Thesun 2009-03-04 Page04 2nd Penang Bridge To Be Completed On Schedule

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theSun

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| WEDNESDAY MARCH 4 2009

MPs’ guests shouldn’t be making statements in Parliament: Nazri MINISTER in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has “advised” all MPs not to bring guests to Parliament for press conferences. When met in the Parliament lobby, he said MPs should cooperate with security personnel to enhance the level of security. “Members must respect the rules and sanctity of the House. For example, it is okay for an MP to make a statement, but how can you allow others to do so here?”

he asked. Nazri described as irresponsible N. Gobalakrishnan’s (PKRPadang Serai) move in inviting former Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) chief executive officer P. Chitrakala Vasu to speak at a press conference in the Parliament compound on Monday. “Be careful. She’s not an MP and she is not supposed to hold a press conference here. If they flout the rules, what can we do? There’s

nothing we can do. There are no specific rulings in the Standing Orders that disallow MPs from bringing in guests or holding press conferences,” he said. Security in Parliament has been stepped up following a scuffle between Selangor Umno Youth members and opposition MPs in the House last week. Chitrakala told reporters that two police reports had been lodged against MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu on a dispute over the

management of the party’s charity fund. Gobalakrishnan when approached by reporters admitted that Chitrakala had contacted him. “I had informed the security guards that she was coming to see me and asked that they ‘please allow her in’. “We met in the cafeteria behind the Parliament building,” he said. “What is wrong in Chitrakala coming to the House? Hundreds

of people come to Parliament peacefully. We are all like brothers and sisters here, so why question me about a person who came to see me?” Gobalakrishnan asked. “Is Samy Vellu trying to interfere in the affairs of an MP? The minister (Nazri) has also asked me the same thing. Does that mean someone is trying to stop her (Chitrakala) from coming to Parliament because she is exposing bad things ... ?”

Giam Say Khoon at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday

2nd Penang bridge to be completed on schedule DATUK Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) wants the RM4.3 billion second Penang bridge project suspended and the allocation used to help the rural poor. Bung Moktar in a supplementary question said he was disappointed to see the government continue to press for the mega project despite a global recession. “If the money can be distributed to the poor in suburban areas, they will live happily. The people of Kinabatangan and Bintulu had requested only RM3 million to build roads, but it is very difficult to get the money. Is it so important to build the bridge?” he asked. “We need development projects in suburban areas,” he said. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk S.K. Devamany said in his reply: “The honourable Kinabatangan must note that the private sector is funding the project and its viability is vast. The offshoot will affect hundreds of sub-contractors and thousands of workers.” Earlier, replying to a question from Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan), he said a second package relating to the bridge’s superstructure was awarded to UEM Builders Berhad based on a final agreement with Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB). “The package has been awarded to UEM and the third package will be called for open tender only in mid-2010 as JKSB is in the process of preparing the tender documents.”

Devamany said the implementation of the project had been delayed owing to the federal government finalising compensation negotiations with the state government and five affected cockle breeders. “Once the breeders are compensated, the construction site can be cleared to allow the contractor to begin work in early March. The delay will not affect the bridge’s completion in mid2012,” he said. Devamany said the construction cost would be maintained at RM4.3 billion despite a drastic drop in fuel price due to a variation in the prices of construction materials. In the Parliament lobby, Lim told reporters the completion of the bridge should be brought forward as it was crucial not only to the people of Penang but as a catalyst for the development of the Northern Corridor Economic Region. “Penang has been picked as one of 31 outsourcing hubs for the future … So if we want to bring in benefits to the country, the state’s contribution would definitely help as there would only be two outsourcing hubs in Southeast

Asia, the other being Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam,” he said. “Penang’s growth is also important to the country’s growth as it contributes about 30% of Malaysia’s exports. So taking political revenge will not help, not Penang nor Malaysia. Penang is also coming to be known as the country’s Silicon Valley, and we are upgrading it to a Software Valley. “We are transforming the state from a sweat shop into a smart shop by providing free wifi so that it can in two years be the first wifi state in the country.”

Embas said the Wildlife and National Parks Department had done a good job in combating smuggling and the indiscriminate exploitation of wildlife resources. “In 2008, 45 cases of crimes against wildlife were brought to court where offenders were fined or imprisoned,” he said. Deputy chief of mission of the United States Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Robert G. Rapson, said that according to a 2008 US Congressional Report, global illegal trade in wildlife was a growing economy estimated to be worth at least US$5 billion (RM18.5 billion) and potentially in excess of US$20 billion (RM74

No compromise in investigating bullies THE government will not compromise on investigations into cases of bullying involving students, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said. “The ministry treats the issue of student discipline as important and appropriate action will be taken,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Nasharudin Mat Isa (PAS-Bachok). Nasharudin had asked about measures taken by the government to address the problem of bullying in schools which was becoming more serious and had given the education system a bad image. The latest case highlighted by the media was the distribution of a video recording which showed a Form Three student being bullied by 10 of his seniors at SM Oya Dalat in Mukah, Sarawak. Earlier, in replying to Datuk Dr Mohamad Shahrum Osman (BN-Lipis) on features that needed to be upgraded to raise the status of day schools so they are on par with fully residential schools, Hishammuddin said the ministry would create clusters of excellence involving all schools including secondary day schools. – Bernama

Sugar and flour imports may be liberalised THE government may soon liberalise the import of sugar and flour by lifting a control ban on the import of the two commodities and allow healthy competition in the market. Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the government had abolished controls on the import of cement and steel last year. “It is the government’s wish to determine the price for consumers instead of allowing others to determine the prices. We have been monitoring the situation since last year and for the benefit of consumers we may allow free trade to encourage healthy competition among importers,” he said in reply to Khalid

Stiffer penalties for poachers, traders KUALA LUMPUR: The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 is to be amended to increase by between 10 and 30 times the penalty for offences against wildlife and to protect more species considered endangered. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas said the ministry would try to table the amendment in the ongoing parliamentary session. “It is now in the final draft,” he said in his opening speech, read out by the ministry’s secretarygeneral Datuk Zoal Azha Yusof, at the Asean Judiciary Workshop on Wildlife Crime and Prosecution here.

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billion) annually. “Demand for illegally obtained wildlife is ubiquitous, and some suspect that illicit demand may be growing. We are pleased to be working with Malaysia to eliminate this pernicious activity,” he said. The two-day workshop, jointly organised by the and the Federal Courts of Malaysia, is co-sponsored by the US Agency for International Development. The Asean Wildlife Enforcement Network is the world’s largest and comprises Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. – Bernama

Abdul Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) who had asked about steps taken by the government to break a monopoly by importers of commodities like sugar and flour. Shahrir said the government was also in the final phase of drafting a Fair Trade Bill that would give the government more powers to resolve issues that may arise when producers abuse the market. – Bernama

108 public housing projects last year A TOTAL of 108 public housing projects involving 77,636 units were implemented last year, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said. He said that up to last year, a total of 50,820 public housing units were built to be rented. “Of the total, four projects involving 3,416 houses, costing RM210 million, were completed last year,” he said in a reply to Matulidi Jusoh (BN-Dungun). Matulidi had inquired about the number of low-cost public housing projects built last year and the total allocation for these projects according to state. – Bernama

Training centre for immigration officers THE Temporary Detention Centre in Semuja, Sarawak will be used as a training centre for Immigration Department officers nationwide. Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the centre had a large compound and adequate facilities for the purpose. He said the centre was built on a 32.7ha site and could accommodate 400 male and 100 female inmates. In addition, Syed Hamid said, the centre had a sessions court specifically to hear charges against illegal immigrants. “The Immigration Department will utilise the centre to the optimum by using it as a training centre for officers,” he said in reply to Datuk Richard Riot anak Jaem (BN-Serian) who had asked about plans to expand the use of the centre.

Most applicants not qualified for disability pension SUNGAI PETANI: Four out of five applicants for disability pension from the Social Security Organisation (Socso) do not qualify. Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said this was due to applicants misunderstanding the function of the organisation. “The decision to award disability pension is based on the report of a panel of doctors who examine the applicant,” he told reporters after meeting with clients at the Sungai Petani Socso office here yesterday. He said that if the panel decides an applicant qualifies owing to the loss of 60% of his or her bodily functions, Socso will award pension with no questions asked. “The issue facing Socso now is that

many people apply for disability pension as they know that after 55 years of age, they will no longer have an income.” Subramaniam said Socso’s function was not to award pension but protection when there is an accident or if an employee is stricken with illness. On the subject of Hindu Rights Action Force leader P. Uthayakumar who is being detained under the Internal Security Act, Subramaniam said he had discussed Uthayakumar’s medical treatment with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on Monday. “The deputy prime minister accepted my view that Uthayakumar should get professional treatment to alleviate negative perceptions by the people,” he said. – Bernama