective of organising the event was to popularise cycling among Kuantan residents. "Not only is it good for the health, but we can also spend more time with the family. Sometimes, we are too busy with our work and we should take time off to be with our family. We can instill the love of cycling in our youngsters as well," he said. Shafiq Fauzan also said the event would be held twice a month with the next rides scheduled on Nov 28, and Dec 4 and 18. He assured those keen to take part in the rides that their safety was a top priority when cycling in town as the police and local authorities will work together to ensure things go smoothly. "For their safety, we will have the police and MPK personnel helping to ensure smooth traffic flow as we do not want the event to disrupt other people's daily lives," he said. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| A-G’s report lists faults and cost overruns for Senai-Desaru Expressway Posted: 29 Oct 2011 03:50 AM PDT PETALING JAYA: Despite the land acquisition costs for the Senai-Desaru Expressway project in Johor ballooning from RM365mil to RM740.6mil, the highway has been found to be unsatisfactory and a danger to road users. According to the Auditor-General's Report, among the reasons for the doubling of land acquisition costs were the compensation payment which exceeded market prices, high injurious affection and severance payments, and interest of 8% due to late repayments. The completed 77km-Senai Desaru Highway, worth RM1.37bil, was also found not to be in accordance with specifications, resulting in damage to the road surface and endangering road users. "Although the project for Package 3 was 100% completed in April, the road surface is undulating and river protection has not been built on the Sungai Selat Mendana, Sungai Layang, Sungai Papan, Sungai Semenchu and Sungai Chemaran. "Revetment protection has yet to be constructed along the Pulau Juling Highway causing soil erosion along the area and pollution to the mangrove swamps," the report said. The construction agreement for the project was signed between the Federal Government and the concession company on July 31, 2004, with the intention of linking Johor Baru to the Desaru tourist area, and to reduce the congestion on the Pasir Gudang Highway. The report also found that the statistics prepared by the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), which regulates the project management of the highway, showed that the actual number of vehicles using the highway was less than the traffic forecast by the concession company (which was approved by the Road Planning Division of the Public Works Ministry in December 2001). The actual traffic volume achieved was only 1.9% of the forecast for three months in 2009, and 8.3% in 2010. The report also found that the concession company had failed to complete the construction work in the stipulated period and did not maintain the highway satisfactorily. "The concession company has yet to take action to resolve the non-compliance reports issued by the MHA," the report said, adding that delays in completing the project had resulted in delays for the Government receiving the income of 20% of the profits of the toll collection. The report then recommended for MHA to review the feasibility studies done by the concession company to ensure that the facts presented were accurate, and to take into account realistic land acquisition costs to avoid unnecessary significant cost increases, and for the concession agreement to be reviewed thoroughly. The Treasury Department said that, although the initial planning had been done thoroughly, the land conversion factor as well as the development order by the state authority had contributed to the spike in land acquisition costs. "This is because the Government had to pay a high compensation rate on buildings which had already been built," the Treasury said, adding that the acquisition cost was first estimated in 2002, while Valuation and Property Services Department had valued the land based on rates as at November 2004, which was higher than in 2002. "To prevent this from recurring, allocation for land acquisition will be capped for highway privatisation projects. "If the land acquisition cost exceeds the capped amount, then the additional cost for the land acquisition should be borne by the concession company," the report stated. On the issue of the undulating road surface, the Treasury said all 15 problematic locations had been identified and the report for the repair work had also been submitted to MHA on April 29. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Pilot project for vocational training Posted: 29 Oct 2011 03:50 AM PDT SINGAPORE: A total of 50 schools have been selected to carry out a pilot project offering a subject on basic vocational training for students entering secondary school, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said. Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, also said the subject would be offered to students in Form One to Form Three beginning next year and would be on a voluntary basis. "We will issue them with certificates and if they want to continue after that, they can pursue vocational training until diploma level," he said, adding that the subject would be taught during school hours. He said the ministry had adequate manpower to teach the subject. Muhyiddin reiterated that this project was in line with plans to carry out a transformation of the existing vocational training model being used in the country. He added that the ministry was keen to learn from Singapore's model as, presently, 20% of those entering the republic's schooling system opted for vocational training. "At the moment, 70% of their vocational courses are based on practical applications while 30% involves theory. "Although the Singaporean model is different, we are interested to learn from them as they started early," he said during a press conference after his two-day official visit to the island nation recently. While in Singapore, he visited the Institute of Technical Education College West to find out more about its vocational training. During his trip, Muhyiddin had inspected the Tuas South Incineration Plant. He said Malaysia would have to follow Singapore's steps to build such incinerators as part of its long-term measures to manage solid waste in the country. "Back home we have a lot of challenges, especially managing people's concerns whenever we decide to build such a plant. "But whatever system we use, it will be the best as in Singapore. They not only dispose of their waste this way, but also generate electricity with it," he added. On other matters discussed during the visit, Muhyiddin said all issues agreed by both countries, especially with regards to the handing over of KTMB land in Tanjung Pagar, the handing over of the Singapore water treatment plant to Johor and the development of property projects, were proceeding as planned. "One issue that both parties have agreed to take to a mediator is the development charges imposed on certain pieces of land in Singapore," he said. Earlier, at dinner with about 250 Malaysians living in Singapore, Muhyiddin called for citizens to return home and contribute their skills to the country's development. He said the country was in need to professionals and those with these skills should think about returning to Malaysia. "It is good that you have served the Singaporean community. Now it is time to think about Malaysia. "There are many avenues for you, especially through Talent Corp," he said in his speech during the dinner. Muhyiddin added that talent is needed to fill at least three million jobs that will be created through the various economic and transformation models being carried out by the government. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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