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Honoured - captain who helped unpaid crew of Tanzanian ship
Haze: Health Ministry expands distribution of free masks
Haze: Palanivel on Indonesia trip to discuss issue with counterpart

Honoured - captain who helped unpaid crew of Tanzanian ship

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 06:23 AM PDT

GEORGE TOWN: Captain Abdul Karim Stuart Russell's noble act of helping unpaid crew members of a Tanzanian ship in Johor Port has earned him a special recognition from the Marine Department.

However, Russell, 65, who is now a marine adviser with Johor Port in Pasir Gudang, confessed to feeling slightly embarrassed by the award.

"I was not doing it to get known but it would encourage people to help others," said the Briton.

"It is what you do for people. You want to help but it is not to become well-known," he added at the Seafarers Day at Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal here Tuesday.

The crew members, who were from Ghana, had not been paid their wages on board the Tanzanian ship even as the food supply ran out.

When Russel heard about their plight, he contacted the Marine Department's head office in Selangor and the relevant embassies for assistance.

He even forked out his own money to pay for a flight ticket for one of the crew who needed to urgently return home.

Russell, who first went out to sea on a British ship in 1966 before arriving in Malaysia 10 years later for work, said the crew were now expected to be paid their wages next month.

Department director-general Datuk Captain Ahmad Othman, who launched the event, said there was an abundance of jobs in the shipping sector.

"The Central Mercantile Marine Fund has a record of 57,000 local seafarers, of whom over 35,000 are aged below 30. There are 17,000 foreigners.

"All of them are now serving in more than 5,000 ships registered with the fund," he said.

"Ship owners are urged to give priority to hiring local seafarers."

Capt Ahmad said he hoped that the Government would also ratify the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention 2006 soon.

He said currently, local ships in foreign ports had to adhere to provisions under the convention.

Haze: Health Ministry expands distribution of free masks

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 06:01 AM PDT

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has expanded its distribution of free surgical masks at public places.

Apart from public hospitals and clinics nationwide, minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said ministry staff would also give away the masks at selected schools, shopping malls and Government offices.

He said the ministry will continue to monitor the haze situation and distribute the masks at places where a need arose.

"We would like to remind the public to adhere to health advisories issued during the haze period by reducing physical activities outside of home and remaining indoors as much as possible.

"If you have to be outdoors, put on a suitable mask to cover your nose and mouth," Dr Subramaniam said in a statement here Tuesday.

On top of these, Dr Subramaniam also advised the public to reduce other sources of air pollution such as by abstaining from smoking.

"When driving, set the air-conditioner to the mode which circulates the air flow inside the vehicle.

"Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses daily, and wash your hands and face with soap and water thoroughly after an outdoor activity," he said.

Those with haze-related illnesses such as cough, asthma, eye discomfort and chronic lung infections are also advised to seek immediate medical attention.

Prevention measures of health complications that could be caused by the haze can be obtained from the ministry website.

Haze: Palanivel on Indonesia trip to discuss issue with counterpart

Posted: 25 Jun 2013 05:55 AM PDT

Published: Tuesday June 25, 2013 MYT 8:52:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday June 25, 2013 MYT 8:55:10 PM

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Selasa, 25 Jun 2013