FOREIGN WORKERS - IT SHOULD BE HUMAN RESOURCES MINISTRY’S CALL!

No two ways about this one!

All right thinking Malaysians cannot but question the ‘rationale and decision’ as to why the Ministry of Home Affairs ‘sudden and inexplicable drive’ to control the foreign workers industry by its proposed ‘Foreign Workers Bill?” 

A bill that is still shrouded in mystery and secrecy! 

More so, when fundamentally it is the jurisdiction and duty of the effective and cordial Ministry of Human Resources to tackle all matters pertaining to manpower needs both domestic and foreign! 

What does the Home Ministry know of workers’ rights, of labor demands and increasing the skills of workers? 

Are they also competent in the interpretation and effective enforcement of the Employment Act, the Industrial Relations Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Workmen’s Compensation Act and other labor legislation? 

So far the handling of foreign workers woes by the home ministry has been controversial with the involvement of RELA causing international embarrassment to Malaysia! 

Its handling of outsourcing license to more than 150 companies has also had its fair share of controversies! 

It is also indeed embarrassing that for an administration that has boosted its ‘open and transparent credentials’, to date, there has been a total ‘black-out’ of the provisions of this new bill as affected stakeholders are still in the dark as to its provisions and the real intentions and objectives of its draftsman! 

It is also a disgrace that both local stakeholders, labor unions, NGOs and representatives of source countries have yet to be roped in for feedbacks and discussions in the preparation towards the bill despite its impact and implication both domestic and international!

Questions are also now emerging as why the Home Ministry is claiming ownership and fast tracking this bill? 

It is advisable for the Home Ministry to concentrate instead on its primary and fundamental duties of addressing the rising crime and the presence of the millions of undocumented workers in this country rather than trying to usurp the powers and jurisdiction of the Human Resource Ministry by taking control of the management of foreign workers in Malaysia! 

IGP PAYS TRIBUTE TO A COMMITTED CRIME FIGHTER! MAY DATUK ALBERT MAH’S SOUL REST IN PEACE!

Former Penang police chief, Datuk Albert Mah

May His Soul Rest In Peace!

  “Even though he retired 30 years ago, I still feel I have lost a good boss who taught me everything,”  Tan Sri Musa Hassan - IGP Malaysia.    

For the record - Tan Sri Musa had worked under Mah in Malacca and Penang. 

When I prayed for him during intersession at St Paul’s Church Petaling Jaya on Sunday I like many, which includes his loved ones in church that day were praying for a miracle!

That our friend and brother in the LORD would be healed and return home to his loved ones!

But the sovereign LORD had other plans for Albert!

Datuk Albert Mah was taken to be with the LORD yesterday.

A foundation to fight crime has been set up in his name by the residents of Section 5 in Petaling Jaya and known as the “Albert Mah Foundation to Fight Crime”.   

And even in death, the top cop-turned-politician will be remembered, as a foundation to fight crime has been set up in his name. 

Less than five hours after Mah’s death, his family announced that the residents of Section 5 here would be setting up the “Albert Mah Foundation to Fight Crime” in his honour. 

The late Albert served in the police force for over 35 years, was noted for his work in quelling the communist insurgency.

He served in various senior positions which includes being OCPD for Kuantan and Ipoh as well as CPO for Kedah, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.  

Upon retirement, he served for one-term as Bukit Bendera MP.  

His death should not be in vain and I believe the Malaysian Police Force under the leadership of IGP Tan Sri Musa willleave no stones unturned to get those behind this henious crime!

By the manner the robbery took place it is strongly believed it was the work of Indonesians!

A realative is reported to have said:

“The way the culprits broke into our house, by smashing through the wooden doors with rocks, shows how bold and brazen they are. 

They heard the call being made to the police, and yet they continued ransacking the place”

Yes a relative at church told me that the 82-year-old Albert  fought the burglars because he was afraid they would attack his wife and niece at 4.30am on Friday in the house where he had lived in for the last 40 years. 

The culprits escaped with two laptops, two digital cameras, jewellery, branded watches and cash, all worth some RM50,000. 

And Albert was conscious when the ambulance arrived to take him to University Malaya Medical Centre, but fell into a coma on the way to the hospital.

He died without regaining consciousness. 

He is said to have had head injuries!

He leaves behind his wife, Datin Joan Mah, five children, 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 

The funeral service will be at 10.30am on Thursday at St Paul’s Church at Jalan Utara Petaling Jaya!  

NAJIB SAYS WE ARE READY FOR EXPECTED DROUGHT! BRILLANT SAYS JG!

  

As expected, Malaysia will place emphasis on haze, open burning and sufficient water supply in its preparation to face the expected drought next month!

And this assurance came from none than the deputy premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Hj. Razak (see pix above)!

The Deputy Prime Minister quite rightly stated that Malaysia would work closely with its neighbours, particularly Indonesia, in ensuring that there would not be any occurrence of the haze.

This is vital and the violaters in that part of the world should be held accoutable and controlled!

And I agree with Najib that this was very critical, especially in view of Visit Malaysia Year now!

Najib, who is also chairman of the National Disaster Management and Relief Committee has also stated that the government would also ensure that there would not be any open burning carried out during the coming drought.

And I am also grateful for the further assurance that ALL  water catchment areas would be monitored to ensure adequate water supply and if necessary that water rationing would be carried out! 

Well Done Datuk Seri - JG says!

FORMER AG VIEWS QUITE SIMILAR TO JG’S VIEWS ON RETIREMENT AT 60!

I am indeed glad that our well respected former attorney-general and Suhakam chairman, Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, 68 (see pix above)  has shared ’similar views’ on the ‘retirement at 60′ issue!

He quite rightly stated that the most important considerations should be “the best minds, commitment and trustworthiness.” 

He added:

“The question should be whether the civil servant at whichever level can deliver towards the development of the nation,” 

Like I stated whats the use of having little corrupt Napoleans continuing their wild streak for another 5 years in amassing ill-gotten gains! 

CAR FIRMS AND POLLUTION CURBS - A BRILLANT MOVE!

News that the European Commission has proposed to force carmakers to make an 18% cut in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2012, by improving vehicle technology is welcomed by all consumers and environmentalists! Industry Commissioner, Guenter Verheugen is reported to have stated that legislation was planned to ensure the average car emitted no more than 130g of CO2 per kilometre. For the record, the average level for new cars in 2005 was 162g per kilometre. Unfortunately, the car industry has threatened that tough limits could lead to job losses and factory closures. Now will it be a spanner in the works? We will have to wait and see! Will we see the same moves in ala Malaysia?

INDIA’S AIR SHOW A SUCCESS!

More than 500 companies have turned out for the air show Reports indicate that more than 600 aircraft companies from around the world have gathered at an air show in India. They include companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Russia’s MIG-29 and Sweden’s Saab! Interestingly, some 45 foreign delegations and 35 air force chiefs from various countries are attending the five-day air show in its sixth year! Their agenda without doubt to sell their planes! Interestingly, the five-day event at the Yelahanka air base in Bangalore will showcase a range of new civilian and military aircraft. Industry watches tell me that New Dehli plans to buy 126 fighter jets for its air force to replace ageing planes in its fleet. The same sources indicate and estimate that India would need over 1,000 planes over the next two decades! For the record we are told that air traffic in India could double by 2010 to 50 million passenger journeys a year on the back of a growing economy, according to one estimate! Will it start an arms’s race? I am not telling go check out!

NO NEED TO INCREASE RETIREMENT AGE TO 60 SAY JG!

PAK LAH AND NAJIB MUST SAY NAY TO THIS UNTIL A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW TO WEED OUT CORRUPT OFFICIALS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS IS CARRIED OUT! - Dr Jacob George

CANCER CAUSING AGENT WITHDRAWAL - WELL DONE HEALTH MINISTRY!

Malaysian Health Minister Dato Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (see pix) takes a no nonsense approach and always protects consumer interests! - Dr Jacob George

I am certainly glad and welcome the move that 6 seasoning and soy products from Thailand found to have high levels of the cancer-causing agent 3-MCPD have been withdrawn from the market. 

Health Ministry Food Quality and Safety Division director Dr Abdul Rahim Mohamad has already stated that the six were part of the 68 samples, including fish sauce, soy sauce and oyster sauce, that were sent to Universiti Sains Malaysia last year for tests. 

“Of the six samples, three types of soy sauce were confiscated from the market while the remaining three were barred from entering the country,” he is reported to have stated to the media. 

JG is advised that the said 3-MCPD is not a substance added to the food but is a “carry over effect” from the use of hydrolysed vegetable protein, which is a flavouring used in various food products such as oyster and fish sauce, soup stock and seasoning.  

LANDFILLS - NO SHAME TO LEARN FROM SQUEEKY CLEAN SINGAPORE!

  

 

Reports indicate that it was commissioned in 1999, the Semakau landfill covers a total area of 350ha and has a capacity of 63 million cubic metres.

It is also expected to meet Singapore’s need for landfill space up to the year 2045.

To create the required landfill space, a seven-kilometre perimeter rock bund was built to enclose part of the sea off Pulau Semakau and Pulau Sakeng, which are now connected with the landfill from Singapore’s four incineration plants as well as other non-incinerated waste such as construction refuse.

After the site is filled to its capacity in about 40 years’ time, the area will become a 350ha island.

Azmi when asked on the facility stated that it was managed very efficiently.

He felt that the surroundings of the island was also clean and attracted recreational activities like fishing!

He replied in the affirmative when asked whether a similar concept can be implemented in Malaysia.

And it will work if it is implemented the way Singapore implemends projects where the nation’s interest overrides private, personal and party-political interest and greed!

Got my drift Parker?

NOW ITS FLOODS IN JAKARTA!

A WARNING TO CORRUPT POLITICIANS AND CIVIL SERVANTS FROM MOTHER NATURE?

It is really sad that at least 20 people have been killed and 340,000 made homeless by massive floods that have swept through the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.Reports indicate that the 3 days of torrential rain have caused rivers to burst their banks, sending muddy water up to 3m (10ft) deep into homes and businesses. Authorities say the city of nine million people is now on its highest level of alert. The floods are said to be the worst to hit Jakarta for five years. Meteorologists have warned the downpour is likely to continue for another week, and with heavy rains falling on hilly regions to the south, more flooding is threatened. To make matters worse, rising floodwaters have cut water supplies and communications to parts of the city and forced medical teams to use boats and helicopters to reach many of those left stranded. More than 670,000 people have been left without electricity. Is this a warning to cities of the world and CORRUPT POLITICIANS AND CIVIL SERVANTS FROM MOTHER NATURE?

BIRD FLU IN BRITAIN SENDING SHOCK WAVES!

Reports that tens of thousands of turkeys are being gassed at a poultry farm in Suffolk in a sppedy bid to contain Britain’s first mass outbreak of Asian bird flu is fast moving along all media reports. Reports also indicate that a biosecurity zone has also been set up around the Bernard Matthews farm near Lowestoft - where the H5N1 virus was first discovered - as a precaution. Owners of domestic fowl are being told to keep their birds indoors. For the record and your information: The H5N1 virus can be fatal if passed on to humans but health experts said that risk was “very low”. A three-kilometre protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have now been set up around the farm in Holton, which is approximately 27km south-west of Lowestoft. A much wider restricted zone covering 2,090 sq km is bordered by the A140 to the west and the A47 to the north and almost to Felixstowe in the south. It is vital that we in Malaysia also watch our neighborhood and specially the northern border!