Drone to improve security

Drone to improve security

Drone to improve security

Posted: 10 May 2014 05:01 PM PDT

11 May 2014| last updated at 12:26AM

 Acknowledging the increasing demand in various areas such as agriculture, traffic management, construction industry and filmmaking, Leica Swissdrone introduced the Unmanned KamCoptere System (UKS), a compact but precise UAV.

  Intergraph Security, Government and Infrastructure sales director Andy Kuwan said UKS was compact enough to be fitted into a sport utility vehicle and could be transported to any obscure places with minimum hassle.

 "The flexibility of deployment is also an added advantage as the takeoff and landing of the UKS is done vertically," he said after a demonstration of the drone here yesterday.

  The UKS provides a superior payload capacity, prolonged endurance, stable flight patterns and a high degree of safety features.

 With a maximum take-off weight of 70kg and a typical payload of 35kg, UKS has an endurance of up to four hours and dash speed of 100 km per hour.

 He added that the surveillance drone provides a total C4I - Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence. The commanders, he said, could use the drone for live feed of any given situation.

 He cited the South Korean ferry disaster as an example, where the drone could be used to capture the whole scenario before search and rescue mission is deployed.

 "This could give rescuers a clearer picture of the situation and plan the mission accordingly."

The Unmanned KamCoptere System can provide live feed of any situation and assist search and rescue missions. Pic by Yazit Razali

Diesel smuggling bid foiled

Posted: 10 May 2014 09:01 AM PDT

11 May 2014| last updated at 11:59PM

Based on a tip-off, a marine patrol boat searched for and spotted the siphoning of the controlled item from a lorry to a tanker docked in the private jetty about 11.45pm.

Six Indonesians, who were on board the tanker, Selina, were detained for investigations.

Marine Operations Force Region Two Commander Assistant Commissioner Paul Khiu Kon Chiang said marine police found 80,000 litres of diesel in the tanker and 20,000 litres in the lorry.

He said the diesel was being siphoned off from the lorry to the tanker through an underground hose.

Two metered pumps, suspected to be part of the tools used for the criminal activity, were spotted in the vicinity.

"We detained the six Indonesians for their alleged involvement in the smuggling of subsidised diesel.

"However, the lorry driver escaped before the patrol boat reached the jetty," he said.

The case was referred to the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (Johor Baru branch) for investigations.

Marine police investigating the equipment used for diesel smuggling in Telok Kabong, Johor, yesterday. Pic courtesy of marine police

'Judge us when we reach 2020'

Posted: 10 May 2014 09:01 AM PDT

11 May 2014| last updated at 12:33AM

DATUK Seri Najib  Razak said that an assessment as to whether  his policies and transformation programmes are succeeding in turning  Malaysia into a developed country should not be done now, but at the end of his tenure.

The prime minister said this was because such policies and programmes needed time to bear fruit.

Najib said this on last night's episode of BernamaTV talkshow Ruang Bicara Khas. He was asked to comment on criticisms that his government did not have a clear direction after winning the mandate from the people in the 13th General Election.

On his critics, who claimed that his policies, which he introduced after taking over from Datuk Seri (now Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi a year after the 2008 general election, and transformation programmes, which he announced four years ago, had yet to bear fruit, he said: "I assumed the leadership of the country in 2009. My pledge to the people then was to make the country a developed nation by 2020.

"We are just at 2014. Give me the time to prove that I can achieve what I had pledged to the people."

Najib, who is also Umno president, was interviewed for an hour at the Prime Minister's Office by Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk Zulkefli Salleh, BernamaTV chief executive officer Datuk Ibrahim Yahaya and Bernama assistant editor Jamaluddin Muhammad, in conjunction with Umno's 68th anniversary today.

On claims that his administration seemed to have introduced a slew of policies and programmes in his first term but not in his second, Najib said: "It goes on until 2020. Don't tell me that in 2014, I should announce that Vision 2020 is no more?

"With the commitment and support given to me in this second term, I will continue until Vision 2020 is achieved, until our desire to be a developed nation becomes a reality. Only after 2020 will we have a new vision in place.

"A vision stretches over a long period. Don't tell me we must replace the vision with a new one in just four years. That is irrational."

On the Internal Security Act (ISA), Najib said the government was firm in its stand to repeal the act as it was the wish of the people.

"I believe the majority of Malaysians wanted more latitude for political discourse. If you make an evaluation, not all people want to return to the era of the ISA."

He also refuted the perception of various quarters who regarded his patience as a weakness.

"I do not regard patience as a weakness. Do they want a situation where anyone who expresses an opinion is arrested under the ISA? Surely, the majority of Malaysians do not want such a situation.

"They want to live in a society that has the latitude to express opinions, even if they differ."

Responding to those urging for the return of the ISA, Najib said the new laws introduced provided adequate power for the authorities to act against those attempting to jeopardise peace and harmony. Besides the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, Najib said action could also be taken under the Sedition Act against those trying to incite chaos in the country.

"We take action based on the law and no longer arrest people arbitrarily under the ISA. If we had continued this, more people would be angry at the government."

Najib said that as a leader, he was prepared to do what was best for the public while also taking their feedback into consideration.

At the same time, he said he was confident that the government had done and always would do what it believed was best for the country.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak being interviewed by (from second left) Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk Zulkefli Salleh, BernamaTV chief executive officer Datuk Ibrahim Yahaya and Bernama assistant editor Jamaluddin Muhammad at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya . Bernama pic

Obesity rise alarming, says Muhyiddin

Posted: 10 May 2014 09:01 AM PDT

11 May 2014| last updated at 12:20AM
By ADIB POVERA | news@nst.com.my

  PUTRAJAYA: DEPUTY Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has  called  on the people to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

Expressing his concern about the obesity rate, he said the country's obesity rate from 2006 to 2011 had increased.

"Every five years, the Health Ministry will carry out the National Health and Morbidity Survey to check the health condition of the people," said Muhyiddin, who is also education minister.

"The latest data from the survey shows the obesity rate of Malaysians has increased from 14.9 per cent in 2006 to 15.2 per cent in 2011. This is alarming.

"One out of three people in Malaysia has weight problems," he said at the Jalan Ria 1Murid 1Sukan run, a fitness programme organised by the Education Ministry here yesterday.

Present were Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, and Deputy Education Ministers P. Kamalanathan and Mary Yap Kain Ching.

Also present was Muhyiddin's wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman.

Muhyiddin shared his concern about the danger of stroke and its situation in the country with the more than 10,000 crowd, comprising students of primary and secondary schools, and higher education institutions.

He said according to the National Stroke Association of Malay-sia, every one out of six Malay-sians would likely suffer from stroke.

"About 40,000 Malaysians suffer from stroke every year," Muhyiddin said.

Liking obesity and stroke as api di dalam sekam (fire in the husk), Muhyiddin said it was important for the people to adopt and subscribe to a health regime in their daily lifestyle.

He reminded them health and fitness were priceless and irreplaceable, and sustaining a healthy lifestyle was a must to produce a fit and healthy human capital.

Muhyiddin flagged off the 8km run for the students and youth.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin taking part in the 'Jalan Ria 1Murid 1Sukan' run in Putrajaya yesterday. With him is his wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman (second from right). Pic by Ahmad Irham Mohd Noor

Nabil wins it with 'torsade'

Posted: 10 May 2014 09:01 AM PDT

11 May 2014| last updated at 11:57PM
By ZAHRATULHAYAT MAT ARIF | news@nst.com.my

SUNGAI PETANI: ONE of the many words taught by his parents  helped Muhammad Nabil Rohaizat to become Kedah's top speller yesterday.

The Form Five student of Sultan Abdul Hamid College won the state-level RHB-New Straits Times Spell-It-Right (SIR) Challenge (secondary category) at Village Mall here.

"Torsade" (an ornamental twist) was one of the words his parents Rohaizat Suradi, 53, and Rusmini Ku Ahmad, 47, had highlighted during his preparation for the challenge.

Nabil calmly nailed the word to break the three-rounds tiebreaker, defeating another finalist, Nadia Fakarrudy of SM Sultan Abdul Halim.

"One of my daily activities is to read English newspapers and also watch English movies.

"Apart form that, I always refer to the dictionary when it comes to new words, which also helps to improve my general knowledge," said Nabil who defeated 84 other contestants to emerge as the winner.

Nabil had participated in SIR Challenge for the primary category in 2001 and secondary category in 2012, but he only won consolation prizes on those occasions.

"I need to work harder for the national level challenge and I will do my best to represent my school and Kedah."

Rohaizat said his son was a voracious reader, and cross-checking the dictionary was a must for him.

"He worked very hard to achieve this level and I will always support him to take part in any competition," he said.

Nabil took home RM3,000 and a certificate while Nadia, the first runner-up, bagged RM2,500 and a certificate.

This year's SIR Challenge showed improvement among the rural schools after SMK Sik student Mohamad Fadzli Mohamad Sohi emerged as the second runner-up won RM2,000 and a certificate.

Muhammad Nabil Rohaizat (centre) won first prize for the state-level RHB-New Straits Times Spell-It-Right Challenge. First runner-up is Nadia Fakarrudy (right) while Mohamad Fadzli Mohamad Sohi won third place. Pic by Sharul Hafiz Zam

UPCLOSE AND PERSONAL: Heal thyself, says the good doctor

Posted: 10 May 2014 09:01 AM PDT

 HEALTH Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who turned 61 on April 1, had a frightening experience at the Pedas-Linggi stretch of the North-South Expressway on Nov 21 last year, one that compelled him to push through a new policy.

When the car he was in rammed into a lorry switching lanes abruptly, help did not arrive until after 15 minutes.

"We want to fill the gap," he said, referring to the critical period from the moment the accident happens to the precise time when help actually arrives.

He delved into one's habits and anxiety, fears and routines, taste buds and the dangers of simple cravings producing unmitigated horrors (when observed indiscriminately).

This does raise the poser -- is this the most humanised ministry? Never mind civil liberties. This is about life and death, about leading a fulfilling life.

"We want to preserve a person in a state of productivity as long as he can," said Dr Subramaniam.

It is within the ministry's jurisdiction, for instance, to seek to police your dietary habits, given the pitfalls.

The medical doctor offered some severe diagnoses when his verdict on Malaysians' KPI-rating on personal health was sought.

"Malaysians generally overeat, and our portions are very hefty. The portion size, style, type of food and way we cook our food need to undergo a transformation."

Dr Subramaniam said Malaysians did not think of health until illness fell upon them, an observation accompanied by a commentary on the sight of people jogging upon reaching obesity.

The good doctor argued that "children who watch television or (hunched over gadgets) more than two hours a day are at risk of becoming obese.

And nasi lemak and teh tarik is a "killer" combination, producing calorie deposits that may take a more than a 10km walk to fully dissolve.

He, for one, applauded the removal of sugar subsidies and that his Segamat constituents have gotten used to serving tea and sugar separately.

Planning-wise, Dr Subramaniam said "we have created townships in which cycling as a functional purpose has been made impossible".

Also, he said we were producing far too many doctors, which may not, in hindsight, be a bad thing, since the nation needed more hospitals anyway.

What he was most worried about, however, was the quality of doctors we produce.

As for stress relievers and stress management, he said that as a nation, we have yet to embark on a national programme to reduce stress.

"One approach is to teach the people to handle it well."

This is the abridged version of the two-hour-long interview:

Question: You look well. Have you fully recovered from the accident?

Answer: I am back on my feet now. It was a frightening experience. We have spearheaded a team to manage accidents on our highways. Two weeks ago, cabinet passed a paper. A committee, consisting of highway concessionaires, the Public Works Department (JKR) and the ministry, will work out a practical mechanism for the critical period. Sometimes, we see accident victims lying helplessly on the road. The existing emergency teams will be trained and retooled to widen the scope of help.

Question: You have resumed your fitness routine?

Answer: As a form of symbolism, every Wednesday after the post-cabinet meeting, we are ready for a 45-minute walk with the entire team. The ministry is committed to a healthy lifestyle. We are constantly giving a message that the nation can not be static, but must be up and moving.

Question: Your father recently passed away, at the age of 84. Generally, life expectancy has improved. Is this a reflection of our health system?

Answer: The average life expectancy for women is 77 and men, 73, across all races, with Chinese living slightly longer than the others. We have been able to control infectious diseases, such as malaria and TB, which used to cause a lot of problems. However, it is important to evaluate whether "you add years to your life or life to your years." Adding years to life alone will be a problem. It is important to age with dignity by living a quality lifestyle. We need to promote the healthy living concept during the entire phase of life. We want to preserve a person in a state of productivity for as long as possible. To be productive and perhaps have no actual retirement. The message we have to convey -- to invest time, effort and visible effort to stay healthy. Malaysians should feel empowered and have the right to a healthy life. They should ensure they have the time for themselves, the right to exercise, the place to exercise, the right to quality food. This mindset is important to transform Malaysians from managing illness to preserving health towards graceful aging and to remain functional. This is reflected in us bringing the retirement age to 60. We foresee it eventually rising to 65.

Question: Is geriatrics expanding in tandem?

Answer: More and more people are doing it now (becoming geriatricians). To promote it, we allow an alternate pathway to get qualifications in geriatrics training. Previously, upcoming doctors were attracted to glamorous fields like cardiology and heart surgery, but slowly, people are seeing across the spectrum. We are promoting family physicians taking care of a person's needs in each stage of his or her life, from a child to an elderly person. There are currently about 250 in the system. We want to increase that number to 600.

Question: The Budget last year alluded to the National Happiness Index. When it is fleshed out, will health feature prominently?

Answer: It is difficult to measure happiness, but it all relates to one basic concept. The government will have look into the emotional well-being of a person in the implementation side. The money we spend does not necessarily equate to more happiness. On health, we do have an extensive network of facilities which creates easy healthcare access to all.

Question: Obesity is on the rise. Why do you think this is so?

Answer: Generally, Malaysians overeat. Input exceeds output. Malaysians should eat less, take smaller portions, eat the right food and cook food healthily. We need to undergo transformation in this area to bring down the number of overweight and obese Malaysians. It is better to consume less and eat the right food than struggle to burn the calories later. Lifestyle changes in terms of food intake must come with physical activity as well.

Question: Are there any new initiatives to target the tech-savvy to stay healthy?

Answer: We are developing the "MyNutriApps" further. It works like a daily diary that calculates a person's calorie intake and how to burn the calories. For example, if one is allowed 1,500 calories but consumes 2,000 calories, the application will suggest what activities to do to burn the excess calories. It is now available on Android and we are expecting to get an approval from Apple by June or July.

Question: Is the ministry training more dieticians to tackle obesity and the diseases that tag along with it?

Answer: We have dieticians in all hospitals. But the best way (to tackle the problem) is to empower the people. We are doing so now with a community programme, called "Komunity Sihat Perkasa Negara", involving Kemas, Felda and Rukun Tetangga. Under the programme, the public will be trained to be agents of health transformation in their community by conducting health checks, taught to cook healthy food and live a healthy lifestyle. A database will also be created to input the details and monitor the individuals. We hope to train 15,000 members of the public to reach 1.5 million people in the first three years.

Question: Are we producing too many doctors?

Answer: Yes. It is a serious problem and the figures are frightening. Up to 2012, we have a total of 38,718 doctors in both public and private hospitals. This gives us a ratio of one doctor to 758 people. In our local medical schools, in first year, we have 4,434 students, second year 4,290, third year 3,981, fourth year 3,178 and in fifth year, we have 2,845. On top of these 18,789 people, we will also have a minimum of 15,000 graduates coming home from overseas. This means we will easily have another 35,000 doctors in the next five years. We should have not have reached this state. It is a reflection of poor policy and planning. Globally, medical training is a controlled entity, unlike other professions, as we have to train them upon graduating. Our hospitals have a maximum 5,000 training capacity and will reach 7,000 in five years. This means we will be training beyond capacity.

Question: Are our hospitals overcrowded? How is the ministry tackling the issue?

Answer: Yes. All our major general hospitals in urban areas are overcrowded, some up to 95 per cent and some over 100 per cent. We realise the need for more hospital beds in urban areas, particularly in the Federal Territories, Selangor, Johor Baru, Penang and Ipoh. Our ratio of beds is 1.9 beds to 1,000 population at present. This is considered low compared with other countries. We should try to reach 2.5 in both private and public hospitals. We will require an additional 15,000 to 18,000 beds to cut down on overcrowding and be able to employ some of the doctors. The average cost of hospitals by beds calculated with 100 beds is RM100 million. This means that if we need 18,000 beds, it will cost RM18 billion. The target is five to seven years as the population grows. We are adding 1,000 to 1,500 beds annually, but this number has to be doubled, requiring additional funds.

Question: On the quality of doctors, is the Ministry pursuing new initiatives?

Answer: We are discussing matters with the Education Ministry to raise the bar for medical students from the current minimum of 5Bs in SPM. This will cover those going overseas, where the problem lies. We hope to announce this in time for it to take effect next year.

Question: Some diseases are staging a comeback. Who is it to blame?

Answer: Foreign workers play a big role in spreading tuberculosis. Even healthcare workers have contracted TB. We have intensified campaigns to screen people with a history of cough of more than two weeks. General practitioners should also be alert when a patient has prolonged cough, as the longer they are out there, the greater the risk of spreading the disease to more people.

Question: On dengue, how successful has the release of genetically modified mosquitoes been?

Answer: The challenge was for genetically modified mosquitoes released in Bentong to take over the Aedes population. This would require phenomenal spending. The future is in vaccination. There has been clinical trials, but protection rates was only 56 per cent. Rates need to be raised to 70 per cent against all serotypes, particularly DEN-2, that is causing a lot of havoc now.

Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam during the national-level World Health Day celebration in Senawang recently. He says the Health Ministry is promoting the concept of family physicians, who monitor a family's health from cradle to old age. Bernama pic