The Star Online: Metro: South & East

120 marine officers put their skills to good use at exercise
Social networking workshop for single mothers and orphans
Johor is making preparations as bad weather is expected next month

120 marine officers put their skills to good use at exercise

Posted: 07 Nov 2011 05:16 PM PST

JOHOR BARU: A total of 120 Malaysian Marine Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel put their fitness and tactics to the test in a series of maritime enforcement exercises conducted in the South China Sea.

The personnel took part in the three-day exercise, which began from Nov 1, to strengthen their boat-to-boat communication skills, operating procedures as well as weapon-operating skills.

MMEA (southern region) commander First Maritime Admiral Zulkifli Abu Bakar said that the exercises were divided into three phases.

"The personnel were required to undergo theory and communication exercises, shooting practices and were also tested on ways to manoeuvre the ship in the dark.

"Through a series of exercises, the personnel were required to apply their knowledge into situations that test their level of know-how and skills to handle different machineries," he said.

He also said the exercises required the personnel to be alert and encouraged them to think and act fast in different scenarios.

Zulkifli added that the objective of the exercise was to ensure all personnel, ship machineries, communication systems and weapons are in tiptop condition and on standby to take on any situation.

"We also hope to prep our personnel to be vigilant and alert to handle any type of circumstances including smuggling activities, theft or conducting operations on the seas.

"Other than testing the fitness of our enforcement personnel, the exercise was also to ensure that all the weapons and machineries are in good condition," he added.

Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

Social networking workshop for single mothers and orphans

Posted: 07 Nov 2011 02:30 PM PST

GAMBANG: Some 311 single mothers and orphans from across the state had a taste of the wonders of social networking at the Social Website Introduction and ICT Awareness Workshop at the Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP).

The workshop, organised by UMPs Faculty of Computer System & Software Engineering and the UMP Women Association with the cooperation from Yayasan Salam Malaysia and MSC Pahang, involved participants from Bentong, Bera, Cameron Highlands, Jerantut, Kuantan, Lipis, Maran, Mentakab, Pekan, Raub, Rompin and Temerloh.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Maznah Mazlan said participants could improve their economic status through the use of technology by applying what they had learned.

This workshop is in line with the Government's aspiration to help single mothers and orphans obtain information through social networking.

They must also learn the pros and cons of information technology so it will not be misused for unhealthy activities," she said at the closing ceremony of the workshop here recently.

Maznah also advised single mothers to monitor their childrens activities on these social websites to prevent them from surfing harmful sites.

"Hackings and scams are widespread online and if we do not provide the right information on its consequences, our children will not realise they are being drawn into these negative activities," she said.

She added that single mothers nationwide should take advantage of the various programmes prepared by the Government.

Meanwhile, UMP assistant vice-chancellor (student affairs and alumni) Professor Dr Yuserrie Zainuddin said the university as a community campus also had a social responsibility in helping the Government assist the people.

"Therefore, the university has identified socio-economic development as one of its four major efficiency fields in the implementation of the UMP Strategic Plan 2011-2015," he said.

Participant Noraida Mohd Sulong, 43, said the workshop would definitely help her in communicating with customers and business partners online.

"I now have a Facebook account to market my beauty products and layer cake business," said the mother of six.

Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

Johor is making preparations as bad weather is expected next month

Posted: 07 Nov 2011 02:30 PM PST

JOHOR BARU: Preparations are being made in the eventuality of a flood which is expected to hit several parts of the state next month, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said.

The state, he said, was using its previous experience in handling the floods which hit the state in 2006, 2007 and early this year.

"We have mobilised all machineries and the flood evacuation centres have been instructed to be ready to receive flood evacuees," he told reporters at the launch of the Johor Land Berhad low-cost houses here recently.

He said 154 residents in the flood-prone areas in Taman Melati and Taman Kiambang, both in the Tebrau parliamentary constituency, would be relocated to the Johor Land Berhad low-cost housing project at Taman Bukit Tiram.

Johor Land Berhad is a subsidiary of the Johor Corporation.

Abdul Ghani said flood was expected to hit areas in the north and east coast states of the peninsula first, followed by Johor next month. — Bernama

Full content generated by Get Full RSS.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Selasa, 8 November 2011