The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- RM160bil to be spent on rail projects
- UPSR candidate with vision woes can use larger papers
- Young employees: Don't restrict social media
| RM160bil to be spent on rail projects Posted: KUALA LUMPUR: The Government is expected to spend an estimated RM160bil more on rail-related projects until 2020, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The Prime Minister said the railroad industry had seen "massive expansion" in Asia and become an increasingly significant mode in Malaysia's efforts to improve public transportation. "Along with the rapid development of rail networks comes the challenge of the application of rail and rail-related technology. The application of intelligent infrastructure in rail can be a game changer, by lowering costs and improving safety and reliability at the same time," he said in his address before launching the inaugural Rail Business Asia 2013 here yesterday. Adding that the Government had invested over RM50bil since 1990, he stressed the need to train skilled and specialised manpower to fill hundreds of thousands of jobs generated from rail projects. "Thousands of vacancies will have to be filled. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project alone is estimated to create about 130,000 jobs," he noted, adding that trained workers were needed for tasks such as construction of tracks, facilities as well as for research and development. Najib said another 800 jobs would be created from the first phase of the RM400mil Asean Rail Centre in Batu Gajah, Perak, which is expected to be completed by mid-2014. "Eventually, the centre will cover an all-in-one scope of work for production, assembly, testing, overhaul and refurbishment of trains for the Asean region," he said. Najib urged skill training institutes, including those under the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), to speed up the pace in producing the required number of skilled manpower. He welcomed the Land Public Transport Commission's (SPAD) skill-training academy for rail industry workers, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd's training programmes and the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology's memorandum of understanding with French multinational Thales Group to train locals. Once fully operational, he said the MRT would cover 156km and see up to two million trips per day, a huge jump from the 500,000 daily trips on the current urban rail system. Najib added that another project in the pipeline was the 330km-long Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high speed rail link, estimated to be completed by 2020 which would cut land travelling time between the two countries to just 90 minutes. At another function earlier, Najib said the Government was actively trying to strike a balance between environmental conservation and economic development. He added that this was not an easy path for developing countries which were often more exposed and vulnerable to environmental threats. "Integrating economic, health and environmental policies is easier said than done. "It takes strong leadership to instil change, ensure a common vision and enhance cross-sectoral cooperation at the national, regional and global levels," he said in his address before launching the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Regional Forum on Environment and Health in South-East and East Asian Countries yesterday. |
| UPSR candidate with vision woes can use larger papers Posted: ALOR SETAR: A 12-year-old who is sitting for his UPSR exam has been given permission to use "ultra large" papers due to failing vision. Kedah Education Department director Mansor Lat said the Malaysia Examinations Board had allowed K. Rigneshak to use 109cm x 79cm paper sheets for written answers and 55cm x 75cm papers for objective tests. "All the questions will be read to him by the examination supervisor and he will answer the questions using a black marker pen on paper that is commonly used in mahjong," he said after meeting Rigneshak yesterday. K. Kaneshan said he was proud that his son still wanted to study and sit for the exams despite his poor vision. "I helped by preparing notes in large fonts so that it would be easier for him to read," he said. Rigneshak was first diagnosed with vision problems at age eight, and his condition worsened over the years. Kaneshan said doctors confirmed in May that Rigneshak was suffering from Accommodative Spasm. Rigneshak was among 109 special needs candidates sitting for the UPSR. Fourteen are taking the three-day exam in hospitals. Overall, 36,689 pupils are taking the exam in 573 centres in the state. |
| Young employees: Don't restrict social media Posted: KUALA LUMPUR: Young civil servants have debunked a warning by the public services department (PSD) that stern action will be taken against employees who make online criticisms against the Government. PSD director-general Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal had reportedly said civil servants were giving negative views on government programmes through the social media and the Internet, not realising it was an offence. This was echoed by Malaysian Employers Federation executive director Shamsuddin Bardan, who warned employees might face strict disciplinary action if they put up workplace discussions and internal matters on cyberspace. Syawal (not his real name) shot down the warnings, saying: "At work, I do my work. "But after working hours, whatever I do is personal and they (the bosses) don't have the right to stop me," added the 30-year-old civil servant, who admitted he had contravened the Akujanji (pledge) he took with the Government. Michael, 24, an account executive at an advertising firm, admitted he trashed his employers but felt there should be freedom of speech, albeit in general terms rather than direct criticisms towards employers. Jenn Golliwogg, 31, said while the use of the social media shouldn't be restricted, employees should use some discretion. "Even in free speech, one shouldn't bite the hand that feeds him," she said. Kevin Teh, 28, said: "People are obviously going to turn to alternate sources to vent their anger or frustration." Communications executive Daniel (not his real name), 24, said: "Employees should realise that while social media is a private tool, it exists in a digital public sphere. It's currently a cowboy town where laws are blurry. Employees think they have the right and authority, but the higher authority can exercise their 'right' too," he added. Jonathan Lim, 23, said there was a thin line between critical judgment and downright condemnation. |
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