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The Star Online: Metro: South & East

Village folk to enjoy electricity thanks to microhydro project
Inconsiderate motorists are causing other road users inconvenience
KR1M to open more chains in Pahang

Village folk to enjoy electricity thanks to microhydro project

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 04:48 PM PST

KOTA KINABALU: Eighteen families from Kampung Tiku will enjoy electricity once a microhydro project in their village is completed.

The project's groundbreaking ceremony which was held during the weekend, promises a new chapter in the lives of the semi-rural community who have been relying on oil lamps and expensive generators for many years.

The microhydro system is expected to produce 5kW of renewable energy harnessed from the river in the village.

The village, was previously only accessible by foot but today, a one and a half hour drive in a four-wheel drive along an abandoned timber track road leads visitors here.

Due to its remote location, the village has not been connected to the state power grid.

The proposed microhydro project, funded by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme for US$50,000, provides the solution.

The projectis coordinated by TONIBUNG, a local non-governmental organisation, and implemented together with the community.

Village spokesman Mozes Gisu said the community could look forward to positive life changing difference. .

"With this facility, villagers will no longer have to buy kerosenes for oil lamps or expensive diesel for generator sets.

"These things have burdened us financially for so long.

"On top of that, transportation cost is expensive for us to go to the nearest town just to buy fuel," he said.

He also said the microhydro facility would benefit children in their education as they would have a more conducive environment to study.

Women too, he added would be able to afford longer hours at night to do crafts.

Two villages in the Ulu Kaiduan area near Kampung Tiku namely Kampung Buayan and Kampung Terian already have a community microhydro installed.

Among those present at the earthbreaking ceremony was state assistant Finance Minister Datuk Donald Mojuntin, UNDP GEF SGP programme assistant Lai Sook Mei and Adrian Lasimbang of TONIBUNG.

Inconsiderate motorists are causing other road users inconvenience

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 04:49 PM PST

JOHOR BARU: Staff of the state Immigration Department and the Customs Department are still parking their vehicles on the non-parking zone inside the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) here.

Their attitude has created a bad image on the country as the CIQ is one of the main entry points to Johor Baru from Singapore where thousands of Singaporean and foreign visitors crossover, daily.

"I have brought the matter up so many times in the state assembly but my words fall on deaf ears each time as the problem still persists, causing a lot of inconvenience to road users on both sides of the building," said Stulang assemblyman Mok Chek Hou.

He said the non-parking zone was meant for emergency situations but the staff were taking advantage by parking their vehicles there for their own convenience.

Mok cited an incident recently, when a car caught fire beside the building but the fire engine was unable to access the emergency lane as it was lined with vehicles.

"The stationary vehicles also made the road narrow for other roadusers as it caused congestion and may lead to untoward accidents," he said.

Mok also said he had raised the matter to the CIQ management, which was under the Prime Minister's Department.

"A circulation to various agencies was issued, stating that they are not allowed to park along the emergency lanes, but they still continue doing so until today," he said.

When contacted, Johor Baru (South) traffic chief Deputy Supt Ooi Kok Seong advised roadusers to refrain from parking at the restricted areas.

"As of Monday, we have issued about 1,700 summonses within the city centre areas to irresponsible motorists for various traffic offences including illegal parking.

"Those working in the CIQ can park their cars at the nearby City Square shopping mall or Persada Johor Convention Centre, which only charges about RM10 per day rather than risk getting fines of up to RM300 per summons," he said.

KR1M to open more chains in Pahang

Posted: 24 Jan 2013 02:59 PM PST

LIPIS: More Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) will be opened statewide to enable more consumers to enjoy the benefit.

Pahang Human Resources and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Fong Koong Fuee said so far, 10 KR1M outlets had already started operations in various parts of the state to help lessen the burden of the people.

Fong said most of the items sold in KR1M were between 10% and 60% lower than normal sundry shops.

"In this aspect, we hope Mydin Holdings Berhad entrusted by the Government to set up these outlets nationwide to expand its chains in Pahang.

"We hope the firm will look for suitable locations to set up KR1M in districts such as Bentong and Cameron Highlands," he said.

Fong, who is the Cheka assemblyman, said so far, he was informed that some 350 KR1M goods had been repackaged in smaller quantities and more items were in the pipeline.

He said these new packaging would enable lower income groups to make purchases according to their monthly income and daily needs.

"These KR1M outlets can help to control inflation and prevent profiteering activities by unscrupulous traders.

"We received feedback that the public are grateful and receptive to these KR1M outlets," he said.

Fong said in addition, small and medium enterprises also stood to benefit against competition from larger chain supermarkets and hypermarkets and help boost their product sales.

He said the opening of the KR1M was proof of the Barisan Nasional Government in looking after the welfare of the people, especially the poor in line with the concept of 1Malaysia.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Jumaat, 25 Januari 2013