The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Malaysia accedes to Antarctic Treaty Pact
- EPF adhered to procedures in issuing the RM55b loans
- PLUS tells motorists’ travelling during Raya Haji to follow advisory
| Malaysia accedes to Antarctic Treaty Pact Posted: 02 Nov 2011 08:03 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has officially become a member of the Antarctic Treaty Pact. It is the first Asean country and the 49th nation to do so. Malaysia's accession to the treaty as a non-consultative party means that it can take part in the decision-making process at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM, conduct scientific expeditions to Antarctica and establish its own research base there. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday hoped this would enhance Malaysia's scientific research efforts and allow findings made by Malaysian researchers in Antarctica to be patented. Malaysia has since July 2008 been a member of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, a committee of the International Council of Science that is in charge of the initiation, promotion and co-ordination of scientific research in Antarctica. Over 60 scientific expeditions involving Malaysian researchers have been conducted since 1997, when New Zealand opened its Scott Base to Malaysian scientists. Twelve countries signed the Antarctic Treaty in Washington on Dec 1, 1959. It came into force in 1961. "It is the Government's hope that Malaysia will be invited as a full consultative party to the ATCM in Australia next year," the statement said. - Bernama Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| EPF adhered to procedures in issuing the RM55b loans Posted: 02 Nov 2011 08:02 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: The Employees Provident Fund Board (EPF) clarified that all the 13 loans worth RM55.10 billion it granted without Government Guarantee were made in accordance with the procedures set. The loans were given out within the provision of the EPF Act 1991, which gives EPF the power to provide loans to the Federal and State governments and corporate entities, subject to approval from the EPF Investment Panel and Finance Ministry. The EPF said in a statement Wednesday in response to several media reports on the Auditor General's (AG) Report 2010 concerning the loans granted without Government Guarantee. It said the 13 loans consisted of direct lending to the government, government-backed securities and AAA-rated papers that did not require government guarantee. Direct lending to the government accounted for 39 per cent of the loans, while government supported securities took 48 per cent and the remaining 13 per cent of the loans were to AAA rated companies. "When assessing a loan application, the EPF will ensure each potential borrower has strong payback capability, good security arrangement and returns that commensurate with the risks profile," it said. The EPF also stressed it emphasized on its asset quality and in monitoring its loan portfolio, it reviewed its borrowers' financial portfolio annually as well as made visits to project sites. "All of the loans under RM55.10 billion have demonstrated perfect record in interest servicing and loan repayment," it said. Bernama Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| PLUS tells motorists’ travelling during Raya Haji to follow advisory Posted: 02 Nov 2011 06:49 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: North-South Expressways users are advised to follow the time travel advisory (TTA) issued by PLUS Expressways Sdn Bhd (PLUS) to ensure smooth traffic flow in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Haji celebration. PLUS managing director Datuk Noorizah Abdul Hamid said the TTA issued previously had managed to reduce traffic congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow in the expressways. "Road users planning to leave the city Saturday and return Monday should follow the schedule," she said in a statement Wednesday. Those from Klang Valley heading north on Saturday are advised to start their journey as follows: The TTA for those heading south: Noorizah said all vehicles with registration plate numbers ending with an even number were also advised to start their journey before noon and when the clock was at an even number, either at 8am or 10am. "While vehicles with registration plate numbers ending with an odd number are advised to enter the expressway before noon and when the clock is at an odd number, either 9am or 11am," she said. Bernama Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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