The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Club head: Opposition fanning racial sentiment with short-term self interest
- Leaders told to play more active role
- Anjung ILP phase two expansion to begin next year
| Club head: Opposition fanning racial sentiment with short-term self interest Posted: 22 Mar 2013 09:18 PM PDT MALACCA: Malacca Barisan Nasional stalwart Datuk Muhamad Ahad has appealed to younger Malaccans to do away with racist sentiments by upholding to the tenets of 1Malaysia. Muhamad, who is the Barisan National Kota Melaka Parliamentary Supporters Club chairman said time had arrived for youths to scrap the mentality of stereotyping any quarters as the country was moving towards achieving a developed nation status. "What is the use of being a technology savvy generation when issues are looked into racial charged perspectives. "We want to be modern in all aspects but some people's mindset is still stuck in stone age. This should be changed accordingly by treasuring all Malaysians regardless of their creed," he said in his speech at a dinner organised by the Combined Youth Establishment of Malaysia better known as PGSM at Dewan Hang Tuah Hall, recently. Some 1,300 youths from all walks of life congregated at the event. Muhamad said Barisan was often blamed for creating racial disunity by segregating the people during the five decades of rule. "But I ask you my learned friends, please touch your heart and tell me that polarisation only flourished after 2008 and now you see younger Malaccans grouping with their own races. "This is because the Opposition has made inroads into mainstream and gradually twisting certain issues, fanning racial sentiment with short-term self interest above the people," he said. Muhamad said some detractors have made the youth to believe that certain Barisan leaders were racist and unwilling to entertain the minorities. "As humans, we in Barisan are not all perfect, probably we too flawed in the past but things are changing for better under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak. "Opposition leaders too are no angels themselves, they caused the unity to further deteriorate. The younger generation in Malacca now do not mingle like the earlier generations and this is the fault on bigot leaders from the other side of the political divide," he said. Muhamad urged the youths to be aware of uncouth strategies to "disunite" Malaysians. "The 1Malaysia formula is a great vision in promoting unity not only to Malaysians but also to the region," he said. Muhamad noted that 1Malaysia vision had turned into a successful formula where even United Nation was trying to emulate and promote it worldwide. "The 1Malaysia concept is the workable formula and is prerequisite for realising Vision 2020," he added. Muhamad also recapped the statement made by BN secretary-general, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor recently that candidacy for the next general election will be based on people's preference and this augurs well for Barisan. Check out The Star's Elections Guide For Newbies |
| Leaders told to play more active role Posted: 22 Mar 2013 06:12 PM PDT BERA: Village security and development committee (JKKK) has bigger challenges ahead with the wide access of spreading information – whether true or not – via handphones and Internet communication. Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said over and above their role to take care of security, safety and the development of the villages, they also have to play their parts to monitor the ongoing wide spreading of information pertaining to the activities of the locals. Shafie said as the mediator for the Government and the locals, the community leaders should play a pro-active role in monitoring the spread of lies via the short messaging services (sms). "The other challenges also include monitoring the residents' activities and their activities of leaking information by sending messages via the phones and Internet communication causing unrest among the residents. "However, if the JKKK can counter the lies spread, either via ceramah or any other type of gatherings, it will help to avoid the situation from becoming worse," Shafie said after chairing the meeting of JKKK leaders in Kampung Bohor Baru. Earlier, Shafie, Bera MP Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Giat Mara chairman Datuk Shahiruddin Ab Moin were present at the meet-the-people session. Shafie said the leaking of information via the Internet and cellular phones were uncontrolled and could cause disunity among the people. Citing example of the irresponsible statement by an Opposition leader Tian Chua by saying that the Lahad Datu incident was the act of the drama stage by Umno, Shafie said this could cause disharmony among the people if not appropriately handled. "These are the challenges that the JKKK members have to take. "As a person who is from Semporna, the place where he (Tian) referred to, I am sensitive about the matter because it is a mad move for me (as Umno leader) to create or to stage such drama which had claimed lives," he said. Shafie said it was irresponsible of the people who claimed that the Government had been slow to act against the intruders. "We could acted violently by bombing their hideouts and so on. "However, we must also think of the safety of the members of public and the villagers and we want to avoid bloodshed. This was why we conducted the mopping up and moved the people out of the intruders' areas," he said. To a question on the involvement of Opposition leader as reported by the Wikileaks, Shafie said he would leave it to Wisma Putra and other related authorities to take action. "There have been too many assumptions, too many theories and too many opinions. We have to leave it to the right authorities to do the investigation," he said. |
| Anjung ILP phase two expansion to begin next year Posted: 22 Mar 2013 06:12 PM PDT MUADZAM SHAH: The Government has approved an allocation of RM13mil to carry out expansion works on the Anjung ILP Muadzam Shah here. Deputy Human Resources Minister Senator Datuk Maznah Mazlan said phase two of the project was expected to start next year. "Among others, the expansion plans include a new building with hostel facilities, workshops, a surau, a canteen and upgrading of a sports track. "The new facilities would provide a more conducive environment for trainees attending their industrial training courses," she said when met after opening a seminar on stress management here recently. Also present was Department of Occupational Safety and Health director-general Datuk Dr Johari Basri. Maznah, who is the Muadzam Shah assemblyman, said phase one of the project costing RM3.9mil was completed last year. She said among the works carried out were upgrading of the main hall, office, drainage and piping system including refurbishing the surroundings. "Presently, there are only two workshops to provide training for those attending automotive and welding courses. "We plan to increase more workshops and courses in the coming years," she said. Maznah said the new intake for both courses would commence in July involving some 60 new trainees. She said upon completion, the trainees could look for a job or continue their studies to obtain a higher diploma. "A skill welder can earn a very good income as there is demand in the market," she said. Earlier in her speech, Maznah said among the three highest types of occupational illness reported to the authorities last year were loss of hearing (956 cases), lungs ailments (111 cases) and skin diseases (48 cases). She said there were a total of 1,792 cases reported nationwide with the industrial sector having the highest number with 933 cases, followed by public service sector (153) and services sector (104). "Worksite accidents recorded a drop in number of cases but commuting accidents to and after work increase at an alarming rate. "Out of some 59,000 cases reported to Socso in 2011, 25,000 of them involve commuting accidents to and after work, including during lunch break," she said. Maznah said her ministry viewed the matter seriously as majority of those involved were below the age of 40. She said out of the total cases of commuting accidents, 1,254 of them were killed while another 16,019 were permanently disabled and unable to return to work. A rehabilitation centre in Ayer Keroh would provide training to those who lost their ability to return to work from next year, she added. |
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