A (H1N1): WHO recommends immunisation for health workers

GENEVA: Countries should first immunise their healthcare workers when the A/H1N1 flu vaccines are available in order to keep the integrity of the health system in face of a pandemic, China's Xinhua news agency reported quoting the World Health Organization (WHO) as saying on Monday.

"First, health workers should be immunised in all countries in order to maintain a functional health system as the pandemic evolves," Marie-Paule Kieny, director of WHO's Initiative for Vaccine Research, told reporters through a teleconference.

Kieny said a WHO expert group, which convened last week, had recognised that the spread of the H1N1 influenza was "unstoppable," therefore, "all countries need to have access to vaccines."

But given the fact that different countries have different epidemiological situations, the countries themselves should make their own decision on vaccination strategies.

According to Kieny, WHO experts have identified three different objectives that countries could adopt as part of their pandemic vaccination strategy: protect the integrity of the healthcare system and the country's critical infrastructure, reduce morbidity and mortality, and reduce transmission of the pandemic virus within communities.

Although situations are different, all countries should immunise their healthcare workers as a first priority to protect the essential health infrastructure, she said.

As vaccines available initially will not be sufficient, WHO experts also suggest that countries consider a stepwise approach to vaccinate particular groups, notably pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions, who appear to be at increased risk for severe disease and death from the H1N1 flu infection.

Children should also be a priority for immunisation since they can "amplify" the spread of the disease, especially when they gather in schools, Kieny said.

According to the official, some drug companies have already produced the H1N1 jabs for clinic trials, but those for real vaccination campaigns would not be available until September or October.

As most of the production of the seasonal vaccine for the winter in the northern hemisphere is almost complete and is therefore unlikely to affect production of pandemic vaccine, WHO does not consider there is a need to recommend a "switch" from seasonal to pandemic vaccine production, she said.

WHO would also not change its recommendation for normal vaccination programs against seasonal flu, she added.

- Bernama

Sarawak: Pembukaan ladang baru tidak ancam orang utan

Media luar cuba putar belit fakta kelirukan orang ramai

Kerajaan menyangkal dakwaan sesetengah pihak yang mengatakan pembukaan kawasan baru bagi tujuan perladangan kelapa sawit di negeri ini menyebabkan haiwan seperti orang utan berhadapan ancaman kepupusan.

Timbalan Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber, Datuk Len Talif Salleh, berkata dakwaan itu adalah tidak berasas kerana semua kawasan yang dikenal pasti sebagai habitat orang utan dilindungi sepenuhnya oleh undang-undang di bawah peruntukan Kawasan Terlindung Sepenuhnya di Sarawak.

Katanya, kebanyakan dakwaan berkenaan dikeluarkan oleh media luar yang memberi gambaran negatif, memutarkan belitkan fakta sehingga timbul kekeliruan terhadap orang ramai mengenai usaha pemuliharaan hidupan luar di negeri ini.

"Pada masa ini, kita mempunyai tiga kawasan terlindung sepenuhnya bagi memulihara haiwan berkenaan iaitu di Sanktuari Hidupan Liar Lanjak Entimau, Taman Negara Batang Ai dan Taman Negara Ulu Sebuyau yang mempunyai keluasan keseluruhan 250,000 hektar.

"Kawasan ini adalah bukti kukuh bagi menjawab dakwaan palsu yang menyatakan perladangan kelapa sawit menyebabkan kehilangan habitat orang utan. Semua kawasan terbabit adalah kawasan terlindung sepenuhnya dan tidak boleh diteroka bagi tujuan komersil," katanya ketika berucap pada Majlis Heart to Heart with Orang Utan di sini, semalam.

Teks ucapan Len dibacakan oleh Pengurus Besar, Pusat Hidupan Liar Matang, Wilfred Landong.

Turut hadir Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif, Biro Konvensyen Sarawak (SCB), Jill Henry. Len berkata, pihaknya menerusi Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) sudah merangka beberapa aktiviti bagi melindung dan memulihara Orang Utan seperti mengadakan rondaan lebih kerap di semua habitat utama haiwan berkenaan.

Malah katanya, Sarawak turut menjalin hubungan kerjasama dengan Indonesia dengan menubuhkan Kawasan Pemuliharaan Biodiversiti Rentas Sempadan yang meliputi kawasan seluas 1 juta hektar bagi memastikan orang utan dan hidupan liar lain selamat.

"Menerusi pemantauan habitat berkenaan dari semasa ke semasa, ia menunjukkan penemuan yang menggalakkan di habitat utama orangutan seperti di Sanktuari Hidupan Liar Lanjak Entimau dan Taman Negara Batang adalah stabil.

"Setakat ini aktiviti pemuliharaan orangutan terus dipergiatkan seperti mengadakan kerja pemuliharaan di pusat hidupan liar di Semenggoh dan Matang dengan pada masa ini seramai 17 bayi orangutan dilahirkan di pusat berkenaan, 13 di Semenggoh dan empat lagi di Matang," katanya.

Mengenai program Heart to Heart with Orangutan, Len berkata, ia memberi peluang kepada peserta mendekati habitat haiwan berkenaan dengan lebih dekat dengan pada masa sama, turut melakukan kerja pemuliharaan seperti membersih kandang, penyediaan makanan dan program perkembangan minda orangutan.

Kupon beli beras

Sistem pastikan subsidi untuk golongan miskin tak diseleweng

Mulai September ini, kerajaan akan memperkenalkan sistem kupon bagi membolehkan golongan miskin dan berpendapatan rendah membeli beras super tempatan 15 peratus hancur (ST15). Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani, Datuk Noh Omar, berkata ia sebagai langkah mengatasi masalah kekurangan bekalan beras jenis ST15 di pasaran, selain memastikan ia hanya dinikmati kumpulan sasaran iaitu golongan miskin dan berpendapatan rendah.

Beliau mendedahkan ketika ini pendatang tanpa izin, pengusaha restoran dan peruncit turut mengambil kesempatan membeli beras ST15 sehingga menyebabkan bekalannya tidak mencukupi.

"Kementerian akan menyelaraskan sistem kupon itu melalui Bank Data Kemiskinan Nasional atau e-kasih di bawah Unit Penyelarasan Pelaksanaan (ICU) Jabatan Perdana Menteri untuk tujuan pengagihan bagi memastikan rakyat miskin di bandar dan luar bandar tanpa mengira kaum mendapat bekalan beras itu.

"Kita cadang laksanakan sistem kupon ini... mungkin September ini apabila tempoh insentif beras iaitu fasa kedua subsidi beras dikaji semula.


"Matlamat kita ialah memastikan hanya orang yang layak menikmati beras ini," katanya pada sidang media selepas merasmikan Seminar Pelaburan Pertanian Untuk Usahawan dan Syarikat Swasta anjuran Jabatan Pertanian dan Biro Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani Pemuda Umno di sini, semalam.

Harga sekilogram beras ST15 ialah RM1.80. Noh berkata, pelaksanaan sistem kupon juga dapat mengurangkan jumlah subsidi kerajaan kerana pengeluaran beras ST15 dapat dikurangkan kepada 20,000 hingga 30,000 tan sebulan.

Keluaran ST15 sebulan sekarang ialah 40,000 tan. Ketika ini, jumlah subsidi dibayar kepada pengilang yang mengeluarkan beras jenis itu ialah kira-kira RM32 juta sebulan, iaitu RM750 bagi setiap satu tan ST15 yang dikeluarkan.

"Kita bagi subsidi untuk pengeluaran 40,000 tan beras ST15 sebulan, bermakna pengilang boleh mendapat kira-kira RM1 juta subsidi sehari," katanya.

Noh juga memberi jaminan kementeriannya akan memastikan setiap rakyat miskin yang menetap dalam bandar turut menikmati beras berkenaan. "Kementerian akan menggunakan pendekatan yang sesuai dan berkesan bagi memastikan senarai nama mereka yang layak adalah tepat dan menyeluruh.

"Langkah sama digunakan di Indonesia iaitu membabitkan 8 juta rakyat yang benar-benar layak saja dapat menikmati bekalan beras yang disubsidi kerajaan," katanya.

Menjawab soalan, beliau berkata, perbuatan pemborong yang 'menukar baju' atau menukar bungkusan beras itu selepas menerima bekalan daripada pengilang adalah antara faktor menyebabkan kekurangan bekalan beras ST15 di pasaran.

Many parents unaware of Internet’s dangers

Many parents are unaware how easy it is for their children – the most easily hooked to multi-user games and pornography – to get into trouble on the Internet.

Children know far more than parents do, but adults must still teach codes of conduct as far as online activities are concerned. We need to help children to learn about safe and appropriate behaviour, not just safe and appropriate sites; help them think critically about what they post, read and see online

Teach your children how to be safe, responsible and respectful on the Internet. By keeping your computer in an open area, parents can monitor what their children are doing online and deter them from doing something unsafe. There are some risks such as cyber-stalkers, harassers and cyber-predators were beyond the control of Internet users.

Children should be taught to avoid disclosing inappropriate information and refuse to fill out forms and registrations online to minimise risks.

As online chat rooms are popular among teenagers, parents should tell their children that they can chat but not to confide in strangers. People you chat with online are not your friends, they are people you chat with. Parents should practise asking their children questions about themselves that they might encounter in a chat room. We teach our children to be polite and not to ignore others, but we are also asking them not to talk to strangers. More importantly, teach your children not to tell people personal things because they’d never know who they are talking to.

Wandering aimlessly online was the same as loitering around after school and thus children’s surfing time should be limited to half an hour per day if it was not related to homework. Parents should also pay due attention to symptoms for Internet addiction disorder.

These symptoms include obsession with surfing the Internet, increased time online, unsuccessful attempts to cut down time online, risking loss of job or relationship in order to spend time online, lying about extent of Internet use, using the Internet to escape from problems and losing sleep to the web.

Citing some examples, she said a 13-year-old committed suicide in Vietnam because he felt he was poisoned by online games and could no longer control himself, while a South Korean man died after playing the multi-player game ‘Starcraft’ for 50 hours straight.

It is essential for parents to do their homework by checking out sites; as well as explore safety, privacy tools and parental control features to bring down the level of cyber-crime risks.

Learning abbreviations largely used by teenagers in the cyber-world would also come in handy.

Najib’s ‘goodies’ for the people on 100th day in office

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak , who marked his 100th day in office as the prime minister yesterday, made 11 announcements pertaining to government efforts to provide for a better life for Malaysians.

These announcements were made at the ‘100 Days of Najib with the People’ function at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) which was telecast live by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM). The announcements were:


* Facilitating applications for registration of births in Sabah and Sarawak.

* Construction of additional roads in Sabah and Sarawak.

* Upgrading of water and electricity supply in Sabah and Sarawak.

* A 20 per cent discount for users of the pre-paid Smart Tag and Touch n Go cards who pay toll 80 times or more in a month.

* The government offer for sale of 44,000 units of public housing to people renting these premises in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

* A 50 per cent discount on the licence renewal fee for hawkers and petty traders in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur with immediate effect.

* The government’s raising by 3,000 the number of taxi permits, the applications for which will be approved over the next three months.

* The introduction of drastic measures to reduce crime and fight corruption.
Reduction to RM211 the fee for learning to ride Class B2 motorcycles of 250cc and below, beginning Sept 1.

* Increasing by RM150 million the allocation for Tekun Nasional, with RM15 million to be made available for young entrepreneurs from the Indian community.
Introduction of the new Amanah Saham 1Malaysia (1Malaysia Unit Trust) with a size of 10 billion units.

— Bernama

Spare computer labs to be used to teach English

Spare computer labs in schools may be used as language labs to promote the use of English.
Education director-general Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the usage of information technology would enhance students’ learning of English.

“Students will find it easier to pick up the language if we use such interactive means,” he said in an interview after opening a seminar for Yayasan Guru Malaysia Berhad state representatives here yesterday.
Besides increasing the teaching time allocated for the subject, schools would also be given allowances to buy English books and magazines for the perusal of students, he added.

“The ministry has also identified five teachers training institutes around the country which will be devoted to producing capable English language teachers.

“These institutes will also act as ‘tuition centres’ for other teachers who wish to better their command of English,” said Alimuddin.

He said that 13,000 retired English teachers nationwide were expected to be hired on a contractual basis next year.

Other plans to enhance the learning of English included the incorporation of creative teaching methods, such as teaching through music and story-telling, and language summer camps organised during school holidays, he said.

When asked on the feasibility of implementing these plans, Alimuddin said the ministry would be well prepared by 2012.

“I guarantee that students’ understanding of English will be much better than how it is right now,” he said.

Social ills spreading to Sarawak's Malay settlements

Social ills like juvenile delinquency, and drug and alcohol abuse have spread into Malay kampungs here, disrupting the traditionally peaceful and serene nature of life that was once the norm in these settlements, said a senior Sarawak Minister.

State Minister for Public Utilities Datuk Seri Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said these social problems spread from urban areas.

"Increasing number of problems have cropped up in the kampungs because of these social menaces. Unless we take steps to tackle these problems, they will spread even further.

"If these social ills get beyond the point of control, then there will be serious implications for our Malay communities," he said at the 50th anniversary dinner of the Miri Malay Association here on Saturday night.

Tengah, who is also State Second Minister for Planning and Resources Management, said Malay organisations must put in greater effort to help stop the social ills.

He said it was impossible for government authorities to handle the task alone.

Tengah, however, praised the association for having done well to uplift the economic standard of the Malays in Miri and in the state.

English Yesterday (Before 1970) & English Today (After 1970)

Poor English a result of the system

THINK the basic problem lies with the teachers. There is no sincere effort among them to master the language themselves in order to be able to teach with confidence.

In the 1970’s when teachers who were trained to teach in the English language had to revert to Bahasa Malaysia. I was one of them, and we took great efforts to do so. Other colleagues who could not master the language took the right step - they resigned.

As I drove to school, I would listen to “Learn a Word a Day” over the radio every day and ensured I used that word in my conversations that day. This helped me to add new words to my vocabulary.

I also requested to teach in a “weak class” (classes were streamed in those days) so that I could gain confidence in the language. I was never shy to ask my Malay colleagues for help. I improved so much that my headmistress allowed me to teach Geography and History in Bahasa Malaysia in Form 4.

Before I retired in the 1990s, I was asked to observe and report on English Language trainee teachers. Even then, I could see the deterioration in the standard from year to year.
I can only say one thing - the system is the cause for this deterioration

(PUAN CHELLA,Kuala Lumpur The Star 11/07/09)

Waktu sekolah kekal

TIMBALAN Perdana Menteri merangkap Menteri Pelajaran, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin ketika mengadakan sidang media mengenai laporan keputusan pengajaran, pembelajaran Matematik dan Sains di sekolah rendah dan menengah dilaksanakan semula dalam Bahasa Malaysia mulai 2012 sambil diperhatikan oleh Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran Datuk Dr. Puad Zakarshi (dua kanan) dan Ketua Pengarah Pelajaran Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom (kanan)

Masa subjek lain dipendekkan untuk mantap Bahasa Inggeris

Kementerian Pelajaran semalam menjelaskan waktu persekolahan tidak akan dipanjangkan walaupun masa pengajaran dan pembelajaran subjek Bahasa Inggeris (BI) ditambah.

Ketua Pengarah Pelajaran, Tan Sri Alimuddin Mohd Dom, sebaliknya berkata masa pembelajaran sesetengah subjek akan dipendekkan dalam pelaksanaan strategi baru untuk memartabatkan Bahasa Malaysia (BM) dan memantapkan BI.

Beliau memberi contoh waktu pembelajaran muzik antara yang akan dipendekkan dan masa berkenaan dipindahkan kepada pengajaran BI. "Pelajar tidak akan terbeban dengan pelaksanaan ini, malah waktu persekolahan tidak dilanjutkan," katanya pada sidang media di pejabatnya, di sini.

Kelmarin, Timbalan Perdana Menteri yang juga Menteri Pelajaran, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin mengumumkan pengajaran dan pembelajaran Matematik dan Sains di sekolah kebangsaan akan dilaksanakan semula dalam BM, manakala di sekolah jenis kebangsaan Cina serta Tamil dalam bahasa ibunda masing-masing mulai 2012.

Berikutan itu, BI akan dimantapkan dengan pertambahan waktu pembelajaran subjek berkenaan.

Mengenai penyediaan buku teks terutama bagi pelajar yang telah mengikuti Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam BI (PPSMI), Alimuddin berkata, ia mungkin dicetak dalam dwi-bahasa untuk mengelakkan timbul masalah di kalangan pelajar.

Beliau juga berkata, setakat ini kementerian belum membuat keputusan berhubung cadangan melaksanakan peraturan mewajibkan pelajar lulus BI dalam peperiksaan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

Bagaimanapun, katanya, melalui ribuan e-mel dan maklum balas yang diterima setakat ini, 80 peratus menyatakan persetujuan berhubung perkara itu tetapi dengan syarat kementerian mesti menyediakan guru BI terlatih serta kemudahan pembelajaran yang efisien.

Mengenai pengambilan lebih 13,000 guru BI termasuk 600 yang sudah bersara, Alimuddin berkata, guru bersara boleh memohon terus kepada kementerian dan akan tempatkan di kawasan mereka tinggal supaya tidak perlu berpindah.

"Saya rasa ramai yang akan memohon kalau diberi peluang. Jika mereka ditempatkan di kawasan sendiri, saya rasa kita tidak ada masalah untuk dapatkan 600 orang yang disasarkan," katanya. Alimuddin juga berharap ibu bapa menyokong usaha kerajaan memantapkan BI, termasuk menyediakan bahan bacaan di rumah atau menggunakan teknologi, maklumat dan komunikasi.

"Saya cadangkan ibu bapa menyediakan sekurang-kurangnya akhbar berbahasa Inggeris di rumah, majalah, novel atau buku bahasa Inggeris kepada anak-anak," katanya.

Sementara itu, Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, berkata kerajaan memperuntukkan kira-kira RM5 bilion untuk memperkasakan pengajaran dan pembelajaran BI di sekolah rendah serta menengah bagi tempoh 2011 hingga 2015.

"Peruntukan itu akan membiayai pelaksanaan pelbagai langkah untuk memantapkan penguasaan BI, termasuk pengambilan guru asing terutama dari United Kingdom dan Australia," katanya pada sidang akhbar di lobi Parlimen.

Ketika ini, 34,767 guru BI mengajar di sekolah rendah dan menengah seluruh negara. Mengenai pengambilan guru dari kalangan graduan universiti swasta, Mohd Puad berkata, perkara itu akan dibincang dengan Bahagian Pendidikan Guru, Kementerian Pelajaran supaya ada kolaborasi antara kedua-dua pihak terutama berhubung latihan praktikal.

Mohd Puad berkata, ada juga cadangan supaya kementerian mewujudkan Institut Pendidikan Guru khusus untuk BI dan setakat ini sebuah pusat latihan di Nilai akan menjadi pusat kecemerlangan bagi melahirkan guru pakar dalam bahasa itu.

Mengenai bayaran insentif subjek pendidikan (BISP) berikutan pemansuhan PPSMI, beliau berkata, guru Sains dan Matematik tidak akan menerima bayaran itu mulai 2012 yang berjumlah kira-kira RM40 juta setahun.

Ketika ini, 61,040 guru Matematik mengajar di sekolah rendah dan 26,389 di sekolah menengah, manakala 46,946 guru Sains di sekolah rendah dan 25,781 di sekolah menengah.

"Lebih baik wang yang kita belanjakan bagi PPSMI seperti BISP, digunakan untuk menterjemahkan lebih banyak buku rujukan dalam bahasa Melayu bagi kegunaan pelajar. Institut Terjemahan Negara Malaysia di bawah kementerian ada keupayaan dan pakar yang profesional," katanya.

Mengulas kekeliruan orang ramai mengenai tempoh tiga tahun bagi memansuhkan PPSMI, Mohd Puad berkata, langkah itu mesti dilaksanakan secara `tertib' supaya tidak berlaku kejutan. Beliau berkata, kementerian juga tidak akan mempertimbangkan cadangan supaya PPSMI dilaksanakan pada peringkat sekolah menengah.

It is Bahasa again but more emphasis will be placed on learning English

The Government has decided to reverse the Teaching of Mathematics and Science in English policy and revert to Bahasa Malaysia in national schools and Chinese and Tamil in vernacular schools.

More emphasis would also be placed on English, including the hiring of retired teachers, assistant teachers for bigger classes and having additional periods.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this meant that from 2012, students in Years One and Four and Forms One and Four in national primary and secondary schools would study the two subjects in Bahasa Malaysia while those in vernacular schools would be taught in their mother tongue (Chinese and Tamil).

“We want to have a ‘soft landing’ which is why we will begin only in 2012. This will allow us time to make the necessary preparations,” he told a press conference at the ministry when announcing the reversal of the ETeMS policy or better known by its Malay acronym, PPSMI.

Asked why the ministry was not starting with a new cohort of Year One students, Muhyiddin who is Education Minister, said there was time to fine-tune the policy.

“There is still two-and-a-half years to prepare.

“Some members of the Cabinet made an observation that those in Form Four may be affected but that’s okay because we can still make changes so they continue their studies in two languages,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the ministry would do “whatever we can to make it as soft as possible for these students.”

“This is why the ministry is staggering the changes that will happen.

“It was quite sudden when the PPSMI was introduced previously,” he said.

The PPSMI policy was implemented in phases, beginning with Year One, Form One and Lower Six students in 2003, under former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure.
The first cohort who completed six years of primary schooling and studied the two subjects in English received their Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) results last year.

Muhyiddin said that to ensure the implementation of the new policy did not affect the first batch (who started studying the two subjects in English in primary school in 2003), they would continue to study Mathematics and Science bilingually (in English and Bahasa Malaysia) until 2014.

He stressed that the reason for the reversal in policy was due to objective considerations and not political ones.

“It was based on empirical studies and other specialist reviews,” he said.

Based on studies conducted in 2008, he said, the ministry found that only a small percentage of teachers fully used English to teach the two subjects.

“On average, the percentage of those using English during Mathematics and Science periods was around 53% to 58%,” he said, adding that only a small number of teachers were proficient.
Muhyiddin said studies carried out by local universities found that students’ mastery level of English during the entire policy was around 3% while the level among rural students was low.

“Based on these observations, the Government is confident that Mathematics and Science should be taught in languages understood by students, which is Bahasa Malaysia in national schools, and Chinese and Tamil in the respective vernacular schools,” he said.

On whether the decision goes against Dr Mahathir’s vision, Muhyiddin said he and senior ministry officials had a three-hour meeting explaining the problems faced by those involved.

Sarawak: 194,887 hak milik tanah NCR dilulus

Jabatan Tanah dan Survei Sarawak sudah mengeluarkan 45,260 hak milik tanah kediaman dan 149,627 lagi pertanian, membabitkan tanah Hak Adat Bumiputera (NCR) di negeri ini, sehingga 18 Jun lalu. Ia masing-masing membabitkan 3,854.75 hektar tanah NCR yang diiktiraf untuk kediaman, manakala 301,723.75 hektar tanah NCR pertanian.

Penolong Pengarah Jabatan Tanah, Brahim Lumpu, berkata kediaman jumlah hak milik tanah terbanyak dikeluarkan di Bahagian Kuching iaitu 19,420 hak milik membabitkan 1,275.68 hektar tanah NCR. Bagi pertanian katanya, Bahagian Betong mencatatkan jumlah pengeluaran hak milik terbanyak iaitu 21,716 hak milik untuk kawasan pertanian seluas 41,062.31 hektar.

"Namun, dari segi keluasan, kawasan NCR paling besar yang diberikan hak milik bagi tujuan pertanian ialah di Bahagian Limbang iaitu membabitkan kawasan seluas 52,888.17 hektar untuk 20,382 hak milik," katanya ketika memberi taklimat kepada wakil media di Ibu Pejabat Jabatan Tanah dan Survei di Wisma Pelita di sini, semalam.

Taklimat pertama seumpamanya itu diadakan bagi memberikan gambaran lebih jelas mengenai peranan, tanggungjawab dan undang-undang berkaitan tanah di negeri ini, berikutan isu tanah dekat pada hati rakyat dan sering menjadi isu hangat bukan sahaja di Dewan Undangan Negeri, malah dalam setiap pilihan raya di Sarawak. Hadir sama pada majlis taklimat berkenaan ialah Pengarah Jabatan Tanah dan Survei Sarawak, Datuk Sudarsono Osman.

Terdahulu, pada majlis taklimat sama, Penolong Pengarah Penilaian jabatan itu, Zaidi Mahdi, berkata pengambialihan tanah dibuat bagi membolehkan pelbagai projek pembangunan penting dilaksanakan di negeri ini. Katanya, antara 2006 dan 2008 iaitu pada Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) sejumlah RM435.7 juta sudah dibelanjakan bagi tujuan pengambilalihan tanah untuk membolehkan pelaksanaan 391 projek, dengan ia membabitkan 10,577 lot berkeluasan 7,523 hektar.

"Sepanjang RMK-8 sejumlah RM785.7 juta dibelanjakan bagi tujuan sama untuk membolehkan pelaksanaan 766 projek. Ia membabitkan 32,810 lot seluas 231,571 hektar.

"Sepanjang RMK-7 sebanyak RM657.45 juta dibelanjakan untuk pengambilalihan tanah bagi membolehkan 837 projek dilaksanakan. Ia membabitkan 32,343 lot seluas 19,833 hektar," katanya.

Mengenai masalah setinggan, Zaidi berkata, masih ada 8,915 rumah setinggan di negeri ini setakat 31 Mei lalu, dengan pada masa sama 3,957 rumah setinggan dirobohkan sejak 2002. Dari segi kutipan cukai tanah pula, jabatan itu mengutip RM262.39 juta sepanjang tahun lalu, manakala setakat 31 Mei lalu pula sejumlah 547,743 hak milik tanah sudah dikeluarkan Cawangan Tanah jabatan itu.

Turut memberi taklimat pada majlis itu ialah Penolong Pengarah Perancangan jabatan itu, Laping Jawa. Media turut dibawa melawat beberapa bahagian penting di jabatan berkenaan.

Sarawak : H1N1 - Five local transmissions!

Sarawak recorded five local Influenza A (H1N1) transmissions as of yesterday when the state’s number 14 case was confirmed in Kuching earlier in the day.

But by 10pm last night, cases No. 15 and No. 16 were confirmed.

In a press conference earlier yesterday, Minister of Environment and Public Health Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh announced a local transmission case that involved a 15-year-old Kuching boy who had no history of travel.

“The boy who is also case number nine is the younger brother of case number seven.

He was down with cough and fever with a temperature of 39 Celsius on July 4,” said Wong.

The boy was admitted to the hospital on the same day and a swab was taken on admission.

“The result was known on July 5, where he tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1),” said Wong.

He added that the boy was now in stable condition in the hospital ward.

The boy was Sarawak’s case number 14.


The other four local transmission cases, however, seem to reflect the speed at which personal contact could trigger the spread of the virus.

These cases were brought to the attention of The Borneo Post by Wong in a telephone interview late last night.

According to him, the state’s number eight case was that of a husband who had returned from outside the state and had spread the virus to his wife and three children.
He said the family was warded at the Miri Hospital.

Wong also spoke of patient number 10, a 34-year-old male from Bintulu, who developed a sore throat and runny nose without a fever on July 2.

“He went to Bintulu hospital on July 4 and a throat swab was taken to test for Influenza A (H1N1). The man was later quarantined at home,” said Wong.

The positive result for A (H1N1) was confirmed yesterday.

He said the patient, who had travelled to China and Hong Kong, is now receiving treatment at the Bintulu General Hospital.

“He came back to Miri on July 2 and from there, travelled back to Bintulu on July 3. And we are trying to identify all those whom he had come into contact with earlier,” said Wong.

Wong called in at 10pm last night to say two more cases had been confirmed from Kuching, bringing the state’s total number of swine flu cases to 16.

“State has recorded its 15th and 16th cases from foreigners. Both are foreigners, but there is no cause for alarm,” he assured.

Case No. 15 was a 24-year-old student from Denmark by the name of Lasse Lykke Roerpack.
The case came to Kuching through London on July 1 and Kuala Lumpur on July 2. Lasse, who travelled on AirAsia flight, developed fever and cough on July 3. On July 4, he was presented to Sarawak General Hospital with fever at 39 degrees Celsius.

He has been given tamiflu vaccine since July 4.

Case No. 16 was Emily Jasmine Ngu Beixe, a 25-year-old Malaysian banker. She works in Singapore and came back to Kuching on July 2 on AirAsia flight number AK6674, arriving Kuching at 10 pm.

She had cough and sore throat since July 1, and went to the Sarawak General Hospital A&E, with fever and running nose on July 2. She was put under home quarantine as patient under investigation since July 4. Results came back positive yesterday.

Asked about preventive measures, Wong said there was no reason to panic, as the state had taken every precautionary measure possible.

He called on the people to take self-precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and maintaining a high level of personal hygiene at all times.

“And if you have symptoms, you need to seek immediate medical treatment,” he advised.

Wong stressed that those who had travelled to A (H1N1) affected countries must be very honest when filling their declaration forms.

He said they should also go on self-imposed quarantine for about one week.

“This is for your own good and for the good of others,” he said.

Earlier, state Health Department director Dr Mohd Kamil Hassan said the department had the necessary contingency plan in place. This included the screening of passengers at airports.

“And we expect people to be honest in their declaration whether they had been to H1N1 affected countries or down with flu-like symptoms,” said Dr Kamil.

Hospitals, he added, were also equipped with isolation wards.

He assured that there was a sufficient supply of medication – Tamiflu – for those who tested positive for the virus.

Dr Kamil echoed Wong’s advice to practise a high standard of hygiene, to prevent the virus from spreading to others, particularly among family members.

Among those present at the press conference were Pelawan assemblyman Vincent Goh, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng, secretary Hii Chang Kee and Sibu General Hospital director Dr Chin Zin Hing.

1Malaysia can earn respect

Concept can enhance ties between Malaysia and other countries and boost economic bonds

The 1Malaysia concept, if accepted and practised by all Malaysians irrespective of their race, can make the country even more respected and honoured.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who declared open the 26th Malaysia Chinese Cultural Festival at the town square here last night said as a result of respect and honour, ties between Malaysia and other countries can be enhanced to boost economic relationships.

“Because of 1Malaysia, China in particular had become very close to the country. I was made to understand that China has allocated a big amount to be invested in this country,” he said, adding that this relationship would continue to be maintained.

In fact, Najib said, Malaysia is regarded by China as an important business partner.
And if our economy progressed well, it would improve the socio-economic standard of the people, he said.

BP 7/7/09

‘Jalan tikus’ have become ‘jalan gajah’

TEBEDU: The many illegal jungle paths that crisscross the Sarawak-Kalimantan border which used to be just ‘jalan tikus’ (jungle treks) have been turned into ‘jalan gajah’ (literally elephant trails) as they have become wider and more well-trodden by illegal immigrants and smugglers.

The term ‘jalan gajah’ was used by Deputy Home Minister Jelaing Mersat to describe the illegal border crossings which he noted had grown wide enough for big vehicles such as trucks to pass through.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Centre here, Jelaing said stolen cars and illegal logs, for instance, could be easily sent across the border apart from even human trafficking.

“We are monitoring the situation closely to tackle, among other things, the problem of smuggling,” he said.

According to Jelaing, the widening of the roads is done by unscrupulous people who reap profits from smuggling activities.

He said such roads were mainly found in Kuching and Sri Aman divisions.

Towards this end, he said the Home Ministry would be much stricter in conducting patrols and would allocate funds to increase the facilities for officers posted at border points.

On the amount to be allocated, he said that it was still being studied, but it would be channelled according to priority.

He admitted that though the entry points were usually used by those who had relatives either in Sarawak or Kalimantan, there were also those who used the roads for other purposes, like looking for jobs in Sarawak.

“We know the Sarawak-Kalimantan border is very long and we have people coming in or going out using roads far from the border posts. This is where our problem is,” he added.

On a claim that gangsters who were arrested under ‘Ops Cantas Kenyalang’ and released recently were up to their old tricks, he said they would be investigated.

“We will conduct a thorough study and if this allegation is true, we will take action. But before the facts are gathered from the police, we can’t make any further statement,” he added.

It was reported on Wednesday that the police planned to interview Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing to get a clearer picture regarding his allegation last week that recently released gangsters were up to their old tricks.

On Monday, a national newspaper reported that the Bintulu MP had claimed that gang leaders who had been released after completing their two-year term of restricted residence under the Emergency Ordinance had started to reorganise and had returned to their old ways.

Tiong had said he had received numerous complaints not only from rural folk in his constituency, but also from individuals here and in Sibu, that they were being forced by some gangs to sell farm produce and jungle commodities at prices fixed by the gangs.

He had also claimed that the police had either failed to take down reports lodged by the farmers against the gangsters or had discouraged the farmers from lodging reports as their problems were said to be trivial.

Perubahan garis panduan FIC cabaran baru buat Bumiputera

Sasaran orang Melayu kuasai 30 peratus ekonomi masih dikekal kerajaanSEORANG sahabat mengeluh mengenangkan nasib orang Melayu apabila menurutnya, kuota 30 peratus Bumiputera yang menjadi asas agenda Dasar Ekonomi Baru dihapuskan baru-baru ini.

Sama ada kenyataannya betul atau tidak atau separuh betul, ia tidak penting. Yang jelas kenyataan itu terhasil daripada hanya membaca tajuk berita tanpa memahami isi kandungan seterusnya.

Mungkin salah media massa kerana tidak melapor sebaiknya, atau kerajaan kerana tidak memberi penjelasan sepenuhnya. Ataupun kemarahan itu diilhamkan oleh politik, kerana kawan saya memang tidak suka Barisan Nasional (BN) dan Umno dan menganggap tiada langsung perkara baik daripada kedua-duanya selama 52 tahun pemerintahan? Namun, jika difikirkan, tidak logik kepemimpinan Melayu akan meluputkan hak bangsanya tanpa pengganti yang sekurang-kurangnya sama nilainya atau lebih baik. Keresahan kawan saya berpunca daripada pelonggaran garis panduan Jawatankuasa Pelaburan Asing (Foreign Investment Committee) atau FIC. Antara lain, tugas FIC sebelum ini ialah membantu agenda ekonomi Bumiputera dengan memastikan 30 peratus saham terbitan awam syarikat yang hendak disenarai mestilah dikhaskan untuk Bumiputera.

Oleh kerana peraturan FIC itu, banyak syarikat, pertubuhan atau perseorangan Bumiputera dijadikan rakan kongsi dan ditawarkan 30 peratus pegangan dengan harga yang rendah, dalam syarikat yang bakal disenarai. Mereka juga mungkin menjadi ahli lembaga pengarah dan kadang-kadang ahli pengurusan. Ramai Melayu dan Bumiputera menjadi kaya daripada polisi yang pada asasnya hanya memerlukan mereka menunjuk surat beranak untuk menjadi ahli korporat. Bagaimanapun, dalam dua dekad yang berlalu pegangan ekuiti Bumiputera di syarikat awam masih pada tahap 19 peratus, manakala pegangan asing meningkat hampir lima peratus, kepada 30 peratus. Ada yang sedih nilai pegangan ekuiti Melayu hanya tinggal RM2 bilion, walaupun RM54 bilion sudah diagih sejak 1985. (Saya berasa tiada perlu kita terlalu kecewa dan bimbang dengan penyusutan pegangan Bumiputera, kerana jika dilihat dari sudut lain, RM52 bilion sudah masuk dan menular dalam ekonomi masyarakat Bumiputera selama dua dekad dan sedikit sebanyak ini membantu).

Berbanding dengan pasaran muram hari ini, mungkin wajar pegangan ekuiti dijual pada harga yang tinggi. (Adalah juga tidak benar Melayu tidak berjimat atau menabung. Lihat saja berbilion-bilion ringgit dalam saham amanah dan Tabung Haji. Tetapi ini cerita untuk lain masa). Apa yang jelas, garis panduan FIC itu sudah ditelan zaman dan sebagai perkakas untuk agenda ekonomi Bumiputera, ia semakin tumpul.

Kesan dan pengaruhnya pun diragui. Ini terutama kesan daripada tindakan pasaran. Sejak harga saham yang ditawarkan kepada orang awam ditentukan menurut kuasa pasaran beberapa tahun lalu, premium daripada lonjakan harga di hari-hari awal penyenaraian di bursa semakin nipis. Contohnya, jika saham sebuah syarikat dinilai RM2 dan ditawarkan kepada orang ramai dan Bumiputera sebanyak RM1.80 sesaham, premium pada hari penyenaraian mungkin 10 atau 15 peratus. Jika dulu, tawaran mungkin RM1 sesaham; bayangkan untung siapa yang diberi saham berkenaan. Tetapi kini, sudahlah tawaran berharga tinggi, ada kalanya pasaran lembap boleh menyebabkan kerugian pada penyenaraian. Bagi Bumiputera yang diberi peluang memegang 30 peratus saham sesebuah syarikat ia akan menjadi masalah besar, terutama jika langganan dibiayai dengan pinjaman yang berjuta-juta ringgit. Saham tidak naik, hutang bertambah.

Sudahlah begitu, dengan 30 peratus dia tidak boleh berbuat apa-apa. Dia diletak sebagai lembaga pengarah, tetapi tidak di pengurusan. Cuma tunggu dividen saja, itu pun jika ada. Kini makin kurang Bumiputera yang mampu, atau mahu, melanggan kuota 30 peratus yang disediakan. Dan tanpa rakan Bumiputera, hampir mustahil syarikat boleh disenaraikan di bursa.

Akhirnya ekonomi negara lambat berkembang. Talam hidangan yang mengandungi habuan Bumiputera juga jarak dan kosong dan agenda ekonomi Melayu tidak tercapai, juga. Di kala era liberalisasi dan globalisasi, garis panduan FIC itu nampaknya lebih memberi masalah dan bukannya membawa penyelesaian. Syarikat bukan Bumiputera susah hendak berkembang, manakala pelabur asing, digoda destinasi baru seperti Vietnam, China dan India, semakin liat hendak ke sini. Persepsi negatif ini memberi rintangan kepada perkembangan ekonomi. Kerajaan kini berpendapat adalah lebih baik saiz ekonomi diperbesar, supaya banyak boleh diagihkan dan pendapatan rakyat dapat ditingkatkan. Jika FIC dilonggarkan, kesannya kepada suasana pelaburan negara mungkin baik.

Kerajaan juga berpendapat adalah lebih penting agenda ekonomi Bumiputera mempunyai satu lagi senjata, selain daripada Permodalan Nasional Bhd, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) dan lain-lain. Masalah utama Bumiputera sekarang bukanlah kehilangan kuota 30 peratus. Lebih penting ialah bagaimana hendak memberi Melayu dan Bumiputera akses ke dalam syarikat-syarikat persendirian yang secara kolektif adalah jentera sebenar ekonomi negara.

Pegangan Bumiputera kini banyak bertumpu di syarikat-syarikat tersenarai di bursa, iaitu 36 peratus daripada RM200 bilion pada 2004. Pada masa sama, pegangan Bumiputera di syarikat milik persendirian hanyalah lapan peratus daripada RM330 bilion. Ekuiti Nasional Berhad atau Ekuinas yang bakal ditubuhkan, diarah mengenal pasti syarikat persendirian yang berpotensi dan maju dengan tujuan membeli majoriti saham firma itu.

Di dalam perniagaan, jika ada tawaran yang baik, syarikat siapa pun boleh dibeli. Ekuinas kemudian akan memasukkan pengurus dan pekerja Bumiputera yang layak, untuk dilatih mengendalikan perniagaan dan kerja yang sebelum ini tidak terbuka kepada mereka. Analogi yang selalu diberi ialah lebih baik mempunyai tiga hotel sepenuhnya, di mana kita boleh buat apa saja, berbanding pegangan 30 peratus di dalam 10 hotel di mana pengurusan dan arah tuju ditentukan orang lain.

Model baru ekonomi ini bukan saja melihat isu ekuiti, malah membuat penilaian yang lebih bermakna mengenai jenis ekuiti atau pegangan. Kita tidak boleh dibelenggu rasa kecewa dan sinis bila saja ekonomi Melayu dan Bumiputera dibincangkan. Terlalu banyak masa dihabiskan marahkan orang lain atau kerajaan.

Model baru ini meminta kita beranjak daripada terlalu mengidam kuota 30 peratus yang nilainya semakin kurang dan diragui. Bunyinya memang menakutkan, tetapi sebenarnya tiada apa yang rugi dengan kelonggaran syarat FIC ini.

Bagaimanapun, secara amnya, sasaran Bumiputera menguasai sekurang-kurangnya 30 peratus keseluruhan ekonomi masih kekal. Cuma kini, alatan dan senjata dipelbagai.

H1N1 : 48 new cases detected

Forty-eight new cases of Influenza A (H1N1), comprising 40 imported and eight locally-transmitted cases, were detected until 8am yesterday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 244.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said of the 48 new cases, 36 involved Malaysians and the other 12 were foreigners.

“Of the 12, four are Indonesians, two each from Singapore, the Philippines and Australia, and one each from China and Italy,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Of the local cases, five are students of Sekolah Menengah Tsun Jin, Jalan Loke Yew here, one person contracted the flu from the 213th imported case while the other two cases are still being investigated.

Liow said 128 of the total 244 cases had fully recovered from the flu after receiving anti-viral treatment and were discharged from hospital.

“The other 116 are still being treated, with 85 of the cases confirmed positive while 31 are still waiting for the results of the laboratory tests. All the confirmed cases have responded well to treatment.”

He said four of the 739 who were in close contact with those infected and were then home-quarantined, had developed symptoms and were admitted to hospital for examination.

“The number of investigated cases for suspected Influenza A (H1N1) came to 2,471, with 244 of them confirmed positive while 64 cases are still awaiting the results of the tests.”

On the issue of saliva tests on local and foreign tourists with flu symptoms at the country’s entry/exit points, Liow said it was just a precautionary measure and not to inconvenience them.

“Malaysia is a safe place to visit and we welcome tourists. We will not simply quarantine or cause difficulties to visitors to our country.

“We have to take strict precautions due to the fast rising number of cases, but at home, our number (of cases) is still small compared to the figures in other parts of the world,” he said.
Liow advised those having a cold or cough to use a face mask to prevent the virus from spreading to others.

“I also hope that the private sector will provide free face masks to the people as a corporate social responsibility,” he said.

Earlier, Liow held a dialogue session with 26 MPs and briefed them on the latest H1N1 situation in the country.

“The MPs will bring back all the information to the people, and they will be organising activities at the community level to inform the people on Influenza A,” he said.

3/7/2009 — Bernama

Pendapatan KWSP naik RM9.36 juta tahun lalu

Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) memperoleh peningkatan pendapatan sebanyak RM9.36 juta kepada RM20 bilion pada tahun lalu, berbanding RM18.29 bilion pada tahun sebelumnya walaupun negara mengalami krisis ekonomi kewangan global.

Pengerusinya, Tan Sri Samsudin Osman berkata, walaupun berhadapan situasi sukar, KWSP berjaya memanfaatkan kekuatan sedia ada dengan mencatatkan keputusan memberangsangkan sekali gus mencatatkan pendapatan kasar tertinggi.

"Peningkatan pendapatan itu adalah hasil pulangan pelaburan KWSP terutamanya dalam pinjaman dan bon (RM6.78 bilion), ekuiti (RM6.67 bilion) dan Sekuriti Kerajaan Malaysia (RM4.94 bilion)," katanya dalam Laporan Tahunan KWSP 2008 di sini hari ini.

Katanya lagi, ekoran penurunan ketara dalam harga ekuiti global dan polisi peruntukan susut nilai yang konservatif selaras dengan amalan terbaik perakaunan, KWSP telah memperuntukkan sebanyak RM4.68 bilion pada 2008 untuk susut nilai pelaburan ekuiti.

"Kesan daripada peruntukan itu, KWSP telah merekodkan pendapatan bersih sebanyak RM14.31 bilion pada tahun tersebut dan dividen sebanyak 4.5 peratus," katanya.

Mengulas lanjut, Samsudin berkata, bagi menghadapi cabaran KWSP yang semakin sengit, pihaknya telah melaksanakan langkah-langkah untuk mempelbagaikan pelaburan bagi menghasilkan pulangan yang lebih tinggi.

"Walaupun menjangkakan 2009 merupakan tahun yang mencabar dari segi kewangan, KWSP akan sentiasa bersedia melindungi kedudukannya dan nilai simpanan persaraan ahli," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, katanya lagi, jumlah keseluruhan caruman juga turut mencatatkan peningkatan.
"Pada tahun 2008, jumlah caruman adalah RM34.54 bilion berbanding RM28.93 bilion pada tahun 2007, ini bermakna 19.39 peratus telah meningkat," katanya.

Fund to invest in high-growth sectors

As part of its new economic model approach, the Government will be setting up Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas), a private equity fund to ensure meaningful and effective participation by bumiputras, as well as stimulate investments in sectors with high-growth potential.

Ekuinas, to be established with an initial capital of RM500mil and eventually enlarged to RM10bil, will invest in high-growth sectors, including education, medical tourism, education tourism, information and communications technology, and oil and gas, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economic Planning Unit) Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said at Invest Malaysia 2009 yesterday.

Ekuinas would begin operations “soon, meaning this year, not next year.”

While Ekuinas might jointly invest in projects with non-bumiputra partners, there would be a specific bumiputra agenda, Nor Mohamed said.

He emphasised that Ekuinas aimed to be meritocratic and improve bumiputra participation in the economy by supporting capable bumiputra entrepreneurs without detriment to any other ethnic groups in the country.

“It is a win-win situation; we are acting so that no group is disincentivised or a hindrance to anyone,” he said, adding that while Ekuinas would report to the Government it would not be run like a government department but by professional staff operating outside the government.

Meanwhile, the EPU said in a statement yesterday that Ekuinas would jointly invest with the private sector, reflecting a genuine partnership and, through a fully commercial approach, would ensure meritocracy of participating bumiputras.

“The Government remains committed to the objective of growth with equity,” it said.

More enforcement powers for SC

The enforcement powers of the Securities Commission (SC) on corporate governance transgressions will be strengthened, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The SC will be empowered to take action against a director or officer who causes “a wrongful loss to a public listed company (PLC) or its subsidiary to the detriment of the PLC”.

The SC will also be able to prevent the dissipation of assets of a PLC by those managing the company. An independent Auditor Oversight Board will be set up.

This is among a slew of changes made to raise Malaysia’s attractiveness as a listing destination.

Going forward, the public spread requirement remains and in addition, the SC will introduce a new guideline that requires companies seeking listing to offer 50% of the public shareholding spread to bumiputra investors.

“The bumiputra equity condition, therefore, becomes subsumed with the public spread requirement,” Najib said.

This would make it easier to raise funds from the capital markets and post-listing fund raising exercises would no longer be subject to any equity condition, he said.

This would immediately support existing listed companies seeking to raise funds to undertake investments and reduce the friction cost of compliance.

Earlier in his speech, the Prime Minister said greater internationalisation was needed for the next phase of the development of the country’s capital markets.

“This is inevitable and is an integral aspect of a high-income strategy,’’ he said. “We have become a successful middle-income economy. But we cannot and will not be caught in the middle-income country trap.”

The Prime Minister said the country had to make the shift to a high-income economy or risk losing growth momentum in economies and vibrancy in the markets.

New policy to make Malaysian economy more competitive

The bumiputra 30% equity objective will now be a macro target as the Government seeks to turn Malaysia into a more competitive economy, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister explained that the policy changes had to be made because of the drastic changes in the global economic scenario since the inception of the New Economic Policy (NEP) and the failure of the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) to produce the desired results of increasing the bumiputra equity.

“This is part of the overall new economic model. This has been necessitated by two major factors,

“One, the economic environment regionally and globally has changed drastically since the inception of the NEP.

“Secondly, the FIC as an instrument has not produced the desired results over the last 19 years. Bumiputra participation has remained stagnant over the last 19 years.

“We need to have a new instrument but it has to be more market friendly. In the process, we are embarking on a new philosophy which will help the best and good bumiputras in business, not just any bumiputra, who are willing to help themselves,” he said yesterday.

On the doing away with the 30% quota for companies seeking listing, he said investors were dissatisfied with such a condition.

Najib pointed out that even the allotment of shares by the FIC to bumiputras in the past did not work as most of them would “straight away sell-down an enormous amount”.

“We have done our research. Very little shares are still left. The old model is not sustainable. Of the RM54bil in shares allocated, only RM2bil worth of shares are left in the hands of bumiputras. That’s a D-minus performance.

“In short, the FIC will no longer exist. We will replace it with an investment instrument called Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas), which is a private venture capital focusing on helping bumiputra entrepreneurs who have the potential and capability to develop into huge players domestically, regionally and globally,” he told a press conference after delivering his keynote address at Invest Malaysia Conference here.

He said Ekuinas would have an initial capital of RM500mil and which would be enlarged to RM10bil depending on the needs of identified entrepreneurs.

He said the remaining processes that still required government approvals would be made through a unit under the Economic Plan­ning Unit.

Asked if he would expect a political backlash following his announcement on the new policy reforms, Najib said: “I believe it is fair. These new policy guidelines are designed to create a win-win situation. In other words, it will make global investors happy and address the need for a more effective instrument for bumiputra equity participation.

“The overall macro target of the 30% bumiputra equity remains. We will move along the line of achieving a balanced society. We have to be fair to all communities. It will be based on two important premises – that no one is marginalised or disincentivised. It’s a tricky balancing act but it’s do-able.”

On whether the policy change should be termed as one of his achievements in his first 100 days in office, Najib, who had been in office for 89 days yesterday, said: “I came in with a clear promise to bring about change and reform. I try to live up to my promise as a politician. I hope you will have more faith in politicians in future.”

On whether Ekuinas would be established to achieve the 30% bumiputra quota target, he said: “It is not the only way. There are other ways as well to achieve the 30% bumiputra equity. It is important to see that the 1Malaysia concept is translated in the economic sense.”

To a question whether he was confident the Ali Baba practice (where bumiputra participation is in name only while non-bumiputras run the whole show) would be eliminated with the policy reform, he said: “I don’t think you can eliminate sleeping partners overnight but you will reduce it substantially. We are helping those who want to help themselves.”

Asked if the policy reforms were the much talked about new economic model, he said it was part of the overall new economic model.

“The new policy will make our economy more vibrant and dynamic and Malaysia will be high up in the radar screen of investors.”