Thesun 2009-03-19 Page01 Ali Banks On Appeal

Member of Audit Bureau of Circulations (Malaysia)

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No. 4719 PP 2644/12/2009 (023092)

Thursday March 19, 2009

TELLING IT AS IT IS

Challenging pg21 destiny by Himanshu Bhatt and Opalyn Mok [email protected]

ANWAR FAIZ/THESUN

GEORGE TOWN: Computer maker Dell is reducing its global workforce, including the 5,000 workers at its three centres in Malaysia. A company spokesman said a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) offer had been made across the board to its operations here. Dell has manufacturing facilities in Bayan Lepas and Bukit Tengah in Penang, and a business centre in Cyberjaya. The spokesperson declined to reveal the number of workers the

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INTERVIEWS VIEWS

Dell offers VSS to 5,000 Malaysian staff

company needs to cut. It is understood that a decision will be made once the company obtains replies to its VSS offer. It has been reported that the computer giant’s Dell global earnings have plummeted to its lowest levels since 2002. The company’s net income for the fourth quarter of last year, ending last Jan 30, fell 48% to US$351 million (RM1.289 billion) from US$679 million (RM2.493 billion). In a statement issued yesterday, Dell said the reduction in workforce was part of its “ongoing initiative to remain competitive by enhancing our efficiency and underlying cost

structure”. “This action is a prudent and deliberate part of Dell’s ongoing focus on competitiveness,” it said. “We recognise the impact that this action will have on employees, and are working to minimise consequences. Affected employees will be offered competitive severance packages, including career counselling and outplacement services. “All actions will be consistent with applicable local laws and practices,” it added. The statement also stressed that Dell will continue to recruit and hire people with specifically-required skills

and invest appropriately in areas that provide value to customers and enhance its capabilities. “We are continuously reviewing our business model and taking actions that enhance our efficiency and underlying cost structure. We’ll adjust accordingly and prudently to remain competitive during and after the current challenging economic environment improves.” Dell started manufacturing operations in Penang in January 1996. The Penang centre acts as the manufacturing headquarters for the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan. When contacted, MTUC state

branch chairman Abdul Razak Abdul Hamid said he had heard about Dell employees being laid off but could not obtain any details. “We hope that all other organisations like the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers will come together to provide real figures of how many people have been laid off and find ways to provide jobs for those affected,” he said. He said that InvestPenang and Penang Development Corporation should be more involved and find ways to get replacement jobs for those who are affected instead of “sitting around comparing retrenchment graphs”.

Ali banks on appeal by Giam Say Khoon [email protected]

UALA LUMPUR: Fighting for his political survival after a damning decision by the Umno disciplinary board, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam yesterday said he is appealing and harbours hope that he will be able to contest the deputy president’s post at the party polls next week. The incumbent Umno vicepresident was found guilty of breaching party ethics on Tuesday and barred from running for the No. 2 post against fellow vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib. He said he had stopped campaigning for now, but said that if his appeal was accepted, he would contest the post. Under party rules, he has to submit his appeal to the Umno management committee chaired by deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak. However, Mohd Ali said he would also submit the appeal letter to both president

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Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib. Early yesterday, he told reporters at his residence Seri Bendahara in Malacca that the appeal letter would be submitted the same day. Present were his wife, Datin Seri Asmah Abdul Rahman, state Umno leaders and his supporters.

yesterday (Tuesday). I did not expect it (punishment) but I accept it with an open heart.” On the lesser punishment meted out to Khairy Jamaluddin, the candidate for the Umno Youth chief’s post who was let off with a warning, he said there was no need to compare because the method employed and the reason for the decision were different. Asked if it was a conspiracy against him, as some reports had suggested, he said he did not think so. Mohd Ali said he would attend the Umno general assembly on March 24-28. “As a party member I will continue to sacrifice for my party no matter what, with my body and soul,” he said to applause from his supporters. He thanked Najib for his statement on Tuesday that he could continue to be chief minister. Asked for advice for his supporters who were angry over the decision, Mohd Ali apologised to them for their not being able to cast their vote for him

I had emphasised to the Disciplinary Board that I was innocent but the committee found me guilty, so I accept that with an open heart. I received the decision after returning from Ipoh yesterday (Tuesday). I did not expect it (punishment) but I accept it with an open heart.”

Still hopeful ... Ali Rustam fielding questions yesterday after attending the Umno management committee meeting in Parliament House.

Asked how he felt about the punishment, Bernama quoted him as saying: “I had emphasised to the Disciplinary Board that I was innocent but the committee found me guilty, so I accept that with an open heart. I received the decision after returning from Ipoh

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