It is not all gloom in the world economy as prices for rice decreased significantly in line with the drop of global fuel rates.
This in turn has allowed the Government to increase its stockpile level three times more than last May, Agriculture and Agro-Based Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said.
The ministry expects more decreases in the price of rice in view of the depreciation of other commmodities, notably the the global fuel prices, he added.
“We are in a comfortable zone for now. We have moved ahead of the fears of a global food crises but we have to remain watchful,” Mustapa said after attending the Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) Hari Raya open house at its temporary campus in Taman Bendahara.
On the possibility of importing rice from Vietnam, Mustapa said ministry officials are surveying the quality and, if it meets the standard, the Government will consider buying from them, Mustapa said.
PANDU CERMAT, SAYANGKAN NYAWA
INGAT ORANG YANG TERSAYANG
INGAT ORANG YANG TERSAYANG
PASTIKAN ANDA DAN SEMUA PENUMPANG MENGGUNAKAN TALI PINGGANG KELEDAR
20081012
Gerakan proposes fuel prices be revised weekly
Gerakan proposes that fuel prices be revised at least once a week so that the people can reap the benefits immediately.
“When the global fuel price falls, we have to wait a month to feel the benefits. Now the price is at US$82 (RM287) per barrel, this must be felt immediately by the rakyat,” said party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon after closing the party’s 37th National Delegates Conference on Sunday.
Koh said it was not right that the rakyat should have to wait a month to feel the positive effects of a global fuel price drop when the price drop for crude palm oil could be felt immediately.
“If not floated, at least revise the fuel price once a week, either every Monday or every Sunday, so we can follow the world market closer,” he told reporters after party delegates passed a resolution to strenghten the national economy against the current global recession.
The party also passed a resolution to call for the forming of a Barisan Nasional special task force to look into making changes to laws that require detention without trial.
“It is the party’s stance that Acts that require detention without trial must be amended so that the protection of human rights is preserved,” Koh said.
He said while the party understood that there are many views regarding the matter, Barisan must have this task force to discuss amending laws such as the Internal Security Act, Universities and University Colleges Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act.
On party reforms, Koh said the conference received many “good ideas” from delegates to strengthen the party and become a more multi-racial one.
“The party has to be more sensitive, more accommodating to different customs and values. Many improvements are needed to make it a more genuinely Malaysian for all party,” he said.
He said most of the “good ideas” could not be revealed as they are strategic secrets but he gave an example of having more multi-racial and multi-cultural events at the grassroots level.
“There are many functions for the Chinese. Why not have Hari Raya Aidilfitri for instance?” Koh said.
“When the global fuel price falls, we have to wait a month to feel the benefits. Now the price is at US$82 (RM287) per barrel, this must be felt immediately by the rakyat,” said party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon after closing the party’s 37th National Delegates Conference on Sunday.
Koh said it was not right that the rakyat should have to wait a month to feel the positive effects of a global fuel price drop when the price drop for crude palm oil could be felt immediately.
“If not floated, at least revise the fuel price once a week, either every Monday or every Sunday, so we can follow the world market closer,” he told reporters after party delegates passed a resolution to strenghten the national economy against the current global recession.
The party also passed a resolution to call for the forming of a Barisan Nasional special task force to look into making changes to laws that require detention without trial.
“It is the party’s stance that Acts that require detention without trial must be amended so that the protection of human rights is preserved,” Koh said.
He said while the party understood that there are many views regarding the matter, Barisan must have this task force to discuss amending laws such as the Internal Security Act, Universities and University Colleges Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act.
On party reforms, Koh said the conference received many “good ideas” from delegates to strengthen the party and become a more multi-racial one.
“The party has to be more sensitive, more accommodating to different customs and values. Many improvements are needed to make it a more genuinely Malaysian for all party,” he said.
He said most of the “good ideas” could not be revealed as they are strategic secrets but he gave an example of having more multi-racial and multi-cultural events at the grassroots level.
“There are many functions for the Chinese. Why not have Hari Raya Aidilfitri for instance?” Koh said.
‘No return of Mahathirism’
Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin does not believe Mahathirism will return when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak becomes the Prime Minister next year.
He insisted that Najib had his own ideas, vision and strong political determination to lead the country towards a new era not only for the Malays but for all Malaysians.
“It will be improper for anyone to say the country and Umno would be under the control of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when Najib takes over the premiership,” said Muhyiddin, a contender for the deputy president’s post.
“I don’t think Najib would want it to happen as he has his own political programmes to re-strengthen Umno and regain the people’s confidence,” he told reporters Sunday after opening the Pagoh Umno division general assembly.
He was commenting on former de facto Law Minister Senator Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s comment in the Sunday Star that Najib’s impending rise to the Umno presidency would mark the return of Mahathirism.
Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said Zaid’s comments only showed he was anti-Mahathir.
He said Zaid revealed his anti-Mahathir streak when he called on Cabinet ministers to seek forgiveness from the judges who had been sacked or suspended in the 1988 judicial crisis.
Mukhriz said Zaid had asked the Cabinet to do so even before he took his oath of office as minister.
He added that Zaid’s latest remarks truly showed his hatred for Dr Mahathir, who had lifted Malaysia’s image, dignity and prosperity to a level never achieved before.
Speaking to reporters Sunday before attending a Hari Raya gathering with Umno Youth members here, Mukhriz claimed that Zaid’s efforts to make the judicial appointments system more transparent and to allow the Bar Council to be involved in the appointment of judges would not play much of a role in the nation’s progress.
He asserted the reform issues raised by the former minister, if not implemented, would not cause the nation to crumble, adding that Malaysians had lived all this while without them.
“Zaid claimed he wanted to reform the system and to save Umno but I don’t see how all the issues he mentioned will benefit the Malays or Umno,” added Muhkriz who is vying for the Umno Youth presidency.
Star Sunday October 12, 2008
He insisted that Najib had his own ideas, vision and strong political determination to lead the country towards a new era not only for the Malays but for all Malaysians.
“It will be improper for anyone to say the country and Umno would be under the control of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when Najib takes over the premiership,” said Muhyiddin, a contender for the deputy president’s post.
“I don’t think Najib would want it to happen as he has his own political programmes to re-strengthen Umno and regain the people’s confidence,” he told reporters Sunday after opening the Pagoh Umno division general assembly.
He was commenting on former de facto Law Minister Senator Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s comment in the Sunday Star that Najib’s impending rise to the Umno presidency would mark the return of Mahathirism.
Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said Zaid’s comments only showed he was anti-Mahathir.
He said Zaid revealed his anti-Mahathir streak when he called on Cabinet ministers to seek forgiveness from the judges who had been sacked or suspended in the 1988 judicial crisis.
Mukhriz said Zaid had asked the Cabinet to do so even before he took his oath of office as minister.
He added that Zaid’s latest remarks truly showed his hatred for Dr Mahathir, who had lifted Malaysia’s image, dignity and prosperity to a level never achieved before.
Speaking to reporters Sunday before attending a Hari Raya gathering with Umno Youth members here, Mukhriz claimed that Zaid’s efforts to make the judicial appointments system more transparent and to allow the Bar Council to be involved in the appointment of judges would not play much of a role in the nation’s progress.
He asserted the reform issues raised by the former minister, if not implemented, would not cause the nation to crumble, adding that Malaysians had lived all this while without them.
“Zaid claimed he wanted to reform the system and to save Umno but I don’t see how all the issues he mentioned will benefit the Malays or Umno,” added Muhkriz who is vying for the Umno Youth presidency.
Star Sunday October 12, 2008
Najib must keep cronies, family members at bay, says Dr M
Sunday October 12, 2008 MYT 4:33:44 PM
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should not be surrounded by cronies and family members when he is prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said here on Sunday.
“There are several former members of parliament and experts whose advice he should seek to run the country,” the former prime minister told Bernama after addressing a Malaysian youth seminar at the University of Melbourne.
“There is a lot of work to be done to restore the confidence of the people in the Government,” Dr Mahathir said.
“But Najib must not try to do everything himself. He must get proper advice from the right people. “He should not be surrounded by cronies and family members as this will not be good for the country.”
Dr Mahathir, however, did not identify any names in particular.
He said Najib, his deputy, Umno and its partner component parties must work hard as a team to win public support for the Government which suffered a setback at the last elections. “The votes we lost were protest votes. Malaysians were not happy and this was reflected at the ballot box,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said sections of the public felt that the Government had become arrogant and out of touch with their needs.
“Some MPs felt, that once elected and given a ministerial position, there was no need for them to go back to their electorate to talk to the people, to discuss issues and find out what needed to be done and to explain government policies,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said he hoped that this would change under the leadership of Najib.
- Bernama
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should not be surrounded by cronies and family members when he is prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said here on Sunday.
“There are several former members of parliament and experts whose advice he should seek to run the country,” the former prime minister told Bernama after addressing a Malaysian youth seminar at the University of Melbourne.
“There is a lot of work to be done to restore the confidence of the people in the Government,” Dr Mahathir said.
“But Najib must not try to do everything himself. He must get proper advice from the right people. “He should not be surrounded by cronies and family members as this will not be good for the country.”
Dr Mahathir, however, did not identify any names in particular.
He said Najib, his deputy, Umno and its partner component parties must work hard as a team to win public support for the Government which suffered a setback at the last elections. “The votes we lost were protest votes. Malaysians were not happy and this was reflected at the ballot box,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said sections of the public felt that the Government had become arrogant and out of touch with their needs.
“Some MPs felt, that once elected and given a ministerial position, there was no need for them to go back to their electorate to talk to the people, to discuss issues and find out what needed to be done and to explain government policies,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said he hoped that this would change under the leadership of Najib.
- Bernama
20081001
Muslims celebrate Raya on modest scale
Muslims in the country celebrated Aidilfitri on a moderate scale this year, mindful of the soaring prices of almost everything following the fuel price hike, but this has not dampened the joy of the occasion.After fasting for a month, they started the day with prayers at mosques and surau nationwide followed by visits to the graves before holding open house to welcome relatives and friends.
20080930
Minyak ikan jadikan kanak-kanak bijak
LONDON: Kanak-kanak yang mengambil makanan tambahan minyak ikan setiap hari dikesan lebih bijak dan cemerlang dalam peperiksaan mereka, menurut kajian.
Penyelidikan oleh Majlis Mukim Durham mendapati pelajar yang mengambil kapsul Omega-3 dalam masa setahun sebelum peperiksaan GCSE memperoleh keputusan lebih baik berbanding mereka yang tidak mengambilnya.
Lebih 3,000 pelajar tahun 11 di seluruh negara mengambil kapsul minyak ikan setiap hari.
Penyelidikan oleh Majlis Mukim Durham mendapati pelajar yang mengambil kapsul Omega-3 dalam masa setahun sebelum peperiksaan GCSE memperoleh keputusan lebih baik berbanding mereka yang tidak mengambilnya.
Lebih 3,000 pelajar tahun 11 di seluruh negara mengambil kapsul minyak ikan setiap hari.
Aidilfitri esok
Tarikh Aidilfitri ditetapkan pada Rabu, 1 Oktober, demikian diumumkan oleh Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja Malaysia.
Beliau berkata demikian menerusi satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh Pejabat Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja Malaysia.
– Bernama
Beliau berkata demikian menerusi satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh Pejabat Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja Malaysia.
– Bernama
RM6.9mil ransom paid for release of second ship
The MT Bunga Melati Dua, the second Malaysian tanker hijacked by Somalian pirates, has been freed.
Sources said US$2mil (RM6.9mil) in ransom was paid for each of the tankers.
The vessel and its crew are now on the way to the East African country of Djibouti, the sources said.
The release comes two days after the MT Bunga Melati Lima was freed by the pirates on Saturday night. MT Bunga Melati Dua, with a crew of 29 Malaysian and 10 Filipinos, was hijacked on Aug 19 in the Gulf of Aden.
One of the Filipino crew members was killed when he was hit by a stray bullet.
Ten days later, the MT Bunga Melati Lima, with 36 Malaysian and five Filipino crew members, was also hijacked while sailing from Yanbu in Saudi Arabia to Singapore.
The sources said the MT Bunga Melati Dua was released at 4.14am yesterday and that all its crew was safe.
They added that the ship, together with the MT Bunga Melati Lima, was being escorted by Malaysian Navy ships KD Lekiu and KD Sri Inderapura to Djibouti.
“The crew change over for both ships is expected to take place in Djibouti on Friday,” the sources added.
It is not known if the crew, who have been held captive on board both vessels for more than a month, would return to Malaysia.
A relative of one of the crew of MT Bunga Melati Lima said MISC had contacted her and said some of the crew were in Yemen.
Norazlina Mat Salleh, the sister of Mohamed Nazeri, said her brother had also undergone medical checks in Yemen.
She was not told when they would return.
East African Seafarers Assistance Programme head Andrew Mwangura, said the ransom for the MT Bunga Melati Dua had been paid on Sunday.
“I want to thank the Malaysian government for talking things out (with the pirates) and not using force,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Mwangura, who is based in Mombasa, Kenya, said he was kept informed of what was happening in the region by local fishermen and officials.
MISC has refused to comment on the issue, apparently for fear that any comment could jeopardise the safety of the ships.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican is expected to hold a press conference today on the matter.
Tuesday September 30, 2008
Sources said US$2mil (RM6.9mil) in ransom was paid for each of the tankers.
The vessel and its crew are now on the way to the East African country of Djibouti, the sources said.
The release comes two days after the MT Bunga Melati Lima was freed by the pirates on Saturday night. MT Bunga Melati Dua, with a crew of 29 Malaysian and 10 Filipinos, was hijacked on Aug 19 in the Gulf of Aden.
One of the Filipino crew members was killed when he was hit by a stray bullet.
Ten days later, the MT Bunga Melati Lima, with 36 Malaysian and five Filipino crew members, was also hijacked while sailing from Yanbu in Saudi Arabia to Singapore.
The sources said the MT Bunga Melati Dua was released at 4.14am yesterday and that all its crew was safe.
They added that the ship, together with the MT Bunga Melati Lima, was being escorted by Malaysian Navy ships KD Lekiu and KD Sri Inderapura to Djibouti.
“The crew change over for both ships is expected to take place in Djibouti on Friday,” the sources added.
It is not known if the crew, who have been held captive on board both vessels for more than a month, would return to Malaysia.
A relative of one of the crew of MT Bunga Melati Lima said MISC had contacted her and said some of the crew were in Yemen.
Norazlina Mat Salleh, the sister of Mohamed Nazeri, said her brother had also undergone medical checks in Yemen.
She was not told when they would return.
East African Seafarers Assistance Programme head Andrew Mwangura, said the ransom for the MT Bunga Melati Dua had been paid on Sunday.
“I want to thank the Malaysian government for talking things out (with the pirates) and not using force,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Mwangura, who is based in Mombasa, Kenya, said he was kept informed of what was happening in the region by local fishermen and officials.
MISC has refused to comment on the issue, apparently for fear that any comment could jeopardise the safety of the ships.
Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Mohd Hassan Marican is expected to hold a press conference today on the matter.
Tuesday September 30, 2008
Cadbury recalls China chocolate over tainted milk fears
Agence France-Presse - 9/29/2008 11:22 AM GMT
British sweet maker Cadbury said Monday it ordered a recall of China-made chocolates over safety fears in the latest fallout from the ever-widening scandal over tainted Chinese dairy products.
The company issued the recalls in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Australia after internal tests "cast doubt" on the safety of chocolates made in the company's Beijing plant, it said in a statement.
"As a result of these tests... we have received results that cast doubt on the integrity of a range of our products manufactured in China," said the statement from Cadbury Asia Pacific.
It was not clear if the tests had shown the products contained traces of melamine, the industrial chemical blamed for sickening 53,000 Chinese children and killing at least four.
AFP could not reached company officials in Beijing or at its Asian headquarters in Singapore.
The products are the latest in a list, expanding by the day, of China-made foods and drinks that have been removed from stores around the world since the scandal was first exposed earlier this month.
More than a dozen Asian and African countries, plus the 27-member European Union, have taken steps to ban or otherwise limit consumption of Chinese milk-product imports.
Laos and Mali on Monday became the latest to order such measures.
The crisis is among the most serious in a litany of product-safety scandals emerging from China's chaotic and corrupt manufacturing industries in recent years.
Besides the toll in mainland China, five children in Hong Kong, one in Macau, and four people in Taiwan have reportedly developed kidney stones after drinking tainted Chinese products.
Chinese premier Wen Jiabao vowed over the weekend to work to restore his country's reputation, saying it was facing the problem "candidly".
However, a Chinese human rights group said Monday the government was suppressing media coverage vital to assigning blame and preventing a recurrence.
"China has tightened its grip on media freedom to contain rising nationwide outrage at tainted milk products," China Human Rights Defenders, a network of domestic and foreign human rights activists, said in an emailed report.
It cited several instances of reporting by Chinese media censored or banned by authorities. AFP could not immediately verify the allegations.
Normally used in making plastics and fertiliser, melamine is believed to have been added to milk to give it the appearance of higher protein content.
The rights group said the central government had ordered all Chinese media to toe the official line on the issue, thereby preventing exposure of "deep-seated problems in the system."
Xinhua reported last week that officials at Sanlu Group, the dairy firm at the centre of the scandal, knew as far back as December that babies were falling ill but did not report the problem to local authorities until August.
The report, citing a Cabinet investigation, said those local officials then waited one month to pass the concerns onto higher authorities.
Police in northern China have detained 22 people in raids on a ring that made and sold the industrial chemical melamine and added it to milk, Xinhua said.
Nineteen of those detained in Hebei province were managers of "pastures, breeding farms and milk purchasing stations," the news agency reported.
The detentions came after more than 800 police raided 41 "pastures, breeding farms, and milk purchasing stations" in and around the city of Shijiazhuang.
Shijiazhuang is the headquarters of Sanlu.
20080929
Saluran TV Sabah, Sarawak mulai 2011
Siaran khusus tonjol budaya unik penduduk
Saluran TV Sarawak dan TV Sabah dijangka dapat menemui penonton menjelang 2011 selepas kerajaan bersedia menyediakan siaran khusus bagi mengetengahkan budaya penduduk di kedua-dua negeri berkenaan.
Menteri Penerangan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, berkata saluran berkenaan seiring dengan penstrukturan semua rangkaian di bawah Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) dari sistem analog kepada digital.
"Melalui program penstrukturan ini, tidak mustahil akan ada TV Sarawak, TV Sabah dan TV Wilayah kerana kita dijangka akan mempunyai lebih banyak saluran televisyen berbanding dua ketika ini.
"Persediaan ke arah itu (TV Sarawak dan Sabah) memang sudah ada namun perancangan rapi termasuk menentukan isi kandungan harus difikirkan mulai sekarang," katanya ketika merasmikan Anugerah Muzik Dayak 2008 anjuran Dewan Perniagaan dan Perindustrian Dayak di sini, semalam.
Seramai 87 penyanyi, komposer dan penulis lirik mengambil bahagian dalam majlis yang pertama kali diadakan membabitkan 29 kategori yang dibahagi mengikut suku Iban, Bidayuh dan Orang Ulu.
Shabery berkata, beliau sudah mengarahkan RTM Sarawak dan Sabah bersiap sedia memulakan siaran saluran televisyen berkenaan yang akan menjadi kekuatan kepada RTM bagi bersaing menarik penonton di sana.
"Saya menyuruh mereka bersedia kerana dalam tempoh tiga tahun lagi kita akan ada TV Sarawak yang menyiarkan berita mengenai negeri ini dengan harapan tidak timbul lagi isu penduduk di sini meminta setengah jam masa siaran bagi lagu Dayak.
"Saluran televisyen berkenaan akan hanya menyiarkan program berkaitan penduduk peribumi termasuk suku Dayak yang mengetengahkan pelbagai bahasa serta budaya supaya persefahaman dan perpaduan kaum dapat dikekalkan," katanya.
Beliau berkata, ini penting kerana rakyat tempatan mahukan maklumat dan melihat perkara yang berlaku di sekeliling termasuk aktiviti pihak berkuasa tempatan, masalah kemiskinan serta budaya tempatan lebih dari bahan pada peringkat nasional atau antarabangsa.
Katanya, banyak negara sudah menghentikan siaran analog dan RTM perlu memberhentikan sistem terbabit menjelang 2015 dengan usaha memulakan sistem digital sebelum tarikh itu sedang dilakukan.
"Sistem digital akan mampu menyediakan 18 hingga 20 saluran televisyen, tetapi saya memberitahu bahawa penstrukturan ini bukan bertujuan memasukkan lebih banyak kandungan luar. "Idea kreatif dari Amerika dan Eropah adalah bagi industri mereka tetapi kandungan industri tempatan mestilah dihasilkan orang kita sendiri dan ia diyakini cukup kuat," katanya.
Saluran TV Sarawak dan TV Sabah dijangka dapat menemui penonton menjelang 2011 selepas kerajaan bersedia menyediakan siaran khusus bagi mengetengahkan budaya penduduk di kedua-dua negeri berkenaan.
Menteri Penerangan, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, berkata saluran berkenaan seiring dengan penstrukturan semua rangkaian di bawah Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) dari sistem analog kepada digital.
"Melalui program penstrukturan ini, tidak mustahil akan ada TV Sarawak, TV Sabah dan TV Wilayah kerana kita dijangka akan mempunyai lebih banyak saluran televisyen berbanding dua ketika ini.
"Persediaan ke arah itu (TV Sarawak dan Sabah) memang sudah ada namun perancangan rapi termasuk menentukan isi kandungan harus difikirkan mulai sekarang," katanya ketika merasmikan Anugerah Muzik Dayak 2008 anjuran Dewan Perniagaan dan Perindustrian Dayak di sini, semalam.
Seramai 87 penyanyi, komposer dan penulis lirik mengambil bahagian dalam majlis yang pertama kali diadakan membabitkan 29 kategori yang dibahagi mengikut suku Iban, Bidayuh dan Orang Ulu.
Shabery berkata, beliau sudah mengarahkan RTM Sarawak dan Sabah bersiap sedia memulakan siaran saluran televisyen berkenaan yang akan menjadi kekuatan kepada RTM bagi bersaing menarik penonton di sana.
"Saya menyuruh mereka bersedia kerana dalam tempoh tiga tahun lagi kita akan ada TV Sarawak yang menyiarkan berita mengenai negeri ini dengan harapan tidak timbul lagi isu penduduk di sini meminta setengah jam masa siaran bagi lagu Dayak.
"Saluran televisyen berkenaan akan hanya menyiarkan program berkaitan penduduk peribumi termasuk suku Dayak yang mengetengahkan pelbagai bahasa serta budaya supaya persefahaman dan perpaduan kaum dapat dikekalkan," katanya.
Beliau berkata, ini penting kerana rakyat tempatan mahukan maklumat dan melihat perkara yang berlaku di sekeliling termasuk aktiviti pihak berkuasa tempatan, masalah kemiskinan serta budaya tempatan lebih dari bahan pada peringkat nasional atau antarabangsa.
Katanya, banyak negara sudah menghentikan siaran analog dan RTM perlu memberhentikan sistem terbabit menjelang 2015 dengan usaha memulakan sistem digital sebelum tarikh itu sedang dilakukan.
"Sistem digital akan mampu menyediakan 18 hingga 20 saluran televisyen, tetapi saya memberitahu bahawa penstrukturan ini bukan bertujuan memasukkan lebih banyak kandungan luar. "Idea kreatif dari Amerika dan Eropah adalah bagi industri mereka tetapi kandungan industri tempatan mestilah dihasilkan orang kita sendiri dan ia diyakini cukup kuat," katanya.
'Mercun bola' causes 40pc burns to boy's face
Muhd Nur Amzar Nordin didn’t hear the fuse burning. When he turned his head the firecracker exploded in his face.
Mohd Nur Amzar Nordin had just lit the fuse to the mecun bola, a firecracker the size of a golf ball, when he got injured.
The boy's mother, Noraini Mat Jam, rushed him to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.His father, Nordin Ahmad, who was working at the time of the incident, said: "I don't know where he got the firecrackers.
An 11-year-old boy suffered 40 per cent burns on his face while playing with firecrackers at his house near Istana Anak Bukit on Saturday.
Mohd Nur Amzar Nordin had just lit the fuse to the mecun bola, a firecracker the size of a golf ball, when he got injured.
"I turned my face after lighting the firecracker but I thought it had died because I did not hear the fuse burning.
"When I turned to look, it exploded."
The Year Five pupil of SK Alor Merah said he was playing with his cousin in front of his house after breaking fast.
The boy's mother, Noraini Mat Jam, rushed him to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.His father, Nordin Ahmad, who was working at the time of the incident, said: "I don't know where he got the firecrackers.
"I had reminded my son on many occasions not to play with firecrackers."
866 food items, suspected of containing melamine, confiscated
A total of 866 food products in the local market suspected of containing melamine, worth RM318,742.10, have been confiscated, Health Ministry food quality and safety department director, Noraini Datuk Mohd Othman said today.
The confiscated included cereal worth RM2,284.09, solids worth RM6,469.30, confectionery (RM236,099.33), chocolate products (RM34,397.11) and milk (RM39,492.27).
She said, up till today they have updated 994 food products from 35 companies not affected by melamine.In a press statement, she said food samples had been taken and analysed by the Chemistry Department to ensure they were up to standard before being sold in the market.
She said the results of tests on 10 more product samples had been obtained, all proven to adhere to the standards, raising the number of product samples to 26.
She advised consumers not to worry about the melamine issue as the ministry had taken appropriate action to handle the situation.She said consumers were also advised to read the labels before buying food products in the market.
Noraini said if there were still uncertainties, consumers could contact the Food Safety and Quality Division at 03-88833655, 88833503, 88833652 and 88833500.
The line would be open from 8 am to 9 pm, including on public holidays and Hari Raya. Consumers could also obtain information at http:fsq.moh.gov.my.
BERNAMA
The confiscated included cereal worth RM2,284.09, solids worth RM6,469.30, confectionery (RM236,099.33), chocolate products (RM34,397.11) and milk (RM39,492.27).
She said, up till today they have updated 994 food products from 35 companies not affected by melamine.In a press statement, she said food samples had been taken and analysed by the Chemistry Department to ensure they were up to standard before being sold in the market.
She said the results of tests on 10 more product samples had been obtained, all proven to adhere to the standards, raising the number of product samples to 26.
She advised consumers not to worry about the melamine issue as the ministry had taken appropriate action to handle the situation.She said consumers were also advised to read the labels before buying food products in the market.
Noraini said if there were still uncertainties, consumers could contact the Food Safety and Quality Division at 03-88833655, 88833503, 88833652 and 88833500.
The line would be open from 8 am to 9 pm, including on public holidays and Hari Raya. Consumers could also obtain information at http:fsq.moh.gov.my.
BERNAMA
Melamine fears unfounded
Monday September 29, 2008
The recent melamine-in-milk scare has caused another round of panic among consumers, who worry that using melamine made utensils would poison their food.
While experts have said there should be no cause for undue concern, consumer officials advised the people to stop using plastics to wrap food.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) adviser Dr T. Jayabalan, who is a member of the National Poison Centre, said melamine ware such as plates and ladles were safe for use, “and would not result in death.”
“Even if the melamine utensils leach residue due to extremely high temperatures, it is in a very tiny quantity,” added Dr Jayabalan, who likened this amount to a cube of sugar in a lake.
Melamine is used to make plastic kitchen utensils and plates which are similar in appearance to porcelain.
It is a thermosetting plastic which does not modify in form until exposed to a temperature of above 200°C.
However, Dr Jayabalan urged consumers to avoid using plastic bags, polystyrene boxes and cling wrap to package their food.
“When exposed to high heat from food, the plastic could leach and release chemicals which may disrupt the human reproductive system and affect hormone production,” he said.
“We may not be able to see the effects immediately, but our children will be at risk of mutation and even sex changes,” added Dr Jayabalan, who is also a National Poison Centre member.
Muslim Consumer Association of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Dr Ma’amor Osman advised consumers to stay away from plastic completely, be it dining in restaurants or buying back food.
“Consumers should use their own containers such as stainless steel tins if they want to bring food home and request for clay or glass cutlery in restaurants,” he said.
“It is our right as a consumer to be served in a good and healthy way,” added Dr Ma’amor.
He said labels should be placed on containers to clearly state any warnings, what it is made of and whether it is microwave-safe.
Fomca chief executive officer Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman hoped the authorities would conduct more research to determine what is safe for consumers to ease their doubts.
“The Government could also ask hawkers and traders to abstain from using plastic for the time being as it may be hazardous to health,” he added.
The recent melamine-in-milk scare has caused another round of panic among consumers, who worry that using melamine made utensils would poison their food.
While experts have said there should be no cause for undue concern, consumer officials advised the people to stop using plastics to wrap food.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) adviser Dr T. Jayabalan, who is a member of the National Poison Centre, said melamine ware such as plates and ladles were safe for use, “and would not result in death.”
“Even if the melamine utensils leach residue due to extremely high temperatures, it is in a very tiny quantity,” added Dr Jayabalan, who likened this amount to a cube of sugar in a lake.
Melamine is used to make plastic kitchen utensils and plates which are similar in appearance to porcelain.
It is a thermosetting plastic which does not modify in form until exposed to a temperature of above 200°C.
However, Dr Jayabalan urged consumers to avoid using plastic bags, polystyrene boxes and cling wrap to package their food.
“When exposed to high heat from food, the plastic could leach and release chemicals which may disrupt the human reproductive system and affect hormone production,” he said.
“We may not be able to see the effects immediately, but our children will be at risk of mutation and even sex changes,” added Dr Jayabalan, who is also a National Poison Centre member.
Muslim Consumer Association of Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Dr Ma’amor Osman advised consumers to stay away from plastic completely, be it dining in restaurants or buying back food.
“Consumers should use their own containers such as stainless steel tins if they want to bring food home and request for clay or glass cutlery in restaurants,” he said.
“It is our right as a consumer to be served in a good and healthy way,” added Dr Ma’amor.
He said labels should be placed on containers to clearly state any warnings, what it is made of and whether it is microwave-safe.
Fomca chief executive officer Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman hoped the authorities would conduct more research to determine what is safe for consumers to ease their doubts.
“The Government could also ask hawkers and traders to abstain from using plastic for the time being as it may be hazardous to health,” he added.
20080928
Penduduk minta Ketua Menteri atasi isu tanah
Beberapa penduduk kampung memegang poster dan risalah yang menunjukkan bahawa tanah tersebut adalah tanah NCR milik mereka, semasa protes secara aman di Simpang Kampung BerayaPenduduk dari 13 buah kampung di sini mengadakan protes secara aman untuk meminta Ketua Menteri Sarawak, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud turun padang dalam menyelesaikan isu pemilikan tanah hak adat bumiputera (NCR) rakyat di negeri ini.
Protes yang diadakan pada pukul 8 pagi ini, di Simpang Kampung Beraya kira-kira 40 minit dari bandar raya Miri, disertai penduduk dari Kampung Batu Satu, Kejapil, Keluru Tengah, Keluru Jaya, Subak, Sepurau, Selanyau, Opak, Tusan, Uban, Terhad dan Beraya.
Penduduk terbabit merayu, Ketua Menteri dan Kerajaan Negeri Sarawak supaya bertindak segera terutama bagi menyelesaikan isu tanah NCR termasuk milik mereka yang kini dituntut oleh sebuah syarikat pemaju di sini.
Penghulu Sahar berkata, syarikat terbabit menerusi notis yang dikeluarkan pada 15 September lepas telah meminta penduduk mengosongkan tanah NCR mereka dalam tempoh 14 hari.
Tindakan syarikat terbabit, katanya, amat mengejutkan penduduk memandangkan tanah yang dituntut oleh syarikat itu merupakan tanah NCR milik penduduk dari 13 buah kampung tersebut.
''Justeru kita merayu Ketua Menteri dan Kerajaan Negeri Sarawak supaya campur tangan pada kadar segera bagi menyelesaikan isu tanah penduduk di sini.
''Lagipun tanah yang dirampas syarikat tersebut kini sudahpun diusahakan penduduk dengan pelbagai tanaman yang kini sudahpun mengeluarkan hasilnya," katanya kepada pemberita di sini, hari ini.
Beliau berkata, syarikat terbabit sudahpun melakukan kerja-kerja pembersihan tapak yang merangkumi keluasan 5,500 hektar.
Sementara itu, Ketua Kaum Kampung Keluru Jaya, Bingkil Bangkol memberitahu kawasan tersebut sudah diduduki masyarakat Kedayan yang berhijrah dari Brunei sejak tahun 1910.
Katanya, antara bukti yang boleh mengesahkan dakwaan penduduk itu termasuklah tanah perkuburan Islam yang masih lagi terdapat di kawasan berkenaan.
''Tanah perkuburan yang terdapat di situ termasuklah tanah perkuburan Isla Kejapil, Kubit Butir, Kubur Sungai Jalil, Uban dan Kubur Sungai Payau," katanya.
Sehubungan itu, katanya, kerajaan negeri harus mencari jalan penyelesaian segera bagi menjamin keselamatan tanah NCR penduduk daripada dirampas pihak lain.
Dalam pada itu, pemerhati politik melihat isu pemilikan tanah NCR yang kini semakin menjadi tekanan besar bagi rakyat khususnya di kawasan luar bandar akan menjadi senjata utama pembangkang menjelang pilihan raya negeri akan datang.
Isu tanah NCR amat sensitif dan dekat di hati rakyat disebabkan ia sebahagian daripada aset yang telah diwariskan daripada nenek moyang kepada mereka.
Utusan Malaysia 28/09/08
Kapal tangki Bunga Melati dibebaskan
Kapal tangki Malaysia, MT Bunga Melati 5, sebuah daripada dua buah kapal milik MISC yang ditawan lanun di Teluk Aden di perairan Somalia, telah dibebaskan, kata Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Beliau berkata, kesemua anak kapal MT Bunga Melati 5 berada dalam keadaan sihat dan kapal itu kini belayar menuju Djibouti (Timur Afrika).
“Di atas kapal ada satu pasukan perubatan dari Kementerian Pertahanan terdiri daripada doktor, pembantu perubatan dan kaunselor,” katanya selepas rakaman perutusan Hari Raya Aidilfitri di kediaman rasmi Perdana Menteri, Seri Perdana, di sini hari ini.
Abdullah, yang juga Menteri Pertahanan berkata rundingan untuk pembebasan sebuah lagi kapal, MT Bunga Melati 2 masih lagi diteruskan.
Beliau berkata terdapat tanda positif berkaitan rundingan itu dan beliau berharap rundingan itu akan mencapai penyelesaian segera supaya kapal berkenaan dapat meneruskan perjalanan menuju ke destinasi lain.
- Bernama
“Di atas kapal ada satu pasukan perubatan dari Kementerian Pertahanan terdiri daripada doktor, pembantu perubatan dan kaunselor,” katanya selepas rakaman perutusan Hari Raya Aidilfitri di kediaman rasmi Perdana Menteri, Seri Perdana, di sini hari ini.
Abdullah, yang juga Menteri Pertahanan berkata rundingan untuk pembebasan sebuah lagi kapal, MT Bunga Melati 2 masih lagi diteruskan.
Beliau berkata terdapat tanda positif berkaitan rundingan itu dan beliau berharap rundingan itu akan mencapai penyelesaian segera supaya kapal berkenaan dapat meneruskan perjalanan menuju ke destinasi lain.
- Bernama
Semua sokong peralihan awal
PERDANA Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ketika mengadakan sidang media mengenai Mesyuarat Khas Majlis Tertinggi Umno di PWTC kelmarin. Turut kelihatan Timbalan Presiden Umno Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak (kiri). Majlis Tertinggi Umno hari ini menunda tarikh pemilihan pucuk pimpinan tertinggi parti ke Mac tahun depan bagi melicinkan proses peralihan kuasa yang lebih awal. - Foto BernamaPemimpin Umno pelbagai peringkat berpendapat keputusan Majlis Tertinggi (MT) Umno menunda tarikh perhimpunan agung parti dari Disember kepada Mac tahun depan bagi mempermudahkan pelan peralihan kuasa setahun lebih awal, sebagai tepat dan bukti permuafakatan pada peringkat tertinggi parti. Mengikut persetujuan sebelum ini, pelan peralihan kuasa antara Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan Timbalannya, Datuk Seri Najib Razak adalah pada Jun 2010.
Keputusan ini juga dikatakan akan memudahkan kebanyakan Umno bahagian yang menunggu isyarat lebih jelas sebelum mencalonkan nama dua pemimpin tertinggi parti pada pemilihan parti Mac tahun depan.
Perdana Menteri pada sidang media selepas mesyuarat khas MT kelmarin membayangkan pelan peralihan kuasa itu akan berubah tanpa menyatakan dengan jelas tarikh sebenar beliau akan melepaskan jawatan berikutan penangguhan perhimpunan agung itu. Ahli MT, Datuk Shahrir Samad, ketika diminta mengulas keputusan MT itu berpandangan bahawa proses peralihan kuasa sudah berlaku walaupun Abdullah belum menyerahkan jawatan Perdana Menteri secara rasmi.
Dari segi politik dan psikologi, katanya, Abdullah sudah menyerahkan sebahagian kuasa kepada Najib dan ini diperkukuhkan dengan penangguhan perhimpunan agung dan pemilihan parti.
"Sesetengah pihak sebelum ini meminta Perdana Menteri mempercepatkan peralihan kuasa, tetapi proses itu sudah pun berlaku, terutama selepas beliau menyerahkan jawatan Menteri Kewangan kepada Najib," katanya ketika dihubungi Berita Minggu.
Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan Umno Kelantan, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, berkata keputusan Abdullah untuk mempercepatkan peralihan kuasa amat tepat bagi membolehkan parti itu membuat persediaan awal menghadapi pilihan raya umum ke-13. Beliau berkata, berdasarkan keadaan sekarang, banyak perkara perlu dilakukan Umno bagi mendapatkan semula kepercayaan rakyat.
"Kita lihat banyak perkara perlu dilakukan oleh Umno sebab itu kita mahu Najib mendapat sokongan padu dan walaupun berundur, kita berharap Pak Lah akan terus memberi sokongan.
Kita mahu semua tenaga Umno digemblengkan baik Pak Lah, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad atau Tun Musa Hitam," katanya kepada pemberita di sini, semalam.
Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan Umno Kedah, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, berkata keputusan MT dilakukan secara berhemah dengan mengambil kira persetujuan pemimpin dan ahli akar umbi.
"Keputusan ini diambil menerusi perbincangan kedua-dua pemimpin tertinggi Umno dan saya yakin ia mengambil kira pelbagai faktor, terutama menjaga kestabilan politik parti," katanya ketika dihubungi di sini, semalam.
Mengulas pelan peralihan kuasa dijangka lebih awal, Mahdzir berkata, perkara itu wajar diserahkan kepada Perdana Menteri dan timbalannya dan yakin proses itu akan dilaksanakan pada waktu yang sesuai. Ketua Umno bahagian Rasah di Negeri Sembilan, Datuk Hashim Rusdi, berkata keputusan mesyuarat khas MT penting bagi mengelakkan pemimpin atasan parti dilihat tidak bermuafakat dan bercakaran sesama sendiri yang menyebabkan ahli biasa bertambah keliru.
Katanya, kebanyakan Umno bahagian kini menunggu isyarat lebih jelas mengenai peralihan kuasa sebelum mencalonkan nama untuk dua pemimpin tertinggi parti dalam pemilihan parti Mac tahun depan.
"Pemimpin tertinggi parti perlu berkompromi terlebih dulu. Saya percaya ini akan memudahkan bahagian Umno seluruh negara untuk mencalonkan nama pemimpin bagi jawatan penting parti dalam mesyuarat bahagian mulai Oktober ini," katanya.
Sementara itu penganalisis politik dari Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Dr Ahmad Nidzammuddin Sulaiman, berpandangan peralihan kuasa lebih awal mencerminkan kesediaan Presiden Umno mendengar pandangan pemimpin dan ahli akar umbi Umno.
Katanya, walaupun ada desakan daripada beberapa pemimpin kanan parti dan ahli MT untuk mempercepatkan proses peralihan kuasa, tetapi faktor kesediaan Abdullah sendiri adalah penting bagi menjamin proses itu berjalan lancar.
Saya percaya keputusan mempercepatkan proses peralihan dapat meredakan ketegangan dalam Umno dan membolehkan parti itu menangani cabaran parti pembangkang, terutama Parti Keadilan Rakyat," katanya. Di PASIR PUTEH, Pengerusi Persatuan Veteran Umno Kelantan Datuk Rozali Ishak berkata, keputusan itu menunjukkan Abdullah lebih mengutamakan perjuangan daripada diri sendiri apabila mengambil kira pandangan orang ramai, sayap Puteri dan Umno bahagian.
"Pak Lah lebih sensitif dengan pandangan ahli parti dan ini satu pengorbanan besar yang ditunjukkan seseorang pemimpin," katanya.
Rozali bagaimanapun berharap selepas ini tidak ada lagi pihak yang mendesak Perdana Menteri mengundurkan diri kerana tempoh yang diambil sudah cukup untuk melakukan peralihan.
20080925
80 penguat kuasa turun padang
Tumpuan di pasar raya, kedai pastikan peniaga patuhi harga barang terkawal
Seramai 80 kakitangan Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna (KPDNHEP) akan memantau semua pasar dan kedai di seluruh negeri ini bagi memastikan peniaga mematuhi harga barang terkawal yang ditetapkan.
Pengarah KPDNHEP Sarawak, Ahmad Nasir Khosri berkata, terdapat 17 barang terkawal ditetapkan sempena sambutan Aidilfitri bermula hari ini (24 September) sehingga 8 Oktober sebelum ia disambung kembali pada 20 Oktober sehingga 3 November bagi sambutan Deepavali.
Katanya, peniaga tidak dibenarkan menjual 17 barang berkenaan melebihi harga yang ditetapkan di dalam senarai dengan pegawai penguatkuasa boleh menyaman mereka kerana kesalahan itu.
"Saya meminta peniaga tidak menaikan harga 17 barang terkawal ini dengan sesuka hati kerana ia boleh menjejaskan suasana perayaan berikutan orang ramai terpaksa membayar lebih bagi sesuatu barangan.
"Adalah menjadi kesalahan mengikut Akta Kawalan Harga 1946 dengan peniaga yang dikesan sengaja menaikan harga barang kawalan boleh didenda maksimum RM7,500 mengikut setiap barangan berkenaan," katanya ketika selepas melakukan tinjauan di Pasar Batu 7, Kota Sentosa, di sini, semalam.
Turut hadir Timbalan Pengarah KPDNHEP Sarawak, Mohd Khalis Kasim serta kakitangan Bahagian Penguatkuasa KPDNHEP. Sejumlah 30 gerai dan kedai menjual pelbagai barangan keperluan diperiksa dalam lawatan berkenaan yang diketuai sendiri Ahmad Nasir.
Ahmad Nasir berkata, harga 17 barangan yang dikeluarkan pihaknya adalah harga maksimum yang ditetapkan namun sekiranya peniaga mahu menjual barang berkenaan dengan harga lebih murah ia adalah dialukan.
"Contohnya harga ayam yang ditetapkan di Kuching adalah RM8.20 namun sekiranya peniaga boleh menjualnya pada harga RM7.50 kami tidak akan menghalang kerana ia memberi orang ramai lebih banyak pilihan.
"Orang ramai juga ketika musim perayaan diminta membuat perbandingan harga sebelum mengambil keputusan membeli sesuatu barang agar mereka tidak tertipu dengan terpaksa membayar lebih," katanya.
Mengulas mengenai harga sesetangah barangan yang tidak sekata antara pasar di Kuching, Ahmad Nasir berkata, barangan di luar senarai kawalan sememangnya akan berbeza mengikut yang ditetapkan peniaga.
"Begitu juga dengan harga barang kawalan kerana ada sesetengahnya murah dan ada juga yang mahal namun kita akan meminta peniaga menurunkan harga barangan berkenaan secepat mungkin. "Melalui pemantauan yang akan dilakukan dari masa ke semasa, saya yakin harga semua barang dapat diselaraskan di bawah harga yang ditetapkan jabatan," katanya.
Fuel price cuts to ease burden
The fuel price cuts will hopefully ease the burden of the people as they celebrate Hari Raya, says Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.
Shahrir said the Government would be paying slightly more in fuel subsidy as the average crude oil price would be only seven sen cheaper but the Government had decided to absorb the difference and lower petrol and diesel prices by 10 sen.
Asked whether the Government would implement a free float system for fuel prices, Shahrir said it was too early to think of that although it was one of the matters discussed.
Earlier, Shahrir announced that the consumer price index (CPI) from January to August increased by 4.8% to 110.4 compared with that of 105.3 in the same period last year.
The CPI for this August registered an increase of 8.5% from 105.9 last year to 114.9. The CPI for August increased by 0.2% when compared with July, he added.
Shahrir noted that the drop in fuel prices on Aug 22 was not reflected in the CPI in August.
Shahrir said the September CPI may not be lower as the Government had allowed an increase of 30% surcharge for buses during the festive season.
On the issue of tainted milk products, Shahrir said his ministry was assisting the Health Ministry.
“We should not only rely on en-forcement officers but wholesalers and retailers familiar with the products from China should also highlight those items which may contain melamine. Then we will be able to solve the problem effectively,” he said.
Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said that while the 10 sen reduction was good for the public it would not make any difference to bus operators.
“We still get subsidised diesel at a set price,” he said.
Fomca president N. Marimuthu said consumers should continue to remain thrifty.
“For the Government, they must continue to plan for better public transportation as the fuel issue will continue to affect us in future,” he said.
He said he did not expect prices of goods and services to drop in line with the reduction as the cost of production and raw materials had risen.
Pan Malaysian Lorry Owners Association president Er Sui See said: “The reduction should have been more. But nevertheless, it is better than nothing.”
Shahrir said the Government would be paying slightly more in fuel subsidy as the average crude oil price would be only seven sen cheaper but the Government had decided to absorb the difference and lower petrol and diesel prices by 10 sen.
Asked whether the Government would implement a free float system for fuel prices, Shahrir said it was too early to think of that although it was one of the matters discussed.
Earlier, Shahrir announced that the consumer price index (CPI) from January to August increased by 4.8% to 110.4 compared with that of 105.3 in the same period last year.
The CPI for this August registered an increase of 8.5% from 105.9 last year to 114.9. The CPI for August increased by 0.2% when compared with July, he added.
Shahrir noted that the drop in fuel prices on Aug 22 was not reflected in the CPI in August.
Shahrir said the September CPI may not be lower as the Government had allowed an increase of 30% surcharge for buses during the festive season.
On the issue of tainted milk products, Shahrir said his ministry was assisting the Health Ministry.
“We should not only rely on en-forcement officers but wholesalers and retailers familiar with the products from China should also highlight those items which may contain melamine. Then we will be able to solve the problem effectively,” he said.
Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said that while the 10 sen reduction was good for the public it would not make any difference to bus operators.
“We still get subsidised diesel at a set price,” he said.
Fomca president N. Marimuthu said consumers should continue to remain thrifty.
“For the Government, they must continue to plan for better public transportation as the fuel issue will continue to affect us in future,” he said.
He said he did not expect prices of goods and services to drop in line with the reduction as the cost of production and raw materials had risen.
Pan Malaysian Lorry Owners Association president Er Sui See said: “The reduction should have been more. But nevertheless, it is better than nothing.”
20080924
Kebudayaan : Bermukun meriah keramaian
Apabila gendang dipalu, rentak tari bermula, maka bertingkah pantun antara pemalu gendang terdiri daripada wanita dengan si penari lelaki yang menandakan majlis Gendang Melayu Sarawak atau 'bermukun' memasuki arenanya.
Dengan direntangi kain sebagai tabir untuk sempadan antara si penggendang dan si penari, para hadirin pula duduk-duduk secara santai di sekeliling, baik di lantai atau di atas kerusi dan ada yang berdiri di beranda rumah menunggu aksi-aksi pantun dimulakan.
Apabila penggendang sudah mendapat isyarat penari yang dikenali sebagai 'penandak' bahawa mereka sudah sedia menjawab pantun maka penggendang pun berpantun berbunyi;
Bukan mukun sebarang mukun,
Mukun kamek berisi beras;
Bukan pantun sebarang pantun,
Pantun kamek minta dibalas.
Mendengar pantun itu, sudah pasti penandak lelaki dicabar untuk berbalas pantun dan ia membuka peluang mana-mana lelaki yang bersuara merdu dan bijak berbalas pantun menonjolkan diri dengan menunjukkan kehebatannya.
Maka berbunyilah pantun si penandak seumpama ini;
Api apa di Tanjung Jambu,
Api Pak Jenal di hujung perahu,
Anak siapa berdua itu,
Saja kenal nama tak tahu.
Dalam majlis bermukun, terdapat pelbagai telatah boleh disaksikan malah ada yang mencuit hati dengan pantun-pantun bertemakan cinta dan kasih sayang, menggoda serta cuba menarik perhatian orang ramai, walaupun bukan semua penandak boleh menari dengan baik.
Malah di kalangan penandak terdapat satu atau dua mereka yang mempunyai peminat tersendiri dan sentiasa dinanti-nantikan kedatangannya ke majlis gendang atau bermukun itu disebabkan bijak dalam membalas pantun si penggendang.
Mendalami perihal bermukun, Utusan Malaysia berpeluang berbual-bual mengenainya dengan seorang aktivis seni, Hassim Tahot yang dikenali ramai sebagai Bang Acim kerana bergiat aktif dalam seni dan budaya di Bumi Kenyalang ini.
Hassim memberitahu, 'bermukun' merupakan persembahan tradisional Sarawak yang membabitkan persembahan tarian dan pantun berlagu yang diiringi gesekan biola dan gendang.
Menurutnya, dalam dialek Melayu Sarawak, bermukun adalah berbalas pantun antara penggendang dan petandak disusuli dengan bunyi gendang malah acara itu juga dikenali sebagai nopeng atau main kulit kambing kering.
''Ada yang menyebut acara itu sebagai bergendang, bermukun atau nopeng dan persembahan itu kebiasaannya diadakan pada majlis-majlis kenduri kahwin dan menyambut ketibaan orang kenamaan di kampung-kampung.
''Dahulu, acara itu dipanggil nopeng adalah disebabkan si penandak yang menari itu memakai topeng dan waktu berlangsungnya majlis tersebut kebanyakannya apabila hampir tengah malam," katanya di sini baru-baru ini.
Hassim memberitahu, dalam persembahan bermukun itu, ia mempunyai disiplin yang ketat dan dipelihara dalam mengawal sebarang gerakan.
Sebelum ini katanya, bermukun hanya membabitkan dua orang atau sepasang lelaki menari di hadapan tabir sambil berbalas pantun dengan si penggendang dan pasangannya.
Tambahnya, dahulunya penari di kalangan wanita tidak dibenarkan sama sekali, namun setelah memasuki zaman moden ini, kaum itu mula diberi peluang sebagai memperkembangkan lagi seni budaya Gendang Melayu Sarawak itu.
''Kebiasaannya yang 'bertandak' (menari) hanya lelaki yang selalunya berpasangan," katanya.
Dalam pada itu, pengalaman penulis sendiri sebelum ini yang pernah menghadiri majlis bermukun dalam tahun 1990-an mendapati para pemuda bertandak beramai-ramai secara serentak.
Dalam ruang yang sederhana, bertandak beramai-ramai akan menyebabkan keadaan nampak sesak, namun ada yang bersikap tolak- ansur bagi mengelak sebarang tindak balas meskipun ada yang berlaga bahu atau memotong barisan.
Ada juga si penandak yang tidak suka dipotong atau diambil-alih tempatnya sehingga sekurang-kurangnya sekali berbalas pantun dan sesiapa yang memotong giliran sebelum habis atau sebelum sempat berbalas pantun dikira melanggar adat dan pergaduhan boleh berlaku.
Ini kerana, majlis bermukun bukan hanya dihadiri oleh mereka yang datang dari satu kampung, namun ia disertai oleh para pemuda dari kampung-kampung yang berdekatan.
Apabila waktu rehat, ada orang yang akan menghidang kopi dalam gelas 'kampung' beserta dengan biskut 'keben' iaitu sejenis biskut tawar-masin sebelum acara itu diteruskan malah ada yang tamat sehingga subuh pukul 4 atau 5 pagi.
Bagaimanapun, budaya bermukun di kampung-kampung di Sarawak semakin lama semakin hilang ditelan zaman malah majlis-majlis keramaian atau kenduri pada hari ini mulai kurang serinya dan ada yang digantikan dengan acara konsert atau karaoke yang kurang mendapat sambutan.
Harga minyak turun 10 sen mulai esok (Khamis)
Kerajaan mengumumkan harga runcit petrol RON97 dan 92 dikurangkan sebanyak 10 sen iaitu daripada RM2.55 kepada RM2.45 seliter dan RM2.50 kepada RM2.40 seliter, berkuat kuasa mulai esok.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)