Surveyors should play key role in Sabah’s development – Musa

Surveyors should play a key role in the construction industry and in the development of Sabah.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said this in his speech for the 30th Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) Sabah Branch annual dinner at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort on Sunday.

Musa said these professionals were vital to the property and construction sectors as they identified land, calculated the cost of construction, made appraisals of developments and analysed the viability of projects.

“I am pleased that professionals from the surveying field have continued to play a positive role in Sabah’s construction and property development sectors.

“I believed they will continue to uphold the high standards of their profession to develop and move the local property and construction industry to greater heights,” he said at the dinner cum charity fund-raising event.

His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yee Moh Chai.

Musa added that the government was aware of the efforts from professional institutions and associations, including RISM, to improve the state’s economy, and was grateful to their contribution.

RISM Sabah too, he said, could play a contributing role in the development of Sabah and through its understanding and support of government policies and programmes.

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KK airport runway blackout – a valuable lesson for all

The chairman of BIMP-EAGA Malaysia Business Council Datuk Roselan Johar Mohamed has described last Thursday’s runway blackout at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) as a valuable lesson for all.

Without finger pointing at anybody, he hoped this incident would not happen again as “Sabah is aiming and bracing to become air transportation hub for the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA)”.

However, Roselan, who has been instrumental in highlighting the issues relating to the needs to enhance air connectivity in this region, said the party concerned should sincerely accept criticism with an open heart, in view of the seriousness of the runway blackout, for the good of the people, the state and the country.

“The recent blackout is something that should not have happened, if constant inspection and supervision had taken place at regular intervals.

“Even if they had seen no wrong, it still needs to be checked and inspected thoroughly. They normally call this as service maintenance work,” he told Bernama, here today.

Roselan said the trouble with big government-linked corporation is “they tend to take things for granted and that all is going to be forever well”.

He said: “If they think that service maintenance is expensive, try accident. This blackout is an accident of untold disaster, not to mention loss of face or reputation to the nation”.

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LIGS UNTUNG LEBIH RM40 JUTA

Lembaga Industri Getah Sabah (LIGS) berjaya menjana keuntungan melebihi RM40 juta pada tahun lalu dan dijangka akan terus meningkat menjelang hujung tahun ini, kata Timbalan Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin.

Beliau yang juga Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Makanan berkata, dalam dua tahun yang lalu LIGS menghadapi masalah kewangan yang kritikal akibat kerugian beratus juta ringgit berpunca daripada kepimpinan yang tidak mantap dan perancangan yang tidak strategik sehingga LIGS berhutang dengan pekebun-pekebun kecil getah dan agen-agen getah.

Bagaimanapun dengan tindakan tegas kerajaan menyusun semula kepimpinan Lembaga Pengarah dan pengurusan LIGS serta bantuan kewangan berjumlah RM60 juta, LIGS kini telah pulih semula dan berada dilandaskan yang betul.

“Kerajaan negeri khususnya Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Aman mengambil perhatian serius ke atas perjalanan LIGS dan ingin melihat LIGS menjadi agensi kerajaan yang berwibawa dan menjadi pemangkin kepada peningkatan taraf hidup para pekebun kecil getah khususnya dan kemajuan industri getah di negeri ini amnya.

“Oleh itu, antara perkara penting untuk memastikan sesebuah agensi itu berada di landasan yang betul ialah perlu ada kepimpinan yang mantap dan berwibawa di peringkat Lembaga Pengarah.

“Selain itu pengurusan yang cekap dan berintegriti tinggi juga merupakan pra-syarat bagi sesebuah agensi dapat beroperasi secara berdaya maju dan pengurusan atasan yang ada sekarang telah membuktikan bahawa mereka mampu mengendali pengurusan LIGS secara cekap dan berdaya untung,” katanya.

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Beberapa kawasan dikenalpasti untuk penubuhan Taska di Sabah: Azizah

Menteri Pembangunan Masyarakat dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun berkata, beberapa kawasan telah dikenalpasti untuk menubuhkan Taman Asuhan Kanak-Kanak (Taska) di negeri ini.

Beliau berkata, setakat ini kerajaan telah menubuhkan Taska di Wisma Muis untuk memudahkan ibu bapa yang bekerja di kawasan berdekatan Wisma Muis menghantar anak mereka ke pusat jagaan itu.

“Di samping itu kementerian juga telah mewujudkan talian Sabah Care bagi memudahkan orang ramai membuat aduan berkaitan perkhidmatan yang diberikan oleh kementerian dan jabatan serta agensi di bawahnya.

“Pusat Khidmat Pelanggan turut diwujudkan di bawah Jabatan Hal Ehwal Wanita Sabah (JHEWA) yang berfungsi menerima aduan untuk dirujuk kepada pihak-pihak berkaitan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada majlis perjumpaan pegawai awam wanita pentadbiran awam negeri Sabah dalam kumpulan sokongan, di Ballroom Wisma Wanita, di sini, kelmarin.

Majlis itu disertai 120 peserta daripada jabatan dan agensi kerajaan negeri,

Bagi memastikan kesinambungan pembangunan di negeri ini, Azizah menyeru rakyat khususnya wanita supaya terus memberi sokongan padu kepada kerajaan.

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Health Ministry offers private nursing graduates employment

The Health Ministry will interview 1,681 private nursing diploma holders, between November 10 and 12, at 85 centres nationwide, for recruitment into the Ministry mid-December this year, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

"The Government has decided to overcome the unemployment faced by graduates from private institutions of higher learning by taking in more nurses into the Ministry, to simultaneously resolve the shortage in government clinics and hospitals," he said Tuesday.

The Ministry will also be implementing the 1Malaysia Training Scheme (SL1M) with the Economic Planning Unit for nursing graduates who are still unemployed, he said.

He added that the Nursing Graduates SL1M programme was part of the Government's effort to provide graduates with skills and clinical experience to enhance their employability and would involve the private sector via their corporate social responsibility (CSR).

"The selected graduates for the programme will be placed at private clinics and hospitals for at least a year to enhance their skills and provide them with clinical experience," said Liow.

Upon completion, they could either be absorbed by the same clinics and hospitals or seek employment elsewhere, he explained.

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Musa wants MAB to explain KK airport blackout fiasco

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has directed Malaysia Airports Bhd (MAB) to explain to the state cabinet the runway lights fiasco that rocked KK International Airport (KKIA) for two days.

“The cabinet is expecting a full report from MAB and the measures to be taken to ensure that it doesn't happen again,” Musa said in a statement yesterday.

Musa said the blackout of the runway lights on Thursday should never have happened at KKIA, which is the country's second busiest airport.

“And the problem should not have taken so long to fix. It inconvenienced thousands and may possibly have affected Sabah's image as a tourist destination,” he added.

Some 6,000 passengers in 51 flights were affected by flight cancellations, diversions and delays. MAB managed to overcome the problem at about 10pm on Friday after a sub-contractor replaced damaged cables on one of the two runways. The runway light problem was widely blamed on the much delayed upgrading of the airport's facilities, including the runway extension.

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Flyovers to ease congestion in Kota Kinabalu

More flyovers are on the cards to resolve traffic congestion along the main roads in this fast growing capital.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said flyovers were the best option in resolving the traffic jams at main intersections around the city as road broadening had done little to ease congestion.

“We are aware of the urgency to resolve the traffic problem in the city,” said Pairin, who is the State Infrastructure Development Minister.

Pairin said his ministry had conducted research on the effectiveness of flyovers.

He said these were being planned at the Tuaran-Kelombong intersection in Jalan Tuaran, also at the Jalan Penampang-Jalan Lintas and Taman Kingfisher-Yayasan Sabah intersections.

Worsening traffic during peak hours in the city was an issue at the recent state assembly sitting.

Studies have shown that the number of vehicles on the road has increased two-fold.

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Ekspo Beli Barangan Malaysia 1 hingga 4 Nov ini

Ekspo Beli Barangan Malaysia akan diadakan pada 1 hingga 4 November ini di padang bandaran di sini.

Program anjuran Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan Sabah (KPDNKK) itu dijangka akan dirasmikan oleh Pembantu Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar merangkap Adun Liawan, Datuk Sairin Hj. Karno.

Pengerusi penganjur Amat Mohd Yusuf berkata, pelbagai aktiviti akan diadakan dan memberi peluang kepada orang ramai mendapatkan barangan buatan Malaysia yang dipamer dan dijual pada Ekspo itu nanti.

Sementara itu katanya, ia juga memberi manfaat kepada para peniaga dan usahawan mempamerkan dan menjual barangan masing-masing.

Katanya, lebih kurang 100 lot gerai disediakan kepada peniaga dan usahawan untuk mempamerkan dan menjual barangan mereka.

“Inilah peluang peniaga memperagakan jualan dan memperkenalkan barangan hasil buatan Malaysia,” katanya.

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95 peratus pelatih kursus perladangan ILHAM akan dapat pekerjaan: Thonny

Seramai 95 peratus pelatih-pelatih daripada kursus perladangan dari ILHAM akan mendapat pekerjaan di bidang tersebut.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Institut Latihan Kemahiran Malaysia (ILHAM), Thonny Chee Nyuk Kong, berkata pelatih-pelatih yang menjalani kursus itu di ILHAM kebanyakkan akan terus diserap atau diterima untuk bekerja di bidang itu.

Katanya, ILHAM yang merupakan sebuah institute yang baru sahaja bertapak semenjak tahun 2008 itu sehingga kini telah melatih seramai 150 orang pelatih dalam bidang perladangan.

“ILHAM merupakan sebuah institut yang mengutamakan golongan muda yang tercicir sama ada dari aspek kelayakan akademik mahupun kewangan.

“Malah, idea penubuhan ILHAM ini saya dapati semasa saya sedang bercuti di kampung saya di mana semasa saya berjalan-jalan di kampung dan melihat keadaaan sekitar yang ramai dengan pemuda-pemudi yang mundar-mandir tanpa hala tuju, masa itulah saya nekad untuk membuat sesuatu kepada generasi muda.

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FSM: Sabah berpotensi jadi kuasa ekonomi M'sia

Sabah berpotensi menjadi penggerak kuasa ekonomi Malaysia, kata presiden Persekutuan Pekilang-pekilang Sabah (FSM), Datuk Seri Wong Khen Thau.

Dalam merealisasikan ini, beliau berkata yang dasar kerajaan negeri, iklim pelaburan dan persekitaran perniagaan mestilah kondusif, terutamanya untuk komuniti pelaburan.

“Dalam konteks pembuatan, kami telah mempromosikan dan berusaha keras untuk menjadikan Sabah sebuah hab untuk Timur Jauh.

“Contohnya, sekiranya kita melihat kembali Dubai 20 tahun lepas, Dubai tiada ada-apa … ia hanya sebidang tanah padang pasir tanpa sebarang pembangunan tetapi dek kepimpinan atau komitmen kerajaan akan pentingnya “Blue Ocean Strategy”, ia berjaya menjadikan Dubai daripada tiada apa-apa kepada satu kuasa ekonomi di Timur Tengah hari ini (kelmarin),” kata beliau kepada Bernama di sini kelmarin.

Wong ialah antara peserta debat meja bulat pelabur yang dianjurkan oleh Pihak Berkuasa Pembangunan Ekonomi dan Pelaburan Sabah (SEDIA) dengan kerjasama International Investor, pertubuhan perniagaan pintar dan penerbitan dari United Kingdom.

Dalam hal ini, beliau berpendapat yang Sabah mempunyai potensi yang lebih baik berbanding Dubai, sambil menyatakan, “tiada sebab, kita tidak boleh melakukan lebih baik daripada Dubai sekiranya kita komited dan mempunyai keazaman politik untuk melakukannya.”

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Sewing their way out of poverty

Many young Sabahans, especially from the rural areas, venture into the city to look for jobs.

In most cases, they end up working as shop assistants, in sales, coffeeshops and such places because of their low education.

Although there is nothing wrong with such occupations, they are mostly shunned because they pay relatively little.

Most young school leavers are now more interested in acquiring skills to make a better living but it’s not easy — and only the determined and diligent are not afraid of learning through trial and error.

The 1Azam programme, therefore, is a boon to these individuals, especially when they are taught living skills and not merely given facilities they would otherwise not know how to use.

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Ministry giving talks on minimum wage

Employers in Sabah are encouraged to contact the Resource Development and Information Technology Ministry if they require clarification and help in the implementation of minimum wage.

Its minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai said the Government has been organising talks and programmes to disseminate information on the RM800 minimum wage implementation.

“We have even organised talks in Mandarin to help local Chinese-speaking business communities gain some input on the matter and let them know that it is already in place and it is only a matter of time for it to be fully implemented,” he said.

Yee stressed the need for employers to be fully informed on the issue, so those requiring more information on the matter should feel free to contact the ministry.

He said Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Dr. S. Subramaniam’s recently announced that the Government was ready to assist employers in implementing the minimum wage as smoothly as possible, such as the grace period that small sectors can enjoy, among others.

Meanwhile, Yee said the Government has been working continuously on ways to resolve unemployment issues, and is mindful of ‘unsaleable’ sectors that are in need of employees.

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NCR DIUTAMAKAN: MUSA

Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman menegaskan Hak Tanah Adat Anak Negeri (NCR) adalah keutamaan dan prioriti kerajaan negeri.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, kerajaan sentiasa terbuka menerima teguran dan cadangan yang membina untuk meningkatkan keberkesanan sistem penyampaian perkhidmatan bagi mening- katkan tahap pemeliharaan dan perlindungan NCR dan hak pemilikan tanah oleh anak negeri Sabah.

“Isu NCR tidak seharusnya diputar-belit kerana ia menyentuh kepentingan orang asal, sebaliknya setiap pihak harus memberikan sokongan bagi memastikan isu-isu berkaitan NCR dapat diselesaikan dengan baik demi menjaga kepentingan dan hak asasi orang asal negeri Sabah,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika menjawab soalan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Kawasan Kunak Datuk Nilwan Kabang, pada sesi soal jawab, persidangan dewan undangan negeri di Dewan Undangan Negeri, di sini, kelmarin.

Musa berkata, bagi memastikan lebih ramai orang asal mempunyai tanah, kerajaan negeri telah mengambil inisiatif untuk menukarkan rizab hutan kepada tanah kerajaan.

“Saya secara peribadi akan memastikan prinsip menjaga, memelihara dan melindungi kepentingan hak-hak orang asal, akan sentiasa didahulukan.

“Oleh itu saya berharap, tidak ada lagi pihak yang akan memanipulasikan perkara berkaitan NCR, sebaliknya bekerjasama membantu menyelesaikan apa-apa sahaja perkara berkaitan NCR demi kepentingan dan hak-hak orang asal negeri Sabah.

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Only local tourist guides for Sabah

Sabah tourist guides must not allow their principles to be compromised, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said.

Have trust in your own abilities, love your profession, love yourself and be proud to be a tour guide as it is an honorable profession, he said at the Sabah Tourist Guides Association (STGA) Appreciation Night for its members and industry players here on Saturday night.

“You should never allow yourself to compromise your principles because what you do and what you don’t do really describes who you are in that profession,” Masidi stressed.

“So in the issue of licensing foreign tour guides, I did not hesitate but to go along with your stand simply because I think Sabah is too valuable for us to take the risk to allow everyone to take part in the industry lest they make a mess of the industry.

“To me, I don’t mind doing it slightly slower but we do it right rather than going full throttle only ending up in a crash that in the end we will realize that perhaps, we have made the wrong decision,” he said.

Masidi said tourist guides must see their profession as guardians of Sabah as they are holding the trust on behalf of the people to look after the best of what nature has given to them.

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No discrimination in giving out titles

Issues relating to the rights of the natives in Sabah have always been given attention, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

He also gave an assurance that the government would not undermine the rights of natives to own land in the state.

He was allaying fears of the government sidelining claims for Native Customary Rights land and that it was being discriminative in the issuing of titles to indigenous people.

"The state is administered by natives, too, and to protect as well as to preserve the rights of the indigenous communities will always be our priority.

"Instead of manipulating the NCR issue, everyone should cooperate and help ensure the rights of the indigenous people are protected," he said.

Musa was replying to a question by Datuk Nilwan Kabang (BN-Kunak), who asked if the government still recognised the NCR claims by the indigenous communities.

In the last 15 years, the Land and Survey Department received 615 claims for NCR land involving 1,164 people throughout the state.

Of the total, 207 cases were given recognition, 70 cases were dropped while 338 were still being investigated, Musa said.

He also said of the 348,652 land titles issued by the department until last year, 55 per cent of 190,452 were native titles issued to indigenous owners.

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TURUN PADANG BAGI PASTIKAN BAJET CAPAI SASARAN: MUSA

Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman mengarahkan Majlis Tindakan Negeri Sabah (MTNS) supaya kerap turun padang bagi memantau perlaksanaan pembangunan negeri agar sasaran Bajet 2013 yang baru dibentangkan menepati matlamatnya.

Katanya, bajet besar sebanyak RM4.088 bilion itu adalah bajet untuk rakyat menikmati tranformasi kehidupan baharu yang sedang dipacu oleh kerajaan Barisan Nasional.

Belaiu berkata demikian pada sidang media ringkasnya selepas menghadiri Majlis Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat di Zon Daerah Mengundi Sungai Kayu pada Ahad yang dihadiri hampir 500 ahli Umno dan penyokong BN Libaran.

Menurut Ketua Menteri, kerajaan amat teliti dalam merancang pembangunan negeri supaya semua peringkat dan golongan rakyat sama ada di bandar dan luar bandar dapat dibangunkan secara realistik dan holistik.

“Kerajaan bukan sembarangan membelanjakan wang rakyat,kita sudah kaji secara teliti bagaimana untuk membangunkan negeri dan rakyat kita sebab itu belanjawan kerajaan negeri untuk 2013 adalah yang terbesar untuk kepentingan rakyat keseluruhannya,” kata Musa.

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Jabatan Penerangan akan pertingkat program kefahaman dasar-dasar kerajaan

Jabatan Penerangan akan mempertingkat lagi program kefahaman dasar-dasar kerajaan khasnya usaha menterjemah Belanjawan 2013 berkaitan faedah kepada masyarakat keseluruhannya.

Ketua Pengarah Penerangan Malaysia, Dato’ Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, berkata selaku pihak bertanggungjawab sebagai pemasaran maklumat, program-program ‘outreach’ akan terus dilaksanakan yang memberi tumpuan kepada bajet.

Menurutnya, perkara utama ialah memberi pemahaman dalam kalangan warga Jabatan Penerangan tentang bajet dan peranan Komuniti 1Malaysia mengedarkan bahan-bahan penerbitan kepada peringkat masyarakat.

“Kita harap semua rakyat dapat memahami bajet yang telah dibentangkan Perdana Menteri merupakan Bajet Kasih Sayang yang memenuhi kehendak setiap lapisan masyarakat,” katanya.

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Rosnah sangkal dakwaan Dasar Kabotaj perlahan dan sekat ekonomi Sabah

Ketua Pergerakan Puteri Umno Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin menyangkal dakwaan pakatan pembangkang kononnya Dasar Kabotaj yang diamalkan oleh kerajaan pusat memperlahankan dan menyekat pertumbuhan ekonomi Sabah.

Sambil mempersoalkan logik di sebalik dakwaan itu, Rosnah yang juga Anggota Parlimen Papar, Sabah berkata dasar yang mengutamakan perkhidmatan perkapalan tempatan itu sebenarnya bertujuan melindungi syarikat perkapalan tempatan dan secara langsung membawa kebajikan kepada rakyat dalam jangka panjang.

Katanya sekiranya dasar yang dilaksanakan sejak tahun 1980 itu dimansuhkan secara keseluruhan seperti yang dijanjikan pakatan pembangkang, ia boleh menimbulkan pelbagai masalah ekonomi.

“Tanpa Dasar Kabotaj, tiada yang akan menghalang syarikat perkapalan asing daripada menguasai perairan kita ataupun membentuk pasaran oligopoly atau sebuah kartel yang akan menetapkan kadar harga perkhidmatan sesuka hati.

“Malah saya juga bersetuju, sekiranya perkara sebegini berlaku sudah tentu tidak baik untuk ekonomi negara secara keseluruhan,” katanya dalam kenyataan di sini kelmarin.

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RM65,000 for each co-op in TUKAR – Yahya

The Federal Government has approved RM65,000 in development assistance grant for each co-operative involved in the retail transformation programme (Program Tranformasi Kedai Runcit-TUKAR).

The grant was channelled through Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM), said Sabah Co-operative Consultative Council chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin.

“Such assistance grant is an encouragement for the co-operatives to showcase the image of their modern retail stores as well as to provide comfort to consumers,” said Yahya, who is also Deputy Chief Minister.

The government always supports and helps co-operatives involved in wholesale and retail business, he said in his speech which was delivered by Assistant Finance Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan when officiating at the Wholesale and Retail Mini Carnival, Sabah Zone, held at Sabindo Plaza open space here yesterday morning.

“Today, 43 co-operatives are taking part in this mini carnival. It is an opportunity for them to display and promote their products and services to the local community.

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Skills education no longer second choice

Skills education is equally important and should no longer be the second choice for students and parents, according to the director-general of Manpower Department of the Human Resource Ministry, Datuk Romli Haji Hassan.

Speaking to reporters after the 8th convocation of Institusi Latihan Jabatan Tenaga Manusia (ILJTM) East Region for Sabah and Labuan FT zone in Sepanggar yesterday, Romli said that the mindset must be changed.

“Skills education is unlike the formal academic education which takes longer. In skills education, the number of students in a class is limited to about 15 so they get more attention from their lecturers.

“Then most of the graduates from training institutes like ILJTM and Institute Latihan Politeknik (ILP) are usually snapped up by prospective employers as soon as they complete their courses and if they are really good in what they do, they will command high salary,” he stressed.

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LKIM belanja RM1.5 juta tiap bulan bayar ESH nelayan

Kerajaan melalui Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (LKIM) negeri membelanjakan sebanyak RM1.5 juta setiap bulan untuk bayaran Elaun Sara Hidup (ESH) kepada lebih 7,000 nelayan negeri ini.

Timbalan Pengarah LKIM Negeri, Mohd Jamil Abdullah berkata setiap nelayan terbabit menerima RM200 setiap bulan sejak skim berkenaan diperkenalkan.

Menurutnya, LKIM telah meluluskan sebanyak 12,441 permohonan nelayan bagi bantuan tersebut namun hanya 7000 sahaja yang menerima- nya kerana terdapat nelayan yang telah tamat tempoh lesen mereka.

“Mereka tidak dapat sebab tamat tempoh lesen perikanan atau bot, jadi apabila tamat tempoh lesen maka mereka tidak akan dapat menerima elaun dan juga bantuan subsidi minyak sehingga lesen berkenaan diperbaharui,’’ katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap pada Majlis Penyerahan ESH Nelayan Secara Tunai kepada nelayan kawasan Tawau.

Jelasnya, tempoh memperbaharui lesen berkenaan memerlukan masa sekurang- kurangnya sebulan sebelum bantuan berkenaan dapat disalurkan semula.

“Lesen perikanan dan bot berkenaan penting bagi mengenal pasti bantuan yang disalurkan sampai kepada golongan sasar serta memantau nelayan yang betul-betul turun ke laut,’’ katanya.

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Peningkatan jumlah wanita dalam sektor korporat penting: Azizah

Menteri Pembangunan Masyarakat dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna, Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun berkata peningkatan jumlah wanita dalam sektor korporat dan bukan korporat penting bagi mencapai sekurang-kurangnya 30 peratus daripada golongan ini memegang jawatan tertinggi dalam sektor korporat menjelang 2016.

“Saya percaya kerjasama antara kerajaan, syarikat, usahawan, individu dan pelbagai golongan diperlukan dalam meningkatkan latihan, bimbingan dan pembangunan untuk ahli lembaga pengarah wanita yang berpotensi,” kata Azizah dalam ucapannya semasa merasmikan pelancaran Roadshow Mengenai Program Pengarah-Pengarah Wanita (On Women Director’s Programme) di sini, kelmarin.

Azizah berkata, para pelabur, syarikat-syarikat korporat, organisasi perkhidmatan profesional dan firma perlu memainkan peranan secara aktif dalam menyokong inisiatif ini.

Pengerusi syarikat harus menetapkan sasaran peratusan jumlah wanita di dalam syarikat mereka dari tahun 2012 hingga 2015, seperti yang dituntut oleh Suruhanjaya Sekuriti Malaysia dan Bursa Saham Kuala Lumpur, katanya.

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Tahap pencapaian IPT pengaruhi kemajuan Bandaraya

Tahap pencapaian sesebuah Institusi Pengajian Tinggi (IPT) mempengaruhi arus pemodenan atau kemajuan bagi sesuatu daerah atau kawasan.

Mayor Bandaraya, Datuk Abidin Madingkir berkata, pelbagai pengiktirafan yang telah dicapai oleh Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) semenjak ia ditubuhkan 14 tahun yang lalu banyak menyumbang kepada bandaraya.

“Universiti turut berperanan memberi sumbangan terhadap perkembangan dan kemajuan modal insan selain daripada memartabatkan bidang ilmu demi kemajuan bandaraya dan negara pada masa hadapan.

“Pencapaian UMS dalam pelbagai bidang serta inovasi-inovasi yang telah dilakukan juga telah mendapat perhatian daripada pelbagai pihak.

“Malah, UMS juga merupakan antara universiti yang terbaik di dunia terutamanya dari segi penyelidikan yang telah mendapat pengiktirafan peringkat kebangsaan dan juga antarabangsa.

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K'jaan Pusat ada rancangan besar untuk Sabah: Najib

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, kerajaan pusat mempunyai rancangan besar untuk rakyat Sabah.

Sehubungan itu beliau meminta rakyat di negeri ini supaya terus memberikan sokongan padu kepada kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN).

“Teruskan usaha kita, sokonglah kerajaan BN kerana kita mempunyai rancangan yang besar untuk rakyat Sabah dan rakyat Malaysia secara keseluruhannya.

“Seandainya kita mendapat mandat dan sokongan padu, kita akan berusaha lebih gigih lagi. Saya dan Musa (Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Hj. Aman) dan rakan-rakan dalam kerajaan BN di Sabah, kami semua akan bekerja lebih kuat lagi untuk memajukan lagi negeri Sabah yang begitu besar potensinya,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika menyampaikan ucapan ringkas sempena program tinjauan mesra di Pekan Kundasang, di sini, kelmarin.

Turut mengiringi ialah Ketua Menteri Datuk Seri Musa Aman; Timbalan Ketua Menteri; Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan; Menteri Pelancongan, Kebudayaan dan Alam Sekitar yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Karanaan, Datuk Masidi Manjun; Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar Datuk Dr. Ewon Ebin; Ahli Parlimen Ranau, Datuk Siringan Gubat dan Adun Kundasang, Datuk Joachim Gunsalam.

Mengenai tinjauan itu, Najib yang juga Pengerusi BN berkata, beliau amat gembira melihat sambutan dan sokongan padu yang ditunjukkan penduduk Kundasang.

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Sabahans grateful to have Najib as PM

Sabahans are grateful for having Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as Prime Minister of Malaysia, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

He said Sabahans recognised Najib’s exemplary leadership, commitment and sincerity in addressing issues faced by the people.

More importantly, he added, his ability and readiness to listen to the grouses and wants of the people in the State are appreciated.

“In his every visit, in all divisions anywhere in Sabah, the reception is always warm. People from all races throng to show their support and tens of thousands gather just to welcome him.

“Why? Because we are very grateful to have a prime minister who is truly a people’s leader and very concerned towards our welfare and interests,” he said in his welcoming remarks at the ‘Jelajah Janji Ditepati Sabah’ launched by Najib yesterday.

Musa said the recently tabled 2013 Budget was another proof of Najib’s commitment to bring development to Sabah and improve the living quality of its people.

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Promising future in Kudat

Loud applause rang out at the sports complex in this idyllic northern coastal town each time Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pledged to carry out a project or an upgrade for Kudat.

Tens of thousands who turned up for the launch of the state-level Janji Ditepati programme cheered when the Prime Minister made the pledges.

Kudat MP Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman were all smiles with the package pledged by Najib, which breached the RM1bil mark.

Among the crowd, Rungus villager Rumpian Uliah was excited and shouted with pleasure when Najib touched on the study being carried out on a RM800mil coastal highway from Tuaran linking Kota Belud to Kota Marudu to Kudat town.

“Ba, bagun kan tu (Isn't that just great?),” he said with a toothy grin as others around him nodded in approval.

Najib said the Government would study the implementation of the project first before proceeding as he felt that it was beneficial to the people, adding that the highway would open up more opportunities for the people.

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Sabah sees brighter future for the Bangsamoro

The peace deal between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has been long awaited with Sabah hoping to see a brighter future for the Bangsamoro people.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the pact would pave the way for peace for the Bangsamoro people and would herald a better future.

The Sabah Government welcomes the announcement of a framework agreement for peace between the Philippine Government and the MILF, Musa said in a statement.

“This is an historic moment and a dawn of a new era for the Bangsamoro. It is a reflection of the commitment towards ending decades of violence and allowing the Bangsamoro people to live and work on their own land in peace,” he said.

Musa, who is also the state securi-ty chairman, congratulated President Benigno Aquino and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for their commitment to the peace deal.

“As a close neighbour of the Philippines, Sabah is proud that Malaysia played a role in facilitating the talks. We look forward to seeing the objectives of this deal achieved,” he said.

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Focus on food security: CM

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and its partners have been urged to continue focusing on nutrition within the overall food production and food security debate, in assisting the Government ensure every Malaysian, especially children, have access to nutritious and quality food.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who made the call, said this is vital in achieving the objective of creating a society that is healthy, knowledgeable and able to contribute to Malaysia's growth.

"Nutrition, especially among children, is crucial.

The Government wants to ensure that every citizen, especially our children, has access to nutritious and quality food in order to create a society that is healthy, knowledgeable and able to contribute to Malaysia's growth," he said when officiating the International Conference on Food Science and Nutrition 2012, the first of its kind to be held in Sabah.

Sabah has tremendous potential in not just its people but also the sustainable use of natural resources, including wild edible food items, most of which are still unknown to science, said Musa, adding that the State Government in partnership with the Federal Government through the various agencies has been involved in various relevant and timely development programmes aimed at improving livelihoods.

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Polling district officials must strengthen BN machinery – Musa

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman advised all Polling District Central Committee (PDCC) officials to understand the importance of knowing their role and duty to further strengthen the Barisan Nasional machinery.

Musa, who is the Sabah BN chairman, said the PDCC remains as a backbone for every election as it is the place to organise strategies, disseminate information and channel information among the leaders and people.

“Realising the role played by the Central Polling District (CPD), our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has encouraged every chief of CPD to take a day’s course to ensure that they understand their role.

“It is important for CPD in each area to learn and be properly guided in fulfilling their duties for the coming 13th general election,” he said during his visit to the election machinery base for Taman Airport Zone yesterday.

Looking at the preparation by the machinery, Musa was confident that the machinery in the area was at its standby mode to face election at any time.

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Musa: Pembangkang ‘kaki pembohong’

Sikap kumpulan pembangkang yang suka memutarbelitkan fakta konon kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) khususnya di negeri ini tidak berbuat apa-apa mencerminkan cara mereka berpolitik tidak matang.

Ketua Menteri Sabah, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, berkata tindakan sebegini amat dikesali kerana walaupun pembangunan yang dilaksanakan BN bertambah rancak namun pihak pembangkang masih mengaburi mata rakyat sehingga sanggup menafikan apa jua usaha dan inisiatif selama ini.

Beliau menyifatkan mereka sebagai ‘kaki pembohong’ memandangkan cuba pula meyakinkan rakyat dengan menjanjikan bulan dan bintang sedangkan pada hakikatnya ia adalah gimik politik kerana sudah terbiasa bercakap kosong.

“Mereka masuk kampung dan keluar kampung dengan memutarbelitkan fakta kononnya kita tidak buat apa-apa. Apa ini semua? Mereka tidak sedarkah pelaksanaan projek pembangunan yang bukan saja ditumpukan di bandar malahan kawasan luar bandar sudah banyak berubah.

“Sikap pembangkang amat kita kesali kerana suka sangat melempar tohmahan yang menyebabkan rakyat boleh bosan dan marah dengan cara mereka berpolitik semata-mata untuk meraih sokongan murahan,” katanya.

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Rakyat tidak wajar terpengaruh hasil kajian Merdeka Centre

Naib Presiden Umno Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal menasihati rakyat Sabah supaya tidak terpengaruh dengan hasil kaji selidik Merdeka Centre, yang mengaitkan kemerosotan tahap kepuasan pengundi Sabah dengan pimpinan kerajaan negeri.

“Apa yang penting ialah kita sama-sama bekerja keras (untuk membangunkan negeri ini) dan bukan hanya berlandaskan kepada penilaian terhadap kita,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri majlis penutup Hari Potensi Kanak-Kanak Tabika Kemas di Dewan Sekolah Menengah Teknik Likas kelmarin.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas laporan online yang mendakwa tahap kepuasan pengundi Sabah terhadap pemimpin kerajaan negeri mengalami penurunan.

Anggota Parlimen Semporna itu yakin kerajaan sedia ada mampu melaksanakan tanggungjawabnya dengan baik dan mengajak rakyat Sabah menumpukan kepada agenda pembangunan di negeri ini.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Mohd Shafie yang juga Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, berkata kementeriannya komited untuk menyediakan pendidikan awal berkualiti untuk kanak-kanak, sama ada di bandar atau desa, sebagai asas kepada pembangunan insan yang mampu melahirkan generasi pelapis berminda kelas pertama.

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Fresh hope for refugees in Sabah

A peace deal between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) brings fresh hope that Sabah's illegal immigrant and refugee problem can be resolved.

Local observers hope the latest deal with MILF will bring about much-needed stability in the southern Philippines.

This follows the September 1996 peace deal with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) that saw the creation of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Sabah Barisan Nasional secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the peace deal was a very exciting development.

“I am sure it will help stem the influx of people into the state.

“We might even see them heading back with better economic opportunities at home,” he added.

Rahman said the Malaysian Government should consider setting up a special high-level economic team to assist in the economic growth of the proposed new autonomous Bangsamoro region.

Former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee said that if the peace deal succeeded, it would have a positive impact on Sabah.

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Lebih RM1 trilion nilai pelaburan baru, tiga juta pekerjaan diwujudkan menjelang 2020

Dianggarkan lebih RM1 trilion nilai pelaburan baru dan tiga juta pekerjaan akan diwujudkan menjelang 2020 menerusi pelaksanaan Progam Transformasi Ekonomi.

Pengerusi Lembaga Pelabuhan-Pelabuhan Sabah (LPPS), Datuk Karim Bujang berkata, bagi mengimbangi keperluan itu, kerajaan telah merangka beberapa program dan strategi bagi meningkatkan kapasiti tenaga mahir untuk memantapkan lagi inisiatif berkenaan.

“Oleh itu, saya menyeru seluruh entiti KPPSP dan kesatuan lainnya agar terus memperkayakan program yang mampu meningkatkan faedah kepada ahli dari aspek kompetensi, inovasi serta kepakaran yang diperlukan.

“Selain itu, organisasi ini juga perlu memainkan peranan lebih aktif bagi meningkatkan kebolehpasaran warga pekerja dengan memberi sokongan terhadap usaha kerajaan dalam aspek pembangunan berteraskan pengetahuan, kemahiran dan kepakaran,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, kerajaan sentiasa menyokong dan bekerjasama dengan seluruh kesatuan pekerja di negara ini, terutamanya dalam mempertingkatkan kebajikan dan kesejahteraan hidup mereka.

“Kesatuan sekerja dan majikan perlu terus meningkatkan hubungan baik bagi mengelak berlakunya pertikaian perusahaan sehingga menjejaskan produktiviti dan kestabilan organisasi terlibat.

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KBSS yakin capai sasaran keluarkan 1,300 miskin tegar melalui 1Azam

Kementerian Belia dan Sukan Sabah (KBSS), yakin dapat mencapai sasaran untuk mengeluarkan sekurang-kurangnya 1,300 rakyat miskin tegar di seluruh negeri sehingga hujung tahun ini melalui pelbagai Program Akhiri Zaman Miskin (1Azam).

Pembantu Menterinya Datuk Jahid Jahim berkata, setakat ini kementerian itu berjaya melatih lebih 800 orang seluruh Sabah dalam pelbagai program termasuk program Seni Jahitan Kreatif, Pembuatan Kek, Masakan dan refleksologi.

“Pada hari ini seramai 20 orang belia berjaya menyertai dan menamatkan Kursus Seni Kreatif Jahitan di bawah Program 1Azam anjuran kerajaan negeri yang dikendalikan oleh Akademi Jahitan Kota Kinabalu (AJKK).

“Mereka turut diberikan peralatan menjahit bagi membantu memulakan perniagaan secara kecil-kecilan, sama ada dengan mengambil upah menjahit di rumah atau membuka gerai dan kedai jahit di kampung masing-masing,” katanya.

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POLISI KAWAL HARGA BARANGAN

Kerajaan telah mengadakan pelbagai polisi dalam usaha mensejahterakan rakyat di negara ini termasuk polisi kawalan harga barangan yang telah memanfaatkan rakyat terutama di musim perayaan.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin berkata polisi kawalan harga pada beberapa barangan seminggu sebelum dan selepas sesuatu perayaan itu telah menjimatkan duit rakyat sehingga RM300 juta. “Itu musim perayaan, tetapi untuk musim bukan perayaan, juga tidak dilakukan banyak negara, kita kawal harga barang-barang penting.

“Contohnya minyak, sepatutnya kita tidak boleh kawal harga, Shell atau Esso, dia boleh (cadang) tetapkan harga tetapi kerajaan tentukan harga sebenar. Kalau dia naik (harga minyak), dia boleh didenda di bawah Akta Petroleum,” katanya semasa berucap di program mesra warga Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) di sini, kelmarin.

Turut hadir Menteri Pertahanan Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dan Panglima Tentera Udara Jeneral Tan Sri Rodzali Daud.

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PBS demands Nazri clarify ‘insensitive’ statement on illegals

PBS has urged Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamad Nazri Abdul Aziz to clarify his statement in Parliament denying the security threat posed by the huge presence of illegal immigrants in Sabah.

PBS secretary general Datuk Henrynus Amin said PBS regretted the minister’s statement which he said was politically insensitive to grassroots sentiments in Sabah, especially their fears and concerns for their future well-being posed by the huge presence of illegal immigrants.

He said, rightly or wrongly, Nazri’s statement was fueling speculations in the streets as to the genuine commitment of the BN government to resolve the perennial problems of illegal immigrants in Sabah.

PBS therefore shares the views of the majority of the people of Sabah to disagree with the minister and join the chorus of voices to demand the minister clarify or correct his statement.

Henrynus advised Nazri to read a little bit of Sabah’s history, especially the Philippines’ claim to Sabah and the Indonesian policy of confrontation in the 1960s to appreciate the fears and concerns of the people of Sabah.

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Swiftlet farming rules to take effect on Jan 1

Guidelines on swiftlet farming in Sabah will be enforced on Jan 1 next year.

The Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, through the state Wildlife Department, will issue guidelines on swiftlet farming.

However, ministry permanent secretary Datuk Michael Emban said swiftlet farm owners would be given 24 months to comply with the stipulated regulations.

The regulations, he said, included prohibiting swiftlet farming in urban areas such as cities, towns and housing areas, at public places and water catchment areas.

He also said swiftlet houses would not be allowed to be built near airports.

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MUSA: K’JAAN KOMITED TANGANI PENGANGGURAN

Terdapat lebih 32,000 pemohon kerja di Sabah, kata Ketua Menteri Sabah, Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, berdasarkan statistik terkini daripada Jobs Malaysia.

Sehubungan dengan itu katanya, kerajaan komited membantu golongan ini dengan melaksanakan program Skim Latihan 1Malaysia (SL1M) yang melibatkan pihak swasta menerusi Tangungjawab Sosial Korporat (CSR).

“Pelaksanaan program SL1M ini adalah bertepatan dengan masanya kerana sekurang-kurangnya ia berupaya mengatasi masalah pengangguran di kalangan graduan,” katanya ketika menyampaikan ucapan sempena Majlis Pelancaran Program Outreach SL1M Untuk Graduan dan Sesi Penerangan Berkenaan Insentif Potongan Cukai Berganda Kepada Syarikat Yang Menyertai Program SL1M Peringkat Negeri Sabah 2012, di Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), di sini, kelmarin.

Katanya, Kerajaan Negeri sentiasa menyambut baik usaha pelbagai pihak termasuk daripada jabatan dan agensi kerajaan, sektor korporat dan swasta dalam membantu mengurangkan pengangguran di kalangan graduan di Sabah.

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GTP banyak berikan kebaikan golongan sasaran

Program Transformasi Negara (GTP) di bawah Program e-Kasih banyak memberikan kebaikan kepada golongan sasar sesuai dengan tema janji terus ditepati.

Kursus Latihan Kemahiran Program 1Azam, Kursus Fotografi Digital dan Pasca Produksi anjuran Kementerian Belia dan Sukan Sabah yang telah berlangsung 10 di kawasan Lintas baru-baru ini umpamanya banyak memberikan faedah kepada golongan belia.

Pegawai Pengurusan Bahagian Pantai Barat Kementerian Belia dan Sukan Sabah, Anthonius Tompisal berkata, Program 1Azam itu bukan sahaja meliputi satu kursus khusus sahaja, malah ia mempunyai beberapa kursus lain.

Katanya, keprihatinan kerajaan bukan sahaja menyeluruh dalam menyalurkan bantuan kebajikan kepada rakyat malah turut menumpukan aspek kemahiran dalam membangunkan tahap pengetahuan dan juga memberikan para peserta asas untuk memulakan sesuatu usaha mereka seandainya mereka ingin membuka perniagaan sendiri kelak.

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Kontraktor digesa sentiasa bekerjasama laksana projek elak terbengkalai

Golongan kontraktor di Sabah diseru supaya sentiasa bekerjasama dengan rakan kongsi dalam soal pelaksanaan projek bagi mengelakkan projek gagal atau terbengkalai.

Pengerusi Persatuan Kontraktor Melayu Malaysia Cawangan Sabah, Awadnir @ Mohd Arrudin Matanggal berkata, selain dapat menambah pengalaman dalam bidang kontraktor, kerjasama yang terjalin di antara kontraktor apatah lagi yang baru berjinak-jinak di dalam bidang baik terutamanya apabila rakan kongsi mereka mempunyai lebih banyak pengalaman.

Peruntukan yang diperolehi sama ada melalui kerajaan atau Badan Bukan Kerajaan (NGO) diharap supaya sentiasa dapat disiapkan mengikut jadual dan mengelakkan diri daripada meng’Ali Baba’kan sesuatu projek.

Selain itu, beliau turut berharap supaya para kontraktor sentiasa mempelbagaikan bidang kemahiran bukan sahaja dalam bidang pembinaan tetapi dalam sektor-sektor lain.

“Mereka (kontraktor) juga perlu menunjukkan rasa syukur dan terima kasih kepada kerajaan dengan menyokong perjuangan kerajaan,” sambung beliau.

PKMM diwujudkan untuk membangunkan masyarakat ke arah menjadikan warga kontraktor yang berdaya maju, berinovasi, kreatif dan tahan daya saing untuk mendokong cita-cita negara, di samping menyumbang kepada kekukuhan ekonomi bangsa.

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RCI on Sabah immigrants gets cracking

A Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) probing Sabah's longstanding immigrant problem has begun work with the appointment of an investigating officer.

Commission Secretary Datuk Saripuddin Kasim said the officer began his duties on Monday.

“The officer will be responsible for investigating any matter relating to the commission's terms of reference,” Saripuddin said in a statement here yesterday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced on Aug 11 the setting up of the five-member commission.

The commission is headed by former Chief Judge of Sabah and SarawakTan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kion.

Other members are former Universiti Malaysia Sabah vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Kamaruzaman Ampon, former Sabah Attorney-General Tan Sri Herman Luping, ex-Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Henry Chin, who is now Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation deputy chairman, and former State Secretary Datuk K.Y. Mustafa.

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Sabah transforming economy into more diversified and knowledge driven

The Sabah state government is in the process of transforming the local economy from one that is purely resourced based to one that is more diversified and knowledge driven.

“In the manufacturing sector, Sabah’s focus is mainly on agriculture, bio-mass, and the oil and gas industry; tourism remains as a viable alternative exploitation,” Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Pangliam Yahya Hussin said.

“Sabah is the largest producer of crude palm oil in Malaysia and the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) in the east coast is one of the venues for the state to venture into downstream processing of palm oil products,” he added.

Speaking at the welcoming dinner for the sixth Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) Heads of Customs meeting last night, Yahya pointed out that in order to facilitate such a wide variety of economic activities, the meeting might want to explore how the rules and regulations of customs administration could be streamlined and standardized across the region.

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Dompok - Education should focus on technical skills

 Plantation Industry and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok would like to see the country’s education system to be more focussed on ‘technicalities’ and not simply about students getting paper qualifications.

“This is because educating students that will give them skills to improve their life and gain employment after leaving school means that the country will have an employable work force,” he said.

The Penampang member of parliament in his speech at the unveiling the new signage for SM St Michael disclosed that there were employment opportunities in the main sectors throughout the country as Malaysia needs 270,000 blue collared workers.

“There are opportunities in the plantation and agriculture sector for those who are able to obtain certificates in plantation technologies. Therefore I am trying to organize courses through my ministry that will allow students obtain certificates in certain skills such as rubber tapping and harvesting oil palm,” he said.

According to Dompok, certain skilled workers such as bricklayers command high respect and pay because of their work.

“I want to do the same with the plantation sector and want to see rubber tappers get the same recognition. I want to teach the people how to get skills so that they can get into the job market,” he stressed.

Speaking to reporters later, Dompok explained that he saw the country’s education system heading towards teaching ‘technicalities’.

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