Five highways to charge new rates from Jan 1?? YAU MOU GAU....CHOR!!

KUALA LUMPUR: Toll rates will be increased for five concessionaires come Jan 1, 2007, according to Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

He said the Government could not afford to compensate the concessionaires for the Guthrie Corridor Expressway, Karak Highway, Grand Saga Cheras-Kajang Highway, Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP) and Kesas Shah Alam Highway the estimated RM2bil, if no increase was approved during this round of concession agreements.

It is understood that this is how much the Government will have to fork out until the concession agreements lapse.

Citing an example, Samy Vellu said the original toll rate when the LDP first opened was RM1.50.

“But because of complaints by the people, it was reduced to RM1. Just because the toll was reduced, it did not mean the balance of 50 sen did not have to be paid,” he said, adding that the Government had to compensate the LDP concessionaire RM68mil last year and RM76mil this year.

Samy Vellu said the quantum of increase would only be finalised after a study by the ministry to make sure the increase was reasonable and would not burden the public.

The last toll increase was on Jan 1, 2005, when Plus Expressways increased toll rates by 10% on the North-South Expressway. In April 2002, Kesas highway also raised its rates by between 20 sen and 60 sen.

Samy Vellu added that as a matter of policy, the Government would also ensure that if there were two different concessionaires operating on similar routes their toll rates would be identical.

Meanwhile, in Petaling Jaya, Pan Malaysian Bus Operators Association president Datuk Ashfar Ali said he hoped that the increase would not apply to buses.

“We cannot afford to absorb an increase. We hope that if the increase does apply to buses, then the Government will allow us to pass on the charges to passengers, as allowed for taxis.”

Pan Malaysia Lorry Operators Association president Er Sui See said if the lorry operators were burdened the increase would be passed on to customer.

On another matter, Samy Vellu said the proposal for the 216km West Coast Highway was withdrawn by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) at the last Cabinet meeting.

He added that if the Government had carried out the project earlier, it would have been much cheaper, instead of the estimated cost of RM3bil now.

Samy Vellu also said he would ask the Cabinet to stop issuing licences for Class F contractors because too many of them were dormant.

Satay outlet to be torn down

KLANG: DZ Satay House which was built illegally on state land in Pandamaran, Port Klang, will be demolished on Nov 23, and its owner Datuk Zakaria Md Deros will be slapped with a RM10,000 fine.


A Klang District Land Office spokesman said the restaurant was built without approval on a buffer zone meant for road expansion, and Zakaria would be fined under the National Land Code for trespassing.

“The District Land Office will issue a notice of demolition under the Land Code tomorrow (today) and tear down the restaurant on Nov 23,” he said.

“We are giving the owner ample time to remove the furniture and fittings, to minimise losses.”

Yesterday, the district office surveyed the land on which the restaurant stood as well as the surrounding area.

“No appeal will be entertained as the land is a buffer zone and can’t be used for other purposes,” he added.

“We are strict about this and want to ensure that the message goes out to others not to misuse state land or occupy it illegally.”

Meanwhile, Klang municipal council president Abdul Bakir Zin said yesterday that Zakaria, who is Port Klang assemblyman, had yet to pay up the RM24,000 fine imposed on him by the council for building a four-storey mansion without submitting building plans.


Last week, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo said there were many buildings and premises in the state built without approval from the authorities.

He said the state government had long known about their existence but if all of these were demolished there would be a huge public outcry.

DZ Satay House torn down

KLANG: Klang Municipal Council started tearing down the DZ Satay House on Thursday.

It is owned by Zainuri Zakaria, the son of Port Klang assemblyman Zakaria Md Deros.

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KERISHAMUDDIN ?? AMOK??

I had copied the following photos from SCREESHOTS website, jeff sorry for late information.

This is KERISHAMUDDIN Angry face trademark. Bring A KERIS to attend a meeting also his favorite act. I thought someone can report to the police for his act, charge him for bring Dangerous WEAPON on town.


This photo is showing how KERISHAMUDDIN kissing his KERIS.

The above action from KERISHAMUDDIN doesn't meant anything and not relevant to what he said on that meeting. Really don't understanding why he did so? Can you?

Sultan imposes stricter conditions for Selangor titles

SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor has imposed stricter conditions – including a minimum age of 45 – on eligibility for the state’s Datukship, in another move to limit the number of recipients and to protect the image and dignity of the awards ahead of his birthday next month.

It is likely that Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah would only confer 27 Datukships on Dec 11, although a maximum of 40 Datukships a year is allowed under the State Constitution.

He is believed to be the first Ruler to impose the minimum age criterion and other rules.

The Tuanku is also expected to confer two Datuk Seri and one Datuk Setia titles, although each category is allowed a maximum of two awards.

From this year, where politicians are concerned, only state executive councillors, state assemblymen or Members of Parliament will be eligible for the Datuk Paduka Mahkota Selangor (DPMS) or Datuk Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (DSIS) awards, which carry the Datuk title.

Nominations which have been sent out state that for government officials, they must be in the Category A, B or C levels while those serving in the judiciary must be a Federal Court or Appeals Court judge.

For the army, the nominee must be at least a Leftenan-Jeneral while for the police, he must be at least a Commissioner. A check shows that there are only seven police officers in the country with the rank of Commissioner and all are Datuks.

Exemptions, however, will be made for former elected representatives, deserving businessmen or community leaders who have been selected for the title.

As for the private sector, the person must be at least a managing director or its equivalent, and must come from a reputable company, said a palace official. “For academicians, the recipient must be a full professor. Associate professors no longer qualify for the Datuk awards,” the official said.

The Sultan has set a quota of 40 Datukships each year. Selangor is believed to be the first state to set this benchmark, including a minimum age. Every year, the Sultan has only conferred between 25 and 35 Datukships, although over 1,000 nominations were submitted.

Since the Tuanku’s ascension to the Selangor throne in 2003, the number of awards given on his birthday has dropped. From 209 awards in 2002, the Sultan reduced the number to 185 in 2003, 127 in 2004 and 110 last year.

According to a source, the 33 Datukships given out in 2005 were an exception because it was to commemorate a special year – the Sultan’s 60th birthday.

Last year, recipients had to make statutory declarations before Commissioners for Oath that they had no criminal record. In addition, they had to swear that they were not wanted by the police, had not been declared bankrupt or faced any court action that might make them bankrupt.

Forged certs for a fee??? YAU MOU GAU..CHOR!!

PENANG: There’s a price for everything – even good academic results.

For as little as RM300, grades on examination certificates can be changed on “reprints” to “upgrade” oneself to a top student.

A check by The Star here found that several printing firms offer such “special services” to duplicate certificates and duly change the grades of examination results – for the right fee.

It could be the results for the PMR, SPM or those attained in colleges or universities but these firms would only extend such services through recommendation.

The charges range from RM300 for simple duplication of certificates to as much as RM4,000, depending on the complexity of the design of the document and the changes that need to be made.

This reporter went undercover as a student, approached a printing firm worker and was asked: “Who recommended you to come here?”

When told that several shops had turned down the request to tamper with examination results, the man relented. “How many certificates do you want?”

“You have to bring your certificate before I can quote you a price. If it comes with a wax seal, it would cost a few thousand dollars as we have to get the mould done,” he said.

He said the price would also depend on the paper quality.

These printing firms were also found to have adopted their own set of “guidelines” and “ethics” – they would not make any changes to results of courses related to medicine and pharmacy.

One printing firm worker said that they would not do it if it was to give someone a medical doctor's qualification.

“We don’t want you to be a killer doctor,” he said.

Another printing firm said they would not reprint more than two copies of the certificates.

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EPF head highlights troubling situation??? YAU MOU GAU...CHOR!!

PUTRAJAYA: The majority of those aged 60 and above in Malaysia are wholly dependent on their children for support.

They do not hold highly paid jobs and did not manage their finances well when younger as they lacked proper education.

In making these observations, Employees Provident Fund chairman Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali said nationwide data showed that the average income of the older generation was only RM300 and most of them did not have any savings.

“But the older generation cannot depend fully on their children for support as the cost of living now is increasing day by day and lifestyles have changed,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters at a hotel here yesterday after giving the keynote address at the two-day “Ageing and National Development: Improving Quality of Later Life” conference.

Abdul Halim said the older generation, especially those still active, could continue to contribute to the country's development and be self-reliant. The Government, he added, was finding ways to help active senior citizens be productive and improve their quality of life.

According to him, those aged 60 and above now make up 6% of the population and the figure, which is rising rapidly because of lower mortality rates, is expected to go up to 15% by 2035.

Abdul Halim also urged young people to learn how to manage their finances so that they would have enough funds to see them through old age without needing to depend on their children.

“The changes in societal and family structures require an individual to be prepared for old age not only in terms of money but also psychologically and socially,” he said.

Rafidah plays down Aussie barbs??? YAU MOU GAU...CHOR!!

KUALA LUMPUR: An article in an Australian newspaper The Age ridiculing Malaysia and calling Malaysia “bodoh” (stupid) has left International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz unperturbed.

“What do we care? Obviously, this person doesn’t know Malaysia. He is an outsider and he can say what he likes. I don’t really care about what others say – as long as it is not a Malaysian saying it,” she said.

The Wanita Umno chief said the Australian writer had apparently not followed the Umno general assembly proceedings closely.

“If he did, he would have seen things differently.”

The Nov 15 article by Michael Backman said it was time Malaysia grew up and stopped arguing about what proportion of the economy the Chinese and Malays owned.

The Government was more interested in stunts like sending an astronaut into space when the country’s inadequate schools could have done with the cash, the writer said, adding “that's not Malaysia Boleh, that’s Malaysia Bodoh.”

Khairy says book on him a fiction??? YAU MOU GAU..CHOR!!

COPIES of Hikayat Khairy – Khairy Jamaluddin: Putera Oxford ke Putrajaya is being given out free at the Umno general assembly, and it has been labelled as “fiction” by Khairy Jamaluddin who is son-in-law of party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“The central character in the book has the same name as me. The photograph on the cover strikingly resembles me.

“But the stories inside have nothing to do with me. It is full of lies,” said the deputy Umno Youth chief.

The 253-page book is the Malay version of the Khairy Chronicles posted in an online news portal.

Khairy said he was aware that both English and Malay versions of the book had been circulated for some time.

“It is an attempt to smear my reputation. At the same time I feel flattered that someone is willing to spend so much time and money fantasising and speculating about what I do.

“This shows that someone is obsessed with me. I feel sorry for the writer because his life is so meaningless. The person must be so full of hatred and disillusionment to resort to this.

“If I meet the writer, I will counsel him. I will ask him to look at life from a more meaningful perspective,” he said.

Asked about a chapter of the book which touched on actress Maya Karin, Khairy said he had explained many times that he had nothing to do with her.

Some of the delegates said the person behind it must have spent quite a bit, as the print quality was very good.

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Spirit of NEP must live on, says Abdullah

After three years at the helm, Abdullah says there's more to do

KUALA LUMPUR: After three years as Prime Minister of the country and president of Umno, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi takes stock of his tenure and says that there is still a lot that needs to be done.

In his policy speech entitled Fulfilling Promises at Umno’s 57th General Assembly yesterday, Abdullah re-examined the "12 pillars" he had drawn up when he first took office to build a nation of excellence, glory and distinction.

"This is now an appropriate time to assess our aspirations and our achievements," he said. Abdullah called on the people, party members and civil servants to continue to "work with him" as the 12 pillars would guarantee the continued prosperity and harmony of the country.


Speech by Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Umno general assembly on Wednesday

For more stories go to thestar.com.my/umno/

Video clips on Umno General Assembly

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Khairy hits out at call to abolish NEP??? YAU MOU GAU...CHOR!!

KHAIRY Jamaluddin hit out at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for saying that the New Economic Policy (NEP) was no longer needed.

Without naming him, the Umno Youth deputy chief said there was a former deputy president who had said in an interview that the NEP was bad because only the cronies and the “Umnoputras” became rich from it.

“Pandai dia cakap (What cheek he has to speak). He was the greatest Umnoputra of all and a very rich one too,” he said in his winding up speech.

Since his release from prison, Anwar has said in a number of interviews that the NEP should be abolished and that all races should be given equal opportunities.

Khairy slammed the Asli (Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute) report that claimed Malay corporate equity had reached 45%.

“They are manipulating figures. If we want to use the Asli figures, let’s set a new target. Let’s make it 70% for the Malay equity,” he added.

He also slammed some government-linked companies (GLCs) which were said to treat Umno Youth members as beggars.

He told reporters later that the statement by a Penang delegate (that the Penang Malays are being neglected) was important for the Penang government led by Gerakan deputy president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to take stock of the situation and address the problems faced by the Malays in the state.

“The actual message is that the Malays are feeling dissatisfied in Penang and they have the right to express their feelings,” he said.

Don't play racial card??? YAU MOU GAU..CHOR!!!

KUALA LUMPUR: Opportunistic leaders who stoke the “fires of disunity” have no place in Barisan Nasional, warned Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

The Umno Youth chief said Malaysia could not be moulded by the narrow-mindedness, chauvinism and extremism of those who play the racial card in order to emerge as champions of their race.

“We know who they are, where they are and what they are saying. We will be fearless in confronting these leaders.

“We will not compromise our country's future,” he told the Youth assembly yesterday.

Hishammuddin, who also heads Barisan Nasional Youth, said he really appreciated the support and trust given to him by the Youth wings of the component parties.

Even though at times the strength and unity among them were tested, trust, understanding and sincerity always prevailed because the existing ties had been built over a long time.

He also reminded Umno Youth not to engage in the “game of the politics of hate.”

The movement, he said, was currently in a very strong position and it could no longer merely play the role of a spokesman or pressure group.

“Now is not the time to seek recognition or go against the flow. What we need is dynamic leadership and a readiness to spearhead renewal,” he said.

With this, he added, came responsibility.

Voicing concerns over how certain groups were taking advantage of the new openness and transparency of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration, he believed that some were testing the Government's tolerance.

“Race and religious issues are being discussed without considering rationally the impact they will have on race relations in the country.

“What should have been constructive criticism has turned out to be vindictive, a venting of anger and hatred, malice and envy,” he said.

He warned the Article 11 group to steer clear of Article 11 and Article 121(1A) of the Federal Constitution and not to question the rights of Malays and the position of Islam, as this could stir up Malay and Muslim emotions.

Matters relating to Islam should be decided by the Syariah Court, not the civil court, he said.

Umno Youth, he added, wanted the Government to continue to reject the setting up of the Inter-Faith Commission.

Hishammuddin also said the Malay Agenda spelt out under the Ninth Malaysia Plan was a national mission and not a zero-sum game which would only benefit the Malays and cause the non-Malays to lose out.

“The non-Malays should be brave enough to admit that they have benefited either directly or indirectly through many projects carried out during the duration of the National Economic Policy,” he said.

He also labelled as absurd the controversial Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute report, which claimed that Malay corporate equity could have reached 45%.

In an obvious reference to Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, Hishammuddin said Umno Youth was really angry over his baseless remarks on Malaysia and its policies.

“The irresponsible comments discrediting our policies are actually made to cover up their own weaknesses,” he said.

He cited a report in an issue of the Far Eastern Economic Review last month which stated that there was blatant discrimination against the non-Chinese in Singapore, even in the field of education. According to the article, he said, from 1966 to 2005 only 14 or 6.2% of the recipients of the President's Scholarship were non-Chinese.

“It is clear that the discrimination he claims exists in this country is much more serious in his country.

“We would like to tell that leader to be careful when making statements. It is better that he looks at his own country instead of meddling in ours,” he said.

No time limit to achieve Malay Agenda, says Najib??? YAU MOU GAU...CHOR!!

KUALA LUMPUR: No time limit will be set to achieve the Malay Agenda to uplift the status of the race, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said it was impossible to correct the 446 years Malays were oppressed under the rule of foreigners between 1511 and 1957 within a period of 20 to 30 years.

“For as long as long as our goals are not achieved, we will continue the struggle, deploying every available resource for the sake of our people.

“What we struggle for are our rights without denying the rights of others,” he said when opening the Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri delegates conferences here on Monday evening.

He said the Malay Agenda must continue for the community to excel in education, be economically strong, socially resilient and outstanding in the world stage.

“Let it never happen that when the dawn of Jan 1, 2020 arrives, the Malays will wail in protest against any proclamation that Malaysia is a developed nation because they have not advanced,” he said.

He said despite recent claims of a 'skewed study’ that bumiputra equity in businesses now stood at 45%, he said statistics showed that the Malays continued to lag behind others.

Najib said the 45% figure came about because the study considered government-linked companies such as Petronas, TM and Tenaga Nasional as bumiputra-owned while they were actually owned by the Government.

On the other hand, he said the government’s figure of 18.9% of bumiputra equity ownership was realistic as it was derived from the data of 600,000 companies compared to the 1,000 public listed firms in the study.

Similarly, Najib noted that the Economic Planning Unit figures last year showed that bumiputra owned 11.7% of commercial buildings while it was 71% for the Chinese.

Likewise, he said the average monthly income of bumiputra had merely increased from RM339 in 1976 to RM2,711 in 2004 while for the Chinese, the figure rose from RM796 to RM4,437 during the same period.

“Based on this fact alone, Lee Kuan Yew’s allegation that Malaysian Chinese are being sidelined is completely wrong. Let it never be said that our openness and inclusiveness is a sign of weaknesses.

“On the contrary, it is precisely these qualities that make up the formula of our success. This is the approach well accepted by all races willing to work hand in hand to develop Malaysia,” Najib added.

He said the Malay Agenda to propel the community forward will be strengthened under the 9th Malaysia Plan and that whatever required for Malay development would be immediately implemented.

Najib said Umno’s Malay Agenda was also being institutionalised, with the setting up of 12 main groups focusing on various fields for the drafting of special incentives.

Equity Ownership in the Corporate Sector: Methodology

The following is a statement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Effendi Norwawi:

I. Sources of Data

The following data sources were used to estimate equity ownership in Malaysia:

i. Records from the annual reports of companies registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM);
ii. Equity ownership of public listed companies in Bursa Malaysia Berhad;
iii. Data from Bumiputera institutions such as Lembaga Tabung Haji, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera and Cooperatives Development Department;
iv. Data from Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), MARA and all SEDCs;
v. Data from Securities Commission on Unit Trust Funds and related trust fund management companies such as PNB; and
vi. Information on ownership in nominee companies based on a survey done in March 2005.

II. Corporate Equity Ownership as at 31st December 2004 (Ref: Ninth Malaysia Plan, Chapter 16, Page 336).

From the above, overall Bumiputera equity ownership as of 31st December is 18.9%.



Calculation of Corporate Equity Ownership by Ethnic Groups based on Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM)'s Database

· The main source of data to calculate equity ownership is derived from CCM. Among the information used from the annual reports of the companies in this methodology include type of companies and their activities, composition of equity ownership by ethnic groups and nationality.

· As at 31st December 2004, a total of 609,595 active companies were registered with CCM. Equity ownership by ethnic group was calculated based on the latest annual reports submitted by the companies to CCM.

· Only 40 percent of the registered companies submitted their annual returns by the dateline for the Ninth Malaysia Plam (30th June 2005). However, the total value of equity owned by this group of companies (40 percent of the registered companies) comprised 70 percent of the total equity ownership of all companies registered with CCM in 2004. The estimate for the remaining 60 percent of the registered companies was derived from their 2003 annual reports. Breakdown of shareholdings for companies which submitted their annual reports before 2004 and in 2004 are as follows:



III. Par Value vs Market Capitalization

· In calculating the equity ownership, par value was used as it provides a constant measurement to all companies in the corporate sector as compared to the market value, which can only be used on the listed companies.

IV. Equity Ownership by Trust Agencies

· The data on equity ownership in companies held by trust agencies was obtained directly from the agencies such as PNB, Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB), Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS), MARA and SEDCs.
· These agencies were established, amongst others, to assist Bumiputera participation in trade and industry. Breakdown for Bumiputera agencies are as follows:



VI. Equity Ownership by Bumiputera Institutions

· Institutions such as Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH), LTAT, Koperasi Polis and thrust funds such as Amanah Saham Nasional (ASN) and Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) were established to mobilise savings held by Bumiputera.

· The equity ownership in this category was obtained directly from the institutions involved. Breakdown for Bumiputera institutions are as follows:



Note: Equity own by non-Bumiputera in PNB Unit Trust Scheme, ASM Mara Unit Trust and Cooperatives Development Department are as follows:

Chinese RM 697.5 million
Indian RM 76.7 million
Others RM 8.6 million

VII. Equity Ownership by Nominee Companies

· Nominee companies owned RM139,472.4 million or 25.9 percent of the total corporate equity in 2004. In March 2005, EPU with the cooperation of SSM conducted a survey on 359 nominee companies to ascertain the status of ownership and beneficiaries of shares registered under nominees.


· A total of 179 companies that responded to this survey, owned RM103,713.2 million or 74.3 percent of the total equity held by nominee companies in 2004.

· The composition of equity in the nominee companies by ethnic groups and others is as follows:




VIII. Equity Ownership by the Government

· The major portion of the government equity ownership is in the public listed government-linked-companies (GLCs). Equity held by Employees' Providence Fund (KWSP), Khazanah Holdings and Minister of Finance Inc was considered as government interest. Shares held by the Government were excluded from the calculation. However, equity held by private companies and individuals in non-listed and listed GLCs such as Petronas, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, TNB and MAS was included in the calculation of equity held by the respective ethnic groups. This approach has been consistently used in all plan documents.


IX. Equity of Listed Companies

· The committee in EPU also calculated equity ownership in listed companies by ethnic group. Based on the calculation, as at December 2005, Bumiputera owned 21.8% or RM44.0 billion of the share capital in Bursa Malaysia Berhad. This figure is different from an earlier quoted figure of 36.64%. In estimating Bumiputera equity, the 36.64%, quoted as Bumiputera shares, included a large portion of shares held by nominee companies and the government.

Projek jambatan bermula -- Dijangka siap 2011 rancakkan pembangunan wilayah utara – PM

NIBONG TEBAL 12 Nov. – Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hari ini menyempurnakan majlis pecah tanah Projek Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang, tanda bermulanya satu daripada tiga projek besar infrastruktur di Pulau Pinang yang akan memesatkan lagi pembangunan negeri ini dan negeri-negeri lain di utara Semenanjung.

Projek bernilai RM3 bilion di bawah Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9) itu akan memberi peluang kepada 200 subkontraktor tempatan untuk mendapat tawaran kontrak kerja-kerja pembinaan yang akan dimulakan dalam tempoh terdekat ini.

Pembinaan jambatan yang mempunyai seni bina futuristik itu juga membuka peluang pekerjaan kepada lebih 2,000 anak tempatan dalam kerja-kerja pembinaan di Batu Kawan, Seberang Prai sahaja.

Pada sidang akhbar selepas majlis pecah tanah pembinaan jambatan itu di Batu Kawan di sini, Perdana Menteri mengingatkan semua pihak yang terlibat termasuk kerajaan negeri dan kontraktor bahawa beliau akan memantau sendiri perkembangan projek jambatan kedua dan akan meninjau tapak pembinaannya apabila beliau melawat Pulau Pinang.

“Saya akan pantau. Saya kerap balik Pulau Pinang, setiap kali balik Pulau Pinang saya akan lawat kawasan ini untuk melihat apa yang berlaku,” tegasnya.

Dengan bermulanya pembinaan jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang sepanjang 24 kilometer yang dijangka siap pada 2011 itu, Pulau Pinang akan mempunyai dua jambatan yang menghubungkan pulau itu dengan tanah besar Semenanjung.

Jambatan pertama Pulau Pinang yang ada sekarang sepanjang 13.5 kilometer siap dibina pada tahun 1985 dan menelan belanja RM850 juta. Jambatan kedua itu terletak kira-kira 30 kilometer di selatan jambatan pertama.

Pada majlis pecah tanah Projek Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang hari ini, Perdana Menteri menekan butang jentera yang memasang cerucuk pertama Projek Jambatan Kedua Pulau Pinang sambil disaksikan kira-kira 5,000 orang tetamu.

Turut hadir pada majlis itu ialah Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon; Menteri Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu; Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Mohd. Effendi Norwawi; Menteri Kewangan Kedua, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop; Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin; Pengerusi Kumpulan UEM, Datuk Abu Hassan Kendut serta Pengarah Urusan dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif UEM, Datuk Ahmad Pardas Senin.

Selain Jambatan Pulau Pinang bernilai RM3 bilion, dua lagi projek besar di negeri ini yang akan dilaksanakan di bawah RMK-9 ialah monorel dan Jalan Lingkaran Luar Pulau Pinang (PORR).

Abdullah berkata, beliau mahu memberi tumpuan penuh kepada projek jambatan itu bagi memastikan ia dapat disiapkan mengikut jadual dan dibuka kepada pengguna pada 2011.

Terdahulu dalam ucapannya, Perdana Menteri memberitahu, beliau memberi penekanan itu memandangkan projek berkenaan memerlukan perhatian penuh dan kerjasama daripada semua pihak.

“Hari ini membuktikan bahawa apa yang kita rancangkan selama ini untuk membina jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang bukan janji-janji kosong, tetapi kita memastikan bahawa apa yang kita rancang akan kita laksanakan. Ini adalah janji BN (Barisan Nasional),” katanya.

Sehubungan itu, beliau mahu kontraktor-kontraktor yang terlibat dalam projek itu tidak bersikap sambil lewa yang boleh menyebabkan projek berkenaan terlewat dan seterusnya meningkatkan kos pembinaan.

“Semua kontraktor, kecil atau besar, mesti memastikan mereka memberikan yang terbaik. Jangan dilengah-lengahkan, jangan disebabkan kelemahan dan kelewatan subkontraktor, maka projek juga terlewat.

“Saya juga hendak pihak (Tan Sri Dr. Koh) Tsu Koon pastikan segala keperluan daripada kerajaan negeri Pulau Pinang untuk apa saja keputusan berkaitan dengan jambatan ini mesti diluluskan dengan segera.

“Ia mesti berada pada landasan yang cepat. Kelewatan bermakna membawa kerugian. Kos akan meningkat terutamanya jika ia melibatkan wang yang terpaksa dipinjam atau daripada punca-punca yang mengenakan faedah bagi pinjaman, ini kita harap tidak akan berlaku,” tegasnya.

Abdullah juga berharap Kumpulan UEM yang dipertanggungjawabkan membina jambatan itu berdasarkan kemampuannya membina Jambatan Pulau Pinang akan dapat memberi peluang dan mengagihkannya kepada subkontraktor tempatan secara adil.

Menurut Perdana Menteri, jambatan kedua itu bukan hanya akan memberi faedah kepada Pulau Pinang tetapi membantu pembangunan wilayah utara dan memperkukuhkan peranan negeri itu sebagai hab pengangkutan.

Katanya, banyak barang akan diangkut menggunakan jambatan baru itu serta jambatan sedia ada ke Pelabuhan Pulau Pinang dan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Bayan Lepas.

“Pembangunan wilayah utara dijangka rancak dan memerlukan fasiliti seperti ini.

“Bagi kawasan utara, untuk membina satu pelabuhan lain pada masa ini tidak diperlukan, untuk membina satu lapangan terbang yang besar pun bukanlah diperlukan pada waktu ini. Kita hendak gunakan apa juga kemudahan yang kita ada dan besarkannya dan tinggikan kecekapan dan keupayaannya,” kata Perdana Menteri.

Menurutnya, wilayah utara sebelum ini memberi tumpuan kepada projek-projek berkaitan pertanian menyebabkan pembangunan di kawasan itu tidak serancak dan sehebat Lembah Klang mahupun Lembah Kinta.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, kini kerajaan mahu wilayah utara turut menikmati kemajuan bukan hanya daripada industri kecil dan sederhana yang berkaitan pertanian, tetapi turut mengekalkan kawasan-kawasan perindustrian teknologi tinggi seperti di Bayan Lepas, Taman Teknologi Kulim dan industri permotoran di Gurun dan Bertam.

‘Bukan PM satu penggal’ -- Abdullah perlukan masa jayakan rancangan sedang dan akan diatur

PUTRAJAYA 11 Nov. – Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menegaskan beliau bukan Perdana Menteri satu penggal seperti yang ditohmahkan dan mengingatkan mereka yang mengganggunya: ‘‘Saya takkan lari.’’

Katanya, beliau memerlukan masa untuk menjayakan pelaksanaan rancangan-rancangan yang sedang dan akan diatur untuk kesejahteraan rakyat dan negara.

Dengan polisi dan strategi baik yang disusun, jelas beliau, tentulah ia memerlukan masa lebih daripada satu penggal untuk dijalankan.

‘‘Saya takkan lari. I am here to stay... Saya ada pelan jangka panjang.

‘‘Saya akan berusaha memastikan bahawa projek-projek itu terlaksana,’’ katanya dalam wawancara eksklusif dengan Mingguan Malaysia di kediaman rasminya, Sri Perdana Rabu lalu. Wawancara itu diadakan sempena Perhimpunan Agung UMNO Ke-57 bermula Isnin hingga Jumaat ini.

Sambil menjawab tohmahan itu, katanya, beliau tidak akan membiarkan pelan-pelan pembangunan seperti Rancangan Malaysia Kesembilan (RMK-9), fasa 50 tahun kedua negara dan Wawasan 2020 yang telah diaturnya disia-siakan.

Abdullah yang sedar mengenai cakap-cakap tersebut berkata, pandangan sebilangan ahli profesional itu timbul kerana mereka meragui apakah rancangan-rancangan pembangunannya itu boleh dilaksanakan.

Selain itu, katanya, ia juga timbul kerana kegelisahan di kalangan peniaga dan kontraktor dalam suasana ketiadaan projek untuk dilaksanakan.

‘‘Mereka marah-marah sehingga membuat spekulasi dan persepsi begitu. Dalam keadaan begini, sayalah yang menjadi sasaran nombor satu kemarahan dan rasa curiga mereka itu.

‘‘Tetapi saya ingin ingatkan bahawa pada peringkat awal apabila saya ambil alih kepimpinan negara, sektor pembinaan berada dalam keadaan minus growth (tidak berkembang).

‘‘Tetapi pada waktu ini selepas lima bulan RMK-9 diumumkan kita sudah mula melaksanakan pelbagai projek di sana-sini,’’ katanya dalam wawancara hampir dua jam itu.

Menurut Abdullah, jika dilihat sekarang pelaksanaan terhadap projek-projek itu sudah dimulakan.

‘‘Selepas Wilayah Pembangunan Iskandar di selatan Johor, kita akan melancarkan pembinaan jambatan kedua Pulau Pinang dan selepas itu projek industri asas tani di Sik, Kedah,’’ jelas beliau.

Perdana Menteri akur, kegelisahan dan kemarahan itu dijangka berterusan dan mungkin mencetuskan ‘keributan’ dalam UMNO sekiranya kerajaan tidak menggerakkan sebarang projek pembangunan.

Sambil membidas kumpulan ‘pengganggu’ itu, beliau berkata, mereka yang membuat tohmahan ini ialah dari jenis manusia yang tidak akan menjadikan bangsa itu maju.

‘‘Macam-macam mereka perli. Itu memang perangai sesetengah manusia. Ini mentaliti kecil yang tidak boleh diubah,’’ tegas beliau.

Dalam wawancara itu, Abdullah yang juga Presiden UMNO menjawab pelbagai soalan merangkumi isu kepimpinannya, agama, politik dan ekonomi.

Dr M to give Umno assembly a miss

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not be attending the Umno General Assembly which starts tomorrow.

The former party president, who is being treated at the National Heart Institute, said he would not be present because he planned to take a complete rest for several weeks.

“I want to rest. No statements. I hope the assembly runs smoothly,” he said in an interview at the institute yesterday, two days after he complained of chest pains and was admitted.



Dr Mahathir appeared in high spirits although he seemed weak during the 20-minute interview. With him throughout the interview was his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

Dr Mahathir said it was fortunate that he had sought immediate treatment as soon as he had the mild heart attack.

He said this had enabled the specialist doctors to dilute the blood clot in his coronary artery.

“The heart attack was mild but I came early, three hours after the attack. They (the doctors) managed to dilute the clot and there was no blockage.

“It is just that I have to rest for at least three weeks so that the damage (to the artery) can heal. So far, so good. I don’t want to think of anything else,” he said.

Dr Mahathir, who will be 81 next month, had undergone a coronary bypass operation at the institute in 1989.

He had gone for regular check-ups and the last time he was admitted to the institute was in December last year for a follow-up treatment.

Dr Mahathir said doctors had advised him to rest completely and not to undertake any activity or think of anything that could affect his health.

“The doctors advised me not to be active, do light exercise and to watch my diet. I feel like writing but they advised me against it,” he said.

He said he thought of bringing his bag to do some work but doctors had told him not to do so.

“We have to obey the doctors’ order,” he said.

Recalling his tight schedule, Dr Mahathir said he went horse riding in the morning of Nov 4 and then flew to Saudi Arabia.

Arriving at 11pm Malaysian time, he attended a function graced by the Saudi King and then flew back eight hours later.

One and a half hours after arriving in Malaysia, he attended the official opening of a company and attended a dinner until midnight. He only went to bed at 1am.

At 8am, he flew to New Zealand and arrived at 11pm local time. He gave three speeches and a press conference there which took up the whole day.

He arrived in Malaysia at 5pm on Wednesday and two hours later, attended his son’s Hari Raya open house until 11.30pm. When he went to bed, he felt chest pains.

Dr Mahathir thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who visited him on the day he was admitted, for his deep concern.

Others who visited him were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Dr Siti Hasmah said she did not panic over Dr Mahathir’s condition because it was not the first time that her husband had suffered a heart attack.

“Compared to my experience in 1989 when Tun had his first heart attack, the situation this time was less severe.

“Previously I was rather panicky. This time, I already knew what to do,” she said, adding that she called Datuk Dr Nasir Muda from the institute to come to the house the moment it happened. – Bernama

Mahathir in hospital after heart attack?? YAU MOU GAU...CHOR!!

Former Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, 81, suffered a mild heart attack and was admitted to hospital early on Nov 9 morning, a hospital official and one of his sons told Reuters .

Dr Mahathir is the country's longest-serving premier, having been in power for 22 years before retiring in late 2003. He still wields influence on politics and business and holds advisory roles for state oil company Petronas and car-maker Proton.

"He had a mild heart attack late last night, early this morning," son Mokhzani Mahathir told Reuters . "He is under observation, the condition is stable. The doctors gave some medication. He is likely to remain in hospital for a few days."

Dr Mahathir was taken to Kuala Lumpur's National Heart Institute at about 4am, an official there said. "We cannot give you any more details at this point," she added. -- Reuters

Comments:
If I were him, MY HEART could be ATTACKed too since so many EX-Good friends (Before retire) attacking and shooting him at the back. Pity to Dr. M. Take good care Datuk, you still have to flight back.

08-11-2006: Bumis own 36.64% of listed companies ??? YAU MOU GAU...CHOR!!!

Bumiputra equity ownership of the 912 companies listed on the main and second boards of Bursa Saham Malaysia (BSM) stood at 36.64% and valued at RM78.4 billion as at Dec 31 last year.

On the other hand, Malay ownership of all 717,935 companies registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) stood at 24% as at end last year.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Husin revealed this in the Dewan Rakyat today in reply to a question from Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Of the listed companies on BSM, non-bumiputras held 46.91% valued at RM100.4 billion, while 16.45% worth RM35.2 billion belonged to foreigners.

The shareholding classification and breakdown were done by BSM based on the annual reports of companies. A company with at least 50.1% bumiputra ownership is deemed to be a bumiputra company.

Giving further breakdown on the ownership of listed companies, he said 539 companies had Malay equity ownership of 30% or less, 187 companies had equity ownership of between 30% and 50%, and another 186 had equity ownership of 50% or more.

He said BSM had 1,021 listed companies - of which 646 are on the Main Board, 268 on the Second Board and 107 companies on the Mesdaq - with total value of RM219.4 billion as at end last year.

Awang Adek, however, noted that the 36.64% bumiputra equity ownership was only for companies listed on the main and second boards of Malaysia whereas the New Economic Policy (NEP) target of 30% is measured from a far bigger pool of companies, listed and privately held.

As at Dec 31 last year, 172,568 companies or 24% out of 717,935 registered with the CCM were controlled by Malays.

To a supplementary question from Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (BN-Santubong) on the calculation of the equity ownership, Awang Adek said the stand of the government was that the methodology used from the early days until now was consistent by taking into account the overall economic figures.

"The companies taken into account by the government in calculating the equity ownership is the 717,935 registered companies," he said.

Awang Adek said that if they were to consider only the listed companies then the number of companies would only be aroundo 1,000, so it is only right to look at the 717,935 companies registered with the CCM.

He defended the government's methodology in calculating the achievement of Bumiputras in the corporate sector.

"The methodology in any research undertaken is based on the belief and understanding of the said researcher," he said.

"However, the methodology used by us (the governement) is more all encompassing and fairer in giving an overall picture to reflect our country's economy."

Comemnt:
What a Rubbish Explanation FAIRER in GIVING??? YAU MOU GAU...CHOR!!!

08-11-2006: The Government's Methodology ??? YAU MOU GAU...CHOR!!

The methodology used by the government to calculate the bumiputra corporate equity ownership takes into account several main economic indicators.

In his winding-up speech at the committee stage of Budget 2007 in Parliament today, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Abdul Raman Suliman said the calculation includes:

· Last submitted annual statement of the companies registered with Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM);

· Equity ownership from public listed companies;

· Bumiputra-interest institutions such as Tabung Haji Board, Armed-forces Fund Board and Cooperative Development Department;

· Equity ownership by related fund agencies such as Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), Majlis Amanah Saham Rakyat and State Economic Development Bodies;

· Trust fund shares from the securities commission and trust fund management companies such as PNB; and

· Economic Planning Unit's (EPU) studies on ownership interest through nominee companies.

He said information on the shares in CCM's registered companies is the main information in estimating equity ownership according to ethnic groups.

"Information used by EPU from company annual reports, among others are type of companies, companies' activities, race, citizenship, number of shares held by the shareholders.

"The companies' statement also contains lists of owners and number of shares owned by non-individuals such as Sdn Bhd, public-listed companies, government agencies and so on."

The methodology of the bumiputra corporate equity has caused a wide public debate when the media highlighted a finding by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) that bumiputra corporate equity had achieved about 45%.

The official figure of the bumiputra corporate equity ownership under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) is 18.9%.

Abdul Raman said par value was used in the calculation because it could give a general view on the initial paid-up capital for the whole corporate sector.

"Market values can be used but only for listed companies. For unlisted companies, market values cannot be used because they are always changing and influenced by factors that do not reflect the true value of the shares and companies' performance, such as window dressing.

However, he said to improve the methodology, the government will always review it from time to time.
He also noted that Malaysian companies abroad were not included in the calculation.

Quizzed by opposition MPs, Abdul Raman said based on the composition of bumiputra in the country, the objective of the bumiputra equity ownership should be 60%.

Thus, he said the 30% bumiputra equity ownership objective set under the New Economic Policy (NEP) should not be questioned.

"The 30% is the minimum objective. If we follow the racial composition, it has to be 60%. If we want to look at this emotionally, then we (bumiputra) are also not satisfied," he said.

Asked by Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Bandar Kuching) whether the deputy minister has meant the government will continue with the NEP even if it has achieved 30%, he said: "Under the 9MP and Vision 2020, our achievement is to be fair to all races. We have to make sure that the policy earlier has to be realised."

Met later in Parliament lobby, Abdul Raman said the details of the methodology will be discussed by the Cabinet today.

Zakaria finally quits?? YAU MOU GAU...CHOR!!

SHAH ALAM: Port Klang state assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros has finally decided not to continue as Klang municipal councillor.

In a statement released around midnight, Zakaria said his decision not to accept nomination was made following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's advice yesterday.

“I thank the trust given to me in allowing me to serve the council all this while,” said Zakaria, who had served as a councillor in the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) for more than two decades.

He declined to elaborate but said he would hold a press conference later.

Hours earlier, Abdullah, who is also Umno president, had said Zakaria should pull out from the swearing-in ceremony for councillors on Nov 8.

As for Zakaria’s post as Klang Umno division chief, he said no decision had been made.

“He has been a good leader to his division,” Abdullah said after chairing the supreme council meeting yesterday.

Asked why Umno allowed Zakaria to continue holding his division chief post despite the embarassment he has caused, Abdullah said the wrongdoing was not a party matter.

“It has to do with the (state) government. It is enough for us to decide that he should not be appointed councillor.”

Zakaria drew ire when it was disclosed that he had built his four-storey Istana Idaman without submitting the building plan to the council.

He had also failed to pay assessment for 12 years for the house he is staying in.

Zakaria also illegally built a restaurant, DZ Satay House, on state reserve land. The restaurant was recently sealed off by the council.

(Two other councillors – Datuk Mazlynoor Abdul Latif and Faizal Abdullah – also failed to submit plans for their houses. Faizal, who is Kapar Umno youth chief, resigned as councillor on Wednesday.)

The controversy over Zakaria led to the Sultan of Selangor summoning him to the palace. The ruler told Zakaria to quit.

At yesterday’s press conference, Abdullah, when asked about other action the party would be taking other than asking Zakaria not to be a councillor, said: “Nothing. We merely gave him advice.”

To a question on Zakaria’s action affecting Umno's image, Abdullah said the assemblyman claimed that he had paid up what he owed.