Government appreciates NGOs, says Najib

Warm welcome: Najib shaking hands with NGO representatives during the Hari Raya function in Putrajaya. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Government always appreciates and recognises the role and contributions of NGOs in developing the country.

As an open and rational government, he said it always heard the voice, views and ideas that were constructive from NGOs in the interest of the people and nation.

“In the latest political landscape following the process of globalisation and advances in information and communications technology and the like, the role played by NGOs has never been more important.

“As such, as a government, besides getting support from political bodies and various institutions, we cannot ignore the role played by NGOs in the country.

“My message is, the recognition of NGOs in the context of nation building cannot be understated. The voice and role of NGOs are growing more important by the day.

“It is only right that we give due space and opportunities so the role of NGOs will be taken into consideration by the Government,” he said at a Hari Raya function with Malay NGOs at his official residence here yesterday.

Najib: Okay only if family members not paid by govt

PENDANG: There is no problem with a minister or a member of the government administration recruiting a family member as his aide if it does not involve any payment of salary or allowance to the aide by the government, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“If such an aide is hired by the minister and gets paid by the government, it is not allowed.

“But if the work is carried out on a voluntary basis and the aide is not a member of the minister’s office, we have no objection to this. (It’s okay if) he assists in the programmes and does not involve any payment to him by the government.” Najib said this to reporters after launching the National Settlers Day celebration and Felda Integrity Plan at a Hari Raya do at the Sungai Tiang Felda scheme, here, yesterday.

On the issue of Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz who was claimed to have hired his own son as a special officer with the ministry, Najib said he understood that the son was not an official aide who was paid a salary by the government.

Najib: Govt serious in tackling crime, graft

KUALA LUMPUR: THE Barisan Nasional government is committed to addressing crime and graft, providing public transport and affordable housing  to win over a fast-changing urban demographic, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday.

Apart from addressing internal weaknesses, the prime minister said it was important for leaders to listen to the people with humility, while upholding their interests.

As such, Najib said, the three issues that were of most concern to city residents could, if addressed, translate into BN and Umno regaining their support in urban areas.

"We need to study how we can strengthen Umno and BN's standing in cities, within the context of rapid changes.

"While urbanites are more educated these days, we need to be able to present ourselves as the people's choice, not only in the rural areas but also in the cities," he said last night.

Najib, who is also BN chairman, said it was important for the government to find ways to combat rising crime and corruption.

"We need to make people feel safe from serious crime, snatch thefts and robberies."

He said public transport must be developed as an alternate means of transport for urban residents to reduce traffic congestion.

"Public transport needs to be used not only by those in the low-income groups but also by the more well-to-do groups, as is the practice in developed cities such as New York and London."

On affordable housing, Najib said 80,000 homes would be built in the Federal Territories.

He said the houses, which were eagerly-awaited for by the public, would cost between RM150,000 and RM300,000.

Najib was attending a breaking of fast ceremony with BN leaders at the Muadz bin Jabal Mosque in Setiawangsa.

During the ceremony, Najib presented RM500,000 to the mosque to be used for upgrades.

Present were Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Setiawangsa member of parliament Datuk Ahmad Fauzi Zahari.

(Source: http://www.nst.com.my)

Najib: Govt mindful of human rights in war against crime

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government will do everything possible to tackle serious crimes in this country, but at the same time be mindful of possible transgression of human rights.

"The important thing is that I want to underscore the government's commitment to fight crime especially serious crimes and organised crime in this country," said the Prime Minister when asked on the controversial issue of preventive detention measures, which has received different reactions from the public.

Najib said the government would make an announcement on specific measures later.

Previously, Najib had said that views from various quarters would be taken into account in formulating a new law similar to the Emergency Ordinance (EO) 1969, which was repealed in 2011.

Earlier this month, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported to have said that following the repeal of EO, some of the 2,600 former detainees from the Simpang Renggam detention centre had returned to a life of crime.

He also said that he was currently discussing a draft of a new law with Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail. - Bernama

(Source: The Star Online)

Interns to bridge gap between government and young Malaysians

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak (right), attending the Invest Malaysia 2013 event held in Kuala Lumpur on 13 June 2013.

KUALA LUMPUR - The 70 interns set to work under the various ministries under the Perdana Fellows Programme will help bridge the gap between the Government and young Malaysians, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"We hope that these 70 youths will be the unofficial spokespersons of the Government to reach out to other youths via social media and so on," said the Prime Minister.

"There is still a gap between the Government and Malaysian youths and we are not connected to them.

Hopefully, with this programme, we can become closer," he said after launching the programme at the Parliament building here yesterday.

Govt fully committed to providing quality houses for people: Najib

KUALA LUMPUR (July 8, 2013): The government is fully committed to providing affordable and quality houses for the people, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

"Affordable housing has always been of paramount importance to the Barisan Nasional government," Najib said in his latest posting on Facebook today.

In that spirit, he said, the government aimed to build 100,000 houses nationwide under the 1Malaysia Civil Servants' Housing Programme as part of its commitment to deliver cheap and quality housing for all.

Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said a total of 100,000 houses would be built under the 1Malaysia Civil Servants' Housing Programme (PPA1M) nationwide.

Besides Putrajaya, the government will identify strategic locations in the federal capital and major centres, including in Sabah and Sarawak, to expand the programme. – Bernama

(Source: The Sun Daily)

NGO reps, technocrats add value to cabinet

PETALING JAYA: Several analysts lauded Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s decision to bring in NGO leaders and technocrats into the cabinet line up.

“These individuals will carry strong weight in the administration and help in Najib’s transformation agenda,” said Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) political analyst Mustafa Ishak.

Yesterday, Najib unveiled his post general election cabinet line-up, which saw Maybank president Abdul Wahid Omar and Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president Paul Low appointed as Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Hindraf supremo, P Waythamoorthy was also appointed as a deputy minister in the PMO.

Heaping laurels on the appointment, Mustafa said that individuals such as Wahid is a well respected corporate individual in the region who had played a major role in making Maybank an established bank in Malaysia.

Parliament may convene by next month

PETALING JAYA: The 13th Parliament will most likely convene its first session by June, before the fasting month of Ramadan in July, said caretaker Minister in the Prime Minister's department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

However, he said, it was still uncertain when the swearing-in ceremony for newly minted Members of Parliament (MPs) will take place as the Cabinet had yet to be formed.

“After the Cabinet is formed, only then will we have the swearing-in of MPs. The King's address will also normally be delivered after the ceremony,” he said yesterday.

Nazri, who is Padang Rengas MP, said the Parliament has already missed a chance to have a meeting in March and hence, the new session should start soon.

Govt to continue giving BR1M: Najib

RAWANG (April 28, 2013): Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said today the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) would continue to be given because it was a focused programme which had a major impact on the people.

The prime minister said BR1M reached the target group more than the bulk subsidy which he added also benefit the rich, foreign workers and law breakers such as smugglers.

"There is much leakage (in bulk subsidy), but with BR1M the recipients can make use of the money to shop, buy infant milk, school bags and clothing.

"This can indirectly help uplift the local economy such as the farmers' markets, retail shops and so on," he told reporters after meeting the residents of Kampung Sungai Terentang, here.

Najib was commenting on the alleged belittling of the BR1M payment by the opposition political parties.

The federal government introduced in 2012 the BR1M annual payment of RM500 for every household with a total monthly income of up to RM3,000. This year, it also paid RM250 to single unmarried individuals with a monthly income of up to RM2,000.

Najib said the government would continue to give the BR1M payment if it was given a fresh mandate in the 13th General Election come May 5.

He said the programme might be improved as per the pledge made in the BN manifesto. The manifesto had pledged to raise the BR1M to RM1,000 next year.

"We know that the programme benefits the people. So, the opposition is trying to turn it into a controversy.

"However, the people want the programme to be continued and the sum increased," he said. – Bernama

(Source: The Sun Daily)

Liow launches first 1Malaysia Cataract Clinic

BENTONG: The Health Ministry has launched the first 1Malaysia Cataract Clinic for the east zone of Peninsula Malaysia. 

 

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the clinic would help to reduce the number of cataract cases in the country, which is the main cause of blindness.

1Malaysia Cataract Clinic is a mobile clinic that will travel to Pahang Terengganu, Kelantan and will be station in each location in the state for two weeks said Liow.

"In Malaysia, cataract is the main cause of blindness as well as sight problems at a rate of 39.1 percent.

"It is estimated that 300,000 Malaysians that suffers from cataract," he said at the launch on Monday.

"The bus is also equipped with surgery equipments required for cataract surgeries to be performed at hospitals which have operation theatres," he said.

Liow added the mobile clinic would help provide eye screenings at rural areas.

(Source: The Star Online)

Positive outlook for Malaysian economy

ll in the numbers: Zeti presenting the Bank Negara Malaysia Annual Report 2012 and Financial Stability and Payment Systems Report 2012.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian economy is expected to grow steadily at 5% to 6% in 2013, thanks to strong domestic demand, robust private investment and a better global outlook.

Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz expects growth to be sustained on the back of higher domestic demand and an improvement on the exports front as the global economy recovers.

She added that last year's better-than-expected 5.6% full-year growth came despite a weaker global economic environment.

Zeti said private investments were expected to grow 15.6% this year, led by investments in the services sector while private consumption growth would remain firm at 7.1% backed by income growth and stable employment prospects.

450 pupils start the day right with Dutch Lady

BIDOR: SJK (C) Choong Hua 2 pupils, here, learnt why it was important not to skip breakfast.

They also enjoyed a complete breakfast of egg mayo and peanut butter raisin cereal sandwiches with milk, courtesy of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd.

About 450 pupils received the tasty meals packs and learnt from the talks on the importance of good nutrition, which also taught them how to make healthy meal choices for optimal physical and mental growth.

The pupils were also encouraged to drink one to three glasses of milk or other dairy products every day as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

Kuntum magazines were distributed to the schoolchildren.


Dutch Lady brand manager and nutritionist Quah Ye Vian said, the programme was part of the Back to School campaign with the objective of heightening Malaysian students' awareness of the importance of healthy eating habits.

"We have been distributing milk to schools under Program Susu Sekolah 1Malaysia (PS1M) since 2010. We have also been educating the students on the importance of milk and good nutrition.

Social media has opened up government and politics

The internet is driving change in every part of our lives. It is a giant, ever-changing repository of information that anyone with a connection can access, enabling instant communication between individuals and groups across nations and continents. And it is unleashing creativity and collaboration in ways that have never before been possible.

Keeping on top of these trends is hugely important, so I was delighted to speak to the World Bloggers and Social Media Summit in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. I also had the opportunity to speak with Rina Azmira, my one millionth Facebook follower and her parents, as well as unveil my new Instagram account, which you can follow here.

I may be biased but I truly believe Malaysia is a perfect place for conferences like this. The combination of a solid tech infrastructure with our naturally sociable personalities has put us amongst the most avid users of social media. 

A recent study even found that Malaysia, along with Brazil, has the highest Twitter penetration in the world.

With social media, everyone can be a publisher of content no matter how technically minded or wealthy they are. It is naturally very open and collaborative by nature, and people – especially ‘digital natives’ who have grown up with the internet – now have higher expectations for openness in all spheres of life.

New kindergarten for Sungai Choh children

GETTING A HEADSTART: Kamalanathan with pre-school children at the launch of the new kindergarten

Children in Sungai Choh, near here, will have a chance to get a sound preschool education following the opening of a kindergarten, yesterday.

Officially opened by Hulu Selangor MP, P. Kamalanathan, the kindergarten in SJKT Ladang Sungai Choh will cater for children between the ages of four to seven.

"The kindergarten will help provide the children an early start in education. The government spent RM120,000 to build the kindergarten and small playground," he said.

Under the Hulu Selangor constituency, he said there were a total of nine Tamil schools and only five had pre-schools and the government would be building another Tamil school in Serendah.

He said the tender to build the school has been closed and the Education Ministry is evaluating the tenders before giving out the contract.

During his speech at the opening of the kindergarten, Kamalanathan reminded them that Barisan Nasional keeps its promises and most of the pledges made during the by-election have been kept.

(Source: The Malay Mail)

Kadazan Dusun Murut community urged to give mandate to Najib

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian Kadazan Dusun Murut Organisation (KDM Malaysia) president Datuk Peter Anthony has called on Sabahans to give their mandate to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to continue with the government's transformation agenda.

He said since taking over the country's leadership more than four years ago, Najib had been working hard by going to the ground to listen to the people's problems.

"This is the leader that we want, where within a short period many transformation or changes have been done for the people.

"For that reason, I call on the KDM community to be together with the Prime Minister to realise his noble mission to see our country become a developed nation by 2020," he told Bernama here Friday.

Peter was asked on the encouraging response given by the KDM community to Najib's visit to the Beaufort, Papar and Tuaran parliamentary constituencies.

He said it showed that the people of Sabah were solid behind Najib, the architect of the 1Malaysia concept, and because Barisan Nasional had proven capable of looking after the people's interests.

"I see that the majority of the KDM community in Sabah, including in the interior areas, now understand the purpose of the opposition pact's struggle which is merely to achieve their family and personal interests.

"They have no purpose at all to fight for the rights of the Sabah people, compared with BN which has brought development to improve the living standard of the people," he added.

Peter said although there were still some weaknesses in the implementation of development projects, especially rural projects, that could be rectified. - Bernama

(Source: The Star Online)

Beware of unofficial PR1MA websites

PETALING JAYA: Netizens interested in registering for affordable housing under the 1Malaysia People's Housing Scheme (PR1MA) should be wary of websites that appear to be affiliated with the scheme.

PR1MA chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Mutalib Alias clarified that all official information and registration details could be obtained at the scheme's official website www.pr1ma.my.

“Lately, I was made aware of the existence of another website that is trying to dupe the public,” said Abdul Mutalib.

The site, with the address www.pr1ma.net, was set up on Nov 18 and provides users with PR1MA details and updates plucked from the official website and other news portals. It also has links to travel and employment blogs.

In it's disclaimer, however, the site's administrator states “This site contents are for INFORMATION ONLY & DO NOT have any relation with other PR1MA Berhad or its subsidiaries. We will not be liable for any reason in regards to their service.”

“We are monitoring the website to see if the administrator is trying to solicit money or personal information from users,” said Abdul Mutalib.

He said he had received complaints from Netizens who had tried to register for the PR1MA scheme under the unofficial website, which only provides a dead registration link.

(Source: The Star Online - Dec2012)

Abdul Ghani: Important for Indian community to support ruling party

Traditi onal ceremony: Abdul Ghani lighting a lamp during the special dinner organised by MIC Johor with the Indian community at the Dewan Raya Bandar Putra in Kulai.

 

JOHOR BARU: There will be many plans to further develop the Indian community and create inclusive policies that will help the community in future.

Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said that it was important for the Indian community to continue supporting the ruling Government as many problems faced by them are slowly being solved.

“So far the Government has helped in the development of Hindu temples, Tamil schools and more job opportunities for the Indian community especially in Governmental organisations,” he said.

He was speaking during a special dinner with the Indian community held at the Dewan Raya Bandar Putra in Kulai here recently.

The dinner which was attended by more than 3,000 people was also attended by MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, Johor state MIC chairman Datuk K.S. Balakrishnan and other state representatives and officials.