The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Meeting to clear air over Malaysian firms and open burning
- Calls for rational solution to religion
- Safeguard country’s peace and freedom, says Sultan
| Meeting to clear air over Malaysian firms and open burning Posted: KUALA LUMPUR: A meeting will be held with representatives of Malaysian companies involved with plantation activities in Sumatra, Indonesia, to clear the air over alleged open burning blamed for the haze affecting Malaysia and Singapore. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palani-vel said it would be held in Kuala Lumpur on July 9 and would in-clude Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas. "We will be holding talks to determine the extent of their activities in Sumatra and how to deal with the problem of open burning," Palanivel told reporters after presenting the Forestry Department's Forester Monitoring Certificates to 74 forest rangers here. He said the companies had denied their involvement in open burning as they had adopted a zero burning policy. Indonesian Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya had said eight Malaysian companies, including Sime Darby, were being investigated for open burning activities. Sime Darby backed up its denial with satellite imagery of its plantations in Sumatra. On a related issue, Palanivel said Asean environment ministers would hold a three-day talk on how to deal with the annual haze woes affecting the region. He said ministers would press Indonesia to ratify a 2002 joint agreement to ensure compliance with measures to deal with open-burning and the haze. On a separate issue, Palanivel said efforts to protect 4.7 million hectares of permanent forest reserve and wildlife in peninsular Malaysia were hampered by the lack of Forestry Department rangers. "The department has only 200 of them and it is impossible for them to monitor such a large area against illegal logging and wildlife poachers," he said. He said that talks were underway with the Public Services Department to double the department's enforcement manpower. "However, such a move requires the cooperation of the respective state governments as the rangers' salaries are borne by the state." Palanivel said there were also plans to increase the forest reserve area by a million hectares. On wildlife conservation, Palanivel said the ministry was also considering a proposal under the National Tiger Plan to create tiger parks or sanctuaries, such as in India, to better monitor and protect the endangered animal. |
| Calls for rational solution to religion Posted: PETALING JAYA: Various groups are calling for a rational solution to a controversial Clause in a recently tabled Bill, which allows a minor to be converted with the consent of only one parent. MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said there could have been a lack of communication in preparing the controversial Section 107(b) Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013. "A similar issue was discussed in 2009 by a committee under the then National Unity and Social Development Ministry. At that time, we made proposals for amendments to the Law Reform Act (Marriage and Divorce) and some components of the Islamic enactment for Federal Territories to resolve the issue," he said, adding that MIC was not consulted over the recent Clause. He said the party was also not aware of the Clause until it was tabled for first reading. "We saw that the Malay translation was not in line with our current thinking. So, we'll voice our views in Cabinet and see how we can resolve this issue," he said. It was previously reported in The Star that although the English version of the Bill states that a non-Muslim below 18 years of age may convert to Islam if "his parent or guardian consents to his conversion", the Malay version of Section 95 amended "ibubapa (parents)" to "ibu atau bapa (mother or father)". Subramaniam said the translation could have come about because of a legal precedent set in S. Shyamala's case, in which the Federal Court had interpreted "parent" as either father or mother. "We are stuck with the court's decision but as far as the Government is concerned, we are committed to finding a solution," he said. In November 2002, Dr Jeyaganesh C. Mogarajah became a Muslim and converted his two young sons without his wife Shamala's knowledge or consent. In July 2004, the High Court granted Shamala interim custody of the children but the father was allowed access. On whether MIC would vote against the Bill, Dr Subramaniam said: "I don't think we will reach that stage." In Batu Pahat, MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong said all calls to relook the Bill should be viewed objectively to ensure the protection of non-Muslims' rights. "We have to look at the Bill rationally. We respect that the official religion in the country is Islam. It's just that we believe certain parts of the Bill may cause more issues," he said, adding that all processes of the law must be in accordance with the Federal Constitution. On the Government's assurance that all parties would be consulted before any decision was made, Chua said he was grateful that the Bill was open for discussion. "It means there is room for improvement. It is a good way to resolve the issue," he said, adding that he was confident MCA would discuss the issue in its next central committee meeting. However, he also noted that there were positive aspects to the Bill, such as allowing qualified non-Muslim syarie lawyers to represent parties in Syariah court proceedings in the three Federal Terri-tories. In George Town, state Gerakan legal and human rights bureau chief Baljit Singh urged Barisan Nasional MPs to vote with their conscience on the Bill. "A child should be allowed to retain his religion and decide only when he is at the age of 18. It is not right to allow one parent to decide on the conversion of religion since both parents are responsible for the child's upbringing," he said, urging for the Bill to be withdrawn. |
| Safeguard country’s peace and freedom, says Sultan Posted: KUANTAN: The people should enjoy the country's freedom by making use of it in a proper manner to express constructive views, Sultan Ahmad Shah said. The Pahang Sultan said there was no need to take to the streets as it would result in fights and violence. "I am disheartened with the attitude of some individuals for threatening the country's peace and stability by organising illegal demonstrations and gatherings," he said in his royal address when opening the new state assembly session here. "As responsible citizens, all efforts should be made to preserve the harmonious relations among the people of different races. It is my hope that such negative elements and culture will not make its way into Pahang." Sultan Ahmad Shah said everything the country enjoyed today was achieved through concerted efforts by all parties and statesmen of the past. He said national unity was the key to the country's success all these years and as such, should be further strengthened and preserved. "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in obtaining the people's mandate to continue governing the country," he said. "Under his leadership, I hope our country will continue to enjoy peace and racial unity." Sultan Ahmad Shah reminded all state assemblymen to be proactive and look after the people's welfare, regardless of race, religion and political affiliations. In terms of economic progress, the state ruler said he was proud with the 5.8% growth rate in the state last year, higher than the national gross domestic product of 5.6%. "In addition, household income and total investments are increasing while the poverty and unemployment rates are declining," said the Sultan. "Last year, Pahang received RM7.76bil in investments, including other incentives from 51 projects in various sectors with an estimated 7,000 job opportunities created." Sultan Ahmad Shah said criminal cases had also dropped from 6,363 cases in 2011 to 5,965 cases last year, crediting the police and other security forces for their good work. |
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