Fire no deterrent for newspaper vendor

Fire no deterrent for newspaper vendor

Fire no deterrent for newspaper vendor

Posted: 13 Dec 2013 08:02 AM PST

14 December 2013| last updated at 11:29PM

The New Straits Times Press (NSTP) Bhd distributing agent in Pendang continued to sell hundreds of newspapers and magazines under a tent while waiting to get a new premises to carry out her business.

"Selling newspapers from under a tent is not easy. However, that is not an excuse to give up and stop earning a living.

"Thanks to many concerned quarters, including the NSTP team, who have been lending me a hand, I am doing better now," she said after receiving a visit from the NSTP newspaper sales and distribution general manager Tasman Harith Ismail yesterday.

Tasman, during the two-hour visit at the site of the fire in Pendang town, handed over financial assistance of RM2,500 to Zainab.

He said they would continue to assist her, including providing here a tent before she got a new place.

The vendor outlet was among 14 shops destroyed in the 2.15am fire on Oct 6. It was learnt that the fire had started at a fruit shop before spreading to other outlets along the row.

NSTP's newspaper sales and distribution general manager Tasman Harith Ismail handing over a cheque for RM2,500 to Zainab Ahmad. Pic by Sharul Hafiz Zam

Focus on industries of the future

Posted: 13 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

14 December 2013| last updated at 11:44PM
By M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN | news@nst.com.my

TOKYO: AFTER the success of the Look East Policy (LEP) over the past 30 years, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the second wave of the policy will be about the industries of the future, focusing on high technology and low-carbon emission.

Known as LEP 2.0, Najib proposed that the new phase focus on the following sectors:

CUTTING-EDGE technologies with industry tie-ups to increase the flow of research and innovation from Japanese institutions, from nanotechnology to bio- and environmental technology;

HIGH-TECH skills development with new knowledge-based skills development to accompany new technologies;

HIGH-END services development by building on Japan's know-how in services such as hospitality and healthcare and opening up new collaborations;

MANAGING ecosystems with safe, reliable and renewable energies and tackling overdependence on fossil fuels and improving water supply management by tapping into Japanese sustainable energy expertise;

MODERNISING small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with technology transfers and management input, encouraging new connections between SMEs with high growth potential to enable them to move up the value chain; and,

SENIOR citizens to study and implement programmes to mitigate the coming challenges of an aging population and focusing on their healthcare and lifestyle.

Najib said Malaysia had already put in place the structure needed to implement LEP 2.0, with a ministerial committee led by the International Trade and Industry Ministry.

"Although our governments can plan the way forward for the policy, it is the private sector, so ably represented by business councils and economic associations, that will drive the success," he said in a keynote address at the opening of the 32nd joint conference of Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (Majeca) and Japan-Malaysia Economic Association (Jameca) here yesterday.

He commended both Majeca and Jameca for their relentless efforts in promoting and enhancing economic relations of both countries.

Najib said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had also agreed that more strategic partnership should be made among the SMEs in areas such as green technology, renewable energy, technical services and other value-added sectors.

Japan, he said, had also expressed its willingness to share expertise in high-speed railways, new generation power plants and waste disposal technology.

On Asean, Najib said the regional integration under the Asean Economic Community (AEC) would materialise by 2015, with Malaysia having implemented 88 per cent of the measures needed while most member states had implemented only 80 per cent.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the latter's garden in Tokyo on Thursday. Bernama

All set for second wave of floods

Posted: 13 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

GOVERNMENT agencies in east coast states of the Peninsula have been put on 24-hour standby in preparation for  a second wave of flooding.

Reports received by the National Security Council (NSC) stated that high tides in the east coast with a depth of 3.6m would occur between tomorrow and Saturday.

Terengganu NSC secretary Mohd Sarif Hassan said, should heavy rainfall similar to last week's hit the state, flood prone areas especially those in Kemaman, would be inundated again.

"If heavy rain coincides with the high tide, flood is expected to hit (low-lying) areas including in Kemaman and Kuantan (Pahang).

"However, it depends on the rainfall location. During last week's incident, the heavy rains mostly occurred in Kuantan."

Sarif said the council had taken several steps to improve flood response missions.

This included getting the cooperation of telecommunication companies to ensure the communication breakdown that happened last week would not recur.

"All agencies related to rescue and aid distribution operations, including the armed forces, police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Department and Welfare Department, are on high alert to face the second wave, should it occur.

"The agencies had also prepared more land vehicles and boats to give a quicker response to victims, who had also been notified to be ready for evacuation.

"Besides that, we are going to have a meeting with telecommunication companies tomorrow to discuss a smooth communication network."

Sarif said the communication breakdown that occurred during the initial days of flooding had affected rescue and aid distribution missions.

The communication towers in several areas here were not functioning as electricity was cut off because of the floods.

Meanwhile, residents living in low-lying areas in Tumpat were fully prepared to face the second-wave of flood following a recent warning by the Meteorology Department.

Several of them said they had yet to clean their homes and belongings after the recent flood and would wait for the second wave before taking action.

"We cleaned only the important items for daily use while the rest remained on higher ground because we are afraid of another round of floods," said villagers from Kampung Simpangan Hilir, the most affected flood area in Tumpat.

In Kuantan, the authorities and victims of the floods which hit last week have begun preparations to face the second wave.

The floods, described as the worst since 2001, had forced more than 40,000 victims to be evacuated to relief centres with some forced to moved to a second centre after the existing premises were affected by flood waters.

Resident who suffered major losses in the floods also complained that there were delays in channeling assistance to flood victims in several areas while some claimed the centres faced a shortage of supplies.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob yesterday told reporters that all the relevant agencies were geared up to face the second wave.

"The state government is in the midst of fine-tuning their standard operating procedures (SOP) on ways to tackle the floods and we hope with the new SOP, we can overcome problems related to the disaster.

"Problems arose during the recent floods because of the large number of flood evacuees at relief centres.

"We have identified the problems and looked into suitable measures to overcome them, including sending food items to relief centres, overcoming the shortage of essentials and evacuating the victims to relief centres," he said at Yayasan Pahang after attending a post-mortem by the Pahang Disaster Relief Committee.

State police chief Datuk Sharifuddin Abdul Ghani said the force had stationed its personnel at flood-prone areas and also prepared to mobilise additional manpower and equipment in case of floods.

A state Fire and Rescue Department spokesman advised the public to be on the alert and keep themselves updated with the latest developments to ensure they were prepared to move.

"Those living in low-lying areas have been informed about the nearest relief centres, in case the floods return.

"Most of the evacuees who seemed lost during the floods last week are now well prepared.

"It is important that the victims do not panic and obey the instructions of the authorities," he said.

Most of the families whose homes were badly damaged in the floods, had already moved their valuables and furniture to higher structures.

Businessman Jamil Saidin, 34, who suffered losses of more than RM30,000 in the recent floods, said he had already sent his wife and two children to a relative's house in Felda Jengka in Maran.

"Since there was a warning about another flood, I have also moved my belongings to a safer place and, fearing for the safety of my family members, I decided to send them to a relative's house," he said, adding that most people were not taking things for granted this time.

Several residents rowing a sampan to a mosque in Kampung Pulau Rusa in Pekan to perform Friday prayers. Pic by Luqman Hakim Zubir

Nasi Kandar Pelita tastes sweet success

Posted: 13 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

14 December 2013| last updated at 11:30PM
By NOOR ADZMAN BAHARUDDIN | news@nst.com.my

BUTTERWORTH: FROM a humble beginning of only a stall selling nasi kandar at a coffee shop in Taman Chai Leng here  20 years ago, Nasi Kandar Pelita has grown by leaps and bounds.

Today, with 29 outlets, including one in Chennai, India, plans are in the pipeline to list the company on Bursa Malaysia.

Nasi Kandar Pelita chief operating officer Datuk K.K. Sihabutheen said the target date was 2015.

"We have grown from a modest outlet into a business entity.

"We owe much to our founding fathers and our ever-increasing patronage that includes people from all walks of life," he said in an interview recently.

The success story of Nasi Kandar Pelita is not without trials and tribulations.

In September, the social media was abuzz with accusations that Nasi Kandar Pelita was using non-halal food and that it was not a Muslim eatery.

However, the accusations and lies proved to be a blessing in disguise.

Sihabutheen and his board of directors did their bid to allay the fears and refuted the slanderous claims.

However, he credited Nasi Kandar Pelita's loyal customers who had helped restore the Penang-based company's reputation and dignity.

According to Sihabutheen, an architect by profession, his late father Kirudu Muhamed, his late uncle Kaliq Jamal, then famously known as Pak Misai, and Datuk D. Ramesh, were the founders of Nasi Kandar Pelita.

"It was their dream to go big in the business.

"They toiled together and laid the groundwork to what we have achieved today."

He stressed that Nasi Kandar Pelita was a Muslim restaurant and it observed all requirements under Syariah laws on food preparation and handling.

"We have received the Halal certification from Jakim (Department of Islamic Development) for all our restaurants, including the outlet in Chennai," he said.

Customers queueing up to be served at Restoran Nasi Kandar Pelita outlet in Butterworth. Pix by Amir Irsyad Omar

2 PKR leaders fined over rally

Posted: 13 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

14 December 2013| last updated at 11:36PM
By PUNITHA KUMAR | punithak@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: THE Sessions Court yesterday fined two PKR Youth leaders RM1,900, in default two months' jail each, for participating in an illegal assembly at a mosque during the "Blackout 505" rally.

They were its vice-chief Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunos, 29, and Terengganu Youth leader Mohd Al Faizal Amjed, 32.

The offence occurred within the vicinity of Masjid Ar-Rahman, Universiti Malaya, Jalan Pantai Baharu here, between noon and 1.15pm on June 22.

They initially claimed trial but changed their plea to guilty on Wednesday.

According to the facts of the case, on the day of the incident, both the accused gave speeches within the compound of the mosque.Then, they and other participants of a "Blackout 505" rally, organised by Pakatan, walked to Padang Merbok here, to attend the assembly.

Under the first schedule of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012, the area chosen, which in this case was the mosque, is a prohibited area for an assembly.

Their counsel pleaded for a lenient sentence as both their clients were active politicians and the decision would mar their political future.

Counsel A. Jeyaseelan represented Nazree and R. Thiru Kumaran acted for Al Faizal.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurulhuda Aini Mohd Nor, said their political standing should not be a reason for leniency.

PKR Youth vice-chief Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunos (left) and Terengganu Youth leader Mohd Al Faizal Amjed at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Rush to stock up on water

Posted: 13 Dec 2013 08:01 AM PST

14 December 2013| last updated at 11:45PM

Siti Musarihah, 44, a trader in Jalan Chow Kit, said she was surprised that some areas may experience water disruptions for several days, but praised Syabas for coming out with a statement early.

"At least we can prepare beforehand."

A check with a hotel here revealed that its management prepared two big tanks which can supply the entire building with water for two days, at full occupancy, while many have resorted to buying pails and water storage tanks that retail from RM12 to RM60 for a 6l to 60 gallon unit.

"The open top container is more suited for home use while the water containers are used for transportation," said a trader in Kampung Baru who only wanted to be known as Norman.

However, mothers expressed their concern over the cleanliness of their infants and young children.

"I change my toddler's diaper on average four times a day and I cannot resort to using baby wipes all the time," said Marina Shafie, 38, who lives in Taman Sri Hartamas, an area which will be affected.

Another mother, Khalisah Abdul Rahman, 41, from Segambut, said children are more prone to falling sick which is why they need to be bathed everyday.

"We will definitely start storing water in containers for those five days and try to be more thrifty with our water consumption."

Farahin Soraya Mohd, who owns a home-based catering service in Section 14, Petaling Jaya, said her home was equipped with three 60 gallon containers for situations like this.

"I have events scheduled for the week of the water disruption and cannot afford to let the people down. The containers will be filled with water beforehand so that my cooking and cleaning will go on as usual."

Chan Chui Miew, a 35-year-old IT executive, isn't worried about the water disruption at her apartment in Shah Alam because she's out of her home before 8am and back only after 8pm. She is, however, worried about the quality and promptness of water supply resumption after 9pm.

"Is it going to be enough or will it all be used up by the other residents in the apartment?"

Chan added that she only had enough water for personal consumption and was not planning on storing additional water.

A car wash business has started conserving water by storing their water supply in a large tank in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. Pic by Azmaidi Abidin