The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Pahang targets RM30bil in investments by 2020, says Adnan
- SOP review on usage of handcuffs
- Pupil leaps at chance to be in aviation industry
| Pahang targets RM30bil in investments by 2020, says Adnan Posted: 21 Sep 2012 03:14 AM PDT KUANTAN: Pahang is targeting some RM30bil in investments by 2020 said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob. He added that up to last year, the state had secured a total of RM6bil in investments. "This is not impossible to achieve as we are an investor-friendly state with vast opportunities. "Our target cluster sectors are industrial, construction, agriculture, green technology and petrochemical," he said at the first state economic advisory council meeting at The Zenith Hotel here recently. During the meeting, a host of issues were discussed with all council members giving their feedback on ways to boost economic growth for the state. Adnan said priority would be given to aspects of implementation to ensure all earmarked projects took off in line with the country's Economic Transformation Programme. "The five cluster sectors would provide the much-needed push to boost the state economy and downstream activities. "We would seek views and suggestions from all council members every three or four months," he said. Earlier, Adnan said Pahang was slightly below par in terms of Gross Domestic Product growth at 4.9% as compared to 5.1% at the national level. The state's per capita income stood at RM22,743 as compared to the national figure of RM27,113. "However, we have seen a positive growth from year to year and are seeking to close the gap. "In terms of inflation, we are doing slightly better than the national average with a rate of 3% as compared to 3.2%," he said. Pahang would shift its focus onto higher value economic activities and new emerging sectors such as biotechnology and renewable energy to accelerate socio-economic development by generating job opportunities and income. Of the major infrastructure projects underway, he said a four-lane dual carriageway Central Spine Road would be built connecting Lipis, Raub and Bentong, while the Pekan-Nenasi-Endau Rompin would improve linkages between East Pahang and the North-South highway as well as Singapore. "Recognising the need for a healthy economy to thrive in cyberspace, comprehensive high-speed broadband and cellular infrastructure upgrades across the state will be carried out under the Connected@Pahang programme. "We are also working to improve quality of life for the people by ensuring availability of quality healthcare and public transport," he said. Construction of the integrated transport terminals, added Adnan, would accommodate some 6.35 million users per year in Indera Mahkota, Kuantan and 177,040 users in Bandar Tun Razak, Jengka. Two more terminals were planned for construction in Temerloh and Bentong. A rural transformation centre, added Adnan, would be set up in Jambu Rias, Bentong and an urban transformation centre in Indera Mahkota had been identified to generate further economic spin-off. |
| SOP review on usage of handcuffs Posted: 21 Sep 2012 03:06 AM PDT KUANTAN: An assemblyman had welcomed the decision to review the standard operating procedures (SOP) on usage of handcuffs. Teruntum representative Chang Hong Seong said there are specific guidelines for the police to handcuff offenders. "However, the police should use discretion if they believe the suspect is not posing a threat to the public and is unlikely to escape. "If the offence committed is not very serious, then applying handcuffs should be at their discretion. "I support the stand taken by Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) for police to exercise discretion depending on the situation," said Chang, who is also Pahang's MCPF treasurer. Recently, the MCPF vice- chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said while it was justified to use handcuffs when dealing with dangerous suspects, it was unnecessary to restrain those who had surrendered themselves or were co-operating with police. Lee said being handcuffed was both a traumatic and shameful experience, giving the impression that the restrained persons were criminals. He added that there should be a balance between the safety of officers and the public while protecting the rights of the persons being handled by police. On Sept 12, Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said police would review the SOP on the use of handcuffs, following public complaints on the matter. The review was initiated after a young girl, who surrendered herself to the Kuala Lumpur police for stepping on the pictures of a country's leader, was spotted having her hands cuffed for the alleged offence. |
| Pupil leaps at chance to be in aviation industry Posted: 21 Sep 2012 03:04 AM PDT KUANTAN: All her life, Rohida Ahmad Rushdan has dreamt of being in the aviation industry.When the opportunity to take an aircraft maintenance course presented itself, the 16-year-old pupil could not let it pass. She said the course was just right as she had an inherent interest in engineering and had always been fascinated by airplanes. "I know it is a risk as I have just finished my PMR exam but I just cannot let go of this opportunity. "This is a male-dominated field and I want to prove that women can compete as well," said Rohida at the new trainees induction ceremony at the Malaysian Aviation Training Academy (Mata) here recently. Her friend Nurul Shahira Ahmad Nadzri, 16, said she had initially wanted to be a lecturer but her interest in aircrafts won over. "It is a waste if I do not take this opportunity. If men can do this, then I can surely do it too," she said. They were among the 100 post-PMR pupils selected for a high-impact pilot programme jointly conducted by Mata and the Education Ministry. Selected students would undergo a four-year course culminating in a vocational diploma from the Education Ministry as well as an aircraft maintenance technician licence from the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia. Technical and Vocational Education Division principal assistant director Zulkiflee Abdul Rahman said the initiative was to fulfill Malaysia's target to have 1.3mil highly skilled workers by 2020. Mata chief executive officer Sulaiman Dahalan said the fully Government-funded programme was a paradigm shift in vocational studies. "I am confident this programme will change the perception that vocational studies are only for those who did not pass their exams. The public should know that students who undergo such courses are just as equally employable and marketable," he said. |
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