Estate worker earns RM33 a month after deductions. This is a discrimination to the Indian community and other estate workers. Blame it on Sammy Vellu, Barisan Nasional and the big oil palm companies.
ALTHOUGH the country has progressed after 53 years of independence, some families in plantations in the Hulu Selangor area earn only about RM200 a month, reported Makkal Osai.
N. Subramaniam, a father of four, has been working in estates for over 30 years but only took home RM33 after deductions to his April salary.
He said his family was able to survive as his wife, a factory worker, earns about RM600 monthly but she has to work six days a week from 7am to 7pm.
Plantation supervisor K. Sinniah, 53, said life was hard in the estates and some workers pawn their valuables for money. Others turn to loan sharks during emergencies.
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Malaysia take its first delivery of a submarine and named it KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, after the first prime minister. The submarine will be used to protect Malaysia's water against possible attack by US, China and Thailand navies. That is just a possibility but the fact remain that Malaysia cannot even stop illegal immigrants landing at it local beaches.
The Royal Malaysian Navy’s first submarine, KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, arrived at KD Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, the naval base in Pulau Indah here on Thursday.
The Scorpene submarine, with 32 officers and crew members on board led by commanding officer Zulhelmey Ithnain, reached the jetty at 9.20am.
As the surfacing submarine, pulled by two tugboats, approached the jetty, some of its crew members were seen waving at the waiting crowd.
Present to witness the submarine’s arrival were Yang DiPertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, RMN captain-in-chief the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Also present to welcome its arrival were the Malaysian Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin, RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, foreign military officials and family members of the submarine crew.
The dignitaries were then taken into the nation’s first submarine for a visit, after which Tuanku Mizan launched commemorative stamps and first-day covers in conjunction with the submarine’s arrival in the country.
The stamps and first-day covers were issued by Pos Malaysia Bhd in collaboration with the RMN.
The KD Tunku Abdul Rahman commemorative stamps are sold at 30sen and 50sen each, and a complete set of the stamps and first-day covers are available for RM33.10 at all post offices.
KD Tunku Abdul Rahman sailed from Toulon, France on July 11 and took 54 days to reach Port Klang, making stops at Jeddah, Djibouti and Cochin on the journey, which included 32 days of submersion and 10 days of surfacing.
It is one of two Scorpene submarines acquired by the Malaysian government to strengthen the RMN.malaysia ~ If you like this informative post, please subscribe to my full RSS Feed
The government proposal for electricity monthly exemption for electricity bill RM20 or below does not benefit the masses. The amount is too low. The only segment of the rakyat that may enjoy this electricity exemption are the hardcore poor or those with house installed with a few light bulbs.
And how about those in rural Sabah and Sarawak who depend on diesel power generators for electricity ? They are not connected to SESCO or TNB grid, so how can they get exemption or subsidy? Even if RM20 is sufficient, it there will be unfair distribution of benefit because the rural folks in Sabah and Sarawak will not enjoy it. Those poor folks are also burdened and need to dig deep in their pocket to buy diesel !
--------------
Extract from TheBorneoPost
Please not RM20, but RM50
KUCHING: If you have a refrigerator running 24 hours daily at home you can forget about enjoying the RM20 electricity monthly exemption.
A source in Sesco, when asked what kind of household uses less than RM20 in electricity monthly, said: “Most probably one that uses a few bulbs for lighting and has a tiny TV.”
The Borneo Post posed that question after receiving mixed reaction to the move with some describing it as “a bit illogical”.
Government officials and ministers had defended the move, insisting that it was aimed at helping the poor. But most laymen felt the move unreasonable, saying it would only benefit those from the very hardcore poor as well as owners of unoccupied houses.
The exemption should have included a wider section of the Malaysian society, many said.
They felt that if the amount had been RM50 instead of RM20, many would be encouraged to use less power in order to enjoy the privilege.
But Santubong MP Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the budget tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last Friday was not the end of the matter because it was just a proposal.
Junaidi, who is Parliament Deputy Speaker, told The Borneo Post yesterday that if people felt that figures and facts were illogical or unreasonable, the MPs would be debating them, especially during the question-and-answer time.
He said another parliament session will start on Sept 13 and it may last for at least 15 days.
“Only after parliament debate would we know whether the RM20 figure will be revised upward or not. So if the figure appears to be illogical or unreasonable, the government must be ready with its response,” he explained.
He assured: “Wait until the budget (debate) is over. As it is a matter of policy, the figure may be increased if found to be illogical. The MPs will surely talk strongly about it in the parliament.”
He said personally he believed not many people would be enjoying the benefit of the exemption.
“I am not certain who the target group is. Maybe the very hardcore poor will enjoy it. But certainly they do not have TV, Astro or refrigerator.
“Things will be clearer after the parliament session. The figure may be adjusted or increased.
“The RM20 may be a little bit too little. How many people will be entitled to the exemption when most have bills of over RM20? Although the measure is very noble but will it connect the proper target?
“Have they done enough research? As far as I know, the PM had a dialogue with more than 20 stakeholders who may have advised him on the matter. I do not know if they had advised him correctly on the figure,” Junaidi said.
When told that the measure would benefit about 1.1 million households, Junaidi said the measure might have been drawn up out of ignorance since most people, especially politicians, are in the middle class group.
When tabling the National Budget 2009 last Friday, Abdullah said: “As part of the government’s effort to further reduce the financial burden of the lower income group, households which incur monthly electricity bills of RM20 or less, will not have to pay for electricity for the period from Oct 1, 2008 to the end of 2009.”
“The government will bear the cost of such bills, amounting to RM170 million for the period. A total of 1.1 million households will benefit from this measure,” said Abdullah, who is Finance Minister.
The government has, through various measures, successfully reduced the incidence of poverty from 5.7 per cent in 2004 to 3.6 per cent in 2007.
The number of hardcore poor households has declined by 43 per cent from 67,300 in 2004 to 38,400 in 2007.
The government is confident that the incidence of hardcore poverty will be eradicated by 2010. The exemption from paying electricity bill of less than RM20 is one such move.
The Borneo Post has been made to understand that the Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation (Sesco) has yet to make public the exact number of consumers who will benefit from the exemption as well as the amount it would have to absorb in order to complement the federal government’s move.
Yesterday Kedup assemblyman Frederick Bayoi Manggie told The Borneo Post that he accepted the move, saying: “Anything that can help the needy or the very unfortunate is most welcome as far as I am concerned. The RM20 Sesco bill exemption is meant for them. I thank the government for the good gesture.
“But I do not think many people in my constituency will benefit from it because most have monthly bills of above RM30,” said Bayoi who is also Walikota of Kota Samarahan and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member.
Mas Gading MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe said the exemption was aimed at reducing the burden of the hardcore poor.
“But the others who will benefit from it are owners of houses without occupants like mine in Bau and village houses occupied by elderly persons.
“I suppose in Sarawak, very few households pay monthly bill of RM20 or less because our tariffs are already high. You can try and get the actual figure from Sesco,” said Dr Tiki who is also Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) vice president.
Pelagus assemblyman Larry Sng defended the Prime Minister by saying that Abdullah had taken a nationwide perspective before drawing up the measure.
“The prime minister may have drawn the exemption, being part of his eradication of poverty programme, after taking into account a nationwide perspective. I am sure it will benefit many people,” he said yesterday.
“But what is equally important is the provision of a stable supply of electricity through Sesco, to the longhouses and rural villages which have yet to be connected.
“Another equally important issue to the rural people is, the expenditure incurred by using generator sets to produce electricity compared to the electricity generated from the grid,” said Sng who holds two cabinet portfolios namely Assistant Minister of Economic Planning and Assistant Minister of Industrial Development.
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations Fadillah Yusof said he was aware of the grouses and doubts from the general public ever since the move was announced.
“For some of us, RM20 is a small amount. But for others, RM20 can mean a lot, especially the lower income group as that amount will be enough to last them several days in a week unlike many of us who may spend RM20 or more per day,” Fadillah, who is also Petra Jaya MP cum PBB Youth chief said after the launch of Sukma Ria Ramadan Bazaar in Semariang on Monday.
But PKR state liaison chief Dominique Ng said he was disappointed with the move, saying it would not help a wider section of Sesco consumers.
“Only very few families from the lowest income group will benefit from the exemption. Most of the average and even economical households will be charged at least RM50 plus per month,” he pointed out.
“My bill, without the air-condition but having fridge, TV, PC, washing machine among other things, is already more than RM100 monthly,” he said.
He said to him, the measure was only a “micro” sort of service when the government should be concerned about macro economy.
Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) publicity chief Dr John Brian Anthony said the exemption would only benefit a few.
“Perhaps some doors in the longhouses close to town and low-cost flats may benefit from the exemption. I don’t think there will be many people who would benefit from it,” he said.
Former Malaysian Ranger Captain (Rtd) Mohd Johari Ibrahim said: “Those who will benefit may possibly be those living in coastal villages and longhouses with only 12-hour supply of electricity daily.”
A self-employed Bob Kedeni described the move as just a political gimmick. “Only my sister benefits from the exemption. Her house is unoccupied. Sesco charges her RM5 plus per month,” he stressed.
“But this issue (exemption) is minor and just a “gula-gula politik” (political gimmick). I think the government should be more concerned about the impact of oil price hike on people. Why can’t our leaders see this?” he asked.
When contacted on Monday, Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Sarawak secretary cum Sarawak Bank Employees Union CEO Andrew Lo said those who will benefit are “… only Indonesian workers at the construction sites!”
Minister of Public Utilities and Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Dato Sri Awang Tengah Ali Hassan has confirmed that Sesco will implement the measure and it will be at the same time as its implementation in the Peninsular Malaysia by Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
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While the government AND Petronas are enjoying free money from East Malaysia oil and gas sales, and while the West Malaysian are enjoying super highways, LRT, Monorail, moderns malls, hotels and other infrastructures, the dwellers of longhouses in Sungai Asap are deprived of good roads.
The dwellers of those longhouses were resettled there to make way for the construction of multi-billion Ringgit Bakun hydro-dam. Once completed, the beneficiaries of the Bakun hydro-dam will be Tenaga Nasional, SESCO and orang malaya.
What has become of the fate of the natives who was chased away from the project site and resettled at Sungai Asap ? Like shit. They have lost their land and yeah, the land compensation money is probably all spend out. In addition, their new settlement is being ignored and the spot light now is more focusing on how much SESCO will charge Tenaga Nasional and Sarawak Aluminium Company on the electricity tariff. Sarawak Aluminium Company is jointly owned by global miner, Rio Tinto Ltd and Taib's Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd.
The authorities which include the state JKR , YB Billy Abit Joo - the MP of Hulu Rajang and ADUN for that area are all a bunch of hopeless. Even the road leading to the Sungai Asap resettlement are over-used by huge timber trucks and that make you wonder if Taib is making the road for the Sungai Asap resettlement or for the timber companies. Yeah, Taib does have direct and indirect shares on those timber companies.
Updates:
* May 16, 2008: Sungai Asap resident calls for ACA probe
* Jun 10, 2008: Billy Abit received his Datukship while Sg Asap dwellers rewarded with muddy roads
Related posts:
* What's is wrong with roads in Malacca
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Source: theborneopost.com/?p=35405 (May 13, 2008)
Sungai Asap folk urge govt to repair road
By Danny Wong
SIBU: Residents from 15 longhouses in the Sungai Asap resettlement area near Bakun are appealing to the relevant authority to repair and maintain the Bintulu-Sungai Asap Road.
Speaking on their behalf, Danny Bungan, welfare chairman of the village security and development committee (JKKK) of Rumah Belor said many stretches along the road were now riddled with potholes and in deplorable state.
“The road has not been maintained for a long time,” he said.
Danny added to make matters worse, the settlers numbering about 10,000 share the road with trailers and giant timber lorries belonging to companies operating in the area.
“Those of us driving in smaller cars really feel intimidated by these lorries. We are wondering whether these lorries should be allowed to share the road as we feel, they should for the safety of the public, use alternative roads,” he said.
Danny said many requests for repair of the road had been made to the government but he regretted so far nothing much had been done.
He said it was extremely dangerous to use the road at night especially when it rained.
A number of accidents had happened when drivers trying to avoid the potholes, braked their vehicles and skidded due to the slippery or uneven surfaces.
“We really hope the government can do something about the road as soon as possible as Gawai Dayak holidays are approaching and traffic along this road will increase,” he pointed out.
This entry showcase another government idiocy of blatant abuse of rakyat money. A private company conned the government and either the government officers are into the fraud or they are incompetent on approving such "contract" where the government is subsiding the operation of Express Rail Link. See supporting articles at the second half of this post.
According to The Sun conservative estimates, at least RM80 million has been "given" to Express Rail Link since 2002.
Express Rail Link is owned by YTL Corporation Bhd (Equity share 50%), Lembaga Tabung Haji and Trisilco Equity Sdn Bhd (Equity share 10%). YBhg. Dato' Mohd Nadzmi B. Mohd Salleh. Mohd Nadzmi is also the chairman of JT International Bhd and is associated with NU SKIN MALAYSIA HOLDINGS SDN. BHD.
That money (RM80 million) could have been used to upgrade the airports in East Malaysia such as Sandakan Airport, Lahad Datu Airport, Mulu Airport, Limbang Airport, Mukah Airport and Bario Airstrip.
So, who is the culprit in this scandal ? Ministry of Transport or Malaysia Airport Holding Bhd ? Or perhaps YTL or Lembaga Tabung Haji ?
Below is the photos of airports for your comparison:
The grand Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Long Lellang Airport, courtesy of internetplumber.org.uk
Mukah Airport, courtesy of im-bia.blogspot.com
Mulu Airport, courtesy of dca-sarawak.gov.my 
Marudi Airport, courtesy of thissheep.blogspot.com 
Sandakan Airport, courtesy of picasaweb.google.com
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Source: sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21903 (Apr 29, 2008)
Tee Keat probes ERL deal
Terence Fernandez
PETALING JAYA (April 29, 2008): The new administration of the Transport Ministry is probing the events leading to the contract which requires airline passengers from KL International Airport to subsidise the operations of the Express Rail Link (ERL).
Its minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat has requested information from Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) on monies remitted from airport tax to Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERLSB) which operates the service, following an expose by theSun last week.
The front-page report quoted sources as saying that airport tax of RM45 (international) and RM6 (domestic) at the KLIA and RM35 (international) and RM6 (domestic) at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) in Sepang could be cheaper but for a deal between ERLSB and the government.
Under the concession agreement signed in 1997, a portion of airport tax, RM2 from domestic travellers and RM6 from international travellers, goes towards financing the ERL’s construction and operations.
The service began operations in 2002, and air travellers have been unwittingly subsiding the ERL irrespective of whether they used the service or not.
“I am taking a special interest on this issue and I want to get to the bottom of this agreement,” Ong told theSun. “I have asked my officers to get me the documents.”
He said he has asked MAHB to furnish him with details, while ERLSB has also submitted a brief report on the deal.
“As Transport Minister, I am duty-bound to ensure that all agreements which concern public transport are in the best interest of the public,” he said, when told of ERLSB’s refusal to reveal details of the agreement and how much it has received from the taxing of airline passengers over the last six years.
Conservative figures put it at RM80 million a year, a figure which ERLSB has refuted. It has declined to reveal what the real numbers are, saying it’s a private company.
Ong said it was too early to reveal what he had learnt so far but assured the public that he will do so once his investigations were complete.
“I need time to pore over the documents and the fine print. I will get legal and expert opinions on the agreement before taking the matter up to the cabinet,” he said.
ERLSB operates under a 30-year concession, including the option to extend for another 30 years to own and operate the ERL.
YTL Corporation holds a 50% stake in ERLSB, while Tabung Haji Technologies Sdn Bhd owns 40% and the balance held by NadiCorp Holdings Sdn Bhd.
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Bidayuh putih tulang lagi. Through Richard Riot, the Bidayuh have been fooled again after being given another broken promise, another lie and another insult from the Barisan Nasional. Or was it Richard Riot own fancy to be in Cabinet ?
On Apr 17, 2008, Member of Parliament for Serian Datuk Richard Riot Jaem (SUPP elected representative) is very optimistic that a Bidayuh will be appointed to the federal cabinet. On Apr 19, 2008, the Prime Minister has decided on the last 3 Deputy Ministers. None of the new Deputy Ministers are Bidayuh.
Bidayuh has been taken for free ride. Immediately after PM announcement for new Cabinet ministers line-up, Richard Riot disappeared and left the country. It was speculated that he may party-hop to another party after being disappointed that he was not in the list. SUPP has promised him a position in the Cabinet. Unfortunately, PM also down-size his Cabinet with fewer ministers. However, Richard Riot has a changed of heart and came back to Malaysia and re-pledge his undying loyalty to PM and the Barisan Nasional.
Some may question if it is relevant to have a Bidayuh representative in the administration of the government. Well, it is relevant if the Malays also whined that they need to uphold their rights and privileges. If the Malays want to uphold their rights and privileges, who is going to protect the Bidayuh rights (or the rights of other minority race) ? No body else other than the Bidayuh themselves.
Richard Riot has ruffle PM's feather by making a show to do party hopping, SUPP then panic and announce another promise package for Riot, Riot re-pledge his loyalty to PM, George Chan, and Taib and as reward, get the Bidayuh being fooled again. This just add to the list of Dayak delima.
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Extracted from: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/19/nation/21002348&sec=nation (Apr 19, 2008)
Deputy ministers chosen
PUTRAJAYA: Pahang assemblyman and executive council member Datuk Maznah Mazlan has been appointed the new Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Maznah, who currently holds the state seat of Muadzam Shah, will be sworn in as senator soon.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has consented to the appointment of Datuk Maznah. She will be sworn in as senator in a ceremony scheduled soon,” said the statement.
Maznah, who was recently appointed to helm the portfolios of Women, Family and Community Development Committee and the Tourism, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee in Pahang, replaces former deputy minister Sabahan Datuk Ghapur Salleh.
Other appointments are Kudah MP Datuk Abd Rahim Bakri as the new Deputy Foreign Minister and Beaufort MP Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin as the Deputy Transport Minister.
“The appointments of these deputy ministers will take effect from the date they are sworn in and take the oath of secrecy in front of the King at 4.30pm next Wednesday in Istana Negara,” the statement said.
Lajim used to be the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister.
Abd Rahim takes over from Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Abu Bakar while Lajim replaces Datuk Anifah Aman.
Both Tengku Azlan and Anifah rejected the posts when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the Cabinet on March 18. Ghapur announced his resignation eight days later.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Extracted from: theborneopost.com/?p=34117 (Apr 17, 2008)
Riot: Bidayuh rep likely to be in cabinet post
By Jacob Achoi
KUCHING: Member of Parliament for Serian Datuk Richard Riot Jaem is very optimistic that a Bidayuh will be appointed to the federal cabinet.
RIOT: I believe the Prime Minister will accommodate a representative from the Bidayuh community in the cabinet.
He said the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a recent Barisan Nasional (BN) meeting had said he wanted all communities to be represented in the cabinet.
“Although, it may not be very soon, I believe that the Prime Minister will accommodate a representative from the Bidayuh community in the cabinet,” Riot told reporters yesterday after receiving sponsored jerseys for the Under 16 School Development Football League from Lea Sports Centre at the Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) secretariat.
Riot, who is FAS deputy president, was coy when asked by reporters whether he was among the names shortlisted for the post merely answering: “I reserve my comment”.
He however said he would not push the Prime Minister to appoint a Bidayuh elected representative to a cabinet post.
Besides Riot, the other Bidayuh MPs are Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit (Mambong) and Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe (Mas Gading).
Dr Tiki served as Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, but was dropped from the post when Prime Minister announced the cabinet line-up last month.
The five-term Serian MP also pointed out that he was always happy despite reports that he was quitting Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), a component BN party.
This post is about Malaysia medical quandary whereby the government hospitals and clinics may be equipped with the latest medical equipments and stocked with the latest medicines and drug but manned with unmotivated staffs. Yup, another case of "First class infrastructure, third world mentality".
Private hospitals and medical institutions meanwhile have the same equipments and medicines standard with the government hospitals and clinics. On top of that, private hospitals are manned by professional medical practitioners and surgeons. However, those private hospitals charges cost an arm and a leg for most patients. One piece of band-aid cost RM1.50. Satu ketul panadol harga RM2.00. You get the picture.
So, if you are a lower-class to medium-class Malaysian, you would want to go to government hospital for cheaper treatment but the doctors there may take their sweet time to diagnose your sickness. By the time they found the actual sickness, you would probably be 6 feet under. On the other hand, you would want to go to the private hospital for first-class treatment. The doctors there could pin-point your actual sickness on the spot and you probably be fixed to normal in no time, but the charges could also cost you your limbs and make you broke. Maybe those doctors pakat with AhLong and make patients hutang from AhLong.
Of course, all the while private hospitals charges the amount that make them good profit because they still have the demand from upper-class Malaysian (including rich politicians) and those with medical-insurance. In fact, some government officials from certain departments also enjoyed the privileges of getting treatment from private specialist and hospitals. After all, regardless of the cost, the medical bills are paid by the government.
As for the poor Malaysia, you could only queue silently at the government hospitals to get your treatment. That is if the doctors there give you the right treatment.
Related post:
* Is there any doctor in the house
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Extracted from: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/16/nation/20965190&sec=nation (Apr 16, 2008)
Health Ministry to check on private hospital charges deemed excessive
By ELIZABETH LOOI
PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry will review private hospitals' charges for room, equipment and medicine, which many have said are excessive.
Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said he would instruct the director-general to set up a committee to conduct a thorough study on the issue of private hospitals' fees.
He said the ministry had a mechanism to control the charges under the Private Hospital Act and that currently only doctors’ fees were regulated.
He also said he would meet the Malaysian Medical Association, Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia and consumers associations to get their feedback.
“When I say that the ministry will review the fees, it does not mean that we want to limit the hospital fees,” Liow said.
“Don’t get me wrong, but there are some hospitals that are reasonable with their charges because of their five-star-quality services, but some are exorbitant.”
Liow also said the Government only regulated certain charges and that it would not be easy to regulate all the charges as some patients preferred to stay in luxurious rooms.
He urged the public to complain to the ministry if they were not satisfied with their hospital bills.
“I will set up an avenue for the public to lodge complaints and I will make sure that there is a proper mechanism to address the problem,” he said.
MCA Public Services and Complaints Department chief Datuk Michael Chong said he often received requests from patients for his help to appeal to hospitals to reduce charges.
He said some of the cases involved RM20,000 to RM50,000, especially surgery cases.
“I advise patients to demand itemised billing from hospitals, so they can dispute the charges if they feel that they are unreasonable,” he said.
However, he said patients who requested for extra services such as deluxe rooms should not complain about the extra charges.
National Consumer Complaints Centre director Darshan Singh said the review was a timely move as medical bills have been escalating.
“The prices are inflating and this is also probably because of involvement of insurance companies,” he said.
Muslim Consumers Association project director Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin lauded the ministry’s plan and said private hospitals should have some social obligations.
“Some of their profit must go back to society through discounts,” he said.
What's is wrong with roads in Malacca that the BN state government need RM3.3billion fund ?
Malacca roads including most roads in Semanjung Malaysia are the best in the region. Need over RM3 billion to re-tar and re-seal the already good roads ? This is misuse of rakyat money.
Semanjung has countless superhighway linking states and cities and towns. Multi-tier exchanges, multiple lanes tunnels, 6-8 lanes bridges, Semanjung Malaysia got it all. The luxury of big roads cover the bottom to top of the Peninsula Malaysia. Even the mountainous Genting Highlands have highways. East Malaysian, if you haven't been to Genting, there is are highways in the mountains. Got highways at Baram, Kapit, Kudasang or Ranau kah ?
What do you find in Sabah and Sarawak ? Jalan tanah banyak ler. Jalan lumpur banyak ler. Kalau ada jalan batu, sudah kira nasib baik tu.
The federal government must give more fund to Sabah and Sarawak to improve our roads. Otherwise, it unfair distribution of national wealth. We don't need fancy highways, good roads will be a blessing.
The muted ministers from Sabah and Sarawak are also playing dumb and dare not demand for road projects in East Malaysia. A bunch of yes man MP from East Malaysia. Maybe they have request for it. What we want is for them to DEMAND for more roads and bridges. Our road system in Sabah and Sarawak are the shittiest in Malaysia.
Shame on the work ministers ! Shame of state JKR ! Shame of the local MP for keeping silents.
Typical roads in Sabah and Sarawak
Highway Exchange in Semanjung Malaysia
Related post:
* uchukeling.com - What RM3.3b can do to Sarawak
Extracted from thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/4/7/southneast/20080407105349&sec=southneast (Apr 07, 2008)
Malacca seeks RM3.3b for road projects
MALACCA: A total of RM3.3bil is being sought from the Federal Government for road projects in Malacca under the Ninth Malaysian Plan mid-term review.
Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad said the allocation covered 26 construction and upgrading projects involving 439km of roads in the state.
The ministry would consider the requests and decide on the projects based on the budget, he told reporters on Thursday.
Mohd Zin, who is on his first official visit to the state since assuming his Cabinet post, attended a closed-door briefing on road projects here.
He said a proposed 100km coastal road would be given priority owing to a rise in traffic and the state's reliance on tourism.
Road projects were given priority when the volume increased to more than 20,000 cars per day, he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said, besides coastal roads, the state was requesting an allocation for a outer ring road that will better connect the city to surrounding towns.
