Inter-city train service passengers to increase by 12.5 percent

Bernama (30/6/08): The number of passengers for the inter-city train service is expected to increase by 12.5 percent a year, and cargo load for the goods train service by 5.6 percent a year, within 30 years upon completion of the double-track railway project.

Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said this was based on a study by AGN Research Associates, which found that the project was a strategic action to increase capacity and meet the country's transportation needs in view of the anticipated increase in traffic volume from 2008 until 2037.

"The study by AGN encompasses economic, engineering and environmental aspects, and other matters related to train service," he said in response to a question from Roslan Shaharum (PAS-Bukit Gantang) in the Dewan Rakyat Monday.

He said the study on the effectiveness of the proposed dual track railway project was conducted by two consultant companies -- KL Consult Associates Sdn Bhd for the Seremban-Tanjung Pagar sector and Gabungan Jurubina Sdn Bhd for the Ipoh-Padang Besar sector.

He said based on the study, the increase in Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB)'s passengers and goods was due to the increase in income elasticity of demand for travel, from 1.076 to 1.15 percent, as well as as a five-fold increase in the per capita income of residents in Peninsular Malaysia in 2037.

The study also found that the increase in population and economic activities between 2008 and 2037 would increase the volume of goods and number of passengers, he added.

To meet the increase, Ong said, the government had allocated RM792 million, which included RM100 million for the purchase of five sets of electric multiple units (EMU) with each containing four coaches, RM68 million for the purchase of 24 passenger coaches and RM624 million for 13 electric train sets (ETS), with each set having six coaches.

More than 3,000 non-bumis in Mara colleges

The Star (15/5/08): A total of 3,094 non-bumiputra students are studying at 40 Mara Junior Science (MRSM) colleges, Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar said.

He said MRSM colleges reserved 10% of its places for qualified non-bumiputra youths.

“This year, we received 334 applications from non-bumiputras to go into Form 1 at MRSM, of which 172 were accepted.

“Overall there are now 3,094 non-bumiputra students of the total of 26,251 students in MRSM colleges nationwide,” he told Roslan Shaharum (PAS - Bukit Gantang).

Noh said although MRSM was created to accept youths with 5A results in the UPSR examinations, it also accepted students whose parents received RM600 or lower in monthly salary.

These students were exempted from the RM270 annual fees and given RM1,600 worth of school items and equipment.

“Fifty percent of MRSM students, who are from poor families, achieved 8A results in their PMR examinations.

“MRSM will continue with its duty to provide help to poor and bright rural students.”

He told Razali Ibrahim (BN - Muar) that 16 more MRSM colleges would be built under the terms of the 8th and 9th Malaysia Plans, in addition to the 40 existing ones.

Dewan Rakyat: Billions on ICT; new Puspakom deal

The Star (14/5/08): The Government spent a whopping RM2.21bil on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment in 2003 to implement the policy of teaching Mathematics and Science in English, said Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail.

He said another RM2.4mil was also spent in buying software, RM317mil to train the teachers and RM638mil as subject incentives.

He also told the House that the ministry was conducting the analysis for the first phase of 2008 on the policy, and the findings would be out next month.

Puspakom deal extended

Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry had renewed its contract with Puspakom and extended the concessionaire period for another 15 years.

Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said the contract, which was signed in 1994, expires next year but the Government had decided to extend it for another 15 years.

The renewal was made on Feb 14 last year between the ministry, Economy Planning Unit and Puspakom.

“Last year, the Road and Transport Department made 192 inspections in all Puspakom workshops throughout the country, instead of the required 384 inspections due to lack of manpower.

“The department only had four officers to carry out inspections,” he said.

Non-bumis at Mara

A total of 3,094 non-bumiputera students are studying at 40 Mara Junior Science (MRSM) colleges throughout the country, Entrepreneur & Co-operative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar said.

He said MRSM colleges reserved 10% of their places for qualified non-bumiputera youths.

“For this year, we received 334 applications from non-bumiputeras to go into Form 1 at MRSM, of which 172 were accepted.

“Overall there are now 3,094 non-bumiputera students out of the total of 26,251 students in MRSM colleges nationwide,” he told Roslan Shaharum (PAS-Bukit Gantang).

Unity threats

Threats on the spirit of muhibbah (unity) among Malaysians should be dealt with seriously, Unity, Culture, Arts & Heritage Minister Datuk Mohamed Shafie Apdal said.

He said programmes to bolster unity, cooperation and understanding among the races in Malaysia should not be restricted to education and campaigns.

“Our people, especially the young, are vulnerable to ideas and information that may destroy their respect for the country's foundation, which was based on the unity among the races that Malaysians had built up over the years.

“There should be appropriate punishment for those who try to destroy national unity; the threat to divide the people should not be taken lightly,” he told Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan).

Latiff slammed by opposition over ‘unprofessional’ answer

The Star (13/5/08): Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad was told off by an Opposition member during the question and answer session.

Dr Latiff had just told Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) that the shortage of specialists in the country was not faced by Malaysia alone and that this was a long-standing problem when Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (PAS-Kota Raja) stood up to criticise him.

“That is the most unprofessional answer from the ministry. This is an urgent matter,” she said.

Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said Dr Latiff had the discretion over his answers and that “this was his reply although it may not be satisfactory to Yang Berhormat”.

Earlier, Dr Latiff had told Salleh Kalbi (BN-Silam) that there were only four specialists at the Lahad Datu district hospital – two of whom were from India and the others from Egypt.

“On the problem of the lack of specialists, even those who are originally from Sabah do not want to go back to the state to serve. Perhaps they have drunk the water from Klang Valley and they prefer to stay here,” he said.

During the debate, shouts erupted between several Barisan Nasional backbenchers and opposition MPs over a remark on religious belief.

Hamim Samuri (BN-Ledang) was debating the motion of thanks on the royal address when he said that Barisan’s development programmes for the country was based on reality and not concocted by fantasy.

“Only those who lack faith will deny the successes brought about by Barisan,” he added.

Several opposition MPs shouted at Hamim, saying that he was being insensitive and irresponsible, while several Barisan MPs shouted back at them.

N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai), Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena), Roslan Shaharum (PKR-Bukit Gantang) asked Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to order Hamim to retract his statement.

Wan Junaidi finally ruled that Hamim was not directing his statement at anyone and told him to base his speech on facts next time.

Fuziah Salleh (PKR-Kuantan) questioned why there were many policemen to watch over a peaceful event when the country did not have enough officers to tackle crime.

She asked why seven policemen monitored an event organised for the disabled, the poor and single women in Kuantan recently.

“Serious crimes are occurring and there are not enough policemen to go around. But there seems to be enough for them to watch over a peaceful event,” she said.

“Maybe a PKR Member of Parliament is considered more dangerous than threats to public security and safety.”

Simple guy

My MP: Bukit Gantang

Full name: Roslan Shaharum
Party: PAS
Age: 49
Marital status: Married
Children: 10
Constituency: Bukit Gantang, Perak
Education: Master in Science (majored in Human Resource)
Profession: Former human resource director of Perak Economic Development Corporation

The Star (6/5/08): In the three-corner fight for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak in the March 8 general election, Roslan Shaharum emerged victorious in what was essentially a two-party race.

Roslan of PAS polled 20,015 votes against Barisan Nasional man Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi’s 18,449 votes. The third contestant – independent candidate M. Morgan – garnered a mere 872 votes.

How much time to do you spend on the computer?

Less than two hours a day. I also blog.

Do you play a musical instrument, dance or sing?

No.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Nasyid.

Are you into movies?

No.

What do you read?

Books on politics and psychology, as those were the subjects I studied for my first degree.

What was the last book you read?

It was a political book but I cannot recall the title.

Are you into English Premier League football?

No.

What’s your favourite sport?

Football.

What do you play?

Football.

Coffee or tea?

Any type of tea.

Do you smoke?

No.

What is the gadget you can’t do without?

Handphone.

What’s your favourite food?

Rendang.

You have a weakness for ...

Nothing in particular. I am a simple guy.

What car do you drive and how long have you had it?

Mercedes Benz E200 Compressor. It is more than six years old.

What is your contribution to environmental conservation?

I don’t litter.

Name an idol whom you look up to and why.

Tok Guru Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and Datuk Dr Harun Din. I learnt a lot from them, in matters of religion, politics and Islamic medicine.