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Felda pays RM102.12mil in bonus to qualified settlers
Water supply disruption in five areas in Selangor
Liow: Health Ministry to monitor sales of e-cigarettes

Felda pays RM102.12mil in bonus to qualified settlers

Posted: 14 Jan 2013 07:11 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) has paid out RM102.12mil in Settlers Productivity Incentive Bonus (BIPP) for the year 2012 to qualified settlers nationwide.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan said the payment was completed in the third week of December last year for 94,839 of 112,635 settlers as a sign of appreciation for their support to the oil palm and rubber industry development.

"The payment was based on two factors, namely loyalty towards the replanting programme and productivity based on harvest sent to Felda's mills," he told reporters after attending the Felda Transformation Seminar here, Monday.

He said settlers, who abided by the replanting programme undertaken by Felda received a maximum payment of RM1,200 each, while those who worked their own land were evaluated based on harvest sold to Felda.

For oil palm settlers, a minimum bonus entitlement was RM400 was paid for delivering between 9.01 and 12 tonnes per ha of their harvest while a maximum payment of RM1,200 was given to those who supplied more than 20 tonnes per ha.

For rubber settlers, a minimum payment of RM400 was given to those who supplied between 550.01 and 750 kg per ha of their harvest while those who supplied at least 1,300kg per ha received a maximum bonus of RM1,200.

Ahmad said the BIPP payment for 2012, which was higher compared to RM101.87mil to 94,317 settlers the previous year, reflected an increase in the number of settlers sending their harvest to Felda mills, thus denying uncalled for claims before Felda's listing.

Earlier, Ahmad presented a paper entitled the 'Government Transformation Programme: National Aspiration, the People's Hopes' at the seminar, which was attended by 636 Felda senior management personnel. - Bernama

Water supply disruption in five areas in Selangor

Posted: 14 Jan 2013 07:08 AM PST

Published: Monday January 14, 2013 MYT 10:54:00 PM
Updated: Monday January 14, 2013 MYT 11:08:56 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) said five areas in Selangor would face water disruption due to the closure of the Semenyih water treatment plant.

Its chief operating officer Datuk Lee Miang Koi said the affected areas are Petaling involving 118,000 accounts, Hulu Langat (125,000), Sepang (65,000), Klang (19,000) and Kuala Langat (22,000).

"The Semenyih water treatment plant managed by Konsortium Abbas Sdn Bhd had to be closed at 1.30pm Monday as the Semenyih River is feared to have been contaminated with palm oil.

"At the moment Syabas is identifying areas that are expected to experience water disruption as a result of the plant's closure," he said in a statement here Monday.

Lee said Syabas had sent a letter to the Selangor government requesting for cooperation to provide water to consumers through tankers and static tanks, as the Semenyih treatment plant was under the state's management.

He said the public could contact Syabas' 24-hour toll-free number at 1800-88-5252 or send an SMS by typing 'PUSPEL' complaint/query to 39222. - Bernama

Liow: Health Ministry to monitor sales of e-cigarettes

Posted: 14 Jan 2013 04:50 AM PST

BANGI: The Health Ministry will closely monitor the sale of electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, said its minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai Monday.

He noted that e-cigarettes containing liquid nicotine in various concentrations were being sold in the market.

"Consumers must be aware that nicotine-laced e-cigarettes are harmful to health and can increase smoking addiction," he told reporters after launching the 'First 1,000 Days of Life Towards Building a Healthy Generation' campaign at Bandar Seri Putra health clinic, here, Monday.

Liow was asked to comment on Sarawak health director, Datuk Dr Zulkifli Jantan's statement that selling, distributing or storing e-cigarettes was an offence under the Poisons Act 1952 and Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.

E-cigarettes, which use liquid nicotine to produce the required vapour are believed to be sold rampantly and a hit with smokers.

Liow said there was currently no control over the sale of e-cigarettes in the country as they were actually meant to reduce smoking addiction.

However, he said liquid nicotine was listed under the Poisons Act 1952 and it could only be sold through licensed pharmacists and registered medical practitioners.

Liow said a detailed study would be carried out to determine the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in reducing smoking addiction. - Bernama

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Isnin, 14 Januari 2013