Published: Sunday October 7, 2012 MYT 2:28:00 PM
Updated: Sunday October 7, 2012 MYT 7:52:29 PM
DPM: Corruption war showing positive results
By REGINA LEE
KUALA LUMPUR: Initiatives taken by the Government to weed out corruption are showing positive and tangible results, besides being effective in winning over the hearts and minds of the people, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said a survey conducted by Transparency International last year, showed that 49 per cent of Malaysians felt that the government's efforts in fighting corruption were effective, compared to only 29 per cent in 2009.
"I'm certain that given time, Malaysia will be successful in its war on corruption, and further improve public perception towards the government's anti-corruption efforts," he said when closing the 6th International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) Conference and General Meeting here.
Among the initiatives and reforms introduced by the government include the Whistle Blower Protection Act 2010, special corruption courts and the implementation of integrity pacts.
He said the Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) name and shame database are now being used by the US Embassy to ensure that corrupt individuals are not issued visas into the country.
Muhyiddin said "corruption is a global scourge that can damage rich and poor countries alike and can undermine Malaysia's commitment in sustaining economic prosperity and social well-being."
It is thus pertinent for governments of member states of the IAACA to continuously work together to facilitate greater capacity building and prepare the right enablers to fight corruption, he said.
At the end of the four-day conference held at the KL Convention Centre, the 1,000-odd delegates from more than 100 countries passed a 27-point declaration devoted to the technical assistance and information exchange as outlined under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
What : Initiatives taken by the Government,
Who : Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin .
Why : To weed out corruption .
How : Showing positive and tangible results.
Element : Consequence
Article 2
Published: Sunday October 7, 2012 MYT 2:29:00 PM
Updated: Sunday October 7, 2012 MYT 7:51:53 PM
Awang Adek: Subsidy reduction for sugar can curb sugar smuggling
BACHOK: Reducing subsidy for sugar by 20 sen a kilogram can help reduce smuggling activities as well as reduce consumption of sugar among the people.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said since the difference in price of sugar between Malaysia and other neighbouring countries, led to smuggling activities that have become difficult to curb.
"The reduction of subsidy will help bridge the price difference (RM2.50 in Malaysia compared with RM3.30 sen per kilogram) in our neighbour country," he told reporters here Sunday.
During the 2013 Budget tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Sept 28, the subsidy for sugar was reduced by 20 sen a kilogram.
Awang Adek hoped the increase in price of sugar, due to the reduction in subsidy, would ensure the people of Kelantan consumed less sugar, because Kelantan is always popular for sweet cakes and cookies. - Bernama
What : Reducing subsidy for sugar.
How : Reducing 20 sen a kilogram.
Why : Help reduce smuggling activities as well as reduce consumption of sugar among the people.
Element : Consequece
Article 3
Published: Sunday October 7, 2012 MYT 4:02:00 PM
Updated: Sunday October 7, 2012 MYT 7:50:44 PM
Liow: Mental health among adolescents worsening
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry views seriously the worsening trend concerning mental health issues involving adolescents aged 15 and below, said its Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Liow said statistics showed mental health problems involving the group rose to 13 percent in 1996, 19.4 percent in 2006 and 20 percent in 2011.
"We are very worried about the worsening trend on mental health of teenagers and children because this will affect national development as they are national assets," he told reporters after opening the national-level World Mental Health Day 2012 here Sunday.
He drew attention to the fact that teens and children today were heavily influenced by the Internet and communications technology to the point it was leading to less parent-child interaction while parents are busy with their careers were also treating lightly the supportive role they needed to play when it came to their children.
As such, Liow said the Ministry would make efforts to tackle the problem including preparing a national strategic plan on mental health and increasing the number of Community Health Centres from next year.
Liow said the plan among others would stress on the aspects of promoting mental health and smart partnerships involving various agencies and NGOs.
According to him, opening up more Community Health Centres would enable patients to receive treatment in a more conducive environment as compared to hospitals.
He said services like psychological support, counseling and information on mental health were available at such centres.
The first Community Mental Health Centre in the country was launched in Presint 11, Putrajaya last year. - Bernama
What : Worsening trend concerning mental health issues.
Who : Adolescents age 15 and below.
Element : Human Interest
Article 4
Published: Sunday October 7, 2012 MYT 6:38:00 PM
Updated: Sunday October 7, 2012 MYT 7:49:05 PM
Najib welcomes framework agreement between Philippines, MILF
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has welcomed the announcement of a framework agreement for peace between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
He said both sides had demonstrated their desire to end the decades of violence and commended their efforts to come to an agreement despite their differences.
"I also reserve special praise for President (Benigno) Aquino for his unwavering commitment to a durable peace in the Philippines.
"I am delighted that through this historic deal, the rights, dignity and future prosperity of the Bangsamoro people will be protected, while at the same time the sovereignty and constitution of the Philippines will be preserved," Najib said in a statement issued to Bernama.
The announcement of the framework agreement came following the 32nd round of exploratory talks between the negotiating panels from both sides held in the Malaysian capital from Oct 2 to 7.
Najib said: "It is important that all parties stand true to their commitments and work towards a new era of peace in the Philippines."
The agreement, he said, would ensure that the Bangsamoro people would enjoy the dividends of peace which they rightly deserved.
"In turn, they should respect their fellow Filipinos of Christian faith as moderation is the true Islamic way," he said.
The prime minister said he was honoured that Malaysia had been able to facilitate the talks since 2001, and lead the International Monitoring Team from 2004.
"This process has strengthened the bonds of trust between our two countries, and we will continue to offer our support to help build capacity among the Bangsamoro," Najib said.
Najib said that he would continue to work closely with President Aquino to implement the framework agreement.
"And in honouring a promise I made to the President, I look forward to travelling to Manila to personally witness the signing of this landmark agreement," he added.
Meanwhile, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was not claiming credit over the agreement.
"I'm not claiming any credit for this...I'm very glad Malaysia, the Philippine Government and the people involved agreed to a settlement.
"Fighting each other, to me, is a waste of effort, waste of money and waste of life, and you don't achieve anything also.
"But, you should come around to solving any such conflict in a very sensible way," he told reporters on Sunday.
"Both sides have to make some sacrifice, otherwise if you stand and say, 'no', or say, 'what I demand I must be given, otherwise there will be no peace', then there will be no settlement," added Dr Mahathir. - Bernama
What : Prime Minister welcomes the announcement of framework agreement
Who : Between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Why : For peace
Element : Human Interest
Article 5
Published: Sunday October 7, 2012 MYT 12:41:00 PM
Updated: Monday October 8, 2012 MYT 2:42:20 PM
Four killed after two sports cars ram into tree
By SIMON KHOO
KUANTAN: Two speeding sports cars were involved in a collision along Jalan Haji Ahmad here Sunday killing four people, including a woman from China.
The crash occurred at about 4am as both the Nissan GT-R cars were believed to be speeding shortly before they skidded and rammed into a tree.
The dead have been identified as driver Tan Kah Yong, 24, a businessman from Klang and Bao Shanshan, who was from China and seated in the front passenger seat.
Two other passengers in the car, both from China, were warded at theTengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for serious injuries.
Also killed were the driver of the second car businessman Go Haw Wei, 20, from Alor Akar, and Koay Khor Liang, 21, a mechanic from Bukit Sekilau.
What : Four people died
Who : Four people including a woman from China
How : Collision of two speeding sports cars
Where : Jalan Haji Ahmad, Kuantan
When : Sunday
Element : Timeliness
没有评论:
发表评论