70-year-old reaps reward for his cucumber innovation

PUTRAJAYA: His creativity in solving a clogged “fertigation” system doubled the harvest of cucumbers at his farm and won a 70-year-old farmer a top award for innovation.
Salleh Ngah, who lives in Kampung Sura Hujung in Dungun, Terengganu, was also said to have slashed the maintenance cost at his farm by half.
“The Anugerah Inovasi Teknologi Petani (Technology Innovation by Farmers Award) is an acknowledgment of creative and innovative farmers who have succeeded in producing a method to help them in their daily work.

Innovative read: Raihan (centre) getting a closer look at the Plantations Department’s Innovation Book, which was launched at Wisma Tani.

“Winning ideas will attract the attention of other farmers, who may also adopt the new techniques or tools to increase their productivity,” said Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry deputy sectretary-general (planning division) Raihan Sharif, who presented the award to Salleh at an award ceremony in Wisma Tani.
Salleh had suspended his farm's irrigation system to allow free movement of liquid in his fertigation project.
Fertigation is a technique used to apply dissolved fertiliser to crops through an irrigation system.
The simple modification of irrigation had increased the cucumber harvest from 5kg per polybag to 10kg per polybag.
The ceremony also saw eight other awards being given away to ministry staff who have shown exemplary achievement in their respective fields.
A compilation of innovative ideas by the Agriculture Department were documented in the book Inovasi-Inovasi Jabatan Pertanian 1995-2010, which was also launched at the ceremony.

Bersih 2.0 goes global to reform postal voting

KUALA LUMPUR: Electoral reform proponent Bersih 2.0 has launched a global movement aimed at reforming the postal voting system.
The coalition's proposal on absentee voting would simplify what it claims is a “complicated and tedious” postal voting process while improving the efficiency and security of the current system.
The proposal, part of Bersih 2.0's eight demands presented to the Parliamentary Select Committee on electoral reform earlier this month, would split absentee voters into four categories.
They are absent service voters comprising military and police personnel but not their spouses, overseas voters in Singapore and Brunei, overseas voters elsewhere and absent domestic voters.
Bersih 2.0 said that only overseas voters elsewhere should be afforded the option of postal voting, or alternatively go for advance voting on the day before the actual polling day.
Absent service and absent domestic voters on the other hand should be allowed to choose between advance voting or distance voting which would be done on polling day itself while overseas voters in neighbouring Singapore and Brunei should be allowed to do distance voting.
Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Wong Chin Huat said the Global Bersih movement would push for the adoption of this proposal at events organised by Malaysians living in 12 cities across the globe.
Meanwhile, several groups will be organising demonstrations over the weekend and next week to protest against the recently tabled Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011.
A candlelight vigil was held last night near the Bar Council office in the city.
Next Tuesday, lawyers will march to Parliament at 11.30am from the nearby Royal Lake Club.
At the end of the march called “Walk For Freedom 2011: Peaceful Assembly Bill Cannot And Must Not Become Law!”, a memorandum will be submitted to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong.
The Bill, tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz earlier this week, has been described as more stringent than the current legislation.

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Cabinet nod for green guidelines

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has approved a green neighbourhood and low carbon city framework and assessment system aimed at reducing the nation's carbon emissions.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung said the guidelines would bring the country a step closer to achieving the goal of reducing its carbon footprint by 40% by 2020 as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Copenhagen last year.
“We are going all out to push the guidelines.

New township: (From left) Miss Universe Malaysia 2012 Kimberley Ann Estrop- Leggett, Lee, Chor and Tan looking at a residential model during The Star Property Fair 2011 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Friday.

“Studies have shown that urbanisation contributes more than 50% of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Our small cities and townships are getting bigger,'' Chor said after launching The Star Property Fair 2011 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday.
Also present were Star Publications (M) Bhd executive deputy chairman Datuk Vincent Lee and chief events officer Iris Tan.
A Cabinet paper on the guidelines was approved yesterday, said Chor, adding that it was a joint collaboration between his ministry and the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.
The guidelines, which would be distributed to local authorities, would promote 3R (reduce, reuse and recyle) practices as well as other environmental-friendly policies.
“We hope developers will help spur green neighbourhoods by providing more cycling and walking paths to reduce vehicle use.
“The guidelines are not compulsory but it makes good business sense to do it,” he said.
Chor also congratulated The Star for organising the property fair which had not only attracted developers but lifestyle companies as well.
“It is fair to say that The Star Property Fair is by far the largest. Congratulations for a fantastic job.”
On errant developers, Chor reiterated that the amendments to the Housing Development (Control and Licensing Act) 1966 would ensure “fly-by-night” operators are severely dealt with.
The Bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament soon, would see errant developers facing criminal charges and jail sentences for abandoning housing projects.
The Star Property Fair 2011 is open from 11am to 7pm and ends tomorrow. Entrance is free.

Deck the malls this holly-day

KUALA LUMPUR: Christmas is about a month away but retail stores in shopping malls have started decking their halls to attract holiday shoppers.
At Mid Valley Megamall, although some stores stuck to evergreen designs with the traditional Christmas trees and decorative ornaments, others preferred to display more contemporary items.
Home furnishing and accessories store Rooms chose to go for an unconventional look this year, opting for square-shaped Christmas trees, mini table-top trees made out of tiny silver baubles and others constructed out of hay or other material.

Shiny baubles: Nina How choosing from a variety of Christmas tree ornaments, arranged according to themes at Metrojaya, Mid Valley Megamall Friday.

College students Hou Yin and Kenneth Tan, both 19, said they found the unique ornaments at Rooms “pretty cool” although they were not looking to buy any decorative items in particular.
Another store, The Paper Boutique, was seen sporting beautiful paper trees in its display window.
“I am looking forward to Christmas as it brings in the most customers looking for decorative paper and gift boxes,” said its manager, who only wished to be known as Lee.
Meanwhile, gift store Lovely Lace has brought out their best selling items for the season teddy bears.
“Teddy bears are always a popular choice for Christmas presents,” said a store supervisor, adding that most of their customers were men buying teddy bears for their girlfriends or wives.
Home specialty store Living Quarters settled on a more classic look, showcasing six large Christmas trees, each decorated to different themes.
“Customers can choose their ornaments according to the theme they like. The best selling theme so far is traditional,” said a sales representative.
Shopper Michelle Lim Yuen Peng, 30, said she bought a green Christmas tree with attached berries from the store to add to the festive cheer in her home.
“My theme this year is gold and crystal. I am going to hang golden angels on my new tree and am planning to throw a party for my friends in my home,” she said.

Those who lose govt money will be made to cough it up, says PSD

Officers who cause the Government to lose money due to their negligence will be made to repay a portion of the lost revenue and they may even be sacked.
If there are cases of embezzlement, ministry and department heads have to take the responsibility to report the matter to police so an investigation can be carried out.
These are among the measures introduced by the Public Service Department to ensure that civil servants are held accountable for the losses highlighted by the Auditor-General in the 2010 Report.
The department issued a set of comprehensive guidelines last Tuesday to all ministries and state authorities to refer to before taking action against any guilty party.
PSD director-general Tan Sri Abu Bakar Abdullah said this was decided during a meeting with all secretaries-general and the PSD on Nov 2.
“I hope all ministries will treat this seriously. We need to do this to protect the image of the civil service and to ensure that efforts to enhance the public delivery system are not affected,” he said.
“If there are cases of missing government funds or properties, then an immediate internal probe should be conducted and a final report submitted (to the PSD) within four months,” he said, adding that copies of the report should also be forwarded to the Treasury and the state financial officer.
Abu Bakar said that if the Treasury or the state financial officers felt that the errant officer needed to be slapped with a surcharge or be disciplined, it should then make a recommendation to the respective service commission.
Most civil servants come under the Public Service Commission. However, there are other similar bodies such as the Police Commission and Education Services Commission.
Abu Bakar added that all ministries should provide answers for queries raised by the latest Auditor General's report as well as state if disciplinary or legal action would be instituted against the wrongdoers.
However, arrears or revenue which cannot be collected due to reasons beyond the public servant's control can be written off provided it is approved by the Finance Minister or the respective Mentri Besar/Chief Minister.
Abu Bakar also said a secretary-general or a department head must notify in writing to the Treasury or the state financial officer when and why a particular revenue could not be collected.
Copies should also be sent to the Auditor-General and the Accountant General.
Abu Bakar said the Treasury or the state financial officer was also authorised to appoint officers from other sections in a ministry or department to carry out investigations into financial irregularities or embezzlement.
Ministries or state departments, he said, should obtain in writing whatever information they required from contractors, companies, consultants or individuals in the course of their investigations on alleged wrongdoings.

Malaysia re-elected to International Maritime Organisation

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has been re-elected for the fourth consecutive time to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said Malaysia garnered 120 votes from the 155 eligible voting states to sit on the 20-member council's Category C for countries with maritime and navigational interests for the 2012-2013 term.
"This is a great achievement for Malaysia as we managed to get re-elected for the fourth consecutive time.
"This shows that the members are satisfied with our performance at the council all this while," he said in a text message to Bernama.
Kong expressed his appreciation to the entire campaign taskforce for its hard work.
The Malaysian delegation to the assembly, headed by Kong, comprised Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Datuk Seri Zakaria Sulong and several officials from the Transport Ministry.
The council's Category C members are Singapore, Bahamas, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, Kenya, Cyprus, Belgium, Turkey, Morocco, the Philippines, Liberia, Chile, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, South Africa, Egypt, Mexico and Denmark.
The newly-elected members of the council's Category A, which comprises 10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services, are China, Panama, Greece, South Korea, Italy, Russia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Norway and the United States.
The members of the council's Category B, which comprises 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade, are Argentina, Germany, Bangladesh, India, Brazil, the Netherlands, Canada, Spain, France and Sweden.
The council elections are one of the highlights of the IMO general assembly, which convenes every two years.
Among others, it makes policy decisions on the IMO's direction and endorses its activities.
The IMO is the United Nation's specialised agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

Refugee headcount

For the first time, Malaysia will join hands with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and register refugees and asylum-seekers to better protect them. The move, expected to commence in January, involves some 94,800 refugees and asylum-seekers.
“Having their biodata in the government database will ensure better protection for refugees especially against arrests and detentions,” said the UNHCR.
Other developments:
> Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay says the exercise is a “timely move”;
> Human rights activists welcome the move, saying Malaysia should also be a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention; and
> Bar Council says the decision is a step in the right direction but notes that more needs to be done.
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