Kami bawa anda mendekati, mendalami dan menghayati isu-isu dan fakta terkini.
PANDU CERMAT, SAYANGKAN NYAWA
INGAT ORANG YANG TERSAYANG
INGAT ORANG YANG TERSAYANG
PASTIKAN ANDA DAN SEMUA PENUMPANG MENGGUNAKAN TALI PINGGANG KELEDAR
20120125
Australian regulator files lawsuit against AirAsia
The Malaysia-based airline, which flies international services out of Australia from the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Perth, with Sydney to be added from April, was named in documents lodged at the Federal Court in Melbourne.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the country's consumer watchdog, claims some fares sold on AirAsia's website do not display prices inclusive of all taxes, duties, fees and other charges.
"Businesses that choose to advertise a part of the price of a particular product or service must also prominently specify a single total price," it said in a media release.
The regulator alleged the fares relate to flights from Melbourne to cities including London, New Delhi, and Hangzhou in China, from the Gold Coast to Ho Chi Minh City and from Perth to places such as Taipei and Phuket in Thailand.
The matter is listed to be heard on March 2 with the watchdog seeking an injunction "to restrain AirAsia from engaging in misleading conduct in the future".
It also wants a court order "that AirAsia publish corrective notices on its websites regarding the conduct".
AirAsia could not immediately be reached for comment.
By Agence France-Presse, Updated: 1/24/2012
20120103
Four in a family brutally murdered in Sibu
Sibu on the Eve of New Year 2012Four members of family murdered, one in critical condition
SIBU: Four members of a family were brutally murdered here at about 7 am today.
Sibu Police Chief ACO Shafie Ismail said a 36-year-old businessman, his 80-year-old mother, his two children aged eight to ten were brutally attacked. The third child at press time is in ICU, Sibu Hospital. The four were found dead in their house at Lane 13B1, RTM Road here.
The police believed they were attacked with blunt and sharp objects by more than one person.
Sarawak Police deputy commissioner Datuk Law Heng Soon said the dead have been identified as businessman Ling Tong Hock, 36, his mother Leong Nyuk Lan, 76, son David Ling Chei Qi, 10, and daughter Amy Ling Zi Jiun, seven. Tong Hock’s son Kelvin Ling Chei You, eight, is gravely injured on the head.
Law said Tong Hock’s wife, Li Xiao Lan, 28, fled unharmed through a window to a neighbour’s house after she heard a commotion downstairs and some people trying to kick down the bedroom door of the house.
He appealed to eye-witnesses to come forward to help the police and asked the media not to make any speculation which can hamper investigations.
From The Star:
Businessman and three members of his family murdered in Sibu
SIBU: Four members of a family were murdered in their home at 1H Lorong RTM 13B here just before dawn Tuesday.
The victims were a 36-year-old businessman, two of his children – aged eight and 10, and his 80-year-old mother.
The businessman’s wife managed to escape through a window on the first floor.
A team led by Sibu police chief ACP Shafie Ismail is conducting investigations at the scene while Sarawak police deputy commissioner Datuk Law Hong Soon is expected to give a press conference later in the afternoon.
Comment:
It is so sad to learn that four family members have been brutally murdered in Sibu. Two of them were children! How anyone could attack a seven-year-old girl and her 10-year-old brother to death is beyond us all as human beings. The girl, Amy Ling, and brother David, were found dead in different places at their house in RTM Road. Their eight-year-old brother is currently in Sibu Hospital’s intensive care unit with severe head injuries. A previous report from Bernama had claimed the boy died. I do apologise for the incorrect reporting and call upon everyone to pray for this poor child.
Also murdered were the children’s 36-year-old father — a timber and shipping businessman — identified as Ling Tock Hock and their 76-year-old grandmother Leong Nyuk Lan.
Ling’s wife — 28-year-old China national — Li Xiao Lan apparently managed to escape through a window on the first floor.
Sibu police chief ACP Shafie Ismail said it is believed that the family was attacked with both blunt and sharp objects by more than one person.
This is a devastating and horrific crime and the police must act swiftly to ensure justice is served.
Terror must not be allowed to reign in Sibu!
Let’s pray for the family and hope those left behind can one day rebuild their lives.
Extract from : Parochial Sarawakian ⋅ January 3, 2012 ⋅
20120101
Bakun Offer huge tourism potential

It has yet to be fully explored and promoted but most of the tourism-related industry players believe once the facilities are in place, it will become one of the world’s ‘must-go’ tourist destinations.
The Sungai Asap resettlement scheme was set up in 1998 to accommodate some 15,000 people from 15 longhouses who had to be relocated from their original villages in Balui River to make way for the Bakun Hydro project.
Principal Assistant Secretary to the Tourism Ministry Mary Wan Mering said travel agents needed to come up with exciting packages.
“I am happy that the longhouse folks are trying to start homestay programmes to improve their living standard. The ministry is hopeful their initiative will ensure the success of homestay programmes in Sungai Asap,” she said at the recent launching of the Uma Belor Leo Dian Belaga homestay programme.
“Homestay operators in Uma Belor must learn from successful operators through educational visits to Peninsular Malaysia. This will be one of the ministry’s plans.”
Mary hoped the locals would take advantage on what Bakun could offer, especially in ecotourism.
“The potential is there to be tapped. The people must seize the opportunity to benefit from this unique tourism asset,” she said.
Meanwhile, Samuel Chung, managing director of Straits Central Travel & Tour Agencies disclosed at the launching of Uma Belor Sungai Asap home-stay that six travel agents participated in the Bakun familiarisation trip.
“We have been to few longhouses. They are among the best products that can be commercialised locally and internationally,” he said.
Air connection
He suggested travel agents work with the local airline to promote Uma Belor as a transit point.
“With the help of the Tourism Ministry, we have talked to the airline to give us a special fare. I hope this will materialise soon. I have spoken to general manager of MasWing and he has agreed to hold further discussions on the matter.
“We want to concentrate on eco-tourism — the people come here for Nature. We also want to help train local tour guides to protect the interests of the local people. We are fully committed to this,” he added.
Chung also suggested a tourism task group be formed to educate the homestay operators on the tourism industry.
Earlier, during an interview, he described Bakun as a very interesting new product.
“Of course, we have the Batang Ai Dam which is beautiful as well but Bakun dam is something else – it’s one of the biggest in the world. So it’s the job for the tourism people to develop the area as a tourism product.
“We travel agents need new products. Here, we need the government to help us promote these products. If we market on our own, it’s not easy. It’s important to let people know what we can offer. Familiarisation trips can be organised for foreign travel agents to come here and look at our products,” he added.
On the local community, he said their different ethnic backgrounds were attractions in themselves.
“We can combine this with Nature, culture and adventure. If we are to develop this, the locals need to be involved.
“Few other countries have things like pristine jungles, unspoilt flora and fauna as well as agro-tourism. Moreover, we have other beautiful tourism products like natural waterfalls and traditional longhouses, and tourism activities like boat rides and fishing. All these are available in Bakun.”
On the safety of Bakun reservoir, he said there was risk everywhere, not only in Bakun.
“It’s a protected area — there must be guided tours and beyond Bakun, you’ll see the lake and floating chalets — all these are exotic tourist attractions.
“Bakun is one of the attractions in Borneo. It is something tourists do not see in their countries. This is what tourism is all about. We want to see something we don’t have,” Chung explained.
Ho Swee Soon of Minda Nusantara Tours & Travel Agencies Sdn Bhd which specialises in adventure tours, said Uma Belor is a very friendly homestay area, especially the locals who are very hospitable.
“As for tourism products, we have culture, Nature and adventure. In the Bakun dam itself, you can promote a lot of activities — the potential is there. Elsewhere like near the longhouse area, you can still promote Nature activities,” he added.
Ho said to promote a sustainable eco-tourist destination, cooperation in terms of control between the local communities and authorities was necessary.
“Bakun is a nice place because when you talk about Nature, you can see the Nature you want to see. I do understand the Sarawak Forestry Corporation’s effort to relocate the wildlife from the islands to the mainland. European tourists like to experience Nature apart from getting to know the local cultures.
“If you want to develop homestay, the best thing is go and see a successful homestay area in the peninsula. We also have a few in Sarawak.”
He also said the locals should be trained as tour guides, adding: “They need to participate as they know all the areas well.
Tropical Horbill Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd product manager Bob Zakaria said the Bakun area had immense potential to be developed into one of the best tourist destinations in the country.
“The lake itself is one of the biggest in the world with its strategic small islands. The local communities must work with the homestay operators to improve their livelihood and make the programme a success.
“The government can get involved by providing training and funding,” he suggested.
Bob pointed out that the area must be managed properly to preserve the environment. He also called on the locals to come up tourism-friendly products.
“As for travel agents like us, we will help to promote the products by meeting the demands of the local and international markets.
“It’s a collective responsibility involving the government, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and the community itself,” he said.
Nora Igang who is in charge of the Uma Belor homestay, said their vision was to create the best homestay in Belaga.
“We offer longhouse homestay packages, jungle tracking, exploration and various activities. Native folk dancing and musical instruments such as sape are what you can admire. They are part of the uniqueness of Orang Ulu cultural heritage. We also want to contribute more significantly to the development of the country’s tourism industry,” she added.
Ten Wuan Ping, the officer in charge of Bakun Dam Health and Safety Department, said new islands would be created to promote the area for eco-tourists.
He added that with proper planning, more people could be expected to get involved in the tourism sector.
The Bakun reservoir covering 69,500 hectares was the largest man-made lake in Malaysia followed by Kenyir Lake in Terengganu (39,600 ha), Murum (24,500 ha), Temenggor Lake, Perak (15,200 ha), Batang Air (9,000 ha) and Pergau (Kelantan).
Bakun Dam will have the capacity to generate a maximum of 2,400MW. The entire Bakun catchment area along the Balui River, a few kilometres upstream of Belaga town, in the upper Rajang Basin, measures about 14,759 sq km.
“There will be more than 20 big islands with a total size 6,000 ha that is suitable for resort development. The area has great tourism potential,” Ten enthused.
The distance from Bakun to Bintulu is 180km; Bakun to Sibu (390km), Bakun to Miri (300km) and Bakun to Kuching (900km).
20111221
Bank notes to sport new look from mid 2012; RM20 note comes back

The Ringgit will be sporting a new and exciting look, with the RM20 note making a comeback.
The new banknotes, except for the RM50 note which has been in circulation since 2007, will be in the market beginning mid next year.
The fourth series of the RM50 note was issued in commemoration with Malaysia's 50th Merdeka Day celebration.
The complete new Malaysian currency series - which also include the RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20 and RM100 banknotes - was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Wednesday.
On the observe side, all the banknote denomination in the new series retain the potrait of the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Tuanku Muhammad, the bunga raya and patterns of the traditional woven fabric - the songket.
The reverse side of each note features different elements of nature, tradition, culture, flora, fauna and the economy that are distinctively Malaysian.
Tindakan saring pelajar asing wajar - 2011/12/21
Terbaru, cadangan oleh Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN), Tan Sri Mahmood Adam bahawa kerajaan akan menguatkuasakan sistem tapisan bagi menyaring kemasukan pelajar asing ke Malaysia.
Kemasukan pelajar asing ke negara ini sedikit sebanyak memberikan kesan negatif kepada imej Malaysia seperti peningkatan kadar jenayah. Keadaan ini menimbulkan kebimbangan dalam kalangan mahasiswa tempatan dan masyarakat sekeliling. Ada golongan warga Afrika ini menyalahgunakan visa pelajar dan pas lawatan sosial mereka. Cadangan pengenalan sistem tapisan untuk kemasukan pelajar asing ini ialah tindakan bijak menerusi proses pengeluaran visa pelajar yang turut diperketatkan.
Diharapkan dengan tindakan mengetatkan proses pengeluaran visa ini dapat mengurangkan kes penipuan oleh golongan terbabit seperti tinggal melebihi tempoh, malah ada juga masalah sosial dan kegiatan jenayah yang membabitkan warga asing ini.
Penggunaan visa pelajar selepas melalui proses penapisan lebih ketat membolehkan pemantauan dilaksanakan oleh agensi berkaitan. Usaha ini seharusnya mendapat perhatian dan kerjasama semua pihak supaya dapat memastikan tiada kegiatan jenayah dan aktiviti tidak bermoral dilakukan di negara ini oleh pelajar asing.
Pada pendapat saya, usaha ini sangat baik dan seterusnya dapat memastikan Malaysia terus menjadi pusat kecemerlangan ilmu dan tidak disalahgunakan oleh pihak tertentu.
Beberapa penambahbaikan perlu dilakukan bagi memastikan pelajar asing yang belajar di negara ini tidak menimbulkan masalah dan memberi ancaman keselamatan kepada masyarakat supaya suasana pembelajaran berlangsung secara harmoni.
Tambahan pula, ada pelajar asing yang berkelakuan tidak sopan di dalam kampus dan tindakan mereka ini adalah bertentangan dengan budaya masyarakat Malaysia.
Selaku Presiden Majlis Tertinggi Mahasiswa, Kolej Canselor Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), saya berpendapat pelajar asing yang memasuki IPT di Malaysia perlu mengetahui, memahami dan menghor-mati adat dan budaya masyarakat Malaysia terutama masyarakat yang beragama Islam.
Sensitiviti dan kesedaran ini perlu ada dalam diri setiap pelajar asing ini dan mereka perlu menghormati sosiobudaya di Malaysia.
SHAFIDAH SAAD,
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
SEKTOR perkhidmatan kini menjadi penyumbang utama ekonomi negara.
Sektor perkhidmatan kini mengambil alih sektor pembuatan sebagai penyumbang utama pertumbuhan ekonomi. Ini akan memberi implikasi meluas ke mana dan di mana orang awam mencari pekerjaan dan apa juga jenis kemahiran yang diperlukan bagi mendapatkan pekerjaan pada masa depan. Sasaran pertumbuhan kerajaan amat jelas iaitu menjadikan Malaysia sebagai negara maju menjelang 2020. Jika merujuk Bank Dunia, ia bermakna Malaysia menuju ke arah mencapai pendapatan perkapita RM49,000 (AS$15,000) menjelang dekad itu. Tahap pendapatan perkapita pada 2010 ialah RM23,000 atau AS$7,000.
“Ini adalah sasaran yang diharapkan dan memenuhi pertumbuhan Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) sekurang-kurangnya tujuh peratus setiap tahun.”
Dari perspektif sejarah, kadar pertumbuhan negara lebih banyak dipengaruhi sektor pembuatan, tetapi apabila menilai semula dasar ekonomi negara tahun lalu, kerajaan sedar yang ia mungkin tidak dapat bertahan dalam jangka panjang.
Ia berdasarkan dua alasan. Dalam ekonomi membangun, sektor perkhidmatan lazimnya menjadi penyumbang terbesar kepada keluaran ekonomi. Tahun lalu, perkhidmatan menyumbang sehingga 77 peratus pertumbuhan domestik Amerika Syarikat (AS), Jerman (71), Jepun (74), Singapura (63) dan Hong Kong (92 peratus). Di Malaysia, kadarnya menunjukkan 58 peratus. Secara logik, ia bermakna masih banyak ruang untuk sektor perkhidmatan berkembang sejajar dengan peningkatan ekonomi negara.
Alasan kedua pula agak kurang menarik. Banyak kelebihan daya saing dalam pembuatan tradisi yang dimiliki Malaysia terpaksa bersaing dalam ekonomi bebas.
“Jalan penyelesaian untuk kita ialah dengan menawarkan nilai tambah tinggi dan memberi lebih banyak teknologi serta intensif modal industri. Perkara ini sedang berlaku tetapi ia akan mengambil sedikit masa.”
Sumber baru pertumbuhan ekonomi perlu diteroka dan kerajaan sudah menetapkan sasaran bahawa sektor perkhidmatan akan memacu pertumbuhan masa depan. Ia dijangka menjana pemilikan sektor berkenaan (termasuk perkhidmatan kerajaan) dalam pertumbuhan KDNK sehingga 67.3 peratus menjelang 2020.
Kerajaan membayangkan pertumbuhan sektor ini akan berlaku secara menyeluruh, terutama dalam industri minyak dan gas, pembinaan, perniagaan dan perkhidmatan profesional, pendidikan dan latihan, teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi (ICT), penjagaan kesihatan dan pelancongan.
Tumpuan utama akan diberikan kepada pembangunan sektor yang dikelaskan sebagai tunjang perkhidmatan. Ia akan menjadi satu-satunya penyumbang penting terhadap input pengeluaran dan eksport dalam perkhidmatan lain.
Bayangkan, perkakasan perisian yang kita gunakan untuk mengendalikan lapangan terbang atau jaringan digital yang membolehkan kita menggunakan telefon bimbit.
Bagi memacu pertumbuhan industri perkhidmatan, kerajaan membuka pintu kepada beberapa subsektor perkhidmatan kepada pelabur asing untuk melabur. Langkah membenarkan pelabur asing menjalankan perniagaan di negara ini atau menjalin usaha sama dengan syarikat tempatan akan dapat membantu meningkatkan tahap kemahiran rakyat Malaysia dan juga membantu mereka mengukuhkan perniagaan sambil memiliki jaringan di luar negara.
Beberapa dasar liberalisasi ekonomi yang diambil kerajaan sebelum ini juga bertujuan memenuhi kehendak negara yang sudah menandatangani beberapa perjanjian perdagangan.
Sejak menyertai Pertubuhan Perdagangan Dunia (WTO) pada 1995, sebagai contoh, kita komited dengan pendirian untuk meliberalisasikan sektor yang lebih meluas dalam industri perkhidmatan. Terbaru, kita menyertai Rundingan Doha. Apabila rundingan itu selesai, kita akan meliberalisasikan 11 daripada 12 sektor utama.
Komitmen bersama ASEAN juga menuntut kita menjadi lebih terbuka secara progresif dalam pasaran perkhidmatan domestik untuk bersaing dengan negara ASEAN lain. Sasaran dan tempoh masa yang kita ikuti kini berdasarkan rangka pelan hala tuju untuk mengukuhkan Komuniti Ekonomi ASEAN menjelang 2015. Sehingga kini, kita sudah melaksanakan liberalisasi dalam 96 subsektor perkhidmatan.
Kerajaan juga bertindak secara sebelah pihak untuk memacu lebih pantas liberalisasi sektor perkhidmatan. Pada April 2009, sebanyak 27 subsektor perkhidmatan dibuka. Lebih banyak langkah meyakinkan diumum Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak dalam ucapan Bajet 2012 di Parlimen baru-baru ini.
Sebagai tambahan, 17 subsektor akan dibuka kepada pemilikan pelabur luar pada 2012. Perubahan ini membolehkan pelabur luar memiliki sehingga 100 peratus perniagaan tempatan mereka.
Kerajaan juga melakukan rundingan meluas dengan sektor swasta dan awam. Sebagai tambahan, Kementerian Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri turut mempersiapkan rangka pelan bagi meliberalisasikan sektor perkhidmatan. Buat pertama kali kemasukan ekuiti asing tinggi dalam bidang perkhidmatan seperti seni bina, kejuruteraan, percukaian dan perkhidmatan perakaunan juga akan dibenarkan. Bagaimana semua ini mampu dilaksanakan?
Sebuah badan pemantau dikenali sebagai Majlis Pembangunan Perkhidmatan Malaysia (MSDC) diwujudkan untuk memantau dan menyelaras program liberalisasi yang dilaksanakan kementerian.
MSDC akan menilai syarat dan peraturan yang akan mendorong kepada pertumbuhan industri dan membantu usahawan tempatan khasnya perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) untuk membangun dan mengeksport perkhidmatan mereka.
Potensi eksport daripada sektor perkhidmatan kita tidak boleh dipandang rendah. Tahun lalu, eksport perkhidmatan bernilai RM105 bilion. Pelancongan adalah penyumbang terbesar dalam nilai eksport perkhidmatan itu. Pada 2010, 24.6 juta pelancong melawat Malaysia, membawa keuntungan berjumlah RM56.5 bilion. Jika kita mampu menarik lebih ramai pelancong dari China, Eropah dan Asia Barat, sumbangan sektor pelancongan kepada KDNK akan bertambah.
Sektor pembinaan kita menyumbang nilai eksport sehingga RM3.44 bilion. Asia Barat menjadi destinasi pilihan syarikat pemaju Malaysia dan sejak beberapa tahun lalu, tujuh syarikat pemaju utama Malaysia mendapat projek di Arab Saudi, Sudah, Qatar, Emiriah Arah Bersatu (UAE), Bahrain, Syria, Oman, Yaman dan Maghribi.
Kita juga menjangkakan yang pelancongan kesihatan akan menjadi industri yang berkembang beberapa tahun lagi dan akan memberi kesan tambahan kepada sektor lain dalam ekonomi. Sektor kewangan Islam kita juta terus meningkat dan terus menarik lebih ramai pelabur.
Keseluruhan, kita kini memiliki pelbagai inisiatif yang dapat meningkatkan usaha memacu pembangunan sektor perkhidmatan. Lembaga Pembangunan Pelaburan Malaysia (MIDA) sedang bekerja keras menarik pelabur asing dalam sektor ini, manakala Perbadanan Pembangunan Perdagangan Luar Malaysia (MATRADE) akan membantu syarikat kita untuk mengeksport perkhidmatan ke negara terpilih.
Pada masa sama, syarikat tempatan juga perlu mengambil kesempatan dan peluang yang dapat mengembangkan lagi sektor perkhidmatan penting dalam ekonomi kita sejajar dengan usaha kerajaan melaksanakan Program Transformasi Ekonomi (ETP).
Jika kita mampu mengekalkan pertumbuhan ini dan kekal fokus, saya yakin kita mampu mencapai pertumbuhan yang disasarkan.
20111023
“HAVE you had rice?”
This is one of the first questions that an Iban would ask of a visitor, an old friend or relative or even a total stranger, to his longhouse.
It’s not exactly the equivalent of “How are you?” or “How do you do?” – to find out how life has been treating you generally – but genuinely meaning to find out if you are really hungry or thirsty so that some food could be offered.
From the Iban perspective, the state of health of the visitor is a priority. It is incumbent upon him to ensure that he is a good host. Of course, the cooking of food for the guest is the portfolio of his darling wife, while he gets most of the compliments.
Such is the importance of rice in the culture of many Asians that when the floods in Thailand destroyed vast areas of paddy fields, the rice eaters in Sarawak, especially the non-farmers, began to worry of possible shortages of the commodity in the market. Some resorted to panic buying and some vendors to hoarding of stock in the hope of making a killing when the demand exceeds supply.
This situation arises because we are so dependent on other countries for our staple food. And we are being ambivalent in tackling the situation. Why? Rice farming is not a lucrative undertaking; the investors would rather go for timber and oil palm planting. Or rubber now.
Chronic importer of rice
As a result of this policy, Sarawak is a chronic mporter of rice.
According to the Sarawak Annual Report, 1951, every year we imported rice – progressively from 19.272 metric tons in 1947 to 31,907 metric tons by 1951. That was about 50 per cent of the amount of the commodity produced locally.
The population of Sarawak was then 546,385, and it must have increased progressively for the past 50 years. But the production of rice has not been able to outstrip the increase in the number of its eaters. Now we are told that we have to import 70 per cent of our rice requirements to feed a population of about 2.5 million.
That’s why we got worried when the floods in Thailand destroyed paddy fields there; it is from Thailand that we have been buying our Beras Siam. Now we can also import the stuff from Vietnam, China, even Pakistan. But in Vietnam, there is progressive salination of the paddy lands especially in the lower parts of the Mekong Delta, meaning that there will be less rice produced there. Time may come, if not already, when these countries may not be able to produce enough for export to us. Then we continue to buy the stuff at a subsidised price. Many of these Indochinese countries have been hoarding supplies for their own consumption since last year.
Back to Sarawak, what have we done to reduce the percentage of imported rice since 1947?
The colonial government was rather ambivalent in its food security policy. While admitting that Sarawak could be self-supporting in rice, the government then did not seem to be able to produce a clear self- sufficiency measure in rice. Instead, it lamented the fact that “when prices for the main products are low and there is little money available in the rural areas for purchase of imported rice, the country does of necessity approach self-sufficiency in this commodity. When, however, prices of export products are high (as in 1950 and 1951 when rubber and pepper fetched record prices), interest in padi planting wanes, and Sarawak may become dependent on imports for as much as half its rice requirements.”
Though it had introduced in 1946 a padi purchasing scheme whereby a minimum buying price was guaranteed at $16 Straits Dollars per pikul of un-husked rice, the scheme fizzled out as a result of the rubber and pepper boom. That was the situation then.
No mention of big scale padi planting, let alone a plan for export of the commodity.
However, from the early years of Malaysia, food security became a top priority for the government. In 1965, while flying over the Lower Batang Lupar, our first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, had a bright idea: there, down below was a vast country, the next rice bowl of Malaysia! Excitedly, he announced this to the reporters waiting for him at the old Kuching airport. I was moonlighting for the Vanguard then. The editor Desmond Leong splashed its front page with the rice the following day. So did the Sarawak Tribune.
Irrigation schemes were introduced and millions invested in areas from Lundu to Lawas. In 1970, I was accompanying the Chief Minister Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub on a tour of Sibuti, Lawas and Bario – keeping all eyes on land for rice and other agricultural crops.
Now some 40 years down the line, I have not been able to find statistics in terms of production of rice from these schemes – all the Tanjungs – Tanjung Purun, Tanjung Bijat, to name two; and various Payas – Selanyau in Sibuti, and so on. One had hoped that rice from these DID schemes be enough to supply home consumption, if not for sale.
But to date we hardly read about success stories of all of these irrigation schemes.
We have heard about a big project in the Lower Batang Lupar, the new Rice Bowl as envisaged by the Tunku, but for this to materialise fully, we will have to wait for five more years.
Better late than never, I suppose.
Meanwhile, there is a scramble for land for oil palms at the expense of land for padi cultivation, including hill padi. In and around Kuching, a lot of land used for padi in the past has been filled up to make way for shop houses and housing estates. Drive up to Serian today and you will see what’s on that land where beautiful rice fields could be seen for miles away – green in November and yellow in March. Drive along that un-named road from the end of Jalan Datu Bandar Haji Mustapha towards Jalan Stephen Yong and you will see the brand new houses on land opposite Kampung Sudat, no longer suitable for rice cultivation.
Well, that’s development, I agree. But fertile land for padi production is getting scarcer and scarcer by the day at the rate we are planting oil palms and building buildings. Not necessarily bad, I must say. But we have to rely more and more on rice from Thailand and other countries. And as a security measure, it would be dangerous to rely on others for the supply of the staple food. We are at the mercy of the exporters. We must reduce the 70 per cent reliance on imports of rice at all costs.
Some people have turned to bread, but wheat is from which bread is made. Australia has been one of our main suppliers but the production of Australia wheat was affected by bad weather and no one can guarantee that we will always get the supplies at affordable prices.
Friends have been teasing me that man does not live by bread alone … I know, he needs rice, that’s his bread.
by Sidi Munan. Posted on October 23, 2011, Sunday
20111012
90 peratus kanak-kanak ketagih layari internet
Kanak-kanak dan remaja di negara ini dilaporkan melayari internet pada purata 19 jam seminggu, sehingga menyebabkan mereka terdedah dengan pengalaman negatif menerusi penggunaan teknologi itu termasuk buli, penipuan identiti dan pornografi.
Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, berkata situasi itu mewakili kira-kira 90 peratus daripada 8.5 juta kanak-kanak atau sembilan daripada 10 daripada mereka berusia lima hingga 18 tahun di negara ini yang dilaporkan terdedah dengan gejala negatif dunia siber, sekali gus mampu mempengaruhi emosi mereka.
Kementerian akan merangka satu pelan strategik merangkumi kajian sama ada perlunya undang-undang atau polisi untuk memberi perlindungan kepada kanak-kanak daripada terus menjadi mangsa kesan negatif internet. - Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat
Sehubungan itu, katanya, kementerian akan merangka satu pelan strategik merangkumi kajian sama ada perlunya undang-undang atau polisi untuk memberi perlindungan kepada kanak-kanak daripada terus menjadi mangsa kesan negatif internet.
Data diperoleh daripada Norton Online Family Report 2010 juga melaporkan hanya empat daripada 10 ibu bapa mengetahui apa dilayari anak mereka dalam internet.
“Jadi, kementerian akan memimpin pihak berkepentingan, termasuk Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM), CyberSecurity dan DIGI mengolah pelan strategik bagi memberi perlindungan kepada golongan sasar kerana ini amat berbahaya dan sejajar dengan Dasar Perlindungan Kanak-Kanak yang dipersetujui kerajaan pada 2009,” katanya kepada pemberita pada sidang media selepas merasmikan Seminar Perlindungan Kanak-kanak Dalam Alam Maya (Child Online Protection) dan pelancaran buku Guide to a family friendly internet experience, di sini semalam.
Hadir sama Ketua Setiausaha kementerian, Datuk Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif CyberSecurity Malaysia, Lt Kol (B) Prof Datuk Husin Jazri.
Shahrizat berkata, selain penekanan aspek perundangan, kementerian melalui pelan strategik juga akan turun padang bagi menganjurkan program advokasi dengan kerjasama Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG) untuk memberi pengetahuan kepada ibu bapa mengenai situasi berkenaan.
Katanya, rangka kerja pelan strategik itu rentetan persetujuan kerajaan supaya negara menyertai ‘Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, September lalu.
“Jadi, dengan pelancaran buku ini, ia permulaan bagi pelan strategik itu sebelum kita melakukannya secara menyeluruh,” katanya.
Sementara itu, Husin berkata, CuberSecurity menerima aduan 11,930 insiden membabitkan jenayah siber sepanjang tahun ini sehingga September lalu yang dilaporkan kepada Pusat Bantuan Cyber999.
Beliau berkata, berdasarkan Statistik Insiden Keselamatan Siber, bilangan itu melonjak sehingga 130 peratus berbanding jumlah insiden pada tahun lalu, iaitu hanya 5,181.
Katanya, jenayah siber yang dilaporkan merangkumi penipuan (4,175), spam (3,452), pencerobohan (2,345), kod berbahaya (867), cubaan pencerobohan (525), gangguan siber (354), kelemahan laporan (87), gangguan perkhidmatan (77) dan kesalahan berkaitan kandungan (48)
Berita Harian 12.11.2011
20110530
SUNGLASSES BAN FOR VIETNAM POLICE
Under a new order from the Ministry of Public Security, officers must also "keep appropriate manners and be in the right position when on duty." said the English language website of the state controlled Tuoi Tre newspaper.
"This means traffic cops must not be behing trees to ambush" and issue fines.
The report, published on Saturday, also said on duty police were now banned from reading books, making or answering non-work related phone calls, drinking alcohol or eating at restaurants that illegally encroach onto pavements.
Vietnam's tarffic police are seen by citizens as notoriously corrupt.
Last year US-based Human Rights Watch urged Vietnam to investigate "widespread police brutality", saying it had documented 19 incidents of reported brutality by law enforcers over the previous year, resulting in 15 deaths. - AFP
(Borneo Post 30/5/2011)
Croc attack in Sungai Skrang?
SKRANG: Villager Jefferyson Sali, 26, of Rumah Jangin, Kejemut, Skrang, could have been a victim of a crocodile attack in Sungai Skrang on Saturday.
His remains, which were recovered at Tabut, Skrang, at about 8am yesterday, showed two of his legs were broken, a gaping wound on his right thigh and scratch marks on various parts of his body.
Skrang police station chief Sgt Rasit Bunya said the deceased was found
floating some 3km from where he was believed attacked by the ferocious animal at about 5.30pm on Saturday.
His remains had been sent to the Sri Aman District Hospital for a post-mortem.
Rasit said prior to the incident, the victim was bathing near the Sungai Skrang jetty with another friend, but his friend left earlier.
However, when his friend realised that Jefferyson had not returned to the longhouse later in the evening, he rushed to the jetty to look for him but Jefferyson was nowhere to be found.
A search operation was immediately mounted20110526
Malaysian bloggers reap up to RM1 million per year
These days, many are leveraging their blogs in search of business transactions or advertisement placements. The average monthly income of such bloggers are reported to be a whopping RM70,000.
Berita Harian shone the spotlight on one blogger - Mira Abu Bakar, who hit an advertising revenue of RM12,000 for a month in 2008. She earns RM2,000 on average through her blog Redmummy.com
Of course a blog's revenue is dependent on its popularity - measured in pageviews and visitors. This point was reinforced by Nuffnang (M) Sdn Bhd manager Nicholas Chay. So don't quit your day job just yet.
By MSN News, 1/24/2011
20110525
'Basiswa JPA hanya bagi bidang kritikal'
Pelajar cemerlang lepasan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) tidak boleh mengambil kursus yang diminati dan menganggap berhak memperoleh biasiswa Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA), kata Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz. Beliau berkata, JPA akan menawarkan biasiswa mengikut bidang yang dikategorikan sebagai kritikal saja seperti yang ditetapkan oleh pihaknya. “Penawaran hanya memberi fokus kepada bidang kritikal seperti perubatan, pergigian, farmasi, kejuruteraan, sains dan teknologi, termasuk sains sosial yang diperlukan oleh perkhidmatan awam di negara ini.
“Selain itu, sekiranya pelajar mengambil 13 mata pelajaran dan berjaya memperoleh 13A+ dalam SPM, jangan anggap berhak mendapat biasiswa ini kerana ia berdasarkan kepada keputusan 9A+ seperti diberitahu pada tahun lalu,” katanya pada sidang media di Parlimen di sini, semalam.
Beliau selaku menteri bertanggungjawab terhadap JPA mendedahkan perkara berkenaan, selepas ramai pelajar cemerlang lepasan SPM tahun lalu yang memperoleh kesemua A+ gagal memperoleh biasiswa sehingga Ketua Pemuda MCA, Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong mengkritik wujudnya salah guna kuasa di agensi terbabit.
Mengikut rekod tahun ini, JPA menerima 16,900 permohonan bagi Program Ijazah Luar Negara (PILN) dan 8,857 daripada jumlah itu melepasi syarat serta gred minimum mengikut bidang pengajian.
Nazri berkata, kerajaan memperuntukkan 1,500 biasiswa PILN dan 2,500 biasiswa Program Ijazah Dalam Negara (PIDN), tetapi hanya 300 pelajar saja yang menerima biasiswa PILN berdasarkan kepada kriteria ditetapkan.
“Kita melihat pencapaian akademik mereka, pembabitan dalam kokurikulum, sosioekonomi dan latar belakang keluarga serta prestasi ketika menghadiri temu duga, manakala mereka yang tidak memenuhi kriteria masih diberi tempat untuk belajar di universiti tempatan,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, baki biasiswa pula diberi kepada mereka yang layak bagi PIDN mengikut populasi kaum iaitu 60 peratus (900 biasiswa), setiap lima peratus bagi Sabah dan Sarawak (150 biasiswa) serta 10 peratus bagi golongan kurang berada (150 biasiswa).
Nazri turut menegur Wee yang juga Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran kerana tidak bertemu beliau untuk mengetahui masalah sebenar, sebaliknya hanya membawa masalah berkenaan kepada pihak media.
FAKTA:
•Jumlah keseluruhan permohonan yang diterima oleh JPA bagi PILN: 16,900
•Jumlah biasiswa PILN yang ditawarkan: 1,500
•Jumlah pelajar yang layak menerima biasiswa PILN: 300
•Jumlah biasiswa PIDN dan PILN: 4,000 biasiswa
•Kriteria yang digunakan bagi pemilihan dan penawaran biasiswa PILN:
- Pencapaian akademik
- Pembabitan dalam kokurikulum
- Sosioekonomi dan latar belakang keluarga
- Prestasi ketika temu duga.
Berita Harian 24/5/2011
20110523
Malaysia ranked world’s 10th largest consumer of alcohol
Statistics by the international body this year also showed that Malaysians spent over US$500mil (RM1.5bil) on alcohol with a per capita consumption of seven litres.
Beer consumption in Malaysia is 11 litres per capita.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Heng Seai Kie said the problem of alcohol consumption in the country was getting serious.
“Alcohol is not only causing a lot of health issues but is also contributing to a significant number of accidents,” she said here yesterday.
Heng was speaking to reporters after launching booklets and seminars on “Promote Healthy lifestyle: Reduce Alcohol Harm” organised by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) and supported by IOGT International, a worldwide community of non-governmental organisations, and the National Association of the Prevention of Drug Abuse (Pemadam).
She said the ministry, through the National Population and Family Development Board, would hold a campaign to create awareness on the danger of alcohol abuse.
She said 10 seminars would be held nationwide this year.
They would be conducted in Mandarin, Malay, English and Tamil and were aimed mostly at those from the Chinese and Indian communities, which had a high alcohol abuse rate.
“The public has to understand that alcohol is not part of our culture and it will bring harm if it is abused,” she said.
Earlier, in his speech, KLSCAH secretary-general Yong Yew Wei said the Road Safety Council estimated that drinking and driving caused 30% of road accidents nationwide, with 38% of these resulting in fatalities.
“A study also shows that absenteeism from workplace among alcoholics is 16 times higher than others,” he said, adding that non-governmental bodies played a vital role in promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Star Online 23/5/11
Tak perlu gusar harga petrol
Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri, Koperasi dan Kepenggunaan, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, berkata kajian ke atas bahan api itu dilakukan selaras pelan Rasionalisasi Subsidi bahawa setiap enam bulan sekali, satu kajian semula perlu dibuat ke atas subsidi minyak. "Kerajaan mengambil kira semua faktor termasuk inflasi dan beban rakyat kerana rakyat adalah keutamaan Barisan Nasional (BN) sebelum memutuskan sebarang keputusan mengenai semakan semula. "Apa yang saya boleh katakan, minyak tidak akan turun tetapi harga petrol naik atau kekal, akan ditentukan selepas keputusan pelarasan yang akan dibuat akhir bulan ini," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Persidangan Perwakilan UMNO bahagian Batu Kawan, di sini, semalam.
Hadir sama, Ketua UMNO bahagian Batu Kawan, Datuk Mohd Noordin Mohd Kassim.
Ismail Sabri berkata, walaupun harga petrol RON97 meningkat kepada RM2.90 seliter, ia tidak bermakna harga petrol tidak naik lagi dan jaminan harga minyak akan kekal selama-lamanya.
"Tahun lalu tanggungan subsidi hanya RM8 bilion, tetapi disebabkan minyak mentah dunia meningkat hingga mencecah AS$100 setong, tanggungan kerajaan mencecah RM18 bilion.
"Jika difikirkan, mengapa perlu kita menyuntik wang yang banyak bagi mengekalkan harga minyak di negara ini, sedangkan wang itu boleh digunakan untuk projek yang memberi kebaikan kepada rakyat termasuk membasmi kemiskinan," katanya.
Terdahulu dalam ucapannya, Ismail Sabri meminta semua pimpinan UMNO terutama di Pulau Pinang perlu bekerja keras dan sentiasa mendahului pembangkang dalam mendekati rakyat.
"Kita perlu keluar dari zon selesa dan menjadi sebahagian rakyat supaya masalah mereka dapat diketahui dan dibantu sepenuhnya.
"Apabila timbulnya masalah dalam kalangan orang Melayu, UMNO perlu menjadi juara rakyat supaya rakyat mengetahui bahawa hanya UMNO yang mampu membantu mereka," katanya.
BH ONLINE 23/05/2011
20,000 penjawat awam miskin
Pendedahan itu dibuat Ahli Parlimen Putrajaya, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor. Tengku Adnan berkata, keadaan ini menyebabkan ramai di kalangan kakitangan sokongan kerajaan terbabit terpaksa melakukan pelbagai kerja sambilan termasuk memandu teksi, menjadi pengawal keselamatan dan berniaga kecil-kecilan bagi menampung kos sara hidup keluarga masing-masing. Berikutan itu, beliau berkata, UMNO Putrajaya akan bekerjasama dengan TEKUN Nasional (TEKUN) bagi membolehkan kakitangan sokongan kerajaan terbabit memohon pinjaman sebagai modal untuk memulakan perniagaan secara kecil-kecilan, sekali gus membantu mereka meningkatkan hasil pendapatan masing-masing setiap bulan.
“Kita mengucapkan terima kasih kepada TEKUN kerana meluluskan pinjaman sebanyak RM367,000 kepada 26 kakitangan kerajaan dan penduduk Putrajaya bagi membolehkan mereka memulakan perniagaan.
“Ini adalah antara cara kita membantu kerajaan menangani masalah kemiskinan di kalangan kakitangan kerajaan yang tinggal di bandar besar, terutama Putrajaya,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan seminar keusahawanan anjuran TEKUN dan Pejabat UMNO Putrajaya di sini.
Pada majlis sama, Tengku Adnan turut menyampaikan cek keseluruhan bernilai RM367,000 kepada 26 usahawan termasuk kakitangan sokongan kerajaan untuk memulakan perniagaan masing-masing.
Sementara itu, Pengarah Urusan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif TEKUN, Datuk Abdul Rahim Hassan, berkata pihaknya sudah memberi pinjaman berjumlah RM1.68 bilion kepada 183,364 peminjam di seluruh negara, sejak 1998.
Katanya, daripada jumlah berkenaan sebanyak RM239.90 juta diagihkan kepada 20,201 usahawan di Selangor.
20110520
Dutch Lady naik harga bulan depan
Pengarah Urusannya, Bas van den Berg, berkata kenaikan itu terpaksa dilakukan bagi menampung kenaikan kos susulan peningkatan tinggi harga bahan mentah tenusu dunia yang dijangkakan meningkat sehingga 29 peratus lagi tahun ini selepas peningkatan 27 peratus tahun lalu. Beliau menjelaskan, kenaikan harga bahan mentah tenusu itu berikutan peningkatan permintaan di negara pasaran sedang berkembang dan perubahan persekitaran di negara pengeksport yang meningkatkan kos pengeluarannya
“Di samping menaikkan secara berperingkat harga, syarikat itu juga akan meningkatkan lagi kecekapan operasi bagi menampung sebahagian kesan kenaikan kos bahan mentah berkenaan, ” katanya pada sidang media selepas mesyuarat agung tahunan syarikat itu di Petaling Jaya, semalam
2011/05/20 Berita Harian
Kaji perkenal semula satu sen
Kerajaan sedang menimbang untuk memperkenalkan semula penggunaan wang syiling satu sen bagi membolehkan pengguna membayar harga sebenar sesuatu barangan atau perkhidmatan serta mengelak peniaga mengambil kesempatan menaikkan harga hanya kerana kenaikan kecil harga bahan mentah.
Jika dilaksanakan kelak, harga barangan atau perkhidmatan tidak lagi dibundarkan kepada jumlah yang paling hampir kepada lima sen, sebaliknya pengguna membayar mengikut harga sebenar. Timbalan Perdana Menteri, kata Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, berkata perkara itu sudah dibincangkan dalam mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Kabinet Bekalan dan Harga yang dipengerusikan beliau pada Isnin lalu dan cadangan akan dikemukakan kepada Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) untuk kajian terperinci.
Beliau berkata, penggunaan semula syiling itu antara lain ialah bagi membendung tindakan peniaga yang menaikkan harga barangan setiap kali harga bahan mentah naik.
Katanya, ada yang menaikkan harga barangan sehingga 10 sen apabila harga bahan mentah naik, walhal kos mereka hanya meningkat satu sen sahaja.
“Kita nak cadangkan gunakan balik duit satu sen. Kalau teh tarik naik harga satu sen daripada RM1.30 kepada RM1.31 sen, jangan jadikan ia RM1.35 sen, iaitu naik sehingga empat sen sebab nak genapkan harganya.
“Tak salah kalau kita gunakan satu sen kerana ia tak membebankan,” katanya selepas perjumpaan dengan pemimpin masyarakat, di Dewan 2020, sempena Program Turun Padang Timbalan Perdana Menteri ke Perlis, di sini semalam. Hadir sama, Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu dan Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Muhyiddin berkata, peniaga juga perlu lebih bertanggungjawab membantu mengurangkan beban pengguna berikutan kenaikan pelbagai kos dan harga barangan yang tidak dapat dielakkan ketika ini.
Penggunaan wang syiling satu sen dalam pasaran dihentikan pada 1 April 2008 apabila Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna melaksanakan Mekanisme Penggenapan yang memperlihatkan semua pembayaran digenapkan kepada lima sen terdekat. Langkah itu bertujuan mengurangkan penggunaan syiling satu sen dengan menggenapkan semua bayaran bil atau harga barang.
Muhyiddin berkata, walaupun pada asasnya penjimatan satu sen dilihat kecil untuk satu barangan, ia memberi kesan besar apabila membabitkan banyak barangan yang dibeli atau banyak bil yang dijelaskan oleh pengguna.
“Umpamanya jika 100 kali nilainya sudah menjadi RM1 dan jika 1,000 kali boleh menjadi RM10,” katanya.
Dalam pada itu, Timbalan Perdana Menteri menolak dakwaan pembangkang kononnya kerajaan tidak membantu rakyat menangani masalah kenaikan harga barangan ketika ini, sebaliknya memberi jaminan kerajaan tetap menangani fenomena global yang menjadi punca kenaikan harga barangan dan bahan asas, terutama minyak bagi memastikan rakyat tidak tertekan dengan peningkatan kos sara hidup.
Sementara itu, Muhyiddin turut mengumumkan kerajaan mengurangkan subsidi minyak diesel untuk kegunaan bot perikanan laut dalam berkuat kuasa 1 Jun ini sebagai langkah penjimatan kos subsidi yang terpaksa ditanggung oleh kerajaan yang dilaporkan mencecah RM20 bilion tahun ini.
BH 20/02/11
20110519
Warga Brazil kini wanita tertua dunia berusia 114 tahun
Valentim, 114, mengambil alih kedudukan wanita tertua dunia yang baru itu daripada warga Amerika Syarikat, Besse Cooper, yang muda 48 hari daripadanya, demikian menurut laman web Guinness World Records. Valentim, yang menjadi ibu tunggal sejak 1946 dan hanya mampu bergerak menggunakan kerusi roda berasal dari negeri Minas di Brazil.
Beliau memberitahu, rahsia umurnya yang panjang kerana mengamalkan diet pemakanan yang sihat. - AFP
20110503
20110425
Pelestarian tradisi jamin keutuhan bangsa
Sejak itu perpaduan bertaut seketika bagi meneruskan kelangsungan program pembangunan, sekali gus menjaring semula kesejahteraan dan keharmonian rakyat hingga disegani di kalangan negara serantau.
Namun ledakan kedua yang berlaku pada 2008 tiba-tiba mengubah peta geopolitik Malaysia mengakibatkan rakyat berpecah belah dan perpaduan semakin menipis. Pelbagai dasar dan tindakan dilakukan bagi mengeratkan perpaduan, namun perpecahan terus melebar berikutan tindakan agresif kumpulan tertentu menghasut rakyat agar menentang dasar pembangunan kerajaan.
Ramai penganalisis politik tempatan melahirkan kebimbangan mengenai kumpulan radikal ini yang mendakwa memperjuangkan hak rakyat, tetapi ternyata merekalah petualang negara dengan mengutuk semua usaha kerajaan yang bersusah-payah membina negara selama berpuluh-puluh tahun.
Ini diakui Profesor Fakulti Sains Pentadbiran dan Pengajian Polisi Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Datuk Dr Ramlah Adam ketika berceramah dalam Forum Jati Diri 1Malaysia, bertajuk ‘Perpaduan Negara Melalui Komunikasi dan Media’ di Shah Alam, baru-baru ini, sambil menambah kumpulan radikal ini menggunakan media baru seperti laman sesawang untuk menghasut rakyat supaya membenci kerajaan.
Forum Jati Diri 1Malaysia adalah anjuran Jabatan Penerangan, Berita Harian, Gabungan Penulis Nasional (GAPENA) dan Persatuan Siswazah Komunikasi (PERSKOM). Majlis ini dipengerusikan Prof Dr Mokhtar Muhammad dari UiTM Shah Alam dan disertai pensyarah Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Datuk Prof Dr Rosli Saludin.
Ramlah turut mengingatkan rakyat Malaysia supaya tidak terperangkap dengan hasutan kumpulan radikal ini kerana mereka sanggup berbuat apa saja bagi mencapai matlamat untuk mengambil alih pentadbiran Kerajaan Pusat.
Pada masa sama, katanya, rakyat Malaysia perlu menghapuskan rasa curiga terhadap kepemimpinan kerajaan dan berusaha menjaga perpaduan dalam kalangan pelbagai kaum bagi memudahkan kerajaan meneruskan usaha pembangunan bagi kepentingan bersama.
Bagi mencapai tujuan itu, katanya, Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak memperkenalkan slogan 1Malaysia dengan mengajak semua kaum dan keturunan di Malaysia sentiasa bekerjasama dan hormati menghormati bagi memudahkan kelangsungan pelbagai program pembangunan negara.
“Ia bukan slogan politik untuk memenangi PRU Ke-13, tetapi kesinambungan daripada konsep muhibah yang pernah diperkenalkan Perdana Menteri pertama, disusuli reformasi bahasa dan budaya oleh beberapa peneraju berikutnya.
“Semua slogan berkenaan disandarkan pada matlamat membentuk kehidupan selesa dan menghindar perpecahan kaum yang boleh mengundang ketidakstabilan politik.
“Peluang mengerat perpaduan rakyat berbilang kaum boleh dicapai jika rakyat Malaysia berusaha membentuk sikap jati diri yang bertunjangkan semangat kebangsaan seperti dilakukan pejuang negara ketika menentang komunis dan imperialisme Barat,” katanya.
Ramlah berkata, tidak ramai menyedari kepentingan bahasa sebagai kunci perpaduan rakyat. Justeru, kebanyakan kuasa ekonomi terbesar dunia seperti China dan Jepun mendukung semangat kebangsaan yang jitu dan pemimpin mereka berbangga menggunakan bahasa masing-masing sebagai lingua franca di persada antarabangsa.
Selain itu, katanya, rakyat perlu terus menyokong dasar dan pembangunan kerajaan bagi memastikan kestabilan politik berada pada tahap terbaik, sekali gus menutup peluang kuasa Barat, terutama Amerika untuk melebarkan semula imperialismenya di Malaysia dengan helah mahu memulihkan kestabilan politik di rantau ini.
Beliau berkata, kemelut politik di beberapa negara Asia Barat seperti Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya dan Yaman sejak kebelakangan ini membuka ruang kepada penjajah untuk bersekongkol dengan masyarakat setempat bagi menjatuhkan kerajaan masing-masing.
Ramlah berkata, peralihan kuasa tidak memberi faedah kepada rakyat di negara berkenaan kerana rakyat terus sengsara menanggung kesan peperangan.
Katanya, Malaysia bebas daripada cengkaman imperialisme pada kurun ke-20, namun beberapa tanda menunjukkan penjajahan semula akan berlaku di abad ini berikutan tindakan kumpulan penentang kerajaan didapati bersekongkol dengan kuasa Barat dan ini boleh mengundang nasib sama dengan rantau Asia Barat.
Rosli pula berpendapat Malaysia mampu melakar nama sebagai sebuah negara maju dengan keunikannya tersendiri kerana negara ini dibina dan dibangunkan berteraskan budi bahasa, sopan-santun serta susila adat yang tinggi.
Justeru, katanya, ia perlu terus dipertahankan oleh generasi muda sebagai warisan bangsa.
“Bersatu itu teguh, bercerai itu roboh. Bersatu bertambah mutu, berbahasa menunjukkan bangsa. Kalau hilang bahasa tak taulah apa nak kata. Kalau mencari tempat mandi, pertama teluk kedua pantai. Kalau mencari pemimpin terpuji, pertama elok kedua pandai,” katanya yang lebih banyak berpantun ketika menyampaikan ceramah.
Beliau berkata, dalam mengisi nilai kemerdekaan negara, Adat Perpatih, misalnya mementingkan perpaduan supaya masyarakat hidup dalam harmoni dan sejahtera.
“Dalam adat Perpatih ada mengatakan duduk seorang bersempit sempitan, duduk ramai berlapang-lapangan. Apa yang ditekankan ialah elemen muafakat. Jika seorang berfikir seorang, kalau ramai maka banyak idea yang boleh diketengahkan.
“Batu kikir jambatan besi gulai udang sebelanga, fikir-fikirlah dalam hati, daripada seorang elok kita bersama. Jadi, kebersamaan kita dalam negara berbilang kaum ini tanpa mengira agama, bangsa kita bersatu,” katanya.
Rosli menegaskan tunjang utama yang menjamin keutuhan sesebuah bangsa ialah pelestarian tinggalan tradisi dan ia perlu dipertahankan.
Sehubungan itu, beliau mengajak seluruh bangsa yang dianggap bertamadun memartabatkan tinggalan adatnya untuk keampuhan peribadi bangsanya.
Zailani Ahmad
bhnews@bharian.com.my
2011/04/25



