The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Bentong hotspring set to remain a national treasure open and free to the public
- GE13: National service camp trainers to be given time off to cast votes
- GE13: TNB helps needy senior citizens
| Bentong hotspring set to remain a national treasure open and free to the public Posted: 10 Apr 2013 03:44 PM PDT DIPPING in the Bentong hotspring is a favourite past time among the residents here especially during the weekends. This attraction also draws visitors from outstation as many believe in its health benefits. One of the regulars, contractor Yunos Onn, 48, said he has been travelling from Taman Melawati in Kuala Lumpur to dip in the hotspring once a week for the past five years. "I had a slipped disk so the heat from the hotspring helps to reduce my back pain and as well as relax my aching muscles." Another hotspring lover, resident Yap Keaw, 65, said she has been going there since 1963. "I had many sun spots and my skin was very dark as I was a rubber tapper. "Now, most of my sun spots have disappeared and my skin is not as dark as it used to be," she said. Yap was with her grandchildren who enjoy swimming at the hotspring during the school holidays and festivities. Singaporean John Chan, 58, claimed the spring water had healed his broken leg after an accident in 1998. "I have been coming here for the past 20 years eversince I discovered people dipping in it. I would usually come before the sunrise when it is not so crowded," he said. Commenting on the populrity of the springs, Bentong MP Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said it will remain open and free to the public. Liow, who is also Health Minister, assured the public the hotspring belongs to the Bentong people and is a "natural treasure". "I appreciate the existence of the hotspring as it brings the community together," he said in his speech during a dinner with the Bentong Hotspring Association recently. He added that a year ago, the public raised their concerns about the privatisation of the hotspring. Liow said Pahang executive councillor Datuk Hoh Khai Mun had stepped in to resolve the matter. "Datuk Hoh says that the hotspring can be developed, but it must not affect the rights of the public who are using it for free." Liow also assured the public that they can use the hotspring for free. "The MCA will be in the front line to stage a protest if anybody tries to monopolise the hotspring and deprive the people of their right to use it for free." He added as the hotspring is part of the people's life, there is a need for proper management and maintanence. Following this, he had invited the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to carry out tests on the hotspring on its temperature, water quality and safety. He believed that the experts from JICA would offer useful information to the public including how to use the hotspring which contains minerals for medical use properly. On March 27, the JICA experts visited the hotspring to collect water samples with the Health District office. "We will test to see if the water contains chemicals, minerals and its pH value. "We will also investigate if there is any microbes like the legionella bacteria and coliform bacteria which could be hazardous to people if they are at a higher than acceptable level," said JICA Malaysia Office chief representative Sato Kunihiko when met at the hotspring. The samples were to the National Public Health Laboratory in Sg Buloh, Selangor, where it would be further tested by other relevant government agencies including the Chemistry Department. Bentong Hotspring Association president Yang Lak Man said the association was formed when the hotspring was fenced after a developer had taken up a project to build a resort in the area. "We hope that the community will be able to continue using it for free," he said. |
| GE13: National service camp trainers to be given time off to cast votes Posted: 10 Apr 2013 03:44 PM PDT KUANTAN: All national service camps trainers should exercise their rights to vote in the general election. National Service Training Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil said some 3,500 trainers who are registered as voters in their respective constituencies would be given time off. "They will be allowed to carry out their responsibilities as a citizen to cast their votes. "Some of them may need to travel back to their hometowns which are located far away from the camps which they are stationed," he said. Abdul Hadi said voting rights was of the modules taught in classes, besides topics such as the democratic system of the country, the process of elections and dissolution of Parliament. He said by exercising their rights to vote, the trainers could send a strong message to the trainees by practising what were being taught. "While the trainers are away, at least 10 military personnel would be stationed at the respective camps to supervise trainees. "All other programmes and activities without the active involvement of trainers would still proceed as usual on polling day," he said, adding that the army personnel could assume supervisory role as they had already cast their ballots earlier through post. Abdul Hadi said trainees who were above 21 and had registered as voters would also be allowed to leave the camp to vote. He added that a list of those who were qualified had been given to the respective camp commandants. "However, the number is negligible involving only those who had sought a deferment earlier due to various reasons such as work commitments, furthering of studies and health." |
| GE13: TNB helps needy senior citizens Posted: 10 Apr 2013 04:05 PM PDT KUANTAN: Senior citizen Low Long Jong can now live comfortably with his wife after his dilapidated house was repaired free of charge. The initiative was undertaken by Tenaga Nasional Berhad through its campaign dubbed Project Mesra Rakyat (people-friendly project) to benefit the poor and needy. After about three months, renovation works were completed and an official handover ceremony was held. Present to witness the ceremony were Teruntum assemblyman Datuk Chang Hong Seong and Pahang TNB general manager Datuk Sharuddin Mohd Simin. Low, 74, said he had been staying at the house in Lorong Seri Kuantan with his wife Tan Ah Pey, 72, for the past 40 years. He said the old house was further damaged during a flash flood last December. "We are thankful to Chang and TNB for providing assistance to repair our house. "Now, we can sleep in peace and more comfortable not having to worry whenever it rains," he said. Chang said he had managed to help secure RM500 for the couple to lessen their burden under an allocation from the National Security Council due to the flash floods. "I would also assist the couple to apply for other aid including the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia and the token payment from state government for old folks. "We would visit the couple from time to time should the need arises," he said, adding that he also presented the couple with a personal donation and some food stuff. Meanwhile, Sharuddin said the couple's home and another in Karak were among 24 households nationwide selected under the project. He said an allocation of RM240,000 had been set aside to assist in carrying out repair works. "The project is part of our corporate social responsibility for the needy community. "We would continue with other community programmes to support and realise the Government's caring society concept," he said. |
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