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The Star Online: Metro: South & East

Message of hope for 30 children
Kuantan folk benefit from efficient in-town transport
Recollection of Peace Corps’ activities through exhibition

Posted: 14 Dec 2012 05:19 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Children's laughter filled the seaside pool at the Sutera Harbour Resort during a Christmas party for the underprivileged.

Over 30 children from the Bukit Harapan (home for the disabled) and Papar Children's Home (shelter home for underprivileged children) were treated to a half-day party at the resort near the city.

The party started with fun-filled games for the children at about 10am, and then proceeded with a luncheon where they were entertained by the Magical Clown.

The children were clapping and smiling throughout the event, catching also the attention of hotel guests during their sunbathing session.

The hotel staff also distributed Christmas gifts to the children and had a cake-cutting ceremony towards the end of the event.

Marketing Communications manager Mayang Ismail said the annual event was a way for the resort to give back to the society and care for the less fortunate.

"We are also sharing the message of giving during this season with the public through such events," he said.

Meanwhile, Sutera Harbour Resort is also selling soft toys such as the Pygmy Elephant and Sumatran Rhino, whereby proceeds from the sales of these toys will be donated to the Paitan Kindergarten (a makeshift kindergarten), Emmanuel Home (houses orphans and poor children) and My Care Sdn Bhd.

Kuantan folk benefit from efficient in-town transport

Posted: 14 Dec 2012 05:25 PM PST

KUANTAN: The Government continues to implement the programmes which will benefit all including reliable in-town bus services to Kuantan folks.

Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the Rapid Kuantan bus service was actually initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last August for his concern on the needs of a reliable and efficient public transport.

Adnan said two months later, the proposed Rapid Kuantan bus service was at its final stage of progress and was officially launched to provide a better quality service.

He said the people's needs have been Najib's priority.

"The Rapid Kuantan is part of our efforts to upgrade the community accessibility for the public's benefit and not for profit .

"Normally, most public bus services would not be that profitable considering its high operational costs and low fares paid by the passengers.

"However, because our main concern is to provide better services, comfort, reliability and efficiency, we still deliver despite the low profit margin in operating costs," Adnan said after launching the Rapid Kuantan bus services in Terminal Makmur here recently.

He was asked to comment on claims by Opposition that the Rapid Kuantan was their effort and claims by others that the services was implemented after the Opposition have raised the issue.

Adnan said as Malay proverb says: Ayam tak berkokok pun, hari tetap siang meaning that even without the Opposition efforts, the Government will still be providing all kinds of services to the benefit of the people.

He said one of the three routes for the bus services is non-profitble but it would be compensated by the two other routes.

Operated by Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad, the Rapid Kuantan bus services will have 32 buses initially with 60 drivers.

Its services will cover Gambang, Semambu, Indera Mahkota, Beserah, Court Complex, Teluk Chempedak and the town centre while the public can expect the buses to arrive at a frequency of 15 minutes interval.

Recollection of Peace Corps’ activities through exhibition

Posted: 14 Dec 2012 05:22 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Fifty years ago, volunteers from the United States of America arrived at Malaysia and played their part in Malaysia's early development through the Peace Corps programme.

The first batch of young Americans then totalled 36 which later rose to about 4,000 over the years, providing skills and trainings to assist in national development.

Some volunteers taught math, science and English while others helped establish agricultural organisations and public work programmes, or played critical roles in the fight against tuberculosis and improving public health.

The Peace Corps Programmes came to an end in 1983 when the nation was matured enough to go about their social, economic and education development.

Now, half a decade later, the U.S Embassy Kuala Lumpur and Sabah State Library have decided to rekindle the nostalgia of past volunteers in the country by having a two-week Peace Corps photograph exhibition at the Sabah State Library in Penampang that began on Dec 11.

U.S Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Bonnie Gutman said the event would rekindle past volunteers and those involved in the programme and share their stories with youth on what happened back then.

"The Peace Corps programme shows how good the relations between Malaysia and America was, and still is," she said.

Meanwhile, Community Develop-ment and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Azizah Dun said the programme and relation fostered between these two nations allowed for knowledge exploration on a global scale.

"It also provides a two-way communication, job and education opportunities which definitely benefits all," she said at the launch of the exhibition at the Sabah State Library on Dec 11.

Her speech was delivered by assistant minister of the ministry, Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan.

On other developments, the exhibition portrayed pictures of the activities held during the Peace Corps era, as well as news pieces of volunteers' inspiring tales and recollections.

The Peace Corps programme was initiated by the then President of the United States, John F. Kennedy with the first Executive Order of his administration on Feb 1961.

The birth of Peace Corps corresponded to a rapidly changing world where new nations were born as they shook off the last vestiges of colonial bonds.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Sabtu, 15 Disember 2012