Earthquake jolts Japan island
TOKYO:
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6 jolted a tiny island about 500 km south of Tokyo on Friday, a Japanese government agency said. The quake, at 9:48 a.m. (0048 GMT), was felt in the capital and areas further north.
The epicentre of the tremor was near the island of Torishima and its depth about 50 km, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on its Web site (http://www.jma.go.jp). There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage and no tsunami warning was issued.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
SATURDAY-8TH DECEMBER 2007-DEAD MAN'S WIFE FACES ARREST WHEN SHE RETURNS TO BRITAIN FROM PERU
‘Dead’ man’s wife faces arrest when she returns to Britain from Peru
LONDON:
A woman who admitted knowing her husband was alive despite his apparent death five years ago faces arrest when she returns to Britain, police said amid reports she was heading home Friday. Anne Darwin is likely to be arrested “at some point” after she arrives from Panama, a police spokesman said, as her husband John remained in custody after being detained on suspicion of fraud Panamian officials said late Thursday they had no information on whether Anne Darwin had left the central American country, prompting speculation she may have gone into hiding before heading home. The twists and turns of the case have dominated the British media, with focus on a statement from the couple’s sons, who disowned their parents for keeping them in the dark about the truth. “How could our mum continue to let us believe our dad had died when he was very much alive?” Anthony Darwin, 29, and his brother, Mark, 31, said Thursday. “We have not spoken to either of our parents since our dad’s arrest and at this present time, we want no further contact with them.” Anne Darwin, 55, was quoted as saying in newspaper interviews published Friday that she blamed her husband for the elaborate pretence and pleaded for her sons’ forgiveness. “I should never have listened to John, but he can be very persuasive. Of course, I’m to blame, too. I know I have done wrong. I just wish I had told the boys when I found out,” she told the Daily Mirror and Daily Mail newspapers. “I’m sure they would have talked some sense into me. But I didn’t. I didn’t tell anyone. And one lie led to another. “How can they ever forgive me for what I’ve done to them?” Former teacher and prison officer John Darwin, 57, was declared dead in 2003, a year after the remains of his canoe were washed up on the shore near the family home in Seaton Carew, in north-east England. But he turned up unexpectedly at a central London police station last Saturday, telling officers he thought he was a missing person, and had no memory of the last five years.- AFP The story began to unravel after a photograph of him posing with his wife and an estate agent in Panama City last July that appeared on the property company’s website was published in the British media. Confronted by reporters who tracked her down to her new home there, Anne Darwin—who initially hailed her husband’s re-appearance — broke down and confessed, admitting she knew he was not dead and had cashed in life insurance. John Darwin, whose sons said he had no memory of anything since June 2000, was arrested Wednesday. Police said they were to apply to a local magistrate Friday for an extension to keep him in custody for further questioning. The case has attracted massive media attention not only for its unusual nature, but also because of the questions that remain unanswered. It is still not clear why John Darwin disappeared in the first place, where he has been for the last five and a half years, how he travelled to Panama, and why he gave himself up. Detectives have said they began investigating his case three months ago after receiving information that suggested there was something suspicious of a “financial” nature about his disappearance. Anne Darwin told newspapers he used a false passport to travel to Panama, speculating that her husband missed their sons “tremendously”. “Maybe he wanted his old life back,” she said -AFP
LONDON:
A woman who admitted knowing her husband was alive despite his apparent death five years ago faces arrest when she returns to Britain, police said amid reports she was heading home Friday. Anne Darwin is likely to be arrested “at some point” after she arrives from Panama, a police spokesman said, as her husband John remained in custody after being detained on suspicion of fraud Panamian officials said late Thursday they had no information on whether Anne Darwin had left the central American country, prompting speculation she may have gone into hiding before heading home. The twists and turns of the case have dominated the British media, with focus on a statement from the couple’s sons, who disowned their parents for keeping them in the dark about the truth. “How could our mum continue to let us believe our dad had died when he was very much alive?” Anthony Darwin, 29, and his brother, Mark, 31, said Thursday. “We have not spoken to either of our parents since our dad’s arrest and at this present time, we want no further contact with them.” Anne Darwin, 55, was quoted as saying in newspaper interviews published Friday that she blamed her husband for the elaborate pretence and pleaded for her sons’ forgiveness. “I should never have listened to John, but he can be very persuasive. Of course, I’m to blame, too. I know I have done wrong. I just wish I had told the boys when I found out,” she told the Daily Mirror and Daily Mail newspapers. “I’m sure they would have talked some sense into me. But I didn’t. I didn’t tell anyone. And one lie led to another. “How can they ever forgive me for what I’ve done to them?” Former teacher and prison officer John Darwin, 57, was declared dead in 2003, a year after the remains of his canoe were washed up on the shore near the family home in Seaton Carew, in north-east England. But he turned up unexpectedly at a central London police station last Saturday, telling officers he thought he was a missing person, and had no memory of the last five years.- AFP The story began to unravel after a photograph of him posing with his wife and an estate agent in Panama City last July that appeared on the property company’s website was published in the British media. Confronted by reporters who tracked her down to her new home there, Anne Darwin—who initially hailed her husband’s re-appearance — broke down and confessed, admitting she knew he was not dead and had cashed in life insurance. John Darwin, whose sons said he had no memory of anything since June 2000, was arrested Wednesday. Police said they were to apply to a local magistrate Friday for an extension to keep him in custody for further questioning. The case has attracted massive media attention not only for its unusual nature, but also because of the questions that remain unanswered. It is still not clear why John Darwin disappeared in the first place, where he has been for the last five and a half years, how he travelled to Panama, and why he gave himself up. Detectives have said they began investigating his case three months ago after receiving information that suggested there was something suspicious of a “financial” nature about his disappearance. Anne Darwin told newspapers he used a false passport to travel to Panama, speculating that her husband missed their sons “tremendously”. “Maybe he wanted his old life back,” she said -AFP
SATURDAY-8TH DECEMBER 2007-CREMATOR DUMPS BODIES TO SAVE FUEL
Cremator dumps bodies to save fuel
HONG KONG:
China’s worst fuel crunch in years has led a crematorium to dump half-burnt corpses to try to save on diesel costs, a Hong Kong newspaper said on Friday. Villagers in Hengyang county, in the southern province of Hunan, discovered the practice when an “unbearable stench” started coming from the site, and tried to block a road on Wednesday to stop funeral vehicles from delivering more bodies. The village sent people to investigate the smell and the South China Morning Post said they saw “crematorium workers putting half burnt human remains and organs in plastic bags and throwing them into a nearby ditch”. “As the price of diesel rose, we saw more and more bags thrown out from the crematorium,” the paper quoted Xiao Gaoyi a village representative and one of the witnesses, as saying. China was hit by its worst fuel supply crisis in four years from October to November, as a widening gap between low, state-regulated domestic prices and market-driven international prices forced Chinese refiners to cut output. Fuel in many parts of the country was rationed and there were long queues at petrol stations. An increase of nearly 10 percent in the prices of domestic diesel and gasoline from Nov. 1, the first in almost a year and a half, failed to lift refining margins back into the black -Reuters
HONG KONG:
China’s worst fuel crunch in years has led a crematorium to dump half-burnt corpses to try to save on diesel costs, a Hong Kong newspaper said on Friday. Villagers in Hengyang county, in the southern province of Hunan, discovered the practice when an “unbearable stench” started coming from the site, and tried to block a road on Wednesday to stop funeral vehicles from delivering more bodies. The village sent people to investigate the smell and the South China Morning Post said they saw “crematorium workers putting half burnt human remains and organs in plastic bags and throwing them into a nearby ditch”. “As the price of diesel rose, we saw more and more bags thrown out from the crematorium,” the paper quoted Xiao Gaoyi a village representative and one of the witnesses, as saying. China was hit by its worst fuel supply crisis in four years from October to November, as a widening gap between low, state-regulated domestic prices and market-driven international prices forced Chinese refiners to cut output. Fuel in many parts of the country was rationed and there were long queues at petrol stations. An increase of nearly 10 percent in the prices of domestic diesel and gasoline from Nov. 1, the first in almost a year and a half, failed to lift refining margins back into the black -Reuters
SATURDAY-8TH DECEMBER 2007-TODDLER THROWN OUT OF WINDOW TO HER DEATH
Toddler thrown out of window to her death
VIENNA: A two-year-old girl died Thursday evening after she was thrown out of the window of a first-floor flat in northern Austria, police said. The girl was seriously injured after the fall in the town of Ybbs and died on her way to hospital in nearby Linz, said regional police chief Franz Wendler. The child’s 22-year-old father has been arrested, he added. The incident occurred during a fight between the man and his girlfriend, both asylum seekers from the war-ravaged Russian province of Chechnya, police said.
VIENNA: A two-year-old girl died Thursday evening after she was thrown out of the window of a first-floor flat in northern Austria, police said. The girl was seriously injured after the fall in the town of Ybbs and died on her way to hospital in nearby Linz, said regional police chief Franz Wendler. The child’s 22-year-old father has been arrested, he added. The incident occurred during a fight between the man and his girlfriend, both asylum seekers from the war-ravaged Russian province of Chechnya, police said.
SATURDAY-8TH DECEMBER 2007-PARENTS FEAR NS MILITARY NATURE
Parents fear NS military nature
KOTA KINABALU:
Some parents are reluctant to let their children undergo the National Service programme as they liken it to military training. National Service Council (MSC) Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, in disclosing this yesterday, said he welcomes parents to the NS camps and judge for themselves whether the type of training carried out is military or otherwise. “I believe the perception exists because most of the NS trainers are ex-army officers and personnel,” he said. “NS is a programme to build the trainees’ discipline and prepare them to face future challenges,” he told reporters after a special interview with Sabah FM radio channel at Wisma Radio Televisyen Malaysia, yesterday. Lee said the MSC encourages ex-trainees to join the army after completing the training programme, but it should be on their own will. “We are not forcing them to join the army,” he stressed. Lee said about 110,000 more youths will be attending the NS training programme at 81 camps throughout the country next year, and the first group of 37,000 trainees would register themselves on Dec29 at the camps where they have been assigned to. “Of the 9,144 trainees to undergo training at seven camps in Sabah, 2,733 are from the first batch,” he said, adding that some 280,000 youths have attended the training programme nationwide since it was introduced three years back. Lee said efforts would continue to be made to improve the programme management and services to build confidence among trainees and their parents in the quality of training and safety of trainees in all the camps. He said although a random survey in 2006 involving 2,000 respondents (NS trainees) found that 94 per cent were supportive of the programme, the organisers still welcome views from all quarters, including the parents. Lee said the placement of 350 trained medical assistants and nurses at the NS training camps by the Health Ministry next year was the latest effort aimed at improving the programme, especially medical care. He said in the past, the medical units at the training camps were only manned by paramedics from the Defence Ministry. “We are aiming for ‘zero death’ at the training camps from next year,” said Lee, adding that a directive has also been issued to all the camp commandants that: “Any trainee who remains sick for 24 hours after being treated at the camp must be referred to the nearest government clinic or hospital, while the trainee’s parents or family must be informed about the matter.”
KOTA KINABALU:
Some parents are reluctant to let their children undergo the National Service programme as they liken it to military training. National Service Council (MSC) Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, in disclosing this yesterday, said he welcomes parents to the NS camps and judge for themselves whether the type of training carried out is military or otherwise. “I believe the perception exists because most of the NS trainers are ex-army officers and personnel,” he said. “NS is a programme to build the trainees’ discipline and prepare them to face future challenges,” he told reporters after a special interview with Sabah FM radio channel at Wisma Radio Televisyen Malaysia, yesterday. Lee said the MSC encourages ex-trainees to join the army after completing the training programme, but it should be on their own will. “We are not forcing them to join the army,” he stressed. Lee said about 110,000 more youths will be attending the NS training programme at 81 camps throughout the country next year, and the first group of 37,000 trainees would register themselves on Dec29 at the camps where they have been assigned to. “Of the 9,144 trainees to undergo training at seven camps in Sabah, 2,733 are from the first batch,” he said, adding that some 280,000 youths have attended the training programme nationwide since it was introduced three years back. Lee said efforts would continue to be made to improve the programme management and services to build confidence among trainees and their parents in the quality of training and safety of trainees in all the camps. He said although a random survey in 2006 involving 2,000 respondents (NS trainees) found that 94 per cent were supportive of the programme, the organisers still welcome views from all quarters, including the parents. Lee said the placement of 350 trained medical assistants and nurses at the NS training camps by the Health Ministry next year was the latest effort aimed at improving the programme, especially medical care. He said in the past, the medical units at the training camps were only manned by paramedics from the Defence Ministry. “We are aiming for ‘zero death’ at the training camps from next year,” said Lee, adding that a directive has also been issued to all the camp commandants that: “Any trainee who remains sick for 24 hours after being treated at the camp must be referred to the nearest government clinic or hospital, while the trainee’s parents or family must be informed about the matter.”
SATURDAY-8TH DECEMBER 2007-DATU AZLAN'S MOTHER WANTS TO KNOW TRUTH
Datu Azlan’s mother wants to know truth She is not satisifed with post-mortem on death of her son
KOTA KINABALU:
Datin Aminah Ambrose, the mother of the late Datu Azlan Datu Amir Kahar, is not satisfied with the post-mortem on the death of her son. “My son is healthy and never had a history of stroke or heart attack. I saw all the bruises on his back and cuts and wounds on his skin that looked like he had been beaten. “I am also not satisfied with the information I read in a newspaper disclosing that my son had a heart attack,” she told The Borneo Post in a phone interview yesterday evening. “I am the mother. I should be informed first and why only one newspaper reporter was informed?” Aminah said she had seen bleeding wounds on his son’s body and his head before he was taken to the mortuary of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. “I had also seen a bad wound on his head,” she added.
Aminah was also surprised to read the statement of his late son’s fiancee that Datu Azlan could drive the car to the hospital when he was badly hurt. “Furthermore, why his shirt was so clean when he was in the hospital? I mean why there was not a drip of blood when I saw that he was Datu Azlan bleeding? To me, I think something was not right with the information. “The fiancee informed that my son had taken a shower before going to the hospital. How could he have the time to take the shower when he was hurt and bleeding? Please, I want to know the truth what had really happened? I am not satisfied!” said Aminah. “Earlier, before they disclosed (my son had a stroke or heart attack), I was informed by the authority that my son had a healthy organ but why suddenly the information was different? “All this while I have been patient enough by cooperating in the investigation. I am still hoping for the truth from that investigation, but I am surprised why they disclosed that my son had a stroke or heart attack and I was not told about it?” she said. The Magistrate’s Court on Thursday released a 21-year-old part-time model who was remanded to assist police investigation into the death of Datu Azlan, the son of Banggi Assemblyman Datuk Amir Kahar. The Inti College student was first remanded for three days on December 2 to enable the police to investigate the case. Her remand was extended for another two days on December 4. Acting City Police Chief Superintendent Rowell Marong said on Thursday that the police were still investigating the case and hoped to find new leads. Datu Azlan was pronounced dead on arrival at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on December 1. There were four superficial wounds on his head, believed caused by a belt buckle, and bruises on the body. Initial investigation revealed that the deceased and his fiancee were fighting over a misunderstanding. On Wednesday, State Police Commissioner Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim disclosed that the autopsy report confirmed that Datu Azlan had died of heart attack. Noor Rashid added that they would probably continue investigating the case under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt, or Section 324 of the same Code for voluntarily causing hurt by using dangerous weapons or means.
KOTA KINABALU:
Datin Aminah Ambrose, the mother of the late Datu Azlan Datu Amir Kahar, is not satisfied with the post-mortem on the death of her son. “My son is healthy and never had a history of stroke or heart attack. I saw all the bruises on his back and cuts and wounds on his skin that looked like he had been beaten. “I am also not satisfied with the information I read in a newspaper disclosing that my son had a heart attack,” she told The Borneo Post in a phone interview yesterday evening. “I am the mother. I should be informed first and why only one newspaper reporter was informed?” Aminah said she had seen bleeding wounds on his son’s body and his head before he was taken to the mortuary of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. “I had also seen a bad wound on his head,” she added.
Aminah was also surprised to read the statement of his late son’s fiancee that Datu Azlan could drive the car to the hospital when he was badly hurt. “Furthermore, why his shirt was so clean when he was in the hospital? I mean why there was not a drip of blood when I saw that he was Datu Azlan bleeding? To me, I think something was not right with the information. “The fiancee informed that my son had taken a shower before going to the hospital. How could he have the time to take the shower when he was hurt and bleeding? Please, I want to know the truth what had really happened? I am not satisfied!” said Aminah. “Earlier, before they disclosed (my son had a stroke or heart attack), I was informed by the authority that my son had a healthy organ but why suddenly the information was different? “All this while I have been patient enough by cooperating in the investigation. I am still hoping for the truth from that investigation, but I am surprised why they disclosed that my son had a stroke or heart attack and I was not told about it?” she said. The Magistrate’s Court on Thursday released a 21-year-old part-time model who was remanded to assist police investigation into the death of Datu Azlan, the son of Banggi Assemblyman Datuk Amir Kahar. The Inti College student was first remanded for three days on December 2 to enable the police to investigate the case. Her remand was extended for another two days on December 4. Acting City Police Chief Superintendent Rowell Marong said on Thursday that the police were still investigating the case and hoped to find new leads. Datu Azlan was pronounced dead on arrival at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on December 1. There were four superficial wounds on his head, believed caused by a belt buckle, and bruises on the body. Initial investigation revealed that the deceased and his fiancee were fighting over a misunderstanding. On Wednesday, State Police Commissioner Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim disclosed that the autopsy report confirmed that Datu Azlan had died of heart attack. Noor Rashid added that they would probably continue investigating the case under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt, or Section 324 of the same Code for voluntarily causing hurt by using dangerous weapons or means.
Friday, December 7, 2007
FRIDAY-7TH DECEMBER 2007-CHINA GANGSTERS ARRESTED AT BANQUET
China gangsters arrested at banquet
BEIJING:
Hundreds of Chinese armed police stormed a banquet and arrested dozens of leaders of two criminal gangs that controlled more than 20 factories in the booming southern province of Guangdong, a newspaper said on Wednesday. The gangs were so influential in the city of Yangjiang that a Vice Minister of Public Security had to order the operation, the Beijing News said. Police in Yangjiang had been too thoroughly infiltrated by the gangs to be called upon for the raid of the four-storey hotpot restaurant, owned by a ringleader who became a local lawmaker in 2004, the newspaper said. “All policemen in Yangjiang were ordered to stay in their offices that night,” it quoted an unnamed source as saying. Dozens of senior police officers in the city were sent on a sightseeing trip days earlier, it added.The gangs had terrorised the city for more than a decade, using violence to monopolise lucrative businesses such as transport, cooking gas and seafood, the Beijing News said. The gangs and the factories they ran boasted a membership of about 30,000 amid surging crime accompanying the wild west economic growth in Guangdong, a manufacturing dynamo that accounts for more than 30 percent of China’s exports.
BEIJING:
Hundreds of Chinese armed police stormed a banquet and arrested dozens of leaders of two criminal gangs that controlled more than 20 factories in the booming southern province of Guangdong, a newspaper said on Wednesday. The gangs were so influential in the city of Yangjiang that a Vice Minister of Public Security had to order the operation, the Beijing News said. Police in Yangjiang had been too thoroughly infiltrated by the gangs to be called upon for the raid of the four-storey hotpot restaurant, owned by a ringleader who became a local lawmaker in 2004, the newspaper said. “All policemen in Yangjiang were ordered to stay in their offices that night,” it quoted an unnamed source as saying. Dozens of senior police officers in the city were sent on a sightseeing trip days earlier, it added.The gangs had terrorised the city for more than a decade, using violence to monopolise lucrative businesses such as transport, cooking gas and seafood, the Beijing News said. The gangs and the factories they ran boasted a membership of about 30,000 amid surging crime accompanying the wild west economic growth in Guangdong, a manufacturing dynamo that accounts for more than 30 percent of China’s exports.
FRIDAY-7TH DECEMBER 2007-BLACKOUTS DESPITE RESTORATIVE WORKS
Blackouts despite restorative works
SABAH Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) explained in October that the excess current (arus lampau) supplied to their II Kilovolt (Kv) cable was behind the series of power outages at Grand Millennium 2, Jalad Kobusak in Penampang, for several months. But despite restorative work carried out by SESB technicians in that particular month, the same problem continues until this day. It was also reported then that the outages were caused by ‘feeder trip” due to excessive power to the cable concerned. JAMES, who spoke on behalf of 70 homeowners there, bemoaned the frequency of the power failures in the neighbourhood ever since he moved to his new house there two years ago. “I never kept track of the number of times it tripped over the years but the most recent was last Friday,” he said, adding that it tripped at about 7.3Opm and was restored at 850pm on Nov. 23. However, the irony of this situation was that supply to the adjacent housing estate and village were not affected each time there was a power failure in their neighbour- hood. “For instance those residing in the adjacent Taman Nsoob and also the nearby Kampung Kobusak are spared by this perennial problem.” he pointed out A SESB spokeswoman assured that it would elaborate on the situation soon as possible. “Give us some time- to gather information about the recent failures and what is causing the blackouts” she said.
SABAH Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) explained in October that the excess current (arus lampau) supplied to their II Kilovolt (Kv) cable was behind the series of power outages at Grand Millennium 2, Jalad Kobusak in Penampang, for several months. But despite restorative work carried out by SESB technicians in that particular month, the same problem continues until this day. It was also reported then that the outages were caused by ‘feeder trip” due to excessive power to the cable concerned. JAMES, who spoke on behalf of 70 homeowners there, bemoaned the frequency of the power failures in the neighbourhood ever since he moved to his new house there two years ago. “I never kept track of the number of times it tripped over the years but the most recent was last Friday,” he said, adding that it tripped at about 7.3Opm and was restored at 850pm on Nov. 23. However, the irony of this situation was that supply to the adjacent housing estate and village were not affected each time there was a power failure in their neighbour- hood. “For instance those residing in the adjacent Taman Nsoob and also the nearby Kampung Kobusak are spared by this perennial problem.” he pointed out A SESB spokeswoman assured that it would elaborate on the situation soon as possible. “Give us some time- to gather information about the recent failures and what is causing the blackouts” she said.
FRIDAY-7TH DECEMBER 2007-DRIED NOODLES KILL 4 CHINESE STUDENTS
Dried noodles kill 4 Chinese students
BEIJING:
Four Chinese children died after eating a dried-noodle snack in the poor southern province of Yunnan, a newspaper said on Wednesday, the latest in a string of food-poisoning accidents across the country. The children bought the noodles on the way to school on Monday, the Beijing News said. “The children began frothing at the mouth, were lapsing in and out of consciousness and clasped their hands together in distress,” teacher Yang Tingzhou was quoted as saying. The children were rushed to hospital where they died in the emergency room. Local officials were investigating all stores selling non-staple foods in the area, the newspaper said. There was no suggestion the poisoning was deliberate, it added. It said families of the children would be given 6,000 yuan ($800) in compensation. Food poisoning is a frequent problem at Chinese schools, especially in rural areas, where lax official supervision encourages canteen contractors to cut costs at the expense of proper hygiene and food safety. China has also come under fire for a string of quality scandals involving products including food, toothpaste, drugs and toys.
BEIJING:
Four Chinese children died after eating a dried-noodle snack in the poor southern province of Yunnan, a newspaper said on Wednesday, the latest in a string of food-poisoning accidents across the country. The children bought the noodles on the way to school on Monday, the Beijing News said. “The children began frothing at the mouth, were lapsing in and out of consciousness and clasped their hands together in distress,” teacher Yang Tingzhou was quoted as saying. The children were rushed to hospital where they died in the emergency room. Local officials were investigating all stores selling non-staple foods in the area, the newspaper said. There was no suggestion the poisoning was deliberate, it added. It said families of the children would be given 6,000 yuan ($800) in compensation. Food poisoning is a frequent problem at Chinese schools, especially in rural areas, where lax official supervision encourages canteen contractors to cut costs at the expense of proper hygiene and food safety. China has also come under fire for a string of quality scandals involving products including food, toothpaste, drugs and toys.
FRIDAY-7TH DECEMBER 2007-ELDERLY MAN MISTAKENLY X-RAYED TWICE
Elderly man ‘mistakenly X-rayed twice’
THE Health Department is looking into a complaint from a Sipitang resident who was appalled by the poor service rendered to a relative at a government hospital. SALLY said her elderly uncle was forced to undergo an x-ray twice due to an oversight on the part of the personnel manning this machine. “My uncle looked troubled when he came out of the x-ray room the first time,” she said. “The medical officer at the ward had told him that he was to have his waist x-rayed. But the radiologist x-rayed his chest instead.’ She said the latter did not realise his mistake until she pointed it out. “He came out of the room and told me to take my uncle back to the ward, Only when I told him what my uncle had related to me did he ask for my uncle to undergo a second x-ray.” Sally said this staff neither apologised for the error nor explained how the mix-up could have happened. “I hope the management of the hospital would intervene so that the staff at the X-ray room are more careful in future.” She detailed her experience in a letter to Hotline which was forwarded to the Department on November 14. A Department spokesman said the agency was investigating this incident. “We will have to verify the resident’s allegations. before proceeding with further action,’ he said.
THE Health Department is looking into a complaint from a Sipitang resident who was appalled by the poor service rendered to a relative at a government hospital. SALLY said her elderly uncle was forced to undergo an x-ray twice due to an oversight on the part of the personnel manning this machine. “My uncle looked troubled when he came out of the x-ray room the first time,” she said. “The medical officer at the ward had told him that he was to have his waist x-rayed. But the radiologist x-rayed his chest instead.’ She said the latter did not realise his mistake until she pointed it out. “He came out of the room and told me to take my uncle back to the ward, Only when I told him what my uncle had related to me did he ask for my uncle to undergo a second x-ray.” Sally said this staff neither apologised for the error nor explained how the mix-up could have happened. “I hope the management of the hospital would intervene so that the staff at the X-ray room are more careful in future.” She detailed her experience in a letter to Hotline which was forwarded to the Department on November 14. A Department spokesman said the agency was investigating this incident. “We will have to verify the resident’s allegations. before proceeding with further action,’ he said.
FRIDAY-7TH DECEMBER 2007-MUDFLOWS AFFECTING NEW BUKIT HARAPAN CENTRE
KOTA KINABALU:
Bukit Harapan’s new premise at the Mile 4, Tuaran bypass, is becoming unsafe for the underprivileged folks there - all because of mudflows from an adjoining construction site.
Apparently unsupervised earthworks at the construction site atop a hill are causing the mud to flow into the compound during heavy rain. Hence, the children, some of who are wheelchair-bound, spastics as well as single mothers seeking asylum there, fear for their safety each time it rains heavily.
“The mudflow hit our fencing so hard before resting inside our perimeter drain,” lamented the Centre’s founder, Anne Keyworth, whom everyone calls Mama Anne. The centre has spent more than RM500,000 for the RM1.9 million home sprawled over 1.6 acres allocated by the State government. Anne and several staff are taking care of some 50 physically disabled children.
She said the water inside the concrete drain also could not discharge into the main drain because the drain is clogged with debris washed down from the construction site. All kinds of sediments including cut branches aside from mud had completely blanketed the drain,” she said, and questioned whether the developer would assume responsibility if there was a dengue outbreak at the centre.
Aggravating the situation was that some of the stones swept down by the mudflow had rested against the fencing. “It is just a matter of time before the structure collapse as it can no longer sustain the weight of the stones,” she stressed.
Mama Anne pointed out that some of the children staying in the domicile located near the hillside where the mud water is prone to gush down towards the centre would not be able to evacuate in time in the event of prolonged heavy rain.
“They won’t be able to leave the area due to their physical condition,” she said and urged the contractor responsible for the housing project atop the hill to find a way to divert the excess rainwater from the site elsewhere.
“The contractor simply must come up with a permanent solution to this problem,” she added. A spokesman for the project’s developer apologised to Mama Anne and the folks in the centre for the hardship they faced as a result of the mudflow.
“‘We are very much aware of the situation and in fact the main contractor for the project had dug a huge and deep trench at a section of the hill to prevent the mudflow affecting the centre,” he said.
He said the recent inclement weather condition hampered efforts to create the trench. It is dangerous for the workers to undertake the work when it rains because the ground tends to be very slippery,” he added. Besides, it was difficult to dig a large gap on that hilly ground during such weather condition.
“The workers relied on their hands to dig that portion of the land and not by using excavator because such machinery cannot access that plot,” he said.
As for the drain in question, the spokesman said the workers would be told to clear the soil which had fallen into that structure soon.
Bukit Harapan’s new premise at the Mile 4, Tuaran bypass, is becoming unsafe for the underprivileged folks there - all because of mudflows from an adjoining construction site.
Apparently unsupervised earthworks at the construction site atop a hill are causing the mud to flow into the compound during heavy rain. Hence, the children, some of who are wheelchair-bound, spastics as well as single mothers seeking asylum there, fear for their safety each time it rains heavily.
“The mudflow hit our fencing so hard before resting inside our perimeter drain,” lamented the Centre’s founder, Anne Keyworth, whom everyone calls Mama Anne. The centre has spent more than RM500,000 for the RM1.9 million home sprawled over 1.6 acres allocated by the State government. Anne and several staff are taking care of some 50 physically disabled children.
She said the water inside the concrete drain also could not discharge into the main drain because the drain is clogged with debris washed down from the construction site. All kinds of sediments including cut branches aside from mud had completely blanketed the drain,” she said, and questioned whether the developer would assume responsibility if there was a dengue outbreak at the centre.
Aggravating the situation was that some of the stones swept down by the mudflow had rested against the fencing. “It is just a matter of time before the structure collapse as it can no longer sustain the weight of the stones,” she stressed.
Mama Anne pointed out that some of the children staying in the domicile located near the hillside where the mud water is prone to gush down towards the centre would not be able to evacuate in time in the event of prolonged heavy rain.
“They won’t be able to leave the area due to their physical condition,” she said and urged the contractor responsible for the housing project atop the hill to find a way to divert the excess rainwater from the site elsewhere.
“The contractor simply must come up with a permanent solution to this problem,” she added. A spokesman for the project’s developer apologised to Mama Anne and the folks in the centre for the hardship they faced as a result of the mudflow.
“‘We are very much aware of the situation and in fact the main contractor for the project had dug a huge and deep trench at a section of the hill to prevent the mudflow affecting the centre,” he said.
He said the recent inclement weather condition hampered efforts to create the trench. It is dangerous for the workers to undertake the work when it rains because the ground tends to be very slippery,” he added. Besides, it was difficult to dig a large gap on that hilly ground during such weather condition.
“The workers relied on their hands to dig that portion of the land and not by using excavator because such machinery cannot access that plot,” he said.
As for the drain in question, the spokesman said the workers would be told to clear the soil which had fallen into that structure soon.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
THURSDAY-6TH DECEMBER 2007-FACTORY DESTROYED IN TAWAU FIRE
Factory destroyed in Tawau fire
TAWAU:
A factory storing egg trays at Tanjung Batu here was destroyed in a fire about l0 am yesterday. The district’s Fire and Rescue Services Department despatched two fire engines to the location after receiving a distress call.
One of the workers, Hawisa Jana, 40, said she ran out from the building immediately after she heard other workers shouting there was a fire. Once outside, she saw the building was burning. No injuries were reported in the incident..
TAWAU:
A factory storing egg trays at Tanjung Batu here was destroyed in a fire about l0 am yesterday. The district’s Fire and Rescue Services Department despatched two fire engines to the location after receiving a distress call.
One of the workers, Hawisa Jana, 40, said she ran out from the building immediately after she heard other workers shouting there was a fire. Once outside, she saw the building was burning. No injuries were reported in the incident..
THURSDAY-6TH DECEMBER 2007-MAS STAFF ROBBED
MAS staff robbed
KOTA KINABALU:
Police detained one of the four suspects who robbed a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) staff at Mile 1 1/2 Tuaran Road here around midnight on Tuesday. The 23-year-old victim, who is the daughter of a Datuk, was on the way to Sunny Garden to pick up her friend when the four robbers stopped her car at a roadside and relieved her of her cellphone, cash and purse. The victim, who was not harmed, managed to take down the registration number of the Proton Wira car used by the robbers to escape and informed the police. She then joined the mobile patrol police in their vehicle and went to look for the four suspects. They managed to track down the suspects and arrested one of them later.
KOTA KINABALU:
Police detained one of the four suspects who robbed a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) staff at Mile 1 1/2 Tuaran Road here around midnight on Tuesday. The 23-year-old victim, who is the daughter of a Datuk, was on the way to Sunny Garden to pick up her friend when the four robbers stopped her car at a roadside and relieved her of her cellphone, cash and purse. The victim, who was not harmed, managed to take down the registration number of the Proton Wira car used by the robbers to escape and informed the police. She then joined the mobile patrol police in their vehicle and went to look for the four suspects. They managed to track down the suspects and arrested one of them later.
THURSDAY-6TH DECEMBER 2007-DATE RAPE
Date rape:Cops arrest labourer.
Girl feels dizzy and sleepy after drinking Cola
PENAMPANG:
A teenage girl claimed she was raped by a man whom she had befriended just a week before the incident. The 19-year-old victim said that she had gone to meet the suspect on Nov 30 and was shocked to wake up naked in the bushes the next morning. Acting District Police Chief ASP Che Rafizi Che Ramli said the suspect, an 18-year-old Suluk-Filipino labourer, was handed over to the police a few days after the incident.
“The girl claimed that the suspect had been calling her and wanted to meet her. She left home on Friday and met him at the Kampung Dumpil Keramat roadside around 8pm. “After awhile, she became thirsty and the man who had a tin of Coca Cola in his hands, offered her the drink,” said Rafizi. The victim claimed that she felt dizzy and sleepy after taking the drink and only felt that she was being carried away. The next morning, she found herself naked in the bushes.
She walked home in a daze but did not relate the incident to her family “The victim only disclosed what had happened three days later. Her family then looked for the suspect and handed him over to the police,’ said Rafizi. He added the girl had been sent for medical check-up. The suspect is currently remanded and the case is being investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code which carries 20 years jail, and liable to whipping, if found guilty.
Girl feels dizzy and sleepy after drinking Cola
PENAMPANG:
A teenage girl claimed she was raped by a man whom she had befriended just a week before the incident. The 19-year-old victim said that she had gone to meet the suspect on Nov 30 and was shocked to wake up naked in the bushes the next morning. Acting District Police Chief ASP Che Rafizi Che Ramli said the suspect, an 18-year-old Suluk-Filipino labourer, was handed over to the police a few days after the incident.
“The girl claimed that the suspect had been calling her and wanted to meet her. She left home on Friday and met him at the Kampung Dumpil Keramat roadside around 8pm. “After awhile, she became thirsty and the man who had a tin of Coca Cola in his hands, offered her the drink,” said Rafizi. The victim claimed that she felt dizzy and sleepy after taking the drink and only felt that she was being carried away. The next morning, she found herself naked in the bushes.
She walked home in a daze but did not relate the incident to her family “The victim only disclosed what had happened three days later. Her family then looked for the suspect and handed him over to the police,’ said Rafizi. He added the girl had been sent for medical check-up. The suspect is currently remanded and the case is being investigated under Section 376 of the Penal Code which carries 20 years jail, and liable to whipping, if found guilty.
THURSDAY-6TH DECEMBER 2007-NO INCREASE IN COOKING GAS PRICE:MINISTRY
No increase in cooking gas price: Ministry
KOTA KINABALU:
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry office here has denied claims that a tank of cooking gas now costs as much as RM4O in certain areas in Sabah. Its officer who declined to be named, said there is no price hike for cooking gas and if there is any it should be reported to the ministry office. “Those who were charged exorbitantly for a tank of cooking gas are encouraged to lodge a report with us and they must bring along the receipt as proof so that we can start our investigations,” he said. The officer also urged consumers to contact the ministry’s office here at the hotlines 088-484526 or 088- 484521 if they have any complaints. Meanwhile, a survey carried out by The Borneo Post showed that many were not aware of the price hike. They, however, urged the relevant authorities not to increase the price of cooking gas as it would be a burden to consumers.
“My household expenses will definitely increase and this will be burden to my family as our household income is low,” said Marina, 40, who works as a clerk in a small firm. Three other women shared the same opinion and were worried about escalating costs should the price of cooking gas be increased. For single parent Marie Abdullah, 45, her income will not be sufficient if cooking gas becomes costlier.
“1have to support seven children and this will mean more burden for me,” she said. Ita Clarissa, 45, who is feeling the pinch now, said, “even with a pay rise, I will not be able to afford a comfortable living if the prices of commodities, goods and raw materials keep increasing,” she said. Azlan, a coffeehouse steward, stressed that consumers must brace themselves for a hike in the prices of food and beverages due to the expected rise in the price of cooking gas.
KOTA KINABALU:
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry office here has denied claims that a tank of cooking gas now costs as much as RM4O in certain areas in Sabah. Its officer who declined to be named, said there is no price hike for cooking gas and if there is any it should be reported to the ministry office. “Those who were charged exorbitantly for a tank of cooking gas are encouraged to lodge a report with us and they must bring along the receipt as proof so that we can start our investigations,” he said. The officer also urged consumers to contact the ministry’s office here at the hotlines 088-484526 or 088- 484521 if they have any complaints. Meanwhile, a survey carried out by The Borneo Post showed that many were not aware of the price hike. They, however, urged the relevant authorities not to increase the price of cooking gas as it would be a burden to consumers.
“My household expenses will definitely increase and this will be burden to my family as our household income is low,” said Marina, 40, who works as a clerk in a small firm. Three other women shared the same opinion and were worried about escalating costs should the price of cooking gas be increased. For single parent Marie Abdullah, 45, her income will not be sufficient if cooking gas becomes costlier.
“1have to support seven children and this will mean more burden for me,” she said. Ita Clarissa, 45, who is feeling the pinch now, said, “even with a pay rise, I will not be able to afford a comfortable living if the prices of commodities, goods and raw materials keep increasing,” she said. Azlan, a coffeehouse steward, stressed that consumers must brace themselves for a hike in the prices of food and beverages due to the expected rise in the price of cooking gas.
THURSDAY-6TH DECEMBER 2007-REBUILT SQUATTER HOUSES LEVELLED
REBUILT SQUATTER HOUSES LEVELLED
KOTA KINABALU:
City Hall has demolished more than a dozen illegal houses built on a Government reserve land next to the Tropical Forest Recreational Park at Jalan Penampang, the same land where 64 illegal houses were demolished two years ago. Yesterday, 17 houses which were re-built by stubborn squatters, were again levelled by a City Hall team. City Hall personnel had carried out a similar demolition exercise early last year and told the squatters to evict from the area but they had apparently returned to rebuild the illegal structures. Fifteen enforcement officers from the City Hall Squatter Houses Unit, assisted by more than 20 policemen and RELA members together with personnel from Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and Water Department, carried out the demolition, starting at 8.45am. As expected, the dissatisfied squatters who had been holding a grudge against the City Hall for evicting them out of the reserve land known as Kampung Matabian since August 2005, poured out their anger and tried to halt the demolition. However, despite the squatters’ objection and protest, the operation carried out under the Building By-Laws 1984 went smoothly and ended three hours later with no physical resistance. The demolition operation was led by City Hall Assistant Enforcement Officer, Inspector Mohd Bahazan Othman. Late last month, at least 37 squatter houses were torn down by City Hall workers at Kampung Sri Tanjung in its on-going demolition exercise. The operation in the area was to see at least 600 houses demolished, as the location is required to make way for the expansion of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport project. Meanwhile, residents living in houses standing on water in the City who also face City Hall’s demolition squad, have asked for an early notice if their houses were found to have been built without approval.
KOTA KINABALU:
City Hall has demolished more than a dozen illegal houses built on a Government reserve land next to the Tropical Forest Recreational Park at Jalan Penampang, the same land where 64 illegal houses were demolished two years ago. Yesterday, 17 houses which were re-built by stubborn squatters, were again levelled by a City Hall team. City Hall personnel had carried out a similar demolition exercise early last year and told the squatters to evict from the area but they had apparently returned to rebuild the illegal structures. Fifteen enforcement officers from the City Hall Squatter Houses Unit, assisted by more than 20 policemen and RELA members together with personnel from Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and Water Department, carried out the demolition, starting at 8.45am. As expected, the dissatisfied squatters who had been holding a grudge against the City Hall for evicting them out of the reserve land known as Kampung Matabian since August 2005, poured out their anger and tried to halt the demolition. However, despite the squatters’ objection and protest, the operation carried out under the Building By-Laws 1984 went smoothly and ended three hours later with no physical resistance. The demolition operation was led by City Hall Assistant Enforcement Officer, Inspector Mohd Bahazan Othman. Late last month, at least 37 squatter houses were torn down by City Hall workers at Kampung Sri Tanjung in its on-going demolition exercise. The operation in the area was to see at least 600 houses demolished, as the location is required to make way for the expansion of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport project. Meanwhile, residents living in houses standing on water in the City who also face City Hall’s demolition squad, have asked for an early notice if their houses were found to have been built without approval.
THURSDAYS-6TH DECEMBER 2007-WOMAN ROBBED IN HER HOUSE
Woman robbed in her house
TAWAU:
A 40-year-old woman claimed that she was robbed at knife point in the bedroom of her house at Taman Semarak here on Monday night. The complainant said that she was awaken from her sleep by the intruder who then pointed a knife at her stomach. According to acting district police chief Superintendent Ramli Ali Mat, the woman said in her report the intruder fled after hearing her son waking up. After checking the room, the woman realised her wallet was missing, he said, adding she estimated her loss at RM600. Police also received reports from two women who lost their handbags to snatch thieves at Jalan Bunga and Fajar here on Tuesday. In the incident at Jalan Bunga, the victim lost her bag containing her MyKad, RM200 cash and three hand phones to snatch thieves on motorcycles on Tuesday night. Ramli said the second victim, a 30-year-old woman, lost her bag to snatch thieves in the afternoon of the same day. Her bag which was grabbed by two men riding a motorcycle, contained her passport and RM200 cash. According to him further, police are investigating a report from a businessman who alleged to have been cheated by another businessman on August 20 this year. The former had issued a cheque for RM34,407.05 to the suspect for a business transaction and has been unable to contact the latter since then. In a separate case, a 30-year- old man lodged a report after his Yamaha 110 CC motorbike bearing number JCY45J went missing from the carpark of the district hospital here on Tuesday morning.
TAWAU:
A 40-year-old woman claimed that she was robbed at knife point in the bedroom of her house at Taman Semarak here on Monday night. The complainant said that she was awaken from her sleep by the intruder who then pointed a knife at her stomach. According to acting district police chief Superintendent Ramli Ali Mat, the woman said in her report the intruder fled after hearing her son waking up. After checking the room, the woman realised her wallet was missing, he said, adding she estimated her loss at RM600. Police also received reports from two women who lost their handbags to snatch thieves at Jalan Bunga and Fajar here on Tuesday. In the incident at Jalan Bunga, the victim lost her bag containing her MyKad, RM200 cash and three hand phones to snatch thieves on motorcycles on Tuesday night. Ramli said the second victim, a 30-year-old woman, lost her bag to snatch thieves in the afternoon of the same day. Her bag which was grabbed by two men riding a motorcycle, contained her passport and RM200 cash. According to him further, police are investigating a report from a businessman who alleged to have been cheated by another businessman on August 20 this year. The former had issued a cheque for RM34,407.05 to the suspect for a business transaction and has been unable to contact the latter since then. In a separate case, a 30-year- old man lodged a report after his Yamaha 110 CC motorbike bearing number JCY45J went missing from the carpark of the district hospital here on Tuesday morning.
THURSDAY-6TH DECEMBER 2007-HEATED EXCHANGE OVER WITHDRAWAL FROM SEA GAMES
Heated exchange over withdrawal from SEA Games
KUALA LUMPUR: A heated exchange broke out at the Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday over the withdrawal of the Malaysia Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) from the 24th SEA Games in Korat, Thailand. It started when Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar (BN-Larut) raised the matter when debating the 2008 Supply Bill 2008, saying that the action would affect Malaysia’s efforts to host international competitions in future, after having failed in its attempts to host the Asian Games and also the Olympics. His remarks brought Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading), who is Johor Sepak Takraw Association president, to speak in defence of the PSM’s stand although he should only be seeking clarification at this juncture. A heated exchange ensued when Raja Ahmad Zainuddin kept questioning the rationale behind the withdrawal by Malaysia, which had protested the use of rubber coated balls for sepak takraw at the Korat Games. The exchange stopped when Deputy Speaker Datuk Lim Si Cheng intervened. Youth and Sports Ministry Parliamentary Secretary S Vigneswaran, in responding to the issue, said the ministry was upset with the decision by PSM which did not consult the ministry and the National Sports Council. - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: A heated exchange broke out at the Dewan Rakyat sitting yesterday over the withdrawal of the Malaysia Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) from the 24th SEA Games in Korat, Thailand. It started when Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar (BN-Larut) raised the matter when debating the 2008 Supply Bill 2008, saying that the action would affect Malaysia’s efforts to host international competitions in future, after having failed in its attempts to host the Asian Games and also the Olympics. His remarks brought Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading), who is Johor Sepak Takraw Association president, to speak in defence of the PSM’s stand although he should only be seeking clarification at this juncture. A heated exchange ensued when Raja Ahmad Zainuddin kept questioning the rationale behind the withdrawal by Malaysia, which had protested the use of rubber coated balls for sepak takraw at the Korat Games. The exchange stopped when Deputy Speaker Datuk Lim Si Cheng intervened. Youth and Sports Ministry Parliamentary Secretary S Vigneswaran, in responding to the issue, said the ministry was upset with the decision by PSM which did not consult the ministry and the National Sports Council. - Bernama
THURSDAY-6TH DECEMBER 2007-FORM SEPARATE MINISTRY TO PROTECT CONSUMER RIGHTS:PATRICK
Form separate ministry to protect consumer rights: Patrick
KOTA KINABALU:
The Consumer Association for Sabah and Labuan (Cash) has proposed that the task of protecting consumer rights and regulating domestic trade currently placed under the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, should be separated and over seen by two different ministries.Its president, Datuk Patrick Sindu, said protecting consumer rights and promoting trade is often contradicting each other and the ministry, being tasked with both responsibilities at the same time, could lead to indecisiveness and tendency to look for mediocre solutions that have less negative effect for either side. The ministry has been doing a good job in protecting consumers all this while but consumerism today covers a tremendously vast spectrum and issues related to protection of consumer rights are rapidly increasing in complexity, said Patrick “In order to better protect consumer rights, a separate ministry dedicated solely to overseeing the consumerism aspect should be formed,” Patrick said yesterday, adding a special department responsible for enforcing laws related to consumerism should be formed under the proposed ministry.
He suggested a Minister in the Prime Ministers Department be appointed to head this ministry whose main objectives include to aggressively promote consumerism awareness and protect consumer rights. In welcoming the ban on scratch- and-win contests, Patrick said the move had been long awaited and should have been imposed’ much earlier. He said Cash had received many reports from consumers, including from professionals who have been deceived by companies using the scratch-and-win tactic. “This should have come earlier. But it is better late than never. Many had fallen victim to this scheme,” he said, adding the ministry should take similar approach on other trade gimmicks such as get-rich-quick schemes and lucky draws which he said were still being widely used by irresponsible parties to trick consumers. Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal announced the ban on scratch-and- win contests on Tuesday, saying the trade gimmick, which has spread to the rural areas, was banned because it was harmful to consumers, many of whom had been tricked into buying substandard goods.
KOTA KINABALU:
The Consumer Association for Sabah and Labuan (Cash) has proposed that the task of protecting consumer rights and regulating domestic trade currently placed under the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, should be separated and over seen by two different ministries.Its president, Datuk Patrick Sindu, said protecting consumer rights and promoting trade is often contradicting each other and the ministry, being tasked with both responsibilities at the same time, could lead to indecisiveness and tendency to look for mediocre solutions that have less negative effect for either side. The ministry has been doing a good job in protecting consumers all this while but consumerism today covers a tremendously vast spectrum and issues related to protection of consumer rights are rapidly increasing in complexity, said Patrick “In order to better protect consumer rights, a separate ministry dedicated solely to overseeing the consumerism aspect should be formed,” Patrick said yesterday, adding a special department responsible for enforcing laws related to consumerism should be formed under the proposed ministry.
He suggested a Minister in the Prime Ministers Department be appointed to head this ministry whose main objectives include to aggressively promote consumerism awareness and protect consumer rights. In welcoming the ban on scratch- and-win contests, Patrick said the move had been long awaited and should have been imposed’ much earlier. He said Cash had received many reports from consumers, including from professionals who have been deceived by companies using the scratch-and-win tactic. “This should have come earlier. But it is better late than never. Many had fallen victim to this scheme,” he said, adding the ministry should take similar approach on other trade gimmicks such as get-rich-quick schemes and lucky draws which he said were still being widely used by irresponsible parties to trick consumers. Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal announced the ban on scratch-and- win contests on Tuesday, saying the trade gimmick, which has spread to the rural areas, was banned because it was harmful to consumers, many of whom had been tricked into buying substandard goods.
THURSDAY-6TH DECEMBER 2007-TELEKOM URGED TO CUT TREE BRANCHES
Telekom urged to cut tree branches
• A man from Kampung Rangalau along the way to Kiulu has urged Telekom Malaysia to clear the branches that have grown around the telephone pole and cable there. George is worried that the telephone service would be disrupted as the branches are weighing down the telephone cable. “On behalf of the residents here, I hope the company will trim and clean these tree branches as soon s possible before they fall down and affect the cable,” he said. With the current weather situation, George said the villagers feared that the tree branches would fall and hit cable and affect the telephone service there. He added that some of the residents there had wanted to trim the branches, especially those near their house but they were worried about their safety and decided to leave the matter to the authority concerned. A spokesperson for Telekom Malaysia said they would send their technician who is in charge of the matter to investigate on the complaint before taking any necessary action. “Dealing with the cable is dangerous. It was a wise decision for them to leave the matter to us. We are more than happy to assist the people, he said, adding that immediate action would be taken.
• A man from Kampung Rangalau along the way to Kiulu has urged Telekom Malaysia to clear the branches that have grown around the telephone pole and cable there. George is worried that the telephone service would be disrupted as the branches are weighing down the telephone cable. “On behalf of the residents here, I hope the company will trim and clean these tree branches as soon s possible before they fall down and affect the cable,” he said. With the current weather situation, George said the villagers feared that the tree branches would fall and hit cable and affect the telephone service there. He added that some of the residents there had wanted to trim the branches, especially those near their house but they were worried about their safety and decided to leave the matter to the authority concerned. A spokesperson for Telekom Malaysia said they would send their technician who is in charge of the matter to investigate on the complaint before taking any necessary action. “Dealing with the cable is dangerous. It was a wise decision for them to leave the matter to us. We are more than happy to assist the people, he said, adding that immediate action would be taken.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
