Dr M: Corruption-free candidate important for Bagan Pinang

SEREMBAN: Umno should pick a candidate who is free of money politics (vote-buying) for the Bagan Pinang state by-election, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday.

He believed that the Barisan Nasional could win the by-election on Oct 11 with a big majority because the seat was Umno’s stronghold.

Having corruption-free candidates would be a very important factor in Bagan Pinang as well as in the next general election, he told reporters after attending Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s Aidilfitri open house in Rantau here.

“For me, it’s not just this place. The people throughout Malaysia want to know whether we are serious about eradicating money politics, corruption and so forth,” he said.

If Umno fielded an candidate who was not clean, it might win in Bagan Pinang but would lose in other constituencies, he said.

He also feared that the party would lose badly in the 13th general election if the trend continued.

“I’m not thinking about individuals. I know everyone and I don’t care about anyone but I’m thinking only of the party,” he said.

The Bagan Pinang seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Azman Mohamad Noor of the Barisan on Sept 4. Nomination is on Oct 3. -- Bernama

(Source: The Star Online)

Penan sexual abuse: Provide school transport

Schools can secure the transport service of logging companies operating in the locality to send the Penan children to school and back home.

The proposal came from The Sarawak Teachers Union (STU). STU president William Ghani Bina said the schools could lease four-wheel-drive vehicles or secure the transport service of logging companies operating in the locality to send the Penan children to school and back home.

"A teacher or a parent should be allowed to accompany the school children in the vehicle provided by the logging company to ensure none of the school girls were sexually abused," he said.
(Source: Mkini - Support Mkini - Subscribe to Mkini!)
I am sure the timber tycoons have made a lot of money...Will they now exercise corporate social responsibility in terms of the local community by providing transport to these school children, thus protecting them from 'wolves' waiting to victimize them?

Najib: RM67 bil stimulus packages making impact

@ NST Online

Stimulus packages start showing results

KUALA LUMPUR: The government's two stimulus packages are on track and beginning to have a positive impact on the economy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The economic packages totalling RM67 billion, unveiled in November 2008 and March this year, have created jobs and income for small contractors, even for those in remote areas, Najib said in a statement on Monday.

The construction sector grew 2.8 per cent in the second quarter, higher than the 1.1 per cent registered in the first quarter, he said in delivering an update on the results of the stimulus boost.

Najib also directed all ministeries and agencies to implement and complete projects identified under the first RM6 billion package this year.

"To date, a total of 83,939 projects have been awarded, of which 53,076 projects valued at RM6.07 billion under the first stimulus package and the remainder under the second package which is designed to cover a period of two years," he said.

"This means that in 10 months, since the unveiling of the first package, 90 per cent of projects identified have been awarded and are in various stages of implementation," he added.

Construction was one of the biggest beneficiaries among several sectors that were given fund injections because of their strong impact on economic growth.

Najib said RM7.92 billion had been paid out to contractors for the completion of 41,176 projects under the first and second stimulus packages that were launched to counter the global economic meltdown triggered by the international financial crisis which hit export economies badly.

The finished projects included low-cost houses, infrastructure, schools, police stations and army quarters.

Najib said in keeping with the government's "people first " strategy, a total of 1,126 housing projects were built for the benefit of 5,630 households throughout the country.

The Prime Minister personally monitors closely every aspect of the stimulus packages on a weekly basis.

"This hands-on approach is to ensure that the targets set out under the two stimulus packages are achieved," he said.

The government has also allocated RM1 billion for human capital development to maintain Malaysia's competitiveness and to enhance efficiency of the labour force, he added.

Implementation of the stimulus packages is supervised by several agencies, key of which is the Project Management Unit (PMU) whose chief operating officer Datuk Mohamad Othman Zainal Azim reports directly to the Prime Minister.

A technical committee chaired by the Treasury secretary-general also reports to a steering committee chaired by Najib.

Amid the global turmoil, the government identified projects designed for high impact and high multiplier effect to reinforce the economy and strengthen national resilience.

Procedures were also streamlined to ensure speedy implementation.

The public can keep abreast with the government's progress on the website www.rangsangekonomy.treasury.gov.my and make enquiries. - BERNAMA

Got the following message when I wanted to visit the website:

Now I feel not only not stimulated but cheated as well. ;-)

Klinik Kanak-Kanak Pakar Yong: Janson's first visit

Janson was ill since last Sunday afternoon. I 'detected' his body temperature when he ran from mah mah and came to sit on my laps, wearing only his diaper. Mommy gave him medicine. After that, he was slightly better in the evening. His temperature was 37.5 °C.

On Monday morning, the next day, his temperature rose to 37.8 °C. Needless to say, yeh yeh and mah mah were very concerned and wanted me to bring him to the clinic. I was concerned yet frustrated. Reason being Janson's paediatrician didn't work on a public holiday. Also, I did not trust a normal general practitioner to see a child.

So, I did a google search for 'klinik kanak-kanak cheras' and called two clinics - Klinik Kanak-Kanak Cheras and Klinik Pakar Kanak-Kanak Yong. The former was closed and the latter was opened! Without delay, we went to the clinic. Though it was quite far, we were glad that we made the trip there. Janson has fully recovered! Thank You Jesus for guiding us and healing Janson!

Two Australian teenagers: What a CASH!

@ The Star Online:

Published: Monday September 21, 2009 MYT 2:06:00 PM
Updated: Monday September 21, 2009 MYT 2:50:38 PM

Teenage pair catch cash, not fish

SYDNEY (AP): Two Australian teenagers who found almost 100,000 Australian dollars ($87,000) in cash during a fishing trip have handed it over to police - after spending some time thinking about it.

The pair discovered the money earlier this month near the New South Wales town of Nimbin - a center of hippie culture where members of numerous communes annually celebrate a festival to promote cannabis use.

The teenagers contacted police on Friday, after revealing the find to an unidentified adult they know and getting some legal advice, police said in a statement.

Inspector Greg Moore said police were investigating whose money it might be, and whether the stash of cash was linked to crime. "It could be proceeds of ill-gotten gains," Moore told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Monday.

Police had searched an area at Tuntable Creek where the teenagers found the money, but found no more cash and no clues, he said.

He said the teenagers, who were not identified, might be able to claim the money if no one else comes forward with a legitimate claim.

Kelantan Umno to use Internet in electoral battle

In the next general election, Kelantan Umno will use virtual media to provide information on BN to contest against the PAS campaign.

State Umno information chief Dali Hussin said the virtual media was found to be effective in the July 14 Manik Urai state seat by-election as it won the majority votes among the younger generation. As such, it was an important tool to wrest Kelantan back to BN.

If Umno-led BN does not change, the media is not going to help.

In the last general election, BN must have spend a lot of money on ads in Yahoo! The ad ended with the message 'ONLY ONE CHOICE'. I was simply pi**ed off by it. Click here to read my posting on March 5, 2008.

Soi Lek: MCA boss 'grandpa of all nonsense'

'Do not allow the party to be used as an instrument only by the president in his fight'.

Speaking to reporters at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's Hari Raya open house at Sri Perdana here today, Chua said, "It is a party for all members and let the delegates decide the future of the leaders and direction of the party."

Yes, yes. Remember what your boss Najib said too - no use being popular in your own party if you are not popular in your own community.

Personally, I've come across one person who really HATES Chua Soi Lek over his sex video. To him, CSL has brought shame not just to himself but also the Chinese community. ;-)