His Majesty Attends HBT Match

His Majesty Attends HBT Match
Tight security as crowds gather for papal mass in Seoul
MBKS councillors to touch base with community often — Mayor Chan
Emulate MBKS, Wong tells local councils
MPC helps SMEs to be productive
D-G: Wounds treatment costs RM1 mln a month

Posted: 15 Aug 2014 07:35 PM PDT

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and the Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, consented to attend the the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy 2014 (HBT) football match between Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium last night, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.

Accompanying the Monarch were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak lsteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Wakeel, Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Muntaqim.

The final score for the match between Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam was 2-2.

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Tight security as crowds gather for papal mass in Seoul

Posted: 15 Aug 2014 07:34 PM PDT

A tight security cordon was thrown around central Seoul on Saturday to screen out possible threats as up to one million people gathered for a huge, open-air mass by Pope Francis.

Office windows overlooking Gwanghwamun plaza, the South Korean capital's main ceremonial thoroughfare, were sealed, with snipers on the rooftops among 30,000 police deployed for the event.

The mass, which will see the pope beatify 124 early Korean martyrs, is the centrepiece of his five-day visit to South Korea, the first papal trip to Asia in 15 years.

Three hours before the event was scheduled to begin at 10:00am (0100 GMT), Gwanghwamun boulevard was already crammed with spectators for a one-kilometre (half-mile) stretch north of City Hall.

Some had begun arriving as early as 3:30am, and whiled away the time quietly reading their bibles in small groups.

The papal stage, topped with a giant cross stood at the top of the boulevard, backed by the giant tiled roof of the Joseon dynasty Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Several giant screens set up around the stage showed portraits of the martyrs to be beatified, as well as aerial shots of the huge crowd.

Only 200,000 people, most of them members of church groups who pre-registered for the event, were allowed to pass through metal detectors and ID checks to enter a 4.5km long security ring placed around the main plaza.

Others packed the surrounding side streets, relying on large plasma screens to follow the ceremony.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, unrepentant Catholics were generally paraded from Gwanghwamun southwest to Seosomun Gate where they were publicly executed.

Pope Francis was to begin the day at a martyrs' shrine at Seosomun and then make the journey of the condemned in reverse to Gwanghwamun.

Armed troops were guarding major bridges on the Han River into downtown Seoul, and many people had a lengthy walk to the venue, with public buses diverted and subway stations in the immediate vicinity shut down.

Those allowed inside the inner security cordon were banned from carrying any plastic containers, whistles, or sharp items including umbrellas.

Organisers had been concerned about the relatives of victims of April's Sewol ferry disaster, who have been camped out in Gwanghwamun for weeks to push their campaign for a full independent inquiry into the tragedy, which claimed 300 lives — most of them schoolchildren.

In the end, 600 family members were invited to attend the mass, effectively incorporating the protest into the event.

On a small yellow tent pitched 150 meters in front of the papal altar, the relatives had written the message: "You love those suffering, Papa. Sewol families are here."

"I am a Buddhist but I think the Pope can help us," said Choi Keum-Bok, a construction worker who lost his son in the disaster.

The pope held a brief private audience with a group of Sewol survivors and family relatives on Friday, before holding a mass in the central city of Daejeon. – AFP

MBKS councillors to touch base with community often — Mayor Chan

Posted: 15 Aug 2014 12:42 PM PDT

KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) councillors will be on the ground often to ensure the people get top-notch service.

Mayor Dato James Chan said his councillors would do their best to resolve issues and respond to requests from the community.

"My councillors have changed; their mentality now is to serve. Previously, people said the councillors were not on the ground, but it is not the same now. My councillors are on the ground to serve.

"However, the people must understand the meaning of serving, which is to serve the wishes of the majority," he said before Minister of Local Government and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh opened MBKS' Hari Raya celebration at MBKS Lobby yesterday.

Chan pledged that the council would continue to get public opinions before implementing policies. The ultimate aim, he said, was to make Kuching one of the best cities in the world.

MBKS would be able to serve the people better, he added, with concerted efforts from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community leaders.

"We want Kuching to move forward and thrive."

On the Hari Raya celebration, he said given the diverse cultural backgrounds of city folk, it was the togetherness that counts.

"As the city mayor, I am proud to say that the people of Kuching are all good, very friendly, and we are all united, although sometimes we have our differences."

During the gathering, MBKS also held a simple ceremony for 72 staff whose birthdays fall on August and gave incentives totalling RM2,540 to 11 staff's children for doing well in last year's UPSR, PMR, and SPM.

Emulate MBKS, Wong tells local councils

Posted: 15 Aug 2014 12:41 PM PDT

KUCHING: Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh wants all local councils to emulate Kuching South City Council (MBKS) in promoting community spirit via festive gatherings.

Speaking at the MBKS Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri with Community 2014 here yesterday, he lauded MBKS for playing an exemplary role in nurturing the spirit of togetherness in the city.

"I understand this Ramah Tamah is an annual event of MBKS to bring together not just our Muslim friends but also friends of other races, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and officers from government agencies.

"There are 23 other local councils under my ministry, and I hope they will do something similar to what MBKS is doing to promote the community spirit, particularly during festive seasons."

Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister, said he believed all Sarawakians were aware they had something very unique, so much so that they would all tag along during festivals.

"Be it Hari Raya Aidifiltri, Hari Gawai, Chinese New Year, or Christmas, all of us gather together to celebrate these occasions, sharing this community spirit irrespective of racial and cultural backgrounds.

"I think this is something unique that we can show to the world how we have been able to maintain peace and harmony."

Present were Assistant Minister for Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, China's deputy consul general in Kuching Liu Dongyuan, MBKS mayor Dato James Chan, deputy mayor Abang Affandi Abang Annuar, MBKS secretary John Lee, Temenggong Lu Kim Yong, and representatives from various non-governmental organisations.

MPC helps SMEs to be productive

Posted: 15 Aug 2014 12:40 PM PDT

KUCHING: Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC) will continue to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) improve their productivity, assured state MPC director Mohd Norjayadi Taman.

"To increase the delivery system related to productivity, quality, and innovation for SMEs, MPC will continue to work very closely with Miti (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) and related state agencies and departments," he said during MPC's Hari Raya gathering here yesterday.

He added that MPC would also assist SMEs through the Entrepreneurs Intervention and Innovation Programme (EIIP).

On another matter, Norjayadi said although the state was still active in Quality Environment Practice, the current trend was now more inclined towards Lean Management (LM).

This year, CMS Clinker, Kuching Specialist Hospital, YGKI Holding, and Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) had opted to implement LM, he said.

Other organisastions that have implemented LM are C.M Fibre Processing Sdn Bhd, Kuching City North Commission (DBKU), and Sedidik Sdn Bhd.

"It is hoped that government departments and companies will make MPC their reference centre for productivity and innovation."

During the Hari Raya gathering, MPC donated to Rumah Seri Kenangan, Pertubuhan Anak-Anak Yatim Negeri Sarawak, and Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Pendidikan Nur Murni.

D-G: Wounds treatment costs RM1 mln a month

Posted: 15 Aug 2014 12:39 PM PDT

KUCHING: A staggering RM1 million is spent every month by seven hospitals nationwide in 2013 to manage patients with wounds due to costly and advanced dressing materials.

According to Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, wounds are a major problem in Malaysia which encompass diabetic foot ulcers, venous and arterial ulcers and pressure injury.

"These patients have debilitating diseases and the chronic wounds are causing them to suffer psychologically thus reducing their quality of life," Dr Noor told a press conference after officiating at the TransBorneo Wound Congress 2014 at Pullman Hotel yesterday.

He also called upon all the 500 delegates from the 20 countries to pool their resources for an effective approach to wound dressing which cuts down on cost without sacrificing results.

On another note, he also emphasised that a survey in 2013 showed that 20 per cent of the nation's population above 18 years old are suffering from diabetes.

"Approximately 4.3 per cent to five per cent of these cases will undergo amputation. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent diabetic foot complication early," he added.

He also said that 85 per cent of the complications are actually preventable if prompt and proper remedial actions are taken.

Adding that wound care transcends all sectors and nations, the congress, he said, should be participated by both the private and public healthcare sectors.

Dr Noor was also given the honour to launch the first edition of the Heal Digest magazine as well as a book entitled 'Maggot Debridement Therapy – A Malaysian Experience Book'.

During the three-day congress, talks will be given by speakers from Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia, Malaysia, India, South Korea, United Kingdom, the Philippines and USA.

An exhibition was also held at the hotel to promote products as well as the techniques and approaches on wound dressing and aid.

Meanwhile, Noor Hisham confirmed that there is no patient in Malaysia suffering from the Ebola virus.

Regarding a Facebook posting which said that one Malaysian caught the virus, Dr Noor said a police report has been lodged by the ministry as the posting spreads false information and may cause undue panic.

He however said that the dengue fever even though on a plateau stage, still requires attention from all the authorities.

"We are working with all related authorities including the local councils, Rela, JPAM and JKR to tackle dengue and bring cases down in the coming weeks," he added.