The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Perhilitan to hold talks with industry players on wildlife management regulations
- Barisan prepared to give Opposition a good fight
- PTPTN issues early payment to avoid administrative issues
| Perhilitan to hold talks with industry players on wildlife management regulations Posted: 21 Sep 2012 08:37 PM PDT KUANTAN: The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) would consult and engage with all industry players to achieve its main objective in safeguarding the welfare of wildlife. The department said it would continue to engage in talks with Malaysian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (Mazpa), zoo operators and related associations with regard to various regulations on wildlife management and welfare. The pre-audit exercise conducted by the department early last year was part of the consultation with the operators on the requirement under the Wildlife Conservation (Operation of Zoo) Regulations 2012. This gives the operators a clear picture on the requirement, making it easier for them to comply with the regulations. Recently, Zoo Operators, Breeders, Entrepreneurs and Rearers of Wildlife Malaysia Association president Abdullah Ahmad Mahmood said many private zoos were finding it difficult to comply with the guidelines provided under the Wildlife Conservation Act. Abdullah added that if the guidelines were not rescinded, it could result in the closure of many private zoos and affect the tourism industry. Perhilitan said the formulation of the regulation was a 'collective input' from all stakeholders comprising zoo operators, university experts, non-governmental organisations and Natural Resources and Environment Ministry. The draft document discussed is based on collective guidelines such as World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Standards of Modern Zoo Practice and Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines: Exhibited Animals. Prior to that, the ministry had met with members of the association to gather their views on the implementation of the Act. There was a proposal to revise the cage size according to animal species but the association, despite agreeing with the move, had yet to provide its input. On the deposit for the upkeeping of seized wildlife, wildlife exhibition, commercial breeding, fees and pet shops, the department said the issues have yet to be finalised and input from the public and various stakeholders would be sought. Last month, six zoos were closed by the department for being unsanitary and unsafe. They were: Lye Huat Garden in Kedah, Kuala Krai Bird Park in Kelantan, Countryview Recreation Park in Pahang, PD Mini Zoo in Negri Sembilan, Taman Kuang, in Ajil, Terengganu and the Mines Wonderland in Selangor. In relation to the matter, Taman Kuang Entreprise owner Oh Siong Lai had refuted that his breeding farm was shut down by the department. Oh said he started pheasant collection in 1996 as a hobby and until June 2003, managed to get listed in the Malaysia Book of Records as the largest pheasant collection in the country with a total of 643 birds. "I am also a member of the World Pheasant Association and actively involved in conservation projects. "Because of this, the Terengganu government has persuaded me to open my farm to the public because of my huge collection of pheasants and to generate tourism for the state," he said. In 2009, he signed a memorandum of understanding to conserve and breed the extinct green peafowl and had handed over 30 heads to the Terengganu state government so far. "There was no support from the department despite giving them 18 heads for starting their own farm, some of which are already dead. "Since early 2010, I have closed my farm to the public," he said, adding that when enforcement officers visited his farm last year, he had to explain to them that the site was off limits to the public. Oh said the issue came as a shock and humiliation to him when the department announced that his farm was one of the six which was shut down last month. |
| Barisan prepared to give Opposition a good fight Posted: 21 Sep 2012 08:45 PM PDT BERA: Barisan Nasional could regain seats lost to the Opposition here in the general election with the right candidates, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob. He was confident to wrest back the Indera Mahkota parliamentary constituency and Tras state seat with the support of the people. "I believe Pahang Barisan will be able to maintain its two-thirds majority and would work harder to regain the lost seats. "The Opposition can continue dreaming of forming the next Pahang government as it would never materialise." Adnan commented on this in response to recent claims by Pakatan Rakyat that the coalition could win 27 of the 42 state seats. Citing the Tras state seat, Adnan said Barisan stands a good chance in the constituency with a suitable candidate and the support of all component parties. "I admit regaining Triang which we lost for the past five terms is slightly tough but not the other state seats. "As for the 14 parliamentary constituencies, we can make a clean sweep except for Kuantan but we are not giving up just yet," he said, adding that Barisan was prepared to give the Opposition a good fight as it was still 50-50. Adnan also refuted claims by the Opposition that there is no Press freedom and rampant corruptions occurring in the state. He said the Opposition had been attacking the government through its mouthpieces such as Rocket and Harakah while various measures and transformations had been formulated to combat corrupt practices. "I urge the people to continue supporting the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to bring about more growth and progress to the nation. "Even in areas which we lost such as Triang, development projects are still being carried out for the betterment of the people," he said, adding that the state would not impede development just because the voters supported an Opposition politician. Adnan said the Pahang government would fulfill all pledges made and identified new areas of growth so that there would be continuous development in line with the country's quest to be a developed and high-income nation. |
| PTPTN issues early payment to avoid administrative issues Posted: 21 Sep 2012 08:47 PM PDT MENTAKAB: The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) study loans are used to pay off 10% of the total cost of courses in higher learning institutions. Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the rest of the cost were subsidised by the Government. Students, he said, particularly those on PTPN's study loans, were not aware that they need only pay a small percentage of the entire cost of their courses. "And yet, there are some who are against the study loans and not grateful to the Government which had assisted them through these funds. "If the students excel in their studies, their loans would be converted into scholarships," he said after presenting the advance payment of RM1,500 in PTPTN loans each to 382 students in his constituency. The advance payment, he said, would go towards reducing the financial burden of students as they prepare for their admission into universities or colleges. Saifuddin added that it would also help students avoid running into administrative problems which might delay the issuance of their certificates. "Some students have to pay admission fees before the semester starts and many are allowed to pay this once they have received their loans. "However, there are some irresponsible students who fail to pay the admission fees, causing their certificates to be held back until their debts are settled. "To avoid this, we have decided to provide advance payment," said Saifuddin. |
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