FRIDAY-25TH JANUARY 2008- KK CENTRAL MARKET TO UNDERGO RM2M REPAIR

KK central market to undergo RM2m repair


KOTA KINABALU:

The central market located in the heart of the City centre and its surrounding areas will undergo upgrading works once allocation from the State Government is received. Repair works, estimated at RM2 million, will among others include repairing of leaking roofs and damaged ceiling, and replacing broken tiles on floors and walls at the two storey wet market and the fish market. The road divider at Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, between the central market and KK Plaza that were damaged by motorists who parked their vehicles illegally, would also be improved and widened for public convenience. Mayor Datuk Iliyas bin Ibrahim who was doing his rounds at the central market area on Thursday, noted that the central market and fish market, which were built in 1975, are badly in need of repair and upgrading works. Hence, he is hoping that the State Government would approve City Hall’s requests for the renovation and upgrading allocation. Iliyas, who was accompanied by Director of Engineering Jr. Lee Tet Fon, Director of Health and Services Alfred Gonsilou and officers, also inspected the landing point for small boats plying to and fro the mainland to the nearby islands, as well as the work progress at the Hyatt Waterfront development project. Earlier, he accompanied Api-Api Assemblyman and Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai to meet with the hawkers at the central market to extend his Chinese New Year greetings.

FRIDAY-25TH JANUARY 2008- SHAOLIN WUSHU SQUAD TO PERFORM AT LIKAS STADIUM

Shaolin Wushu squad to perform at Likas Stadium

KOTA KINABALU:

A performance by the Chinese Shaolin Wushu squad from Henan, China is set to enthrall the crowd at Likas Indoor Stadium on Saturday at the Cultural Exhibition of Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Year 2008. Organised by the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCA), the event to be opened by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, will also feature local dance troupes comprising 10 dragon dance teams, 15 Unicorn teams and 45 lion dance teams. “The purpose of staging the exhibition is to provide opportunities to the people to exchange knowledge of cultures, besides strengthening the relationship between the residents of People’s Republic of China and Malaysia,” said USCCA of Kota Kinabalu president Datuk Lau Kok Seng. The free-admission event which begins at 2pm, will also see the presence of the Consul-General of the Republic of China, Mr Xie Fu Gen. “As we usher the new lunar calendar, we want to share the joy of celebrations with other races of people in the State,” Lau said in a statement.

FRIDAY- 25TH JANUARY 2008- SELLERS OF CONTRABAND CIGARETTES INCREASING

Sellers of contraband cigarettes increasing

Another complaint has been received about the activities of contraband cigarette peddlers in Inanam town. It came from Mat who claimed that the number of youngsters involved in the illegal activities are increasing. He said these people are seen day and night openly pestering passersby to buy the cigarettes. “Every time I go there in the evening, these people would be there and I think they are illegal immigrants,” he said. “The fact is young children are involved in activities that are prohibited by law and such activities are encouraging young people to smoke as they make cheap cigarettes easy to obtain.” Mat pointed out that the illegal activities if tolerated by the authorities could make these people more daring and carry out more serious illegal activities like drug peddling. He said the activities defeat the purpose of the government in raising the prices of cigarettes and discouraging people from smoking. A spokesman for Kota Kinabalu City Hall’s Public Complaints Unit, when asked to comment on the matter, said many operations have been carried out to curb the activities. He said such operations are usually carried out together with the Customs Department and Immigration Department. “We are currently conducting operations every evening to curb the activities, and those caught would face action,” he said.

FRINDAY-25TH JANUARY 2008- JOHN LAU NEW PRESIDENT OF SANDAKAN JUNIOR CHAMBER

John Lau new president of Sandakan Junior Chamber


SANDAKAN:

The Sandakan Junior Chamber in its recent annual general meeting elected John Lau as the new president for 2008. The other office bearers elected are Immediate Past President Mike Yap, General Legal Counsel Anne Chong, Vice President for Business and Community William Chu, Vice President for Individual and International Brian Chui, Secretary Davina Khoo and Treasurer Audrey Wong. President-elect John Lau said with the presidential theme of ‘Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Associate, Development’, the new board is looking into areas of youth training, members’ self development, extending business networking for members and service to the community.

FRIDAY-25TH JANUARY 2008- RM500 MILLION FOR PAVING VILLAGE ROADS IN SABAH

RM500 million for paving village roads in Sabah



TUARAN:

More village roads in Tuaran parliamentary constituency will be resurfaced when the Federal Government provides a RM500 million allocation for the purpose in Sabah under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said the allocation will be spent on resurfacing village roads this year. Although not all village roads could be improved with the allocation, there will be marked improvement overall, he said. “In Tuaran, there are 199 kilometers of roads under the Public Works Department (PWD) which have not been paved, and the cost of paving a kilometer of road can reach RM1 million to RM2 million. Tangau was speaking when launching the paved Kampung Lampung Lapai-Dato-Rondoggung road in Tenghilan at the Kampung Lapai community hall yesterday. Also present were Assistant Youth and Sports Minister cum Tamparuli Assemblyman Jahid Jahim and Tamparuli People Development Leader Jefferson Jonathan. The one-kilometer road which has been used by about 100 people in the villages was paved under a project by the Sabah Federal Development Department (JPPS) last month. Tangau said the need for additional funds to pave roads in Tuaran has been conveyed to the Economical Planning Unit (EPU) besides being brought up in the Parliament.

FRIDAY-25TH JANUARY 2008- MEGAT JUNID LAID TO REST AT BUKIT KIARA CEMETERY

Megat Junid laid to rest at Bukit Kiara cemetery


KUALA LUMPUR:

Former domestic trade and consumer affair Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayob, was laid to rest at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery here yesterday, attended by about 500 people. His remains arrived at the cemetery in a Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) hearse at 2.15pm. The funeral rites, performed by Sub-Insp Mohd Tahir Malik of the Bukit Aman Police Headquarters, ended about 40 minutes later. His wives, Puan Sri Faizah Shuaib and Norzilah Jalil, were seen sitting side by side during the ceremony. They and Megat junid’S five children later poured scented water on the grave in turns. Among dignitaries present were Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Aziz Shamsuddin and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar. Megat Junid, 65, died of cancer at 5.25am at the Pantai Medical Centre in Bangsar. His remains were later were taken to his residence at No. 2, Jalan SS733 in Kelana Jaya. Among those who paid their last respects at the house were the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Others included Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam and former, inspector-general of police Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar. Before the burial, Megat Junid’s remains were taken to the Nurul Yaqin Mosque in Kelana Jaya for prayers led by DSP Ghazali Daud of the RMP’s Religious and counseling Division and joined by about 300 people, at 1.50pm. Faizah told reporters later that she was grateful for having her husband last wish, to have his funeral arranged by the RMP fulfilled. Bernama

FRIDAY-25TH JANUARY 2008- MEGAT JUNID'S DEATH A LOSS TO NATION, SAY LEADERS

Megat Junid’s death a loss to nation, say leaders


PUTRAJAYA:

Several leaders yesterday described the death of former Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayob as a great loss to the nation. Megat Junid died of cancer in Kuala Lumpur early Thursday. He was 65. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he was saddened by the demise of ”a close friend and colleague”. He said Megat junid had contributed a lot to the Government and country. ”he was known for being a jovial character,” Najib told reporters officiating the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Public Service Commissions here. In PETALING JAYA former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the nation had lost a leader of quality. “Megat Junid was hardworking, honest, and a minister of quality’ he told reporters after paying his last respects at the residence of Megat Junid in Kelana Jaya. Dr Mahathir, who arrived at the residence with his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at 9.15am, described Megat Junid as a spirited individual and said that when he met Megat Junid three weeks ago, he was talking about politics despite being ill. Megat Junid had served for nine months as the political secretary of Dr Mahathir when the latter was education minister in 1976. Megat Junid, who launched his career in politics in 1972, had served for 13 years as a deputy minister and four years as a minister. He had also served as the Umno information from 2OOO to 2003. Former deputy information minister Datuk Khalid Yunus, who also paid his last respects at the residence, said Megat junid had served Umno and the country well ‘We have lost a good leader and I have lost a friend,” he said, adding that he came to know Megat Junid when both of them joined Umno Youth in the 1970’s.

FRIDAY-25TH JANUARY 2008- COMPOSTING CENTRE LAUNCHED IN LUYANG

Composting centre launched in Luyang

Landfill to be closed if composting program successful


KOTA KINABALU:

A composting centre set up to compost garden waste has been launched at Taman Luyang Timur here yesterday. The centre is a joint project of the resident committee in the housing estate and Local Agenda 21 Kota Kinabalu City Hall led by Director General Dr Chua Kim Hing. Assistant Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology Melanie Chia, who officiated the launch, said the program had been planned since three years ago and the setup of the centre is a first step towards a sustainable environment management. “Hopefully this program will be successful and as a start, we hope the residents here can commit to this project,” she said, adding that it should encourage people from other areas to set up their own composting centre. During the launch, a demonstration of a Viking shredder, a RM1,800 machine sponsored by KTS Trading, was conducted to shred thick garden waste such as branches and leaves. Meanwhile, Chua said residents from any area can send their waste to the Luyang centre instead to the Kayu Madang landfill. “If this program is successful, the Kayu Madang landfill will be closed and turned into a material recovery facilities,” he said. “Kayu Madang will produce a new type of garbage without leachate to be transferred to other landfills,” he said. Chua said the program might be hard for people to follow but hopefully soon it will be accepted. Chairman of Luyang Timur Residents Committee, Chia Shee Yung said the community should reduce the burden of City Hall. “We can contribute to the environment by segregating the waste for recycling and composting,” he said. Chia urged the public from Kota Kinabalu area, especially Taman Luyang Timur, to send their garbage to this centre. The composting centre has received contributions from various individuals and companies, he said.

FRIDAY- 25TH JANUARY 2008- FOCUS OF PROMOTING QUALITY LOCAL PRODUCTS

Focus on promoting quality local products: Musa

KOTA KINABALU:

Domestic market for agricultural products will be further strengthened to ensure the agriculture sector continue to grow as planned, said Chief Minister Datuk Sen Musa Aman. He said focus will be given to promoting local products that are high in quality and competitively priced to enable them to compete with imported products. For this purpose, he said both the public and private sectors would be encouraged to provide marketing infrastructures and to efficiently manage their daily operations. Construction of marketing infrastructures such as collection centres, warehouses, cold storage facilities, wholesale markets and Pasar Tani would be expedited, Musa said in a speech at the signing of a MoU between FAMA and KKIP yesterday for the purchase of land to build a RM5 million marketing complex of FAMA. His speech was read by Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail. He said the State Government fully supports FAMA in its effort to further stimulate the agriculture and food industry in Sabah by setting up a marketing complex in KKIP. He said FAMA’s move reflects the increasing awareness and understanding among the industry players of the objective and importance of the establishment of Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP). “This would ultimately help the government in realising the Sabah’s Halatuju which recognizes agriculture as one of the three main sectors that will be developed to strengthen the State’s economy. More importantly, the agriculture sector would also be the leading sector under the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC),” he said. With the completion of the proposed complex, Musa said it is hoped that FAMA would further strengthen its role and efforts towards affectively coordinating the marketing activities for agriculture and agro-based products in the State. At the same time, he said FAMA should continue establishing distribution centres in districts with high potential to further improve marketing mechanism and provide supporting facilities for value-adding activities.