May 1, 2008
THE Penang Government is keen to set up an international network to expose budding entrepreneurs to world-class players in the industry.
Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin said he would help establish the network to encourage the young entrepreneurs and students to gain hands-on experience at top international firms.
“I have the contacts and I will work hard to establish the network. We encourage Form Four students onwards to join the proposed hands-on learning programmes at international firms during school holidays.
“We want students to be exposed early to great business principles, theories and practices,” he said at a convention on Young Entrepreneurs Programme at Vistana Hotel recently.
Mohammad Fairus said the network and programme would also be extended to locally based world-class companies.
“This is part of our initiative to promote equitable distribution of wealth. We also want the young entrepreneurs to feel the pulse of businesses,” he added.
He also called on the industry players to support the cause.
“It is part of their corporate social responsibility to support development of future entrepreneurs in the country,” he said.
At the function, SMK Penanti emerged top, winning six out of the 10 categories.
The school won prizes under the Best Company, Best Annual Report, Best Guidance Teacher, Best Service, Best Manager, and Best Principal categories.
SMK Penanti will represent Penang in the national-level Young Entrepreneurs competition that will be held on May 23 to 26 at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Children’s education is top priority, Indian parents told - The Star
May 1, 2008
INDIAN parents have been advised to take a greater interest in their children's education so that they can do well in their studies.
Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy (pic) said education was important for one to improve livelihood and be free from poverty.
He said parents should set a good example to their children by not spending too much time watching television.
He also expressed disappointment that Indian parents gave a lukewarm response to the recent career and education expo held at Dewan Arumugam Pillai at Jalan Ooi Kar Seng in Nibong Tebal, Penang.
“I am sure they are at home watching Tamil dramas right now and I am very disappointed with the poor turnout.
“Keeping track of their children’s education should be every parent’s priority and nothing else should come in between.
“The organisers have sacrificed their time to hold such activities for the students’ benefit but, sad to say, these are not apprecia-ted,” said Dr Ramasamy, who is also Batu Kawan MP and Prai assemblyman.
The expo, which was jointly organised by e-Community Service, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government and private colleges, attracted only about 100 students.
INDIAN parents have been advised to take a greater interest in their children's education so that they can do well in their studies.
Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy (pic) said education was important for one to improve livelihood and be free from poverty.
He said parents should set a good example to their children by not spending too much time watching television.
He also expressed disappointment that Indian parents gave a lukewarm response to the recent career and education expo held at Dewan Arumugam Pillai at Jalan Ooi Kar Seng in Nibong Tebal, Penang.
“I am sure they are at home watching Tamil dramas right now and I am very disappointed with the poor turnout.
“Keeping track of their children’s education should be every parent’s priority and nothing else should come in between.
“The organisers have sacrificed their time to hold such activities for the students’ benefit but, sad to say, these are not apprecia-ted,” said Dr Ramasamy, who is also Batu Kawan MP and Prai assemblyman.
The expo, which was jointly organised by e-Community Service, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government and private colleges, attracted only about 100 students.
Penang moving fast into digital age - NST
GEORGE TOWN: May 1, 2008
Penang is making steady progress in the race towards the digital age by recording the second highest broadband penetration rate in the country last year after Kuala Lumpur.
Between the first and fourth quarters of 2007, the state's broadband penetration rate per 100 households rose by 4.7 per cent to 26 per cent.
The figure is considerably higher than the national broadband penetration rate average of 15.5 per cent, but the state government is already pushing for further progress in information technology in Penang.
According to chief minister Lim Guan Eng, efforts were being taken by telecommunications companies and Internet service providers to ensure more people, especially rural folk, continue to enjoy broadband services.
"We want as many people as possible to be Internet-savvy as this is the way to go.
"We also want to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural folk," he said at the Chief Minister 2007 K-ICT (knowledge-information and communication technology) awards ceremony on Monday.
Lim said to further boost information technology, the state government would continue to draw local and foreign investors to venture into information and communication technology-related industries.
"We are focusing on the multimedia industry and animation, as well as shared services and outsourcing, as these are the growth potentials for Penang."
Lim said the state's move into the digital age was progressing smoothly, saying that wireless hotspots in the state had increased from 105 in the first quarter of last year to 120 in the fourth quarter of the same year.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister 2007 K-ICT awards saw top honours going to four different organisations.
In the e-services category, the award went to the Seberang Prai Municipal Council, while the e-economy category was won by NDT Software Consulting Sdn Bhd and RosettaNet Engineering Penang. The e-community accolade was bagged by St Nicholas Home.
Penang is making steady progress in the race towards the digital age by recording the second highest broadband penetration rate in the country last year after Kuala Lumpur.
Between the first and fourth quarters of 2007, the state's broadband penetration rate per 100 households rose by 4.7 per cent to 26 per cent.
The figure is considerably higher than the national broadband penetration rate average of 15.5 per cent, but the state government is already pushing for further progress in information technology in Penang.
According to chief minister Lim Guan Eng, efforts were being taken by telecommunications companies and Internet service providers to ensure more people, especially rural folk, continue to enjoy broadband services.
"We want as many people as possible to be Internet-savvy as this is the way to go.
"We also want to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural folk," he said at the Chief Minister 2007 K-ICT (knowledge-information and communication technology) awards ceremony on Monday.
Lim said to further boost information technology, the state government would continue to draw local and foreign investors to venture into information and communication technology-related industries.
"We are focusing on the multimedia industry and animation, as well as shared services and outsourcing, as these are the growth potentials for Penang."
Lim said the state's move into the digital age was progressing smoothly, saying that wireless hotspots in the state had increased from 105 in the first quarter of last year to 120 in the fourth quarter of the same year.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister 2007 K-ICT awards saw top honours going to four different organisations.
In the e-services category, the award went to the Seberang Prai Municipal Council, while the e-economy category was won by NDT Software Consulting Sdn Bhd and RosettaNet Engineering Penang. The e-community accolade was bagged by St Nicholas Home.
Lim: Why donate to Bakti? - NST
BUTTERWORTH: May 1, 2008 By S. Arulldas
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has questioned the rationale behind Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjung (PBT) donating a major portion of its funds to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti).
"What has Bakti got to do with Penang that so much money was donated to them?
"It is unacceptable... if the money is donated to charities we will accept it but we don't see why so much money should be given to Bakti, which is not even a charitable organisation," he said.
PBT -- the association of wives of Barisan Nasional assemblymen and members of parliament -- had a total of RM590,665 when it was dissolved.
Of this, RM350,000 was donated to Bakti.
Former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon's wife, Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng, announced the donation on Tuesday.
The former president of PBT had said that the remaining funds were donated to the Bureau on Learning Difficulties, the Cheshire Home, the Mental Health Association of Penang and the Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital.
Lim wants Koh to explain the matter to the people in the state.
Lim, who is also the Bagan member of parliament, said this after arriving from parliament to hand over aid to the Jalan Chain Ferry fire victims here yesterday.
More than 20 people were left homeless in Tuesday's fire.
Lim said he would check if PBT's action was carried out in accordance with its constitution.
"If the constitution did not specify that the organisation was for the wives of BN elected representatives only, then PBT should have handed over the money to the new government. They should not have dissolved PBT."
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has questioned the rationale behind Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjung (PBT) donating a major portion of its funds to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti).
"What has Bakti got to do with Penang that so much money was donated to them?
"It is unacceptable... if the money is donated to charities we will accept it but we don't see why so much money should be given to Bakti, which is not even a charitable organisation," he said.
PBT -- the association of wives of Barisan Nasional assemblymen and members of parliament -- had a total of RM590,665 when it was dissolved.
Of this, RM350,000 was donated to Bakti.
Former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon's wife, Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng, announced the donation on Tuesday.
The former president of PBT had said that the remaining funds were donated to the Bureau on Learning Difficulties, the Cheshire Home, the Mental Health Association of Penang and the Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital.
Lim wants Koh to explain the matter to the people in the state.
Lim, who is also the Bagan member of parliament, said this after arriving from parliament to hand over aid to the Jalan Chain Ferry fire victims here yesterday.
More than 20 people were left homeless in Tuesday's fire.
Lim said he would check if PBT's action was carried out in accordance with its constitution.
"If the constitution did not specify that the organisation was for the wives of BN elected representatives only, then PBT should have handed over the money to the new government. They should not have dissolved PBT."
Dragon boat race attracts 4,500 rowers - The Star
May 1, 2008
ABOUT 4,500 participants will be attending the sixth International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championship in Penang from July 31 to Aug 4.
They, their families and spectators will spend on accommodation, transport and food and it will generate good income for the state, Penang Tourism Develop-ment chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang (pic) said.
Speaking to reporters at Queensbay Mall, Penang, Law said the championships could be considered the Olympics of dragon boat racing, and would be one of the biggest tourism events in the state this year.
Held for the first time in Asia, the event will feature 159 teams from over 20 countries.
Earlier, Law officially launched Takasima’s new range of fitness and health products at the mall’s central atrium.
“Health is more important than anything else. There’s no use having lots of wealth, if one is not healthy,” Law said in his speech.
He said that the focus had shifted towards home fitness, as people lacked the time to go out and exercise due to the hectic modern life-style.
There were also limited areas conducive for urban folk to exercise, he added.
Takasima Industries CEO Jimmy Lim said that his company’s range of products was customised to suit the local market, and are very user-friendly.
“The Y-Elegance massage chair, for instance, can automatically adjust to fit the user’s height and body shape,” Lim said.
ABOUT 4,500 participants will be attending the sixth International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championship in Penang from July 31 to Aug 4.
They, their families and spectators will spend on accommodation, transport and food and it will generate good income for the state, Penang Tourism Develop-ment chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang (pic) said.
Speaking to reporters at Queensbay Mall, Penang, Law said the championships could be considered the Olympics of dragon boat racing, and would be one of the biggest tourism events in the state this year.
Held for the first time in Asia, the event will feature 159 teams from over 20 countries.
Earlier, Law officially launched Takasima’s new range of fitness and health products at the mall’s central atrium.
“Health is more important than anything else. There’s no use having lots of wealth, if one is not healthy,” Law said in his speech.
He said that the focus had shifted towards home fitness, as people lacked the time to go out and exercise due to the hectic modern life-style.
There were also limited areas conducive for urban folk to exercise, he added.
Takasima Industries CEO Jimmy Lim said that his company’s range of products was customised to suit the local market, and are very user-friendly.
“The Y-Elegance massage chair, for instance, can automatically adjust to fit the user’s height and body shape,” Lim said.
Money lending firm which wanted to adopt bus stop - The Star
May 1, 2008
A MONEY-LENDING (Ah Long) company had once proposed to adopt a bus stop in Seberang Prai.
But the Seberang Prai Municipal Council turned it down, saying that the council disagreed with the company’s business ethics.
Council president Farizan Darus (pic) said it was important to identify appropriate companies to adopt bus stops in the state.
“Those keen on sponsoring bus stops can come to us to discuss necessary terms.
“We can work out the details which include maintenance and promotion of the particular bus stops,” he told reporters after chairing a full council meeting in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.
Last week, Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said the company had recently submitted a proposal to the state government to adopt bus stops on the island.
Azhar said the company wanted to make the bus stops user-friendly and barrier-free for disabled passengers under a three-phase project.
He said the company planned to adopt 60 bus stops at strategic locations under the first phase, which would cost RM3.2mil and take two years to implement.
Farizan said Rapid Penang should consider adopting bus stops in Seberang Prai, noting there were many bus stops that were frequently vandalised and defaced.
“It will be good if the company can standardise the design of the bus stops, besides offering facilities convenient to the people.
“It will cost about RM7,000 to build a new bus stop, depending on land space and location,” he said.
A MONEY-LENDING (Ah Long) company had once proposed to adopt a bus stop in Seberang Prai.
But the Seberang Prai Municipal Council turned it down, saying that the council disagreed with the company’s business ethics.
Council president Farizan Darus (pic) said it was important to identify appropriate companies to adopt bus stops in the state.
“Those keen on sponsoring bus stops can come to us to discuss necessary terms.
“We can work out the details which include maintenance and promotion of the particular bus stops,” he told reporters after chairing a full council meeting in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.
Last week, Rapid Penang chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad said the company had recently submitted a proposal to the state government to adopt bus stops on the island.
Azhar said the company wanted to make the bus stops user-friendly and barrier-free for disabled passengers under a three-phase project.
He said the company planned to adopt 60 bus stops at strategic locations under the first phase, which would cost RM3.2mil and take two years to implement.
Farizan said Rapid Penang should consider adopting bus stops in Seberang Prai, noting there were many bus stops that were frequently vandalised and defaced.
“It will be good if the company can standardise the design of the bus stops, besides offering facilities convenient to the people.
“It will cost about RM7,000 to build a new bus stop, depending on land space and location,” he said.
Council to honour contract - The Star
May 1, 2008 By DERRICK VINESH
THE Seberang Prai Municipal Council will honour an ongoing contract with a private company to carry out solid waste management in Seberang Prai.
Council president Farizan Darus said the contract, which was first signed in 2001, and later renewed in 2005, would expire only in December next year.
“However, we may have to review the contract, if the Federal Government decides to take over solid waste management before the contract’s expiry date,” he said after chairing a full council meeting in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.
Last week, former Jawi assemblyman Tan Cheng Liang said the council should use an open tender system to select competent companies to handle solid waste management and garbage collection.
She said through an open tender, the council could obtain the best proposals to do the job more effectively and efficiently.
Farizan said he supported an open tender system, noting that the new state government had also asked that all of the council’s procurement be done through open tender.
“Except for the appointment of the private company to handle solid waste management, we have practised an open tender system for all other contractual work valued at RM200,000 and above, including for garbage collection.
“The present 55 garbage collection contractors in Seberang Prai were all selected through open tender,” he said.
But beginning this month, he said, the council would display the details of the successful contract bidders for two weeks at the council’s headquarters for objection from fellow bidders.
The move, which was recommended by the state government, he said, was to ensure that bankrupt or blacklisted companies were not picked.
“The original two-year renewable contract was also recently re-vised to a month-to-month renewable basis.
“Their contracts will be renewed based on their performances,” he said, adding that two contractors had been fined for poor performance.
Farizan said although Parliament had passed the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Bill 2007 and the Solid Waste and Pu-blic Management Corporation Bill 2007 last July, the bills were yet to be gazetted.
Once gazetted, he said the bills would result in the setting-up of a National Solid Waste Management Department as the regulatory body and a Solid Waste Management Corporation to conduct the operations.
The corporation would then take over the role of managing solid waste from the local authorities, including undertaking garbage collection, road cleaning, grass cutting and drain sweeping.
THE Seberang Prai Municipal Council will honour an ongoing contract with a private company to carry out solid waste management in Seberang Prai.
Council president Farizan Darus said the contract, which was first signed in 2001, and later renewed in 2005, would expire only in December next year.
“However, we may have to review the contract, if the Federal Government decides to take over solid waste management before the contract’s expiry date,” he said after chairing a full council meeting in Bukit Mertajam yesterday.
Last week, former Jawi assemblyman Tan Cheng Liang said the council should use an open tender system to select competent companies to handle solid waste management and garbage collection.
She said through an open tender, the council could obtain the best proposals to do the job more effectively and efficiently.
Farizan said he supported an open tender system, noting that the new state government had also asked that all of the council’s procurement be done through open tender.
“Except for the appointment of the private company to handle solid waste management, we have practised an open tender system for all other contractual work valued at RM200,000 and above, including for garbage collection.
“The present 55 garbage collection contractors in Seberang Prai were all selected through open tender,” he said.
But beginning this month, he said, the council would display the details of the successful contract bidders for two weeks at the council’s headquarters for objection from fellow bidders.
The move, which was recommended by the state government, he said, was to ensure that bankrupt or blacklisted companies were not picked.
“The original two-year renewable contract was also recently re-vised to a month-to-month renewable basis.
“Their contracts will be renewed based on their performances,” he said, adding that two contractors had been fined for poor performance.
Farizan said although Parliament had passed the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Bill 2007 and the Solid Waste and Pu-blic Management Corporation Bill 2007 last July, the bills were yet to be gazetted.
Once gazetted, he said the bills would result in the setting-up of a National Solid Waste Management Department as the regulatory body and a Solid Waste Management Corporation to conduct the operations.
The corporation would then take over the role of managing solid waste from the local authorities, including undertaking garbage collection, road cleaning, grass cutting and drain sweeping.
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