The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Plantation industry must allow new methods to be introduced in order to prosper
- Plans on life-long human capital development
- Early celebrations for special occasion
| Plantation industry must allow new methods to be introduced in order to prosper Posted: 08 Nov 2012 03:24 PM PST KOTA KINABALU: Mechanisation and automation in the plantation sector is a practical step towards reducing the nation's dependency on foreign labour. It is also a way to ensure that the industry moves up the value-chain by allowing technologies and innovation assist in its venture into the production of high value-added products, Plantation Industry and Commodities Minister, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said. He said with greater uptake and adoption of mechanisation, the plantation industry inadvertently has to restructure its operations now, as it does not need to employ as many low-skilled workers as before. "Instead, high-skilled workers who would naturally fetch higher income are required to operate the machineries," he said. Dompok said although Malaysia has long been a major exporting nation of commodity-based products, it is currently facing challenges among which include shortage of manpower and growing concerns of green lobbyists on the effects of the industry towards the environment. "Hence, strategies to enhance the production of commodities hinge on efforts to increase yield and productivity," he explained. To look into the shortage of local manpower supply in the industry, new machineries such as the "Cantas", "Grabber", "Rhyno" and the "Beluga" were introduced, he said. In the case of Cantas, Dompok said a harvester could cover an area of 35 hectares a day compared to just 21 hectares using sickles - an improvement of nearly 70%. "In warding off misperception and wrong information dissemination, plantation industry players need to practice a balanced development approach by providing equal emphasis on people's welfare, economic prosperity and environment sustainability," he advised. Although Dompok believes that the industry would continue contributing significantly to the national economic growth, he said it was important for industry players to be dynamic and undertake necessary transformation measures. Meanwhile, when asked about his views on what Malaysian Palm Oil Council chief executive officer Tan Sri Yusof Basiron said about the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) failing to help palm oil growers, Dompok said he has to read the news first before he could comment anything. |
| Plans on life-long human capital development Posted: 09 Nov 2012 04:32 AM PST MALACCA: By the year 2030, Malaysia will witness an aging population and the government then would face a number of new challenges predicts Bandar Hilir Primary school headmaster, Kamaruddin Ahmad. Speaking at the school-level "Senior Citizens Day" celebration, Kamaruddin said from studies made, over the next 18 years, Malaysia will see a rise in the overall age of the country's 28 million population, with around 15 percent reaching or surpassing the 60 years old mark. This he said would be faster than Europe, which took about 100 years to become an aging continent. "Malaysia will reach this aging status even before becoming a fully developed nation," said Kamaruddin after the launching, recently. "I believe the government is aware of the situation and has initiated improvements to the Senior Citizen's Policy and plan of action with emphasis on life-long human capital development," commented Kamarddin adding that the improvements would focus on preparation, prevention and strengthening besides taking into account the need to empower senior citizens. Kamarddin went on to cite "eastern culture with its emphasis on values such as respect, love, care and gratitude" in calling for all the pupils to care for their elderly parents. "All of us are growing older, so taking care of the elderly today is akin to taking care of ourselves when we become old," Kamaruddin concluded. Five selected senior citizens, mainly from the pupils' grandparents were invited to be present and honoured by the school. They included Zaini Ahmad, the oldest at 75-year-old followed by Ponnamah Alagapan at 72. Zaini on behalf of the honoured senior citizens, in his address, said that it is our duty to uphold our parents' pride and dignity and not to leave them in pain and sorrow. All parents, he said have gone through thick and thin, and through trying and hard times to bring up their loved ones, providing shelter, food, clothes, concern and love. "Whoever you are, whatever and where ever you are, I hope this will be the basic principle of life that you will hold on to until you breathe your last," said Zaini adding that the young generation have to be filial to their loving parents. In Islam, there is a saying that heaven lies under the feet of the mother. There are also similiar beliefs amongst the Indian, Eurasian and Chinese communities. The school also presented each of the invited five senior citizens with a token of appreciation as the whole school population gave them a tremendous round of applause. The senior citizens were joined by the school administrators for a simple cake-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion. Some selected pupils then queued up to wish them a "Very Happy Senior Citizens' Day" and asked for forgiveness over their wrong actions either through hands, words and physical movements of their physical bodies or mistakes made. It was indeed a touching moment to see the young kids, exchanging greetings and kissing the hands of the senior citizens as a gesture of apologising. |
| Early celebrations for special occasion Posted: 08 Nov 2012 03:21 PM PST KUANTAN: In conjunction with Deepavali celebrations, The Zenith Hotel here held a "Festival of Lights" programme for its guests and members of the public to usher in the special occasion. Among the activities include a kolam competition at Sultan Ahmad Shah International Convention Centre and a specially prepared South Indian cuisine food promotion. Its executive assistant manager Charles Aseervatham said in addition, there were also dance performances by Poones and Friends, best traditional Indian attire for ladies, lucky draws and family photography sessions. He said the pioneer kolam competition received very encouraging response from the public who came prepared with various intricate and interesting designs. "We are elated with the enthusiasm showed by the participants as well as public and family support for them. "The programme has achieved our objective to commemorate the special occasion by bringing the culture of Indian community closer to Kuantan folks," he said. Charles also expressed his hope that the activities had brought home some happy memories for the participants to share with others. Later, he presented prizes to winners of the kolam competition while the completed designs were shown in the form of a live slide show for diners during the high-tea buffet spread. The most orthodox and traditional South Indian dishes were specially tailored by its Indian chef with children and senior citizen enjoying a 50% discount. Nor Izura Mazlan, 28, and L. Sanker, 21, were judged the winners for the kolam competition. They received a two-day one-night stay at the hotel's executive suite, a hamper and certificates of participation. The best traditional dress received a pair of Sari and hampers. |
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