Koh: Govt is committed

THE Government has the political will to ensure that the 1Malaysia Trans­forma­tion Roadmap is implemented and is committed to the initiatives it has presented to the people.

People concerned about implementation

THERE was basically one concern from those who turned up at the Government Trans­formation Programme open house – implementation.

MACC will help ministry to evaluate open tenders

THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will help the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to evaluate the open tenders when awarding contracts to firms to improve rural infrastructure under the National Key Result Areas (NKRA).

Sexual promiscuity and influx of workers are major factors

MIRI: Sexually-transmitted diseases (STD) and other diseases have become a serious concern among natives in settlements surrounding the Bakun hydro-electric dam project site in central Sarawak.

Ong: Transit corridors can handle 50,000 passengers during peak hours

KUALA LUMPUR: The 12 transit corridors where special bus lanes will be built will be able to handle between 35,000 and 50,000 passengers during peak hours daily, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said.

Samy: MIC waiting approval for extra funds

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC is awaiting approval from the Treasury on its request for an additional RM53mil for the construction of new buildings in several Tamil schools. Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said at least RM1.6mil was needed to construct a new building for the SJK (Tamil) Sungai Tok Pawang.

Democracy is blooming in Gerakan, says Chang

IPOH: There is democracy and freedom of speech in Gerakan, said deputy party president Datuk Chang Ko Youn.

Tan: Health a good reason to remove sugar subsidy

IPOH: The Government has good intentions in wanting to remove its sugar subsidy, Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Ministry Deputy Minister Datuk Tan Lian Hoe said.

Public air views and prolong Corruption Lab session by two hours

THE CROWD at the Corruption Lab presentation pulled no punches at giving their comments resulting in what was supposed to be an hour-long session stretching to three.

Allocate resources wisely to reduce crime, cops told

POLICE need to allocate resources wisely to achieve the target of reducing crime, said Subang Jaya Residents Association chairman A.S. Gill.

Booth explains 1Malaysia concept

THE public were given a comprehensive and concise explanation about the 1Malaysia concept at its booth at the two-day Government Transformation Programme open day.

It’s a family affair for Pemandu CEO

THE saying “behind every successful man is a woman” certainly rings true for Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Pemandu chief executive officer Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

Traders wish for easier small loans approval

MANY low-income earners are aware of the various government initiatives to help them, but those who are aiming to be entrepreneurs face difficulties in obtaining the necessary start-up funds.

Parents eager for news on HPS

A DAY after the Government announced its plans to set up high-performance schools (HPS), parents at the Government Transformation Programme open day were eager to find out how they could enrol their children in the “ivy league” of schools.

Reports by IZATUN SHARI, YENG AI CHUN, YUEN MEIKENG, SHAUN HO and JOSHUA FOONG

PM: There is now greater commitment by world leaders

COPENHAGEN: Malaysia has expressed “partial satisfaction” with the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 (COP 15) which ended yesterday.

SAM: Malaysia’s pledge must come with a vital plan

COPENHAGEN: Malaysia’s ability to achieve its pledge to cut 40% of its 2005 GDP emission intensity levels by 2020 will depend very much on a coherent national plan, an environmental group said.

Two-phase process for varsity seat applications

PETALING JAYA: Applications for entry into public institutions of higher learning by Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders for the 2010/2011 academic session can only be done online at upu.mohe.gov.my.

Bus driver finds wife and son dead at home

SEREMBAN: An express bus driver returned home to find his wife and youngest son dead at their double-storey low-cost house in Bandar Seremban Selatan here.

Sultan calls for religious tolerance in Selangor

KLANG: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has warned that he does not want to hear of clashes of religious differences that could bring about bitter feelings that divide, create fights or lead to grudges between Muslims and non-Muslims in the Klang district.

Work together to enhance cooperation, Sultan Abdul Halim tells Muslims

PUTRAJAYA: Muslims in Malaysia need to work towards greater cooperation so that they can resolve their differences amicably and wisely and live in harmony, said Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.

Status of Islam allows for allocation of funds

TANJUNG MALIM: Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah said that Islam’s status as the country’s official religion as enshrined in the constitution and the position of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Malay state rulers as heads of the religion allows for the Federal Government and state governments to allocate spending for matters related to the religion.

I’m not married yet, says Zizie

PETALING JAYA: Local actress Zizie Ezette has denied marrying Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Moktar Radin.

Homestay programme to include Chinese new villages

RAUB: The Tourism Ministry’s homestay programme will be extended to Chinese new villages as a showcase of the 1Malaysia concept for foreigners who make up the majority of those in the programme.

Metro Maternity in Klang denies complicity in baby-for-sale scam

KLANG: Metro Maternity Hospital has denied that it was involved in the baby-for-sale scam which was exposed to the public after police arrested 15 people recently.

Women MPs get breast-feeding area

KUALA LUMPUR: Women MPs now have a special area in the VIP restroom at the Parliament building to nurse their infants.

New twist to Matta crisis as exco suspends membership

KUALA LUMPUR: The crisis surrounding the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents’ (Matta) took another twist when the association exco suspended the membership of the company of Datuk Joshua Peter Tan, who was previously elected president.

Aid for 50,000 poor households

KUALA LUMPUR: Almost 50,000 households living below the poverty line will get aid to lift them up under a new poverty eradication programme.

Schizophrenic drug mule returns home

KUALA LUMPUR: A 37-year-old victim of an international drug syndicate who was left at the Buenos Aires airport in Argentina in June is finally home.

Five years after tsunami, development makes Aceh look better than ever

BANDA ACEH: What a difference five years make.

Department: Turtle excluder devices may be made mandatory

GEORGE TOWN: The Fisheries Department is trying to find suitable nets with turtle excluder devices for local fishermen.

Pygmy seahorse under threat

KOTA KINABALU: A unique species of seahorse in Sabah’s east coast islands are under threat because of the actions of over-enthusiastic divers.

Angkasa supermarket to be set up in Klang Valley

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Cooperative Organisation of Ma-laysia (Angkasa) plans to build a supermarket to create another channel for its members to sell and distribute their goods.

Terengganu state sec offered early retirement

KUALA TERENGGANU: State secretary Datuk Mokhtar Nong has been asked to take early retirement and his replacement is expected to be named by January.

Langkawi jetty thrown into chaos

LANGKAWI: A new set of guidelines introduced by the northern region Marine Department is causing serious congestion at the ferry terminal in Kuah.

Rela officer saves 13 from morning blaze

MUAR: A Rela officer who decided to include a lane near Jalan Bakri in his rounds early yesterday ended up saving 13 people from six families from an early morning fire.

Police detain two AMK Selangor men

SHAH ALAM: Police have arrested two Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) Selangor members for distributing seditious leaflets near a mosque.

Jobless man burns down grandma’s house

ALOR SETAR: A jobless man who torched his grandfather’s house a month ago has now burned down his grandmother’s house.

New airport for Mukah

KUCHING: Mukah will get a RM600mil airport to cater to its rapid growth as the Sarawak Corri-dor of Renewable Energy’s (Score) central administrative centre.

Vital for Murum dam to meet international standards

KUCHING: Sarawak has to ‘’do it right’’ in the construction of the 944MW Murum hydroelectric dam project to win international funding for energy-intensive industries in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score).

Two restaurant workers stabbed to death after fight with colleague

JOHOR BARU: Two restaurant workers were stabbed to death after a fight with a co-worker.

Priest attacked and stripped after asking for a raise

A PRIEST was attacked, stripped and shamed in the temple premises after he had asked for a raise in his salary, Tamil Nesan reported on its front page yesterday.

Man abuses pregnant wife

A PREGNANT woman was abused by her husband for almost four hours after she asked him not to use foul language against her, Harian Metro reported. Instead, he resorted to stepping on her stomach and pulling her hair.

HK star Gigi changes name to ‘add a son’

HONG Kong star Gigi Lai Chi has changed her name to Gigi Lai-Ka Yee in the hopes of being blessed with a baby with her businessman husband Patrick Ma, Nanyang Siang Pau reported.